Explosive Eruptions Research Articles

Source reservoir controls on the size, frequency, and composition of large-scale volcanic eruptions.

Large-scale, explosive volcanic eruptions are one of the Earth's most hazardous natural phenomena. We demonstrate that their size, frequency, and composition can be explained by processes in long-lived, high-crystallinity source reservoirs that control the episodic creation of large volumes of eruptible silicic magma and its delivery to the subvolcanic chamber where it is stored before eruption. Melt percolates upward through the reservoir and accumulates a large volume of low-crystallinity silicic magma which remains trapped until buoyancy causes magma-driven fractures to propagate into the overlying crust, allowing rapid magma transfer from the reservoir into the chamber. Ongoing melt percolation in the reservoir accumulates a new magma layer and the process repeats. Our results suggest that buoyancy, rather than crystallinity, is the key control on magma delivery from the source reservoir. They identify an optimum reservoir size for the largest silicic eruptions that is consistent with data from natural systems and explain why larger magnitude eruptions are not observed on Earth.

Video-based measurements of the entrainment, speed and mass flux in a wind-blown eruption column

On May 4 2010 a wind-blown ash plume issued from Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Analysis of a 17-minute-long video recording of the eruption suggests that, within 2–2.5 km of the vent, the flow was moving with the wind and rising under buoyancy, following a trajectory directly analogous with laboratory experiments of turbulent buoyant plumes in a cross-flow. The radius of the time-averaged ash cloud grew with height z at a rate r = 0.48 z, corresponding to an entrainment coefficient 0.4, again consistent with laboratory experiments. By analysing the frames in the video and comparing the shape of the plume to that predicted by the model, we estimate that during the 17 minutes recorded, the eruption rate gradually decreased by about 43% from an initial rate of 1.11 × 104 kg s−1 to 0.63 × 104 kg s−1. The analysis reported herein opens the way to assess eruption rates and eruption column processes from video recordings during explosive volcanic eruptions.

Transport and deposition of the 39.8 ka Campanian Ignimbrite large-scale pyroclastic density currents (Italy)

Processes of transport and deposition of large-scale pyroclastic density currents, which transport 102−103 km3 of material, are still poorly understood. The volcanic explosivity index (VEI) 7 Campanian Ignimbrite pyroclastic density current is one such poorly understood case that is subject to lively scientific debates about its origin and processes. The Campanian Ignimbrite is related to the 39.8 ka eruption that formed the partly submarine and active Campi Flegrei caldera in Italy. The related pyroclastic density current extended over an area of more than 6000 km2 on land around the caldera, with a final runout of ∼75 km, and surmounted mountain ridges higher than 1000 m above sea level, even at distal reaches. We used physical characteristics of the ignimbrite to understand the transport and emplacement dynamics of the Campanian Ignimbrite pyroclastic density current. Thickness, mass, and clast-size distributions across paleotopography were used to infer that the main transport system was a dilute, density-stratified pyroclastic density current, which was at least 1.5 km thick, which was short-lived (possibly as short as ∼20 min), and which had a mass flow rate of ∼1011 kg/s. At its base, high-concentration undercurrents formed and interacted with the rough paleotopography, laying down a low-aspect-ratio ignimbrite sheet when on flat plains, but generating back-flows from ridges and channeling in paleovalleys. The deposit is predominantly a massive valley-pond ignimbrite facies, even across rough mountain terrains. The absence of veneer facies on steep slopes reflects the near-Newtonian rheology of the undercurrents, interpreted as fluidized dense granular flows. This work advances the interpretations of pyroclastic density current deposits, which do not necessarily directly reflect conditions in the transport system.

Near-real-time multiparametric seismic and visual monitoring of explosive activity at Sabancaya volcano, Peru

This study presents the development of a multiparametric system that utilizes artificial intelligence techniques to identify and analyze volcanic explosions in near real-time. The study analyzed 1343 explosions recorded between 2019 and 2021, along with seismic, meteorological, and visible image data from the Sabancaya volcano. Deep learning algorithms like the U-Net convolutional neural network were used to segment and measure volcanic plumes in images, while boosting-based machine learning ensembles were used to classify seismic events related to ash plumes. The findings demonstrate that these approaches effectively handle large amounts of data generated during seismic and eruptive crises. The U-Net network achieved precise segmentation of volcanic plumes with over 98% accuracy and the ability to generalize to new data. The CatBoost classifier achieved an average accuracy of 94.5% in classifying seismic events. These approaches enable the real-time estimation of eruptive parameters without human intervention, contributing to the development of early warning systems for volcanic hazards. In conclusion, this study highlights the feasibility of using seismic signals and images to detect and characterize volcanic explosions in near real-time, making a significant contribution to the field of volcanic monitoring.

