Copahue Volcano (Argentina) : A relationship between ground deformation, seismic activity and geochemical changes

Abstract

Copahue volcano is an active stratovolcano, with a hot, acidic, Crater Lake.This is the main expression of the magmatic-hydrothermal system. Theproperties of the lake water respond to chemical and physical changes in thesubsurface hydrothermal or magmatic system. In this region, significant seismicactivity at the beginning of 2004 was recorded. After these events, severalsurface manifestations were recognised; the temperature of crater lakedecreased, the composition of springs changed and surface deformation onthe northeastern flank of the volcanic edifice were recorded. Herein, arelationship between ground deformation, seismic activity and geochemicalvariations is established.