Cycles of explosive and effusive eruptions at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 2014 Cycles of explosive and effusive eruptions at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i Donald A. Swanson; Donald A. Swanson 1U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii 96718, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Timothy R. Rose; Timothy R. Rose 2Department of Mineral Sciences, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Adonara E. Mucek; Adonara E. Mucek 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology), University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael O. Garcia; Michael O. Garcia 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology), University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard S. Fiske; Richard S. Fiske 2Department of Mineral Sciences, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20013, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Larry G. Mastin Larry G. Mastin 4U.S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington 98683, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2014) 42 (7): 631–634. https://doi.org/10.1130/G35701.1 Article history received: 21 Mar 2014 rev-recd: 10 May 2014 accepted: 13 May 2014 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Donald A. Swanson, Timothy R. Rose, Adonara E. Mucek, Michael O. Garcia, Richard S. Fiske, Larry G. Mastin; Cycles of explosive and effusive eruptions at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i. Geology 2014;; 42 (7): 631–634. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G35701.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The subaerial eruptive activity at Kīlauea Volcano (Hawai‘i) for the past 2500 yr can be divided into 3 dominantly effusive and 2 dominantly explosive periods, each lasting several centuries. The prevailing style of eruption for 60% of this time was explosive, manifested by repeated phreatic and phreatomagmatic activity in a deep summit caldera. During dominantly explosive periods, the magma supply rate to the shallow storage volume beneath the summit dropped to only a few percent of that during mainly effusive periods. The frequency and duration of explosive activity are contrary to the popular impression that Kīlauea is almost unceasingly effusive. Explosive activity apparently correlates with the presence of a caldera intersecting the water table. The decrease in magma supply rate may result in caldera collapse, because erupted or intruded magma is not replaced. Glasses with unusually high MgO, TiO2, and K2O compositions occur only in explosive tephra (and one related lava flow) and are consistent with disruption of the shallow reservoir complex during caldera formation. Kīlauea is a complex, modulated system in which melting rate, supply rate, conduit stability (in both mantle and crust), reservoir geometry, water table, and many other factors interact with one another. The hazards associated with explosive activity at Kīlauea’s summit would have major impact on local society if a future dominantly explosive period were to last several centuries. The association of lowered magma supply, caldera formation, and explosive activity might characterize other basaltic volcanoes, but has not been recognized. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.