Experimental investigation of storm sewer geyser using a large-scale setup

The storm sewer geyser is a process where an air–water mixture violently erupts from a manhole. Despite the low hydrostatic pressure, violent eruptions can achieve a height of tens of meters above the ground. This current study experimentally investigates large-scale violent geysers using a large air pocket inserted from a pressurized air tank. The total length of the pipe system is approximately 88 m with a 0.1572 m diameter pipe. This large-scale experiment facilitates the investigation of spontaneous geyser eruptions. This study identifies the role of air–water volume ratio and coefficient of pressure (ratio of absolute initial static pressure to initial dynamic pressure) on the geyser intensity using eruption images and pressure plots. A total of 116 cases are tested, in which the volume ratio is parametrically increased from 0 to 1.1 under various operating conditions. A geyser score is defined to quantify the geyser eruption nature based on visual observations. The key findings are as follows: first, a sharp transition in geyser intensity is observed at the critical volume ratio of 0.5, and pre-transition and post-transition intensity exhibit a linear relationship with the volume ratio; and second, the critical volume ratio linearly varies with the coefficient of pressure.

Heat transport process associated with the 2021 eruption of Aso volcano revealed by thermal and gas monitoring

The thermal activity of a magmatic–hydrothermal system commonly changes at various stages of volcanic activity. Few studies have provided an entire picture of the thermal activity of such a system over an eruptive cycle, which is essential for understanding the subsurface heat transport process that culminates in an eruption. This study quantitatively evaluated a sequence of thermal activity associated with two phreatic eruptions in 2021 at Aso volcano. We estimated plume-laden heat discharge rates and corresponding H2O flux during 2020–2022 by using two simple methods. We then validated the estimated H2O flux by comparison with volcanic gas monitoring results. Our results showed that the heat discharge rate varied substantially throughout the eruptive cycle. During the pre-eruptive quiescent period (June 2020–May 2021), anomalously large heat discharge (300–800 MW) were observed that were likely due to enhanced magma convection degassing. During the run-up period (June–October 2021), there was no evident change in heat discharge (300–500 MW), but this was accompanied by simultaneous pressurization and heating of an underlying hydrothermal system. These signals imply progress of partial sealing of the hydrothermal system. In the co-eruptive period, the subsequent heat supply from a magmatic region resulted in additional pressurization, which led to the first eruption (October 14, 2021). The heat discharge rates peaked (2000–4000 MW) the day before the second eruption (October 19, 2021), which was accompanied by sustained pressurization of the magma chamber that eventually resulted in a more explosive eruption. In the post-eruptive period, enhanced heat discharge (~ 1000 MW) continued for four months, and finally returned to the background level of the quiescent period (< 300 MW) in early March 2022. Despite using simple models, we quantitatively tracked transient thermal activity and revealed the underlying heat transport processes throughout the Aso 2021 eruptive activity.Graphical abstract

Development of a temperate rainforest zonation on the Pacific slopes of the North Patagonian Andes since ∼18 ka

