Constraints on the pre-eruptive magmatic history of the Quaternary Laacher See volcano (Germany)

Abstract

Ba zonation patterns in sanidine phenocrysts from mafic and intermediate phonolite and crystal-rich cumulates from the Laacher See volcano (12.9 ka) in western Germany document diffusion times suggestive of periodic recharge events throughout the magma reservoir’s entire lifespan of ~ 24 ky. Phenocrysts analysed from samples that formed late at the base of the compositionally zoned magma reservoir by mixing and mingling between a resident phonolite magma and recharging basanite show resorption and thin (2–10 μm) late-stage Ba-rich overgrowth. Short diffusion profiles across these boundaries give diffusion times of ~ 1.5–3 years at most, which are interpreted to be the maximum duration between the most recent recharge by the basanite and eruption. The lack of such late overgrowth in samples from other parts of the phonolite reservoir suggests that effect of this mixing and mingling was limited to the crystal-rich base. Sanidines in the cumulates, by contrast, are generally devoid of zoned crystals. Only rare cumulate crystals with resorbed outer boundaries and very thin overgrowths (a few microns) with very sharp compositional changes imply the remobilization of cumulates only months before eruption. Based on the diffusion timescales and storage temperatures obtained in a previous study, we present a genetic model for the conditions and timing of storage and (re-)activation of the magma system prior to the eruption of Laacher See, which is the largest volcanic event in Central Europe since the last glaciation.