Magma recharge patterns control eruption styles and magnitudes at Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico)

Martin F Mangler,Julie Prytulak,Chiara Maria Petrone

doi:10.1130/g49365.1

Martin F Mangler, Julie Prytulak + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1130/g49365.1

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Journal: Geology	Publication Date: Jan 5, 2022
Citations: 12	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Durham University, Natural History Museum

Abstract

Abstract Diffusion chronometry has produced petrological evidence that magma recharge in mafic to intermediate systems can trigger volcanic eruptions within weeks to months. However, less is known about longer-term recharge frequencies and durations priming magma reservoirs for eruptions. We use Fe-Mg diffusion modeling in orthopyroxene to show that the duration, frequency, and timing of pre-eruptive recharge at Popocatépetl volcano (Mexico) vary systematically with eruption style and magnitude. Effusive eruptions are preceded by 9–13 yr of increased recharge activity, compared to 15–100 yr for explosive eruptions. Explosive eruptions also record a higher number of individual recharge episodes priming the plumbing system. The largest explosive eruptions are further distinguished by an ~1 yr recharge hiatus directly prior to eruption. Our results offer valuable context for the interpretation of ongoing activity at Popocatépetl, and seeking similar correlations at other arc volcanoes may advance eruption forecasting by including constraints on potential eruption size and style.

Highlights

Intrusions of hot, volatile-rich magma can unlock stagnant, crystal-rich magma reservoirs and increase overpressure sufficiently to trigger volcanic eruptions (Sparks et al, 1977; Kent et al, 2010; Morgavi et al, 2017)
Magma recharge is recorded by crystals in a magma reservoir as compositional zoning, and the time elapsed between injections and eruptions can be constrained by analyzing the extent of elemental diffusion between these compositional zones (e.g., Costa et al, 2008)
The large range in time scales for any given eruption reflects complex magma recharge and remobilization dynamics, including (1) individual crystals recording an injection at different times depending on their location in the magma reservoir (Cheng et al, 2020); and (2) multiple recharge episodes prior to an eruption

Summary

Introduction

Intrusions of hot, volatile-rich magma can unlock stagnant, crystal-rich magma reservoirs and increase overpressure sufficiently to trigger volcanic eruptions (Sparks et al, 1977; Kent et al, 2010; Morgavi et al, 2017). The large range in time scales for any given eruption reflects complex magma recharge and remobilization dynamics, including (1) individual crystals recording an injection at different times depending on their location in the magma reservoir (Cheng et al, 2020); and (2) multiple recharge episodes prior to an eruption.

Results

Conclusion