Sustained Co‐Eruptive Increase in Seismic Velocity Below Great Sitkin Volcano Due To Magma Extrusion.

Volcanic eruptions carry essential information on the dynamics of volcanic systems. Studies have documented variable eruption styles and eruptive surface deformation. However, co‐eruptive subsurface structural changes remain poorly understood. Here we characterize the seismic velocity changes from July 2019 to July 2023 at Great Sitkin Volcano in the central Aleutian volcanic arc, using single‐station ambient noise interferometry at five three‐component seismic stations. Coincident with the lava effusion since late July 2021, about two months after the explosive eruption on 26 May 2021, we observe a sustained velocity increase, most prominently to the northwest of the caldera. We attribute this velocity increase to the structural changes with magma extrusion, with the spatial variation controlled by the geometry of the magma system or the property of shallow volcaniclastics. Our findings offer insights into understanding co‐eruptive structural modifications at active volcanoes. Plain Language Summary: Volcanic eruptions provide important insights into how volcanoes work and the potential risks they pose. This study looks at the ongoing eruption at Great Sitkin Volcano in the central Aleutian volcanic arc to better understand the changes happening beneath the surface. We measure the changes in the velocity of seismic waves, with data from five seismometers on the island. We collected data from July 2019 to July 2023, covering different eruptive stages and multiple lava effusion episodes during the eruption that started on 26 May 2021. Coincident with the lava effusion since late July 2021, we notice a significant increase in seismic velocities, most prominently at a station northwest of the volcano's central crater. We conclude that this increase reflects the structural change in the shallow subsurface due to magma extrusion, with deflation of the edifice and closure of cracks. The findings in this study help to improve our understanding of how volcanoes behave during eruptions. Key Points: We observe prominent, spatially variable increases in seismic velocity during lava effusions at Great Sitkin Volcano since late July 2021The sustained co‐eruptive increase in seismic velocity reflects structural changes with crack closures as the consequence of magma extrusionThe distinct spatial variation of the velocity increase may be controlled by reservoir geometry or the strength of shallow volcaniclastics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]