The distribution of tephra deposits and reconstructing the parameters of 1973 eruption on Tyatya Volcano, Kunashir I., Kuril Islands

Abstract

We studied the distribution of tephra deposits discharged by the basaltic (52–54% SiO2) explosive eruption of 1973 on Tyatya Volcano (Kunashir I., Kuril Islands). We made maps showing lines of equal tephra thickness (isopachs) and lines of maximum size of pyroclastic particles (isopleths). These data were used to find the parameters of explosive activity using the standard techniques for each of the two phases of this eruption separately. The first, phreatomagmatic, phase discharged 0.008 km3 of tephra during the generation of maars on the volcano’s northern slope. The tephra mostly consisted of fragmented host rocks with admixtures of fragments of low vesiculated juvenile basalt. The phase lasted 20 hours, the rate of pyroclastic discharge was 2 × 105 kg/s; the eruptive plume reached heights of 4–6 km with wind speeds within 10 m/s. The second, magmatic, phase discharged 0.07 km3 of tephra during the generation of the Otvazhnyi scoria cone on the volcano’s southeastern slope. The tephra mostly consisted of juvenile basaltic scoria. The highly explosive Plinian part of this phase lasted 36 hours, the rate of pyroclastic discharge was 8 × 105 kg/s; the eruptive plume reached heights of 6–8 km with wind speeds of 10–20 m/s. The total tephra volume discharged by the eruption was approximately 0.08 km3; the total amount of ejected pyroclastic material (including the resulting monogenic edifices) was 0.11 km3; the volume of erupted magma was 0.05 km3 (the conversion was based on 2800 kg/m3 density); the volcanic explosivity index, or VEI, was 3. The production rate of the Tyatya plumbing system is estimated as 3 × 105 m3 magma per annum.