On the geochemistry of volcanic gases and fluids from the Unzen volcano - ICDP-Unzen-Conduit-Drilling

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Zimmer
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2002 to 2005
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5364204

Within the framework of the ICDP Unzen Drilling Project we plan to analyse, on a continuous basis, the gas phase dissolved in the drill mud. The Unzen-Conduit-Drilling which starts on a flank, encloses both the hydrothermal and magmatic fluid systems of the volcano in a continuous profile. Real-time gas analysis will provide essential data on the amount and penetration depth of meteoric water as well as on convection processes of deep ground water and the dynamics and intensity of the mixture with volcanic (magmatic) gases. The internal connections and geometry of the fumaroles can thus be quantified directly along the drilled depth profile. With the planned gas monitoring experiment and subsequent laboratory isotope studies we aim to explain in how far a correlation exists between the composition and amount of degassed magmatic fluids and the seismicity in the volcano as well as its eruptive behaviour.

• DFG Programme: Infrastructure Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1006: International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Jörg Erzinger