Few studies along the western slopes of the Andes in Northwestern Patagonia (NWP: 40°-44°S) allow examining vegetation development through environmental gradients in latitude and elevation along a time continuum since the Last Glacial Termination (T1, ∼18-11 ka). This complete biostratigraphic context is necessary for assessing the sequence, timing, rates, and direction of compositional/structural changes of the former vegetation, and for deciphering their environmental drivers. Here we report palynological results from two NWP sites spaced ∼22 km apart on the western Andean slopes, Caleta Puelche roadside section located near sea level and Lago Reflejos at mid elevations (∼800 m a.s.l.) and assess their continuous records since local ice-free conditions against other NWP sites. We find that cold-tolerant early successional trees dominated the initial stages of vegetation development in the Seno Reloncaví lowlands (∼18-17 ka), followed by thermophilous shade-tolerant North Patagonian rainforest (NPRF) trees, which achieved their maxima between ∼17 and 15 ka at low-elevations. A spread of cold- and shade-tolerant hygrophilous NPRF conifers ensued (∼14.8-13 ka) reaching similar magnitude at low- and mid-elevations, interrupted by increases in trees favored by canopy fragmentation linked to fire and explosive volcanism (∼13-11 ka). Thermophilous, shade-intolerant, summer-drought tolerant Valdivian rainforest (VRF) trees increased and achieved maxima between ∼10 and 8 ka, most notably in the lowlands, coeval with peak abundance of the NPRF conifers Fitzroya/Pilgerodendron and Podocarpus nubigena in mid-elevation Lago Reflejos, contemporaneous with their virtual disappearance near sea level. Widespread increases in cold-tolerant hygrophilous NPRF trees occurred after ∼8 ka, followed by mixing of NPRF and VRF elements in the lowlands after ∼6.3 ka with centennial-scale alternations. Inter-site and regional coherences of our findings suggest that variations in Southern Westerly Wind influence, along with disturbance regimes of natural and human origin, have driven the composition, structure, dynamics, and zonation of temperate rainforests in NWP since T1. We observe that Lago Reflejos features the highest abundance of Fitzroya cupressoides at regional scale since ∼12 ka, attesting to the importance of mid-elevation Andean environments for the persistence of these highly valued trees in the context of postglacial climate evolution, shifts in fire regimes, volcanic, and human disturbance in NWP.

Volcanic Skies: coupling explosive eruptions with atmospheric simulation to create consistent skyscapes

AbstractExplosive volcanic eruptions rank among the most terrifying natural phenomena, and are thus frequently depicted in films, games, and other media, usually with a bespoke once‐off solution. In this paper, we introduce the first general‐purpose model for bi‐directional interaction between the atmosphere and a volcano plume. In line with recent interactive volcano models, we approximate the plume dynamics with Lagrangian disks and spheres and the atmosphere with sparse layers of 2D Eulerian grids, enabling us to focus on the transfer of physical quantities such as temperature, ash, moisture, and wind velocity between these sub‐models. We subsequently generate volumetric animations by noise‐based procedural upsampling keyed to aspects of advection, convection, moisture, and ash content to generate a fully‐realized volcanic skyscape. Our model captures most of the visually salient features emerging from volcano‐sky interaction, such as windswept plumes, enmeshed cap, bell and skirt clouds, shockwave effects, ash rain, and sheathes of lightning visible in the dark.

The Potential of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection to Reduce the Climatic Risks of Explosive Volcanic Eruptions

AbstractSulfur‐rich volcanic eruptions happen sporadically. If Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) were to be deployed, it is likely that explosive volcanic eruptions would happen during such a deployment. Here we use an ensemble of Earth System Model simulations to show how changing the injection strategy post‐eruption could be used to reduce the climate risks of a large volcanic eruption; the risks are also modified even without any change to the strategy. For a medium‐size eruption (10 Tg‐SO2) comparable to the SAI injection rate, the volcanic‐induced cooling would be reduced if it occurs under SAI, especially if artificial sulfur dioxide injections were immediately suspended. Alternatively, suspending injection only in the eruption hemisphere and continuing injection in the opposite would reduce shifts in precipitation in the tropical belt and thus mitigate eruption‐induced drought. Finally, we show that for eruptions much larger than the SAI deployment, changes in SAI strategy would have minimal effect.

Petrology, Geochemistry and Mantle Minerals of the Walgidee Hills Lamproite, West Kimberley, Western Australia

