Observations and sampling of an ongoing subsurface eruption of Kavachi volcano, Solomon Islands, May 2000

Abstract

Research Article| November 01, 2002 Observations and sampling of an ongoing subsurface eruption of Kavachi volcano, Solomon Islands, May 2000 Edward T. Baker; Edward T. Baker 1Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, Washington 98115-6349, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gary J. Massoth; Gary J. Massoth 2Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, 30 Gracefield Road, PO Box 31-312, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Cornel E.J. de Ronde; Cornel E.J. de Ronde 2Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, 30 Gracefield Road, PO Box 31-312, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John E. Lupton; John E. Lupton 3Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2115 Southeast OSU Drive, Newport, Oregon 97365, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brent I.A. McInnes Brent I.A. McInnes 4Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Exploration and Mining, P.O. Box 136, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 1670, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2002) 30 (11): 975–978. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0975:OASOAO>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 06 Mar 2002 rev-recd: 24 Jun 2002 accepted: 09 Jul 2002 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Edward T. Baker, Gary J. Massoth, Cornel E.J. de Ronde, John E. Lupton, Brent I.A. McInnes; Observations and sampling of an ongoing subsurface eruption of Kavachi volcano, Solomon Islands, May 2000. Geology 2002;; 30 (11): 975–978. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0975:OASOAO>2.0.CO;2 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 A serendipitous encounter with an erupting, shallow submarine volcano in the Solomon Islands provided a rare opportunity to map and sample the dispersal of volcanogenic emissions into the surrounding water column. Kavachi, episodically active since at least 1939, is a forearc volcano located on the Pacific plate only ∼30 km northeast of its convergent boundary with the downgoing Indo-Australian plate. During 14 May 2000 we observed explosive phreatomagmatic eruptions at several minute intervals, creating a complex distribution of plumes of volcanic glass shards throughout the water column at a distance of ∼1.5 km from the summit. At distances of 4–5 km, shallow-water (<250 m) plumes had dissipated, but deeper plumes were ubiquitous down to seafloor depths of 1500 m. Only 2 of 22 water samples (at 14 and 237 m depth) showed evidence of hydrothermal and magmatic enrichment. These samples were elevated in δ3He, Fe, and Mn (one sample only), but not in CO2. We infer that the volcano flanks were essentially impermeable to fluid emissions and that the observed particle halo was created by magma shattering and resuspension. Most magmatic and hydrothermal fluids were thus discharged directly from the summit into the atmosphere. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.