Assisting the instrumental observation of the eruption
This project answers a request of collaboration from Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofisica (INMGCV) to assist the instrumental observation of the eruption at Fogo, in the Cape Verde archipelago, one of the most active oceanic island volcanoes in the world. It has erupted approximately every 20 years since the island was discovered in the 15th century.
The most recent eruption of Fogo volcano started on November 23rd, 2014, and a few days later the Collaboratorium for Geosciences (C4G), a consortium included in the National Strategic Research Infrastructure Roadmap, received that a request, which was readily accepted, and FCT exceptionally funded a mission to Fogo to collect geological, seismic, geodetic, and geochemical data.
Hazard assessment – These rich datasets offer a unique opportunity to improve volcanic hazard assessment in the island and recommend on risk mitigation strategies.
Transversal themes –The project’s activities converge into the following 3 transversal themes: i) volcanic structure (Past), ii) eruption dynamics (Present) and iii) strategies for risk mitigation (Future).
Variety of techniques – In order to achieve the proposed goals, the researcher’s team rely on a variety of techniques spanning the fields of physical volcanology, geological mapping, remote sensing, seismology, spacegeodesy & gravimetry, igneous petrology & geochemistry, geochronology, palaeomagnetism, and numerical modeling. These techniques will be combined in coordinated and complementary ways, and will feed into the development of strategies for risk assessment and mitigation, in partnership with the competent authorities.
Holistic understanding – Besides contributing to hazard assessment, the anticipated results will also contribute to a holistic understanding of the Fogo volcano and of ocean island volcanoes in general.
Notably, improved knowledge of the Fogo system will allow insight into the trigger mechanisms behind volcanic extreme events (low probability, high impact): In prehistorical times, Fogo generated several highlyexplosive (plinian) eruptions, and it was also the site of a catastrophic flank collapse that triggered a devastating giant tsunami (~73 kyrs ago).
Catalyser of integration – This project counts with a large team of Portuguese scientists, many of whom have a distinguished track record of work on Fogo and other volcanic systems. The project is the first joint scientific venture of the C4G community, serving as catalyser of integration between scientists and research groups within C4G, and between C4G and its strategic partners. In addition, the team includes scientists from Capeverdean institutions, aiming at an effective bilateral knowledge transfer.
Project Members
 Rui Fernandes (Principal Investigator, PI)
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JoséMadeira
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Funded by
FCT