Detect Swarm Onset
30 minFlag elevated event rate vs 30-day baseline.
Intermediate3-6 hours
Seismic Swarm Analysis Guide
Complete seismic swarm analysis guide for volcanology practitioners. Step-by-step workflow with 4 stages and 3 specialized tools. Covers detect swarm onset, locate hypocenters, compute b-value and energy.
seismic analystsinterns
Workflow
Locate Hypocenters
2 hoursPick P and S phases; invert for depth trend beneath edifice.
Compute b-Value And Energy
1 hourPlot Gutenberg-Richter; track cumulative seismic moment.
Relate To Magma Pathway
1 hourCompare depth migration to known conduit geometry.
Tools Used
Checklist
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Planning
Preparation
Baseline
Execution
Quality
Tracking
Reference Materials
Swarm InterpretationStandard
Shallowing hypocenters with rising tremor suggest ascent.
Gutenberg-RichterFormula
log₁₀(N) = a − bM relates event count to magnitude.
Swarm TypesTable
Classification guide.
| Type | Depth km | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Phreatic | 0-2 | Steam |
| Magmatic | 2-8 | Ascent |
Clean As You Go
Maintain a clean workspace throughout — debris causes defects and safety hazards.
Progressive Refinement
Work from coarse to fine — don't skip intermediate steps to save time.
Safety First
Stop immediately if conditions become unsafe — no project is worth an injury.
Safety Notes
- Swarm alone does not predict eruption timing.
- Maintain redundant comms during field response.