Abstract The 17.44 Ma Walgidee Hills lamproite in the West Kimberley province of Western Australia is the type locality for several K-, Ba- and Ti-rich minerals characteristic of lamproites and, at 490 ha, the largest known lamproite. The Walgidee Hills pipe comprises a thin sequence of tuffs and breccia formed by explosive eruptions that excavated a large shallow crater that was infilled by lamproite magma which cooled and crystallised in situ. The lamproite is zoned in grain size, mineralogy, and mineral and rock composition from porphyritic olivine lamproite at the margin through medium grained lamproite comprised of olivine (altered), titanian phlogopite, diopside, leucite (altered) and titanian potassic richterite to coarse gained lamproite rich in potassic richterite, priderite, jeppeite, perovskite, apatite, wadeite and noonkanbahite at the centre of the body. Compositional zoning is evident across the lamproite in phlogopite (to lower Mg and Al, higher Fe), potassic richterite (to higher Fe and Na, lower Ti), priderite (to lower Cr) and perovskite (to lower Cr and Fe, higher Na, Sr, Y, Nb, U, REE). The Walgidee Hills lamproite is ultrapotassic and ranges from olivine lamproite (up to ~21 wt % MgO, ~800 μg/g Ni, ~4 wt % K2O) to sanidine/leucite-rich lamproite (~7 wt % MgO, ≤100 μg/g Ni, ~7 wt % K2O) at the centre of the pipe. The lamproite has low Al2O3, total Fe, Na2O and CaO (except for intensely carbonate-veined rocks at the centre) and is highly enriched in TiO2 (3−6.5 wt %), Ba, Rb, Sr, Zr and LREE (LaN = 150−520 x primitive mantle). A transect and geochemical contours show MgO, Ni and Cr contents decrease and P, K, Ti, Fe, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, REE, Hf, Pb, Th and U abundances increase inwards to the most evolved rocks at the centre of the pipe, consistent with fractionation by inwards in situ crystallisation. The parent magma is estimated from the composition of the porphyritic olivine lamproite at the margins of the pipe to have ~16 ± 1 wt % MgO, ~600 μg/g Ni, ~6 wt % K2O with La/Yb ~ 150. Modelling suggests that the most MgO-rich lamproites result from entrainment of ~15–20 wt % mantle olivine in the parent magma. Cooling of the magma resulted in fractional crystallisation of olivine and in situ crystallisation with the evolved coarse-grained lamproites at the centre of the pipe crystallised from residual magma enriched in the more incompatible elements. Mantle xenocrysts include abundant Cr-Al spinel, chrome diopside, chrome pyrope, and rare diamond. Thermobarometry on the Cr diopside xenocrysts defines a cold paleogeotherm of ~38 mW/m2 and a thick lithosphere (~235 km) extending from the Kimberley craton. Many of the Cr diopsides from the deeper lithospheric mantle are enriched in K, Ba and LREE and these, and the Ti-rich spinel xenocrysts, are inferred to be derived from metasomatised mantle peridotite. The enriched trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic signatures of the Walgidee Hills lamproite suggest derivation from or extensive incorporation of ancient formerly depleted lithospheric mantle that has undergone metasomatism and long term (≥2 Ga) geochemical enrichment including by melts from Paleoproterozoic subducted crust.

Utilising a multi-proxy to model comparison to constrain the season and regionally heterogeneous impacts of the Mt Samalas 1257 eruption

Abstract. The Mt Samalas eruption, thought to have occurred in summer 1257, ranks as one of the most explosive sulfur-rich eruptions of the Common Era. Despite recent convergence, several dates have been proposed for the eruption ranging between 1256–1258, with, as of yet, no single combination of evidence that has been able to robustly distinguish between and exclude the other dates proposed for the Mt Samalas eruption. Widespread surface cooling and hydroclimate perturbations following the eruption have been invoked as contributing to a host of 13th century social and economic crises, although regional-scale variability in the post-eruption climate response remains uncertain. In this study we run ensemble simulations using the UK Earth System Model (UKESM1) with a range of eruption scenarios and initial conditions in order to compare our simulations with the most complete globally resolved multi-proxy database for the Mt Samalas eruption to date, incorporating tree rings, ice cores, and historical records. This allows more precise constraints to be placed on the year and season of the Mt Samalas eruption, as well as an investigation into the regionally heterogeneous post-eruption climate response. Using a multi-proxy to model comparison, we are able to robustly distinguish between July 1257 and January 1258 eruption scenarios, where the July 1257 ensemble simulation achieves considerably better agreement with spatially averaged and regionally resolved proxy surface temperature reconstructions. These reconstructions suggest the onset of significant cooling across Asia and Europe in 1258 and thus support the plausibility of previously inferred historical connections. Model-simulated temperature anomalies also point to severe surface cooling across the Southern Hemisphere with as of yet unexplored historical implications for impacted civilisations. Model simulations of polar sulfate deposition also reveal distinct differences in the timing of ice sheet deposition between the two simulated eruption dates, although comparison of the magnitude or asymmetric deposition of sulfate aerosol remains limited by large inter-model differences and complex intra-model dependencies. Overall, the multi-proxy to model comparison employed in this study has strong potential in constraining similar uncertainties in eruption source parameters for other historical eruptions for which sufficient coincident proxy records are available, although care is needed to avoid the pitfalls of model–multi-proxy comparison.

