Scientists find metal-rich brine reservoir under Soufrière Hills volcano
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An international team of scientists has identified a large reservoir of super-saline fluid containing copper, zinc, and lead beneath the active Soufrière Hills volcano on Montserrat. The discovery was made using seismic data collected from 1996 to 2007. The reservoir, located about two kilometers deep, may be linked to the formation of future ore deposits.
Key Facts
- The reservoir is located about two kilometers below the surface and has a diameter of more than one kilometer.
- Researchers from Oxford University analyzed thousands of P- and S-waves recorded by 23 monitoring stations between 1996 and 2007.
- The findings were published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
- Soufrière Hills last erupted in 2013.
Seismic Mapping
Researchers from Oxford University and their colleagues created a three-dimensional map of the volcanic system using seismic data. They analyzed thousands of P- and S-waves recorded by 23 monitoring stations from 1996 to 2007. Differences in wave propagation speeds allowed them to identify fluid-saturated areas and separate them from zones of molten magma. The resulting map revealed the volcano's deep core, geothermal fluid circulation zones, and surface rock layers altered by hot solutions.
Reservoir Formation
The reservoir is believed to have formed from the separation of supercritical fluids released by rising and cooling magma. Such high-salinity fluids can concentrate metals and transport them through volcanic rocks. This process may lead to the formation of ore bodies over time. The exact concentrations of metals in the reservoir are not yet known.
Volcanic Implications
The discovered zone may influence the volcano's behavior by participating in fluid movement and altering conditions within the volcanic system. Soufrière Hills last erupted in 2013. Passive seismic observation allows such structures to be studied without deep drilling in extreme conditions. Researchers plan to determine the reservoir's size, metal content, and potential impact on volcanic activity.
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Scientists find metal-rich brine reservoir under Soufrière Hills volcano
