Dynamics of rain-triggered lahars inferred from infrasound array and
time-lapse camera correlation at Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala.
Abstract
Lahars, or volcanic mudflows, are one of the most devastating natural,
volcanic hazards. We present an analysis of several rain-triggered lahar
events at Volcán Fuego in Guatemala with an infrasound array and
time-lapse camera network deployed along the Las Lajas river channel.
While infrasound detects the passage of low frequency sound waves
associated with these mudflows, the time-lapse cameras can be used to
verify lahar passages and channel responses as these flows move
downstream. Twenty-three infrasound microphones and five time-lapse
cameras were deployed during the 2021 rainy season (May-October) in the
Las Lajas drainage on the southeasterly side of Volcán de Fuego. With
the data collected over this field campaign, we hope to quantify flow
parameters such as volumes, velocities, and the frequency of these
rain-triggered mudflows, as well as characterize flow behaviors in our
infrasound signals by correlating data to the time-lapse imagery. This
study allows us to identify the occurrence of several lahars, quantify
important characteristics, and use a multi-faceted approach to verify
and delineate important flow behaviors related to these volcanic
hazards.