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Azores: scientific study investigates volcanoes in Sete Cidades, Pico, Flores, Faial and Graciosa (EN)

Publicado: 2009-11-03 11:40:01 | Actualizado: 2009-11-03 11:43:31

Por: António Gil

The main potentially active volcanos of the Azores are the subject of a three-year study to improve rapid response in case of eruption.

Speaking to news agency Lusa, the scientific coordinator responsible for the project at the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Risk Assessment at the University of the Azores - Vittorio Zanon -  said that "we will study some of the main volcanoes in the archipelago to improve our knowledge of their behaviour, should a rapid response be needed in case of eruption".

"The volcanoes in question are considered important and there currently isn't much in-depth information available about their activity should magmatic activity resume", said the researcher.

Vittorio Zanon explained that project PLUSYS - which has a budget of 190,000 euros and is financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology - will track the route of the magma and its degasification from the mantle to the surface "in order to obtain a model of the internal structure of each of the volcanos".

The different temperatures, pressures and gas contents are key parameters for the forecasting of eruptions and for accurate parametrization of volcanic risks, concluded Zanon.

The study will also determine the quantity of gaseous elements present in basalt - such as fluorine, chlorine, iodine and bromine. Those could be released during an eruption and cause land and water contamination.

During the next 3 years, researcher at the University of the Azores, in Perugia and Siena in Italy, and at the Agency for Earth Science and Technology in Japan will perform several field and laboratory tests on the samples collected in the Azores.

António Gil com Kitty Bale