Remobilization of Andesite Magma by Intrusion of Mafic Magma at the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, West Indies

Abstract

The 1995–1999 eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, MontINTRODUCTION serrat, has produced a crystal-rich andesite containing quenchThe Soufriere Hills volcano, Montserrat, located in the textured mafic inclusions, which show evidence of having been molten Lesser Antilles island arc in the West Indies, began to when incorporated into the host magma. Individual crystals in the erupt on 18 July 1995, after about 350 years of dormancy andesite record diverse histories. Amphibole phenocrysts vary from (Young et al., 1998b). The eruption was preceded by a pristine and unaltered to strongly oxidized and pseudomorphed by period of seismic swarms, which began in January 1992. anhydrous reaction products. Plagioclase phenocrysts are commonly Previous earthquake crises have occurred on Montserrat reverse zoned, often with dusty sieve textures. Reverse zoned rims are in 1896–1897, 1932–1935 and 1966–1967 (Powell, 1938; also common on orthopyroxene phenocrysts. Pyroxene geothermometry Shepherd et al., 1971). Initial phreatic and phregives an average temperature of 858 ± 20 °C for orthopyroxene atomagmatic activity was followed by extrusion of an phenocryst cores, whereas reverse zoned rims record temperatures andesitic lava dome in November 1995. Pyroclastic flows, from about 880 to 1050 °C. The heterogeneity in mineral rim generated by gravitational collapse of the unstable dome, compositions, zoning patterns and textures is interpreted as reflecting have been the dominant form of activity throughout the non-uniform reheating and remobilization of the resident magma eruption, but periods of explosive activity, producing body by intrusion of hotter mafic magma. Convective remobilization pumice flows and falls, have also occurred (Robertson et results in mixing together of phenocrysts that have experienced al., 1998; Young et al., 1998b). Dome growth ceased different thermal histories, depending on proximity to the intruding suddenly in March 1998 and further activity up to May mafic magma. The low temperature and high crystallinity are 1999 has mainly involved gravitational collapses of the interpreted as reflecting the presence of a cool, highly crystalline dome and periods of ash venting, with some small-scale magma body beneath the Soufriere Hills volcano. The petrological vulcanian explosive events. observations, in combination with data on seismicity, extrusion rate The Soufriere Hills volcano is the only active centre and SO2 fluxes, indicate that the current eruption was triggered by on Montserrat. The volcano is a composite of at least recent influx of hot mafic magma. five andesitic lava domes, flanked by pyroclastic deposits. Rea (1974) identified four other volcanic centres, all