3-D Anisotropic Ambient Noise Tomography of Piton De La Fournaise Volcano (La Réunion Island)

Abstract:

We cross-correlate four years of seismic noise continuously recorded by the seismic monitoring network of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Réunion Island). The network is composed of 40 stations 27 of which have 3-component sensors. We use Vertical-to-Vertical (ZZ) cross-correlation components from all stations and Radial-to-Radial (RR) and Transverse-to-Transverse (TT) cross-correlations computed from 3-component records. The group velocity dispersion curves for Rayleigh and Love waves are measured using a Frequency-Time Analysis. We average measurements from ZZ and RR components to finally obtain 577 Rayleigh-wave dispersion curves. 395 Love-wave dispersion curves are obtained from the TT cross-correlations. We then regionalize the group velocities measurements to construct 2D dispersion maps at a set of periods between 0.4 and 8 s. Finally, we construct a 3D shear-velocity model down to 3 km below the sea level by jointly inverting the Rayleigh and Love wave group velocity maps with a Neighborhood Algorithm and with taking into account the radial anisotropy.

The distribution of 3-D Voigt averaged S-wave velocities shows three distinct high-velocity anomalies surrounded by a low-velocity ring. The most western high-velocity anomaly is located below the actual "Plaine des Sables" and could be attributed to an old intrusive body at the location of the former volcanic center before it migrated toward its present location. The second high-velocity body is located below the summit of the volcano and likely corresponds to the actual preferential dyke intrusion zone as highlighted by the seismicity. The third high-velocity anomaly is located below the "Grandes Pentes" and the "Grand Brûlé" areas and is thought to be an imprint of the solidified magma chamber of the ancient dismantled “Les Alizé” volcano. The distribution of the radial anisotropy shows two main anomalies: a positive anisotropy (Vsh>Vsv) above sea level highlighting the recent edifice of Piton de la Fournaise with an accumulation of mostly horizontal lava flows, and the second one below the sea level with a negative anisotropy (Vsv>Vsh) showing the ancient edifice of the Piton de la Fournaise dominated by intrusions of vertical dykes.