Hydro-Acoustic Recording and Multidisciplinary Observations linked by Numeric Integration for Eruption monitoring – HARMONIE

HARMONIE aims to enhance our understanding of the 2018-2021 Fani Maoré submarine volcanic eruption near Mayotte, Mozambique Channel. Submarine eruptions pose significant challenges due to limited access to eruption sites and high-resolution data. The Fani Maoré eruption provides a unique opportunity to investigate the evolution of a large-scale submarine system thanks to the 30 oceanographic campaigns that have been organized since 2019 leading to an extensive dataset. By integrating multidisciplinary data, including seismicity, hydro-acoustics, petrology, videos, and bathymetry, we seek to uncover critical processes such as magma propagation, lava flow dynamics, and fissure formation.
HARMONIE’s scientific objectives include addressing key questions:
(Q1) Can hydro-acoustic data complement seismic monitoring to track lava flows and eruption fluxes?
(Q2) How did the various phases of the Fani Maoré eruption unfold, and what were the magma pathways?
(Q3) Can hydro-acoustic signals and seismicity, supplemented by scarce in situ data, track the morphological evolution of the volcanic edifices?
The project is organized into three work packages, focusing on the analysis of continuous OBS data (WP1), the relationship between eruption dynamics and morphological changes (WP2), and the development of forecasting models for future eruption activity (WP3).
Ultimately, HARMONIE will improve real-time monitoring and eruption prediction for underwater volcanic systems, providing insights not only for Fani Maoré but for other submarine volcanoes worldwide.