Clues of Lithosphere, Atmosphere and Ionosphere Variations Possibly Related to the Preparation of La Palma 19 September 2021 Volcano Eruption

Abstract

On 19 September 2021, La Palma Cumbre Vieja Volcano started an eruption classified as Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI) 3. In this study, at least the six months prior to such an event have been investigated to search for possible lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere bottom-up interactions. The lithosphere has been analysed in terms of seismicity getting advantages from the high-density local seismic network. Possible atmospheric alterations related to the volcano emissions or release of gases due to the uplift of the magmatic chamber have been searched in SO2, aerosol, dimethyl sulphide, and CO. The magnetic field on Earth’s surface has been studied by ground geomagnetic observatories. The status of the ionosphere has been investigated with two satellite missions: China Seismo Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) and European Space Agency Swarm constellation, with Total Electron Content (TEC) retrieved from global maps. We identified a temporal migration of the seismicity from November 2020 at a depth of 40 km that seems associable to magma migration, firstly to a deep chamber at about 15 km depth and in the last 10 days in a shallow magma chamber at less than 5 km depth. The atmospheric composition, ground geomagnetic field, and ionosphere showed anomalies from more than three months before the eruption, suggesting a possible influence from the bottom geo-layers to the upper ones. CSES-01 detected an increase of electron density, confirmed by TEC data, and alterations of vertical magnetic field on ground Guimar observatory that are temporal compatible with some volcanic low seismic activity (very likely due to the magma uplift), suggesting an eventual electromagnetic disturbance from the lithosphere to the ionosphere. A final increase of carbon monoxide 1.5 months before the eruption with unusually high values of TEC suggests the last uplifting of the magma before the eruption, confirmed by a very high shallow seismicity that preceded the eruption by ten days. This work underlines the importance of integrating several observation platforms from ground and overall space to understand geophysics better, and, in particular, the natural hazard affecting our planet.