Calatrava Volcanic Research Articles

Caracterización geoquímica de los depósitos alimentados por fuentes de lava del volcán Las Herrerías (Región Volcánica del Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real)

The Las Herrerias volcano (Bolanos de Calatrava, Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field) is characterized by the great amount and variety of fire-fountain fed deposits. All these deposits are compositionally similar, being constituted by magnesium-rich (MgO = 11.58–4.19%), aluminium-poor (Al₂O₃ = 9.64–10.99%) highly sodic (Na₂O = 2.24–3.81%) melanephelinites, with high contents in rare earth-elements (10x–200x chondrite), particularly in light-rare earth elements with respect to the heavy ones [(La/Lu) N = 32–35]. Contrary to the equivalent melanephelinites of this volcanic field, the relatively low contents in Ni (233–286 ppm), Cr (393–520 ppm) and magnesium number (Mg* = 45–54) indicate that these rocks do not correspond with primary melts. On the other hand, the variable distribution of clinopyroxene in the magma during eruption would be responsible for the slight compositional differences observed in the studied samples. Finally, we argue that these fire fountains were developed in a continental intraplate setting.

Volcanism–sedimentation interaction in the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field (Spain): a magnetostratigraphic and geochronological study

This work focuses on the influence of Cenozoic volcanism of the Campo de Calatrava volcanic field on the sedimentation of two small continental basins in Spain (Argamasilla and Calzada-Moral basins). The volcanism in this area was mainly monogenetic, according to the small-volume volcanic edifices of scoria cones that were generated and the occurrence of tuff rings and maars. A sedimentological analysis of the volcaniclastic deposits led to the identification of facies close to the vents, low-density (dilute) pyroclastic surges, secondary volcanic deposits and typical maar deposits. Whole-rock K/Ar dating, together with palaeomagnetic constraints, yielded an age of 3.11–3.22 Ma for the onset of maar formation, the deposition finished in the Late Gauss–Early Matuyana. Using both techniques and previous paleontological data allowed it to be inferred that the maar formation and the re-sedimentation stage that occurred in Argamasilla and Calzada-Moral basins were roughly coeval. The occurrence of syn-eruption volcaniclastic deposits with small thicknesses that were separated by longer inter-eruption periods, where fluvial and lacustrine sedimentation was prevalent, together with the presence of small-volume volcanic edifices indicated that there were short periods of volcanic activity in this area. The volcanic activity was strongly controlled by previous basement faults that favoured magma feeding, and the faults also controlled the location of volcanoes themselves. The occurrence of the volcanoes in the continental basins led to the creation of shallow lakes that were related to the maar formation and the modification of sedimentological intra-basinal features, specifically, valley slope and sediment load.

Interaction between intra-continental sedimentary basins and small-volume monogenetic volcanism: Argamasilla and Calzada-Moral basins, Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field, Spain

We study the volcaniclastic lithofacies interbedded between siliciclastic and carbonate sediments of Cenozoic-Quaternary age (8.7 Ma to 7,000 BP) in Argamasilla and Calzada-Moral basins (Central Spain). The siliciclastic and carbonate deposits correspond to fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary environments. The volcanic materials consist of primary and reworked volcaniclastic successions sourced from the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field. Pyroclastic deposits are related to monogenetic and small-volume volcanic centres, such as scoria cones, tuff rings and maars, corresponding to Strombolian and phreatomagmatic eruptive styles. Taking into account sedimentological constraints seven volcaniclastic lithofacies were distinguished. Type A corresponds to subaerial pyroclastic fall deposits, as is inferred by the common disorganization of the deposit, their breccia-like aspect with presence of large bombs, poor sorting and lack of tractional sedimentary structures. Types B1, B2, B3 and B4 have different volcanic sources and are interpreted to be the product of low-density (dilute) pyroclastic surges, with textural features indicative of fluctuations in flow regime. This interpretation is based on the fabric and grain size of pyroclasts, together with the size and geometry of the internal sedimentary structures. Type C represents a secondary volcanic deposit related to volcanic sediments reworked by transitional hyperconcentrated flows and dilute fluvial processes, having subsequently accumulated in braided fluvial systems. Finally, the Type D is interpreted as an intra-maar scoria/spatter cones related to the development of maars. The most important factors that determined the sedimentation in these basins were orientation of basement faults, paleogeographic and sedimentological controls, style of eruption and volcaniclastic lithofacies type.

