Precursory changes in well water level prior to the March, 2000 eruption of Usu Volcano, Japan

Abstract

The height of water levels in two wells located near Usu volcano, Japan, changed in a systematic fashion for several months prior to the eruption of Usu volcano on 31 March 2000. In one well, water‐level decrease relative to normal levels was first observed at the beginning of October 1999. The decreasing water‐level is postulated to result from groundwater flow into cracks widened by intruding magma during dike formation. From the beginning of January 2000, the rate of decrease became higher. During this time, the water level of the second well increased by 0.05 m and then gradually decreased. The water‐level changes are consistent with volumetric expansion of magma inside the magma chamber, followed by intrusion of magma into the fracture system associated with widening of cracks. We conclude that water‐level observations can provide information that may potentially be used to predict further volcanic eruptions.