Spatial mapping of the b-value at Galeras volcano, Colombia, using earthquakes recorded from 1995 to 2002.

J. J. Sánchez(1), D. M. Gómez(2), R. A. Torres(2), M. L. Calvache(3), A. Ortega(2), A. P. Ponce(2), A. P. Acevedo(4), F. Gil-Cruz.(4), J. M. Londoño(4), S. P. Rodriguez(4), J. de J. Patiño(4) y O. P. Bohorquez(4).
(1) Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
(2) INGEOMINAS- Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto. Carrera 31 No 18-07, San Juan de Pasto, Colombia.
(3) INGEOMINAS Diagonal 53 No 34-53, Santa fe de Bogota, Colombia.
(4) INGEOMINAS- Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales. Avenida 12 de Octubre No 15-47, Manizales, Colombia. Sumitted to Earth Sciences Research Journal.

The catalog of high-frequency earthquakes at Galeras volcano, Colombia, was analyzed to determine the magnitude of completeness of the seismograph network and to explore the subsurface structure by mapping the b-value of the frequency-magnitude distribution. By using 8,435 well-located earthquakes between 1989-2002 we found the catalog to be complete above Md=0.26. The two- and three-dimensional mapping of b illuminates a vertically elongated structure beneath the active crater of Galeras down to a depth of 6 km, which may be associated with a conduit, or alternatively, with a shallow region of temporary magma storage. A structure of this geometry and location has not been found before in previous studies of b-value on volcanoes around the world.