Monitoring degassing behaviour and eruption precursors at Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, Tanzania
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Earth Sciences
Abstract
The East African Rift System plays host to some of the Earth's most unique and hazardous volcanoes. Among them is Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano in northern Tanzania, characterised by some of the most remarkable features observed of any terrestrial volcano and capable of producing violent pyroclastic eruptions.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is one of the most persistently high-CO2 degassing volcanoes worldwide, yet its remoteness has made it difficult for scientists to access regularly. This project will investigate novel remote gas and isotope sensing techniques to quantify the day-to-day degassing behaviour of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. The overarching goal of this project is to contribute towards international efforts to set up a local, long-term monitoring partnership. This promises to provide significantly higher resolution data than is currently being achieved through sparse, short-term field campaigns.
Remote sensing and monitoring techniques used throughout this project will include the use of custom-built telemetric gas sensing modules, set up for walking traverses, drone flights and permanent summit stations. Data from these will be compiled and presented as a 3D concentration profile model of the volcano.
Ol Doinyo Lengai is one of the most persistently high-CO2 degassing volcanoes worldwide, yet its remoteness has made it difficult for scientists to access regularly. This project will investigate novel remote gas and isotope sensing techniques to quantify the day-to-day degassing behaviour of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. The overarching goal of this project is to contribute towards international efforts to set up a local, long-term monitoring partnership. This promises to provide significantly higher resolution data than is currently being achieved through sparse, short-term field campaigns.
Remote sensing and monitoring techniques used throughout this project will include the use of custom-built telemetric gas sensing modules, set up for walking traverses, drone flights and permanent summit stations. Data from these will be compiled and presented as a 3D concentration profile model of the volcano.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Adrian Jones (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Kate Laxton (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/W502716/1 | 01/04/2021 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 1917554 | Studentship | NE/W502716/1 | 01/10/2017 | 07/02/2022 | Kate Laxton |
| Description | A novel gas and lava sampling technique has been applied to the world's most unique volcanic system, Ol Doinyo Lengai in Tanzania. As a result, the first measurements and samples have been collected directly from the crater floor since the explosive eruption of 2007. |
| Exploitation Route | Too early to day (the award is still active) |
| Sectors | Environment |
| Description | Deep Carbon Observatory |
| Organisation | Deep Carbon Observatory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | This project contributes to the DCO's effort to investigate the Earth's deep carbon cycle. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Generous funding, early-career support and inclusion in the DCO community. |
| Impact | 2018 International Carbon Conference (Iceland) - Gas monitoring Workshop 2019 Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group Conference (UK) - Poster 2019 Janet Watson Conference at the Geological Society of London (UK) - Presentation 2019 Expedition to Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania) - Deploy novel gas and lava sampling technique 2019 Deep Carbon Conference (Washington D.C) - Poster |
| Start Year | 2018 |