Numerical recognition of alignments in monogenetic volcanic areas: Examples from the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field in Mexico and Calatrava in Spain

Identification of geological lineaments using numerical methods is a useful tool to reveal structures that may not be evident to the naked eye. In this sense, monogenetic volcanic fields represent an especially suitable case for the application of such techniques, since eruptive vents can be considered as point-like features. Application of a two-point azimuth method to the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field (Mexico) and the Calatrava Volcanic Province (Spain) demonstrates that the main lineaments controlling the distributions of volcanic vents (~ 322° in Calatrava and ~ 30° in Michoacán) approach the respective main compressional axes that dominate in the area (i.e. the Cocos–North America plates convergence and the main Betics compressional direction, respectively). Considering the stress fields that are present in each volcanic area and their respective geodynamic history, it seems that although volcanism may be a consequence of contemporaneous extensional regimes, the distribution of the volcanic vents in these kinds of monogenetic fields is actually controlled by reactivation of older fractures which then become more favourable for producing space for magma ascent at near-surface levels.

Mantle metasomatism by melts of HIMU piclogite components: new insights from Fe-lherzolite xenoliths (Calatrava Volcanic District, central Spain)

Abstract Mantle xenoliths from the Calatrava Volcanic District (CLV), central Spain, are characterized by a wide compositional range that includes lherzolites (prevalent), as well as minor amounts of wehrlite, olivine (ol)-websterite and rare dunites. They generally have a bulk-rock Mg# of less than 89, lower than any primordial mantle estimates. Intra-suite variations in modal proportions are inconsistent with those predicted by melting models irrespective of the starting composition; mineral and bulk-rock variation diagrams show inconsistencies between the CLV compositions (anomalously enriched in Fe–Ti) and those predicted from the partial melting of primordial mantle material. Processes other than pure melt extraction are confirmed by the whole-rock REE (rare earth element) budget, typically characterized by LREE enrichments, with La N /Yb N (up to 6.7), probably related to pervasive metasomatism. CLV mantle clinopyroxenes (cpx) generally display fractionated REE patterns with upwards-convex shapes, characterized by low HREE (Tm–Lu) concentrations (typically <6× chondrite) and enrichments in middle–light REE (MREE–LREE) (Nd N /Yb N up to 7, La N /Yb N up to 5). These ‘enriched’ cpx compositions either result from re-equilibration of primary mantle cpx with an incoming melt, or represent cpx crystallization directly from the metasomatic agent. The latter was plausibly generated at greater depths in the presence of residual garnet (from peridotite or eclogite starting materials). Separated cpx have homogeneous 87 Sr/ 86 Sr compositions between 0.7031 and 0.7032; 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ranges from 0.51288 to 0.51295 (εNd 4.74–6.07) and 176 Hf/ 177 Hf is in the range 0.28302–0.28265 (εHf −3.6 to 9.0). Unlike mantle xenoliths and alpine-type peridotites from other Iberian occurrences, which range in composition from the depleted mantle (DM) to the enriched mantle (EM), the CLV mantle cpx approach the composition of the HIMU mantle end member, the genesis of which is generally interpreted as the result of long-term recycling of oceanic basalts/gabbros (or their eclogitic equivalent) via ancient subduction. A model is proposed for the mantle evolution under central Iberia, where sublithospheric convective instabilities – possibly triggered by the neighbouring subduction along the Betic collisional belt – could have remobilized deep domains from the mantle ‘transition zone’ (410–660 km), which may include relicts of older subducted slabs. Within these remobilized domains, characterized by the coexistence of peridotite and eclogite and referred to as a ‘piclogite’ association, the eclogites melt preferentially generating Fe–Ti rich melts characterized by a HIMU isotopic signature that infiltrates and metasomatizes the shallower lithospheric mantle.

