Effects of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption on groundwater resources (part I): Hydraulic impacts
Creators
- 1. Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), C/ Ríos Rosas 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain
- 2. of Earth Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
- 3. Departamento de Ingeniería Agraria y del Medio Natural. Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), La Laguna (Tenerife). C/ Pedro Herrera s/n, 38200, San Crist´obal de La Laguna, Spain
- 4. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
Description
The 2021 volcanic eruption in the Cumbre Vieja mountain range on La Palma Island (Canary Islands, Spain)
raised concerns regarding the potential impact on groundwater resources. This study is the first part of a series of
papers investigating those impacts, and focuses on the hydraulic impacts of the eruption, while subsequent
papers will explore the geochemical consequences. Three boreholes equipped with sensors to measure hydraulic
head, temperature, and electrical conductivity of groundwater were installed near the volcano. Monitoring
started during the eruption and continued a year after it. Statistical analysis were performed to assess the
relationship between the measured variables and real-time seismic-amplitude measurements (RSAM). In addition,
the possibility of groundwater vaporization due to magma emergence was assessed with a groundwater flow
numerical modelling of the island. Correlation coefficients were computed to assess the linear relationship between
groundwater parameters and seismic signals, observing a statistically significant association, and suggesting
near-instantaneous variations in parameters such as groundwater levels and EC. Different response
patterns of groundwater levels were observed in recharging areas in highlands compared to discharge areas,
showing an opposite correlation direction. Deduction of natural trends from the linear regression models of head
and RSAM two months after the eruption revealed a more predictable impact on the groundwater system, as the
hydrogeological system adjusts to the volcanic activity and its effects on the aquifer. The hydrogeological simulation of the "magma pumping effect" suggested that groundwater extraction was possible, but the absence
of an appropriate groundwater monitoring network made it impossible to determine the amount of water
extracted from the aquifer. The uncertainty analysis showed values up to 2000 m3⋅day 1. These findings have
important implications for understanding the negative impacts of volcanic eruptions on groundwater resources,
highlighting the need for regular monitoring and assessment by hydrogeologists and water management
professionals.
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1-s2.0-S2352801X23000899-main.pdf
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