The complex volcanic system of Tenerife Island is known to have a highly heterogeneous character, as recently confirmed by velocity tomography. We present new information derived from intrinsic quality factor inverse maps (Q_i⁻¹), scattering quality factor inverse maps (Q_s⁻¹) and total quality factor inverse maps (Q_t⁻¹) obtained for the same region. The data set used in this work is the result of the analysis of an active seismic experiment carried out, using offshore shots (air guns) recorded at over 85 onshore seismic stations. The estimates of the attenuation parameters are based on the assumption that the seismogram energy envelopes are determined by seismic energy diffusion processes occurring inside the island. Diffusion model parameters, proportional to Q_i⁻¹ and to Q_s⁻¹, are estimated from the inversion of the energy envelopes for any source–receiver couple. They are then weighted with a new graphical approach based on a Gaussian space probability function, which allowed us to create ‘2-D probabilistic maps’ representing the space distribution of the attenuation parameters. The 2-D images obtained reveal the existence of a zone in the centre of the island characterized by the lowest attenuation effects. This effect is interpreted as highly rigid and cooled rocks. This low-attenuation region is bordered by zones of high attenuation, associated with the recent historical volcanic activity. We calculate the transport mean free path obtaining a value of around 4 km for the frequency range 6–12 Hz. This result is two orders of magnitude smaller than values calculated for the crust of the Earth. An absorption length between 10 and 14 km is associated with the average intrinsic attenuation parameter. These values, while small in the context of tectonic regions, are greater than those obtained in volcanic regions such as Vesuvius or Merapi. Such differences may be explained by the magnitude of the region of study, over three times larger than the aforementioned study areas. This also implies deeper sampling of the crust, which is evidenced by a change in the values of seismic attenuation. One important observation is that scattering attenuation dominates over the intrinsic effects, Q_i being at least twice the value of Q_s.

In this work, we present regional maps of the inverse intrinsic quality factor (Q_i⁻¹), the inverse scattering quality factor (Q_s⁻¹) and total inverse quality factor (Q_t⁻¹) for the volcanic environment of Deception Island (Antarctica). Our attenuation study is based on diffusion approximation, which permits us to obtain the attenuation coefficients for every single couple source-receiver separately. The data set used in this research is derived from an active seismic experiment using more than 5200 offshore shots (air guns) recorded at 32 onshore seismic stations and four ocean bottom seismometers. To arrive at a regional distribution of these values, we used a new mapping technique based on a Gaussian space probability function. This approach led us to create ‘2-D probabilistic maps’ of values of intrinsic and scattering seismic attenuation. The 2-D tomographic images confirm the existence of a high attenuation body below an inner bay of Deception Island. This structure, previously observed in 2-D and 3-D velocity tomography of the region, is associated with a massive magma reservoir. Magnetotelluric studies reach a similar interpretation of this strong anomaly. Additionally, we observed areas with lower attenuation effects that bear correlation with consolidated structures described in other studies and associated with the crystalline basement of the area. Our calculations of the transport mean-free path and absorption length for intrinsic attenuation gave respective values of ≈ 950 m and 5 km, which are lower than the values obtained in tectonic regions or volcanic areas such as Tenerife Island. However, as observed in other volcanic regions, our results indicate that scattering effects dominate strongly over the intrinsic attenuation.

In this work we present intrinsic and scattering seismic attenuation 2‐D images of Stromboli Volcano. We used 21,953 waveforms from air gun shots fired by an oceanographic vessel and recorded at 33 inland and 10 ocean bottom seismometer seismic stations. Coda wave envelopes of the filtered seismic traces were fitted to the energy transport equation in the diffusion approximation, obtaining a couple of separate Q_i and Q_s in six frequency bands. Using numerically estimated sensitivity kernels for coda waves, separate images of each quality factor were produced. Results appear stable and robust. They show that scattering attenuation prevails over intrinsic attenuation. The scattering pattern shows a strong concordance with the tectonic lineaments in the area, while an area of high total attenuation coincides with the zone where most of the volcanic activity occurs. Our results provide evidence that the most important attenuation effects in volcanic areas are associated with the presence of geological heterogeneities.

We present a 3-D model of P and S velocities beneath El Hierro Island, constructed using the traveltime data of more than 13 000 local earthquakes recorded by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN, Spain) in the period from 2011 July to 2012 September. The velocity models were performed using the LOTOS code for iterative passive source tomography. The results of inversion were thoroughly verified using different resolution and robustness tests. The results reveal that the majority of the onshore area of El Hierro is associated with a high-velocity anomaly observed down to 10–12-km depth. This anomaly is interpreted as the accumulation of solid igneous rocks erupted during the last 1 Myr and intrusive magmatic bodies. Below this high-velocity pattern, we observe a low-velocity anomaly, interpreted as a batch of magma coming from the mantle located beneath El Hierro. The boundary between the low- and high-velocity anomalies is marked by a prominent seismicity cluster, thought to represent anomalous stresses due to the interaction of the batch of magma with crust material. The areas of recent eruptions, Orchilla and La Restinga, are associated with low-velocity anomalies surrounding the main high-velocity block. These eruptions took place around the island where the crust is much weaker than the onshore area and where the melted material cannot penetrate. These results put constraints on the geological model that could explain the origin of the volcanism in oceanic islands, such as in the Canaries, which is not yet clearly understood.