From slab to surface: Earthquake evidence for fluid migration at
Uturuncu volcano
Abstract
Uturuncu volcano is situated in the Bolivian Andes, directly above the
world’s largest crustal body of silicic partial melt, the Altiplano-Puna
Magma Body (APMB). Uturuncu last erupted 250,000 years ago, yet is
seismically active and lies at the centre of a 70 km diameter uplifted
region. Here, we analyse seismicity from 2009 to 2012. Our earthquake
locations, using a newly developed velocity model, delineate the top and
bottom of the APMB, reveal individual faults, and reconcile differences
in depth distribution between previous studies. Spatial clustering
analysis of these earthquakes reveals the orientations of the faults,
which match stress orientations from seismic anisotropy. Earthquake
b-values derived from moment magnitudes (1.4) differ significantly from
those using local magnitude measurements (0.8). We suggest that, if
possible, moment magnitudes should always be used for accurate b-value
analysis. We interpret b-values > 1 in terms of
fluid-enhanced seismicity. Shallow seismicity local to Uturuncu yields
b-values > 1.1 with some temporal variation, suggesting
fluid migration along pre-existing faults in a shallow hydrothermal
system, likely driven by advection from the APMB. Intriguingly, events
deeper than the APMB also yield large b-values (1.4), mapping the ascent
into the lower crust of fluids originating from a subducting slab.
Cumulatively, these results provide a picture of an active magmatic
system, where fluids are exchanged across the more ductile APMB, feeding
a shallow, fault-controlled hydrothermal system. Such pathways of fluid
ascent may influence our understanding of arc volcanism, control future
volcanic eruptions and promote the accumulation of shallow hydrothermal
ore deposits.