Staff:

Pedro A. Hernandez - Geochemistry
Jose M. L. Salazar - Geochemistry
Jose Manuel Navarro - Volcanology
R. Noemi Lima - Geochemistry
Lourdes Castro - Geochemistry
Tomas Zarate - Volcanology

ITER active volcano research group is developing a geochemical monitoring program for volcanic surveillance of the Canary Islands where volcano monitoring has been mainly performed by means of conventional geophysical methods. Establishing a multidisciplinary approach (geophysics and geochemistry) for volcano surveillance is one of our goals for reducing risk in the Canaries.

(1) Teide volcano (Tenerife Is.)

CONTINUOUS GEOCHEMICAL MONITORING

• Continuous monitoring of soil CO2, He, H2, and flux measurements at the summit of Teide volcano. Data is daily transmitted by GSM.
• Continuous monitoring of dissolved gases in ground waters by means of quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) and alfa spectrometry in 2 observation sites of the volcanic aquifer of Tenerife. Data will be daily transmitted by GSM (starting in December 1999).

NON-CONTINUOUS GEOCHEMICAL MONITORING

• Hydrochemical monitoring network of 4 observation sites for non-continous measurements of physical-chemical parameters in ground waters of the volcanic aquifer. Ground water samples have been collected weekly since May 1997.
• Integrated soil CO2 flux monitoring network of 24 observation sites situated along the three major volcanic rift-zones of Tenerife. Samples have been collected weekly since March 1997.
• Geochemical monitoring of fumarolic discharges from the summit of Teide volcano. Samples have been collected weekly since March 1997.
• Carbon dioxide diffuse degassing at the summit of Teide volcano releases about 380 tons/day to the atmosphere. Mapping is performed every 3 years (first survey in 1998).

(2) El Hierro volcano (El Hierro Is.)

NON-CONTINUOUS GEOCHEMICAL MONITORING

• Hydrochemical monitoring network of 2 observation sites for non-continuous measurement of physical-chemical parameters in ground waters of the volcanic aquifer. Ground water samples are collected weekly since March 1998.
• Integrated soil CO2 flux monitoring network of 24 observation sites situation along the three major volcanic rift-zones of Tenerife. Samples are collected weekly since March 1998.
• Carbon dioxide diffuse degassing at El Hierro volcano releases about 190 tons/day to the atmosphere. Mapping is performed every 3 years (first survey in 1998).

(3) Cumbre Vieja volcano (La Palma Is.)

CONTINUOUS GEOCHEMICAL MONITORING

• Continuous monitoring of dissolved gases in ground waters by means of quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) and alfa spectrometry in 1 observation site of the volcanic aquifer of La Palma. Data is daily transmitted by GSM since September 1998.

NON-CONTINUOUS GEOCHEMICAL MONITORING

• Hydrochemical monitoring network of 2 observation sites for non-continuous measurements of physical-chemical parameters in ground waters of the volcanic aquifer. Ground water samples are collected weekly.
• Integrated soil CO2 flux monitoring network of 24 observation sites situated along the three major volcanic rift-zones of Tenerife. Samples are collected weekly.
• Carbon dioxide diffuse degassing at Cumbre Vieja volcano releases about 590 tons/day to the atmospshere. Mapping is performed every three years (first survey in 1997).

(4) Timanfaya volcano (Lanzarote Is.)

NON-CONTINUOUS GEOCHEMICAL MONITORING

• Carbon dioxide diffuse degassing mapping at Timanfaya volcano. Mapping will be performed every three years (First survey was slated for 1999).