Linearity of the Climate Response to Increasingly Strong Tropical Volcanic Eruptions in a Large Ensemble Framework

Abstract Large explosive volcanic eruptions cause short-term climatic impacts on both regional and global scales. Their impact on tropical climate variability, in particular El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is still uncertain, as is their combined and separate effect on tropical and global precipitation. Here, we investigate the relationship between large-scale temperature and precipitation and tropical volcanic eruption strength, using 100-member MPI-ESM ensembles for idealized equatorial symmetric Northern Hemisphere summer eruptions of different sulfur emission strengths. Our results show that for idealized tropical eruptions, global and hemispheric mean near-surface temperature and precipitation anomalies are negative and linearly scalable for sulfur emissions between 10 and 40 Tg S. We identify 20 Tg S emission as a threshold where the global ensemble-mean near-surface temperature and precipitation signals exceed the range of internal variability, even though some ensemble members emerge from variability for lower eruption strengths. Seasonal and ensemble mean patterns of near-surface temperature and precipitation anomalies are highly correlated across eruption strengths, in particular for larger emission strengths in the tropics, and strongly modulated by ENSO. There is a tendency to shift toward a warm ENSO phase for the first postvolcanic year as the emission strength increases. Volcanic cooling emerges on a hemisphere-wide scale, while the precipitation response is more localized, and emergence is mainly confined to the tropics and subtropics. Significance Statement The purpose of this study is to investigate at which strength the climate responses of volcanic forcing can be distinguished from the internal climate variability and whether the responses will linearly increase as the emission strengths become stronger. We ran 100-member MPI-ESM ensembles of idealized equatorial volcanic eruptions of different sulfur emission strengths and find that seasonal and ensemble mean patterns of near-surface temperature and precipitation anomalies are distinguishable and linearly scalable for sulfur emissions from 10 to 40 Tg S if their forcing patterns are similar. The identification of volcanic fingerprints is important for seasonal to decadal forecasts in the case of potential future eruptions and could help to prepare society for the regional climatic consequences of such an event.

New constraints on the Middle-Late Pleistocene Campi Flegrei explosive activity and Mediterranean tephrostratigraphy (∼160 ka and 110–90 ka)

The Campi Flegrei (CF) caldera, in southern Italy, is the source of some of the most powerful Late Pleistocene eruptions of the European sub-continent (e.g., Campanian Ignimbrite, Neapolitan Yellow Tuff eruptions). Although the CF caldera has been continuously and intensively investigated for decades, relatively little is known regarding its earliest volcanic activity. In this work, integrating existing and new tephrostratigraphic data, we provide a comprehensive and updated framework for the CF volcanic activity which has occurred at ∼160 ka and between ∼110 ka and ∼90 ka. The new tephrostratigraphic, geochemical (EMPA + LA-ICP-MS), chronological (40Ar/39Ar dating) and grain-size distribution data relate to CF tephra deposits preserved in mid-proximal (Campanian Plain), distal (Tyrrhenian Sea) and ultra-distal (Lower Danube area) sedimentary archives. Our results allowed us to recognize the presence of at least 13 CF eruptions covering the investigated time frame, with 12 eruptions occurring between 110 and 90 ka. Our high-resolution stratigraphic and chronological investigation also allowed us to recognize that the Triflisco/C-22 tephra, previously considered as a single marker layer, can be actually separated into three different events, sourced from within the CF area in the short time interval of ∼93-90 ka, suggesting a more complex and intense volcanic history than previously thought. Moreover, a Bayesian age-depth model, constrained by previous and new high precision 40Ar/39Ar ages, has led to a reliable estimate of the ages of those undated CF eruptions. Overall, the updated framework on the stratigraphy, chronology, dispersion, and geochemistry of the CF tephra of ∼160 ka and between 110 ka and 90 ka consolidates the notion that the Middle-Late Pleistocene activity in theCF area represents a significant stage of its volcanic evolution, characterised by intense and frequent explosive eruptions.

