The Verkhne-Yuriev Thermal Springs: The Evolution of Chemical and Isotope Compositions (1952–2022) in Relation to Active Periods of Ebeko Volcano, Paramushir Island

Abstract

This paper describes the chemical composition of the thermal waters discharging on the northwestern slope of the active Ebeko Volcano in the Yuriev River valley. We are using continuous multiyear observations of the evolution of chemical and isotope compositions to estimate the response of volcanic events to the state of the hydrothermal system. It is shown that phreatomagmatic eruptions of the volcano were preceded by a change in the chemical and isotope compositions of thermal waters caused by increased inflow of magmatic volatiles into the system. The springs are observed to show increased concentrations of anion-generating components (chloride, sulfate, and fluorine ions) with concurrent increases in heavier isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen (deuterium) toward “andesitic” water. Recalling that the changes were detected a few months before the eruption, we infer that such geochemical effects can serve as predictive markers when monitoring the state of the volcano.