Dike volume derived from seismicity as a gauge of fracture toughness and propagation dynamics

Abstract

AbstractThe temporal evolution of dike volume can help elucidate its propagation dynamics, however, such an estimation is possible only when there are geodetic observations available along the dike path. Here it is shown that dike volume history during eight eruptions can be reconstructed from seismic moment release using high resolution earthquake catalogs. The critical volume needed for each dike to reach the surface is simulated and compared to the accumulated volume prior to eruption in order to infer fracture toughness, a measure of resistance to fracture. It is found that fracture toughness varies between 123–833 MPa m 1/2, with larger values corresponding to longer dikes. Resistance to fracture dominates over viscous dissipation when the dikes propagate through unfractured heterogeneous material with large rigidity contrast, or when there is dike segmentation. These results can be utilized for real time monitoring of dike growth, forecasting eruption volume, and for constraining analog or numerical models of dike propagation.