Oppenheimer, C., Kyle, P.R., Tsanev, V.I., McGonigle, A.J.S., Mather, T.A. We also find clear evidence that only part of the deep magma that yields carbon dioxide rises to shallower levels in the volcano’s plumbing system. In a new paper, part of an in press Special Issue of Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research edited by Clive Oppenheimer and Philip Kyle, we have argued that the bulk of the gas emitted is sourced two kilometres below the lava lake yet is in chemical equilibrium with magma at the surface. Analysis of these data provides rich information on the dynamics and geometry of the plumbing system of the volcano. We have also applied infrared spectroscopy to high time resolution measurements of emissions from the lava lake. Given the high altitude and sustained degassing from the volcano, the measured emissions have implications for understanding aspects of both the atmospheric and cryospheric nitrogen chemistry of the continent. We have suggested that Erebus is the main point source for NO 2 (and very likely other reactive nitrogen oxides) in the Antarctic troposphere. NO 2 is not a primary volcanic gas but is probably formed by thermal fixation of atmospheric nitrogen at the hot surface of the lava lake. One of our findings is that Erebus is a significant source of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), a gas which plays an important role in tropospheric ozone chemistry. The Cambridge Volcanology Group has participated in annual field campaigns on Erebus since 2003, making detailed measurements of heat, gas and aerosol emissions from the volcano using a variety of open path spectroscopy and in situ sampling techniques. Despite its remote location, an extensive monitoring programme is in place, led by Philip Kyle at New Mexico Tech. It reaches nearly 4 km above sea level, and is renowned in volcanological circles for its persistently active lava lake, which is sited in the summit crater. Erebus is one of the largest active volcanoes on Earth. The following person in the Department was involved in this project: This was a project of the Volcanology research theme, part of the Climate and Environmental Dynamics thematic research group, and the Terrestrial cryosphere research theme, part of the Glaciology and Glacial Geology thematic research group.
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