Long-distance magma transport from arc volcanoes inferred from the submarine eruptive fissures offshore Izu-Oshima volcano, Izu–Bonin arc

Abstract

Long-distance lateral magma transport away from volcanic centers in island arcs is emerging as a common phenomenon where the regional stress regime is favorable. It should also be recognized as an important factor in the construction and growth of island arcs, and a potential trigger for devastating eruptions. In this contribution, we report on recent investigations into the magma dynamics of Izu-Oshima volcano, an active basaltic volcano with an extensive fissure system.Izu-Oshima is flanked by numerous, subparallel NW–SE trending submarine ridges extending up to 22km to the NW and the SE from the central vent. During a recent submersible survey we have identified that these ridges are fissures which erupted basaltic spatter and lava flows. Furthermore, lavas are petrographically similar along each ridge, while there are noticeable differences between ridges. The subparallel ridges are observed to transect a series of seamounts – the Izu-Tobu monogenetic volcanoes – which are dispersed across this area of the rear-arc. However, there are consistent petrographic and chemical differences between these seamounts and the ridges, indicating that they have different magma sources, yet, they are essentially bounding each other in dive tracks. The most appropriate scenario for their development is one where the Izu-Tobu Volcanoes are fed by an “in-situ” underlying source, while the NW–SE ridges are fed by lateral magma transport from Izu-Oshima.Magma erupted from each ridge is of a consistent geochemistry along its length, but has experienced crystal fractionation and some plagioclase accumulation. Compositions of the ridges are also very similar to lavas from the subaerial cones that can be traced down the flanks of Izu-Oshima. This implies that pairs of subaerial cones and submarine ridges represent the locus of magma transport events away from the storage system beneath Izu-Oshima. Hence, magma from this crustal reservoir moved upward to feed the on-edifice cones, as well as laterally to supply submarine fissures and dykes to a distance of 22km.