A method for prediction of volcanic eruptions

Abstract

The relationship Ω·–α Ω¨ – A = 0 describes the behaviour of materials in terminal stages of failure, where Ω is an observable quantity such as strain, and A and α are empirical constants. Drawing on analogies between failure mechanics and eruption processes at volcanoes, Ω is interpreted in terms of conventional geodetic, seismic or geochemical observations. Manipulation of Ω provides a consistent analytical basis for eruption prediction.