Morphotectonic setting of maar lakes in the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field (Central Spain, SW Europe)

In the Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field (CCVF, Central Spain), the eruption of Pliocene–Pleistocene maar craters into two clearly distinct types of pre-volcanic rocks allows the observation and comparison of hard-substrate and soft-substrate maar lakes. Hard-substrate maars formed when phreatomagmatic processes affected the jointed, Paleozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks (hard substrate), giving rise to funnel-like maar lake basins. Soft-substrate maars resulted from phreatomagmatic volcanic processes affecting poorly-consolidated Pliocene sediments, forming bowl-like maar lake basins. Pre-volcanic bedrock determined the post-eruptive lacustrine architecture in the craters and favored a higher preservation of hard-substrate maars in comparison to soft-substrate maars. This is because the hard-substrate maars, surrounded by a deep stable crater wall, are more capable of collecting sediments in their basins. These sediments could be preserved for longer than similar deposits in broad, shallow maars with a soft substrate. Ancient soft-substrate maars do not usually preserve their original morphology well and can be identified only by their lacustrine deposits. Carbonate lacustrine/palustrine deposits surrounding a bowl-like depression are the remnants of this second type of maar lake, and allow reconstruction of the original morphology of ancient soft-substrate maar craters. Geophysical (electrical tomography ground surveys) and geomorphologic–geologic mapping techniques were combined with fieldwork and facies analysis in order to locate and accurately characterize the Pliocene–Pleistocene soft-substrate maar volcanic structures of the CCVF.

Identification of arid phases during the last 50 cal. ka BP from the Fuentillejo maar‐lacustrine record (Campo de Calatrava Volcanic Field, Spain)

AbstractGeochemical (element analysis, molecular analysis of organic compounds), physical, palynological, mineralogical and sedimentary facies analysis were performed to characterise the sedimentary record in Fuentillejo maar‐lake in the Central Spanish Volcanic Field of Campo de Calatrava, in order to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic processes which controlled vegetation patterns and deposition of different sedimentary facies. The upper 20 m of core FUENT‐1 show variations in clastic input, water chemistry, vegetation and organic fraction sources in the lake throughout the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The temporal framework provided by 14C accelerator mass spectrometry dating allows assigning the sequence to the last 50 cal. ka BP. Arid phases identified in the FUENT‐1 sequence are correlated to Heinrich events (HE) and to stadials of the Dansgaard/Oeschger (D/O) cycles. Siliciclastic facies with high magnetic susceptibility values, high Juniperus pollen content, a low Paq index (aquatic macrophysics proxy index), a decrease in the relative percentage of the n‐C27 and an increase in the n‐C31 alkanes are indicative of arid and colder climatic events related to HE 2, HE 1 and the Younger Dryas (YD). Similar short cold and arid phases during the Holocene were identified at 9.2–8.6, 7.5–7 and 5.5–5 cal. ka BP. In dolomite–mud facies, the pollen data show an increase in the herbs component, mainly – Chenopodiaceae, Artemisia and Ephedra – steppe taxa; a low Paq index, a decrease in the relative percentage of the n‐C27 alkane and an increase in the n‐C31 alkane are also observed. This facies was probably the result of lower lake levels and more saline–alkaline conditions, which can be interpreted as linked to arid–warm periods. These warm and arid phases were more frequent during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 and the interstadials of MIS 2. HE 4, HE 2, HE 1 and the YD in core FUENT‐1 were immediately followed by increases of warm steppe pollen assemblages that document rapid warming similar to the D/O cycles but do not imply increasing humidity in the area. Fuentillejo hydrology is controlled by changes in the atmospheric and oceanic systems that operated on the North Atlantic region at millennial scale during the last 50 cal. ka BP. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Terrestrial hot-spring Co-rich Mn mineralization in the Pliocene-Quaternary Calatrava Region (central Spain)

