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1900-03
Deception Volcanic Observatory
South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Instituto Antártico Argentino
Cerrito 1248
Buenos Aires
Argentina

Universidad de Buenos Aires
Departamento de Ciencias Geológicas
Ciudad Universitaria, Pab.2
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Telephone :

(54)11- 812 1689

Telefax :

(54)11- 812 2039

Contacts:

Dr. Alberto Tomás Caselli

Email :

acaselli@gl.fcen.uba.ar

Websites :

 

www.dna.gov.ar/CIENCIA/OVD/INDEX.HTM

 

Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN)
José Gutiérrez Abascal 2
28006 Madrid - España

 

Telephone :

(34)1- 411 1328

Telefax :

(34)1- 564 4740

Director:

Dr. Ramón Ortiz

Email :

ramon@mncn.csic.es

Website :

 

www.mncn.csic.es/english/index1.html

 

 

Directors:

Dr. Alberto Tomás CASELLI (Argentine) – Volcanology, gas geochemistry
Dr. Ramón ORTIZ (Spain)  - Volcanology, Seismology

Staff:

Dra. Alicia Garcia Garcia (CSIC) – Geophysics
Dr. Jesus Ibañez (Universidad de Granada) - Seismology
Dra. María dos Santos Afonso (Universidad de Buenos Aires) - Chemistry
Dra. Stella Poma (Universidad de Buenos Aires) - Petrology

Dra. Selvia Tourn (Universidad de Buenos Aires) - Mineralogy

Lic. Gabriela  Badi (Universidad de la Plata) – Seismology

Lic. Mariano Agusto (Universidad de Buenos Aires) - Gas Geochemistry

Lic. Cintia Bengoa (Universidad de Buenos Aires) – Seismology

 Close collaboration with :

Dra. Corina RISSO (UBA) – Volcanology – volcanic risk
Dr. José Viramonte (UNSa) - Petrology
Dr. Alfredo Aparicio (CSIC) - Petrology - water Geochemistry

Dr. Marino Martini (Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Italy) - Gas geochemistry.

 

The volcanological observatory was created in the 1993 summer in the Argentine Station of Deception Island by the Instituto Antartico Argentino (IAA) and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) - Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales from Spain. It was established in response to the volcanic reactivation on Deception during the 1991-92 summer. It is going to be in operation intensively - only during the austral summer (from December to February/March each year). The rest of the year instruments work automatically with sporadic surveys.

Its main goals are :

1. to monitor different phases of the island’s volcanic activity.

2. to provide surveillance of activity that could threaten tourists to Deception Island.

 

MONITORING NETWORKS

Seismology

Monitoring of seismicity is done with a digital seismic array composed of 30 Mark L4C-L25B geophones and a dynamic range of 16 bits. Additional vertical component seismic stations are used, one analog on thermic drum and the other digital with a continuous register system and dynamic range of 24 bits. During winter time the system operates in triggered event mode. Time system is based in GPS receiver.

Its objective is to obtain detailed information about volcanic tremors as well as low magnitude events.

The Observatory has a seismic telemetric network to be deployed in volcanic crisis or special research project.

 Thermometry and gas geochemistry

Temperatures from hot soils and fumaroles are measured regularly. In addition aerial photographs are taken each winter to compare extension of thermal anomalies by their effects on snow and ice cover.

Samples of gases from fumaroles are collect using evacuated flask with NaOH solution to absorb the acid gases (CO2, H2S, HCl, HF and SO2). Water vapor condensate also is collected by condensation of vapor as it reaches the surface. Moreover, acid gases are sampled using Cd(ClO4)2 and KOH. This sample are periodically analyzed (CO2, H2S, and SO2) with a field geochemistry laboratory install in the Observatory (Argentine Station), by classical analytical techniques.

 

Ground deformation

Three dry tilt stations were placed close to Fumarole Bay, the major activity area in the island, and are periodically measured. One GPS network with 6 stations was placed around the island.

 

Differential magnetism

Continuous recording is made of magnetic field intensity using two Proton magnetometers at Deception Island and a third on Livingstone Island used as a reference station. A variometric station is operated with one of the proton magnetometers.

 

Gravimeter

A gravimetry network with 6 gravity benchmarks has been measured each year. A continuous gravity recorder was located in the Argentine Station basement. The gravimetry earth tide signal is recorded in continuous mode with the seismic signal.

 

Geological studies

Deception Island geology is studied with emphasis on the stratigraphic and structural characteristics to determine its volcanic evolution. The different units will be analyzed and detailed profiles in pyroclastic rock outcrops will be surveyed aiming to study the acting processes. Petrographic and geochemical studies of the volcanic rocks together with the profiles of pyroclastic rock outcrops will allow obtaining new data on the island geologic evolution.

                                                                                              Updated, August 2004