Self-organized criticality as a model for eruptions dynamics: Validation on Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Reunion

In order to analyse the hierarchical organization of Piton de la Fournaise (PF) eruptive behaviour, we propose a model based on the self-organized criticality concept. The model ingredients are a network of multi-magmatic lenses in critical pressure, controlled by weak perturbations, releasing energy through power-law distribution of eruptions and evolving into a marginally stationary state. We show that the complex behaviour of PF during the 1920-1992 period could emerge from a few basic rules controlling individual parts of the system (lenses), without specific size for the macro-reservoir concept, and without significant magma supply or change in magma supply.