Abstract Central Spain hosts a series of high-Co (up to 1.7% Co) Mn mineralizations displaying a variety of morphologies: spring aprons and feeders, pisolitic beds, wad beds and tufa-like replacements of plants and plant debris. The Mn mineralogy consist of cryptomelane, lithiophorite, birnessite and todorokite. The spring apron deposits formed in close proximity to Pliocene volcanic rocks (alkaline basaltic lava flows and pyroclastics) belonging to the so-called Calatrava Volcanic Field. The spring aprons are found along or near to normal faults bounding small basins and topographic highs. Mn tufa-like deposits are found near to the spring sources, while both pisolitic and wad beds are clearly distal facies occuring well within the Pliocene basins. The two latter are interbedded with clastic lacustrine and fluvial sediments. Collectively, these deposits contain a complex suite of Mn-(Co) mineralization ranging from proximal, hot-spring-type Mn facies, grading into more distant sedimentary, stratabound mineralization. Volcanism, basin formation and Mn deposition took place within a failed rift environment which triggered hydrothermal activity and Mn-(Co) deposition as proximal (near to the volcanic axes) and distal (of sedimentary affinities, within the basins) facies.

Alkali basalts and leucitites in an extensional intracontinental plate setting: The late Cenozoic Calatrava Volcanic Province (central Spain)

The Calatrava Volcanic Province (CVP) of central Spain is characterised by a intracontinental plate magmatic association of leucitites, melilitites, nephelinites and olivine basalts extruded during the late Miocene to Quaternary. Most of the rocks represent relatively primitive magmas and less than 45% have experienced small degrees ( < 25%) of crystal fractionation. Melilitites, nephelinites and olivine basalts form a suite generated by variable degrees of partial melting ( F = 5–17%) of a nearly homogeneous enriched (up to x18 chondritic values for the highly incompatible elements and × 3 for the moderately incompatible) mantle source, composed of Ol+Opx+Cpx+Gt+Phl. The leucitites appear to be derived by low degrees of partial melting ( ~ 4%) from a different mantle source, characterized by higher Rb, Ba, K and 87Sr enrichment and the presence of residual apatite. Phlogopite contributed to the leucititic liquids in a higher proportion than in the basaltic suite whereas clinopyroxene participated in lower amounts. The geochemical characteristics of the primary liquids suggest a contribution from two source components: (1) a subcontinental lithospheric component which appears to be a strongly enriched garnet-lherzolite with phlogopite ± apatite and (2) an asthenospheric diapir component with characteristics similar to the HIMU reservoir. These conclusions combined with geophysical observations indicate that the CVP magmatism could develop in two stages. In a first stage, a HIMU-like mantle diapir would trigger magma generation in the overlying subcontinental lithosphere by melting of pervasive enriched streaks or veins with phlogopite + apatite, giving rise to small amounts of leucititic liquids and to initial extension of the upper crust. In subsequent steps the extension developed, the lithosphere becomes stripped of its enriched components and the asthenospheric diapir starts to melt giving rise to the basaltic liquids which are virtually OIB-like magmas. This model is also supported by the available K-Ar radiometric ages as the leucitites were extruded first (~ 7.6 Ma), followed by the basaltic suite ( 4.6-1.75 Ma) This volcanic region is linked with the rift system which developed from late Miocene to Quaternary times in western/central Europe and shows strong geochemical similarities with this volcanism, in which both lithospheric and asthenospheric components have been detected.

Cenozoic intra-plate volcanism related to extensional tectonics at Calatrava, central Iberia

The Calatrava Volcanic Province is characterized by an intra-plate alkaline undersaturated magmatic association of melilitites, nephelinites, alkali olivine basalts and leucitites that were extruded in the central Iberian Peninsula (Spain) during Late Miocene–Quaternary time. This volcanism can be related to the following two-stage scenario: (1) an initial mantle-diapir stage, during which magma generation would have occurred at the lithosphere/asthenosphere boundary triggering minor accumulation processes at the crust/mantle interface, and consequent weakening/extension of the upper crust; and, (2) a final indentation stage related to disruption effects caused by the tectonic welding of the Prebetic Arc onto the Iberian foreland.