Measurement and interpretation of diffuse gas emission in tectonic structures associated to volcanoes: the case of Volcán de Fuego de Colima

Diffuse gas emission is used to understand the behavior of volcanoes during eruptive activity or during passive-degassing periods (i.e. diffuse gas emissions of Stromboli volcano have been observed for 10 years; Inguaggiato 2011). Also, diffuse gas emission is used to study the activity of tectonic structures such as faults in some areas as precursors of seismic events. Volcanoes are always associated to tectonic structures. However, few has been done to understand the volcano-tectonic relationships using diffuse emissions as a tool. For instance, Volcán de Fuego de Colima (VFC) is located in a highly active tectonic area such as the Colima graben where the existence of southward-trending faults have been previously documented as well as east-west trending faults (Macías 2005; Norini et al 2010; Cortés et al 2010). VFC is a historically active volcano with major explosive eruptions (most recent in 1913), refilling of the crater, overtopping with growing lava domes and pyroclastic flow events. However, what is the relationship between the tectonic features across the volcano? Are these structures affecting the activity of the volcano? If so, how are they affecting the eruptive activity? Can the tectonic activity be used to understand the evolution of the volcanic activity? In this work we use the diffuse gas emission to answer these questions. For this end, we measured soil CO2 flux and soil H2S flux along the Tamazula fault at more than 300 stations. Also, samples were collected from springs at VFC. Our preliminary results found no indication of significant tectonic activity around the faults to which VFC is associated. This is the first measurement of this kind at VFC and established a baseline we may compare with in the future.