Kirishima volcano

Shinohara performed a UAV-based characterisation of the plume from Shinmoedake, Kirishima volcano, Japan, using electrochemical and other in situ sensors. Due to ongoing explosive eruptive activity, access to the volcano summit area 4 km around the volcano was restricted (even for manned aircraft). Therefore this study demonstrates UAVs as a viable method to obtain plume gas measurements under hazardous summit conditions. Several molar gas ratios were determined during a period with Vulcanian eruptions in May 2011, including CO2/ S02 = 8, H20/C02 = 70 and H2/S02 = 0.03. It was found that plume SO2/H2S showed a decrease over March to May 2011 from 8 to 0.8, which is interpreted as resulting from an increase in degassing pressure of the volcano. 

Shinohara H (2013) Composition of volcanic gases emitted during repeating Vulcanian eruption stage of Shinmoedake, Kirishima volcano, Japan. Earth Planets Space 65 667-675... 

Fig. 2.36. Tectonic setting of Kyushu, Japan, showing location of (north) Hishikari and Nansatsu (south) deposits in Kirishima arc. Triangle volcanoes younger than Middle Pleistocene stipple accretionary prism of Cretaceous and Tertiary age W-B zone isobath of deep Wadati-Benioff seismic zone MTL Median Tectonic Line BTL Butsuzo Tectonic Line K-P Ridge Kyushu-Palau Ridge (Mitchell and Leach, 1991).

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