The 15 January 2022 Hunga (Tonga) eruption: A gas-driven climactic explosion

An extraordinarily powerful, explosive eruption occurred from Hunga volcano in the Tonga island arc on 15 January 2022 and generated an eruption column 58 km high. The explosive eruption also generated atmospheric gravity waves, extreme runup tsunamis and quite unusual and destructive meteotsunamis. Together these place this VEI 6 eruption as, globally, one of the largest of the past 300 yearsBased on the oceanic context of Hunga volcano, it has previously been assumed that the eruption was phreatomagmatic through a fuel-coolant Surtseyan-type interaction, but this is not supported by satellite imagery. Similarly, it has been suggested that a caldera-collapse was the eruption trigger, but this is not supported by bathymetric data or the seismicity recorded during the eruption. Here we develop a new model based on the observed energetics and time sequence of the eruption integrated with understanding of the internal structure of active volcanoes and their characteristic high flux discharges of volcanic gas.It has been shown elsewhere that magma-derived reactive gases (H2O, CO2, SO2, HCl, etc) aggressively alter the volcanic rocks in the core of a volcano leading to selfsealing of gas flow to the surface and consequent changes to deviatoric stress in the structure. Common minerals developed by these reactions include anhydrite (CaSO4), sulphides and silica (quartz). all of which have been recorded in volcanic ejecta including at Hunga.We here develop a first order numerical model that quantifies how the free discharge of such gas to the surface may progressively become choked by these sealing reactions leading to increased internal gas pressure. Hydraulic fracture of the seal occurs when the transmitted pressure of the compressed magmatic gas beneath the seal increases to a value greater than the lithostatic pressure plus the tensile strength of the sealed rock. This initiates the explosive release of compressed gas whose high-power discharge progressively develops and enlarges a crater. At the same time the explosion feeds upon itself by generating larger pressure gradients in the pressurized gas within the fractured porous rock mass of the core of the volcano. Excavation of the crater may intersect high level intrusions and produce the pumice rafts that were observed after the eruption. The eruption itself diminished in intensity as the gas pressure in the reservoir declined.At Hunga the eruption excavated an 850 m deep, 2-3 km diameter steep-walled crater. This volume may be assumed to approximate the volume of fractured porous rock (the control volume of the eruption) whose trapped gas was mined by the eruption until surrounding gas pressure was depleted. Our numerical model shows that the calculated potential energy of the trapped compressed gas matches the independent observations of the scale of the eruption. Sensor data have since shown that gas bubble flares continued for at least 6 months after the eruption indicating continued depletion of the gas reservoir of rocks surrounding the new crater. The systems-based, gas-driven model for the Hunga climactic eruption developed here also applies to Plinean-type eruptions on subaerial arc volcanoes such as at Pinatubo (Philippines) 1991.

Internal tsunami waves in a stratified ocean induced by explosive volcano eruption: A parametric source

Internal tsunami waves in a stratified ocean induced by explosive volcano eruption: A parametric source

Facies architecture and stratigraphy of a basaltic-trachytic polygenetic volcano, Whakaraupō Volcano, NE Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

Polygenetic volcanic systems typically evolve through multiple igneous and sedimentary events of construction and degradation. Understanding the stratigraphy of volcanic rocks is essential for assessing volcanic hazards and natural resources such as hydrocarbons, geothermal heat, and groundwater. It requires identifying the internal and external structures of the volcanic deposits in the geological record. We present a multiscale analysis of the development of the Whakaraupō Volcano at the NE portion of the Miocene Lyttelton Volcanic Complex (LVC), Banks Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. We combine different stratigraphic approaches (Facies, Lithostratigraphy, and unconformity boundaries) to characterize the Volcano in time and space. Thirteen lithofacies and seven facies' associations were described and classified into four Formations (Scott Valley, Heathcote Valley, Britten Craig and Mount Pleasant). Each lithostratigraphy represents a specific depositional and eruptive environmental setting separated by unconformities. The Whakaraupō Volcano evolved progressively shifting the eruptive locus towards ENE. Hawaiian-style eruptions characterize the initial eruptive stage, forming widespread sequences of hawaiite a'ā lava flows with fan-like geometry overlapped by benmoreitic rubbly and blocky lava flows (Scott Valley Fm). Next, the activity shifted to transitional type mild explosive eruptions with numerous air-fall hawaiite to mugearite scoria cones producing ash plains around active vents, co-genetic lava domes and a‘ā lava flows fed from a NE-SW fissure system, as well as building an eruption-fed conglomeratic volcanic debris apron (Heathcote Valley Fm). The following Formation (Britten Craig) is characterised by a Fan-like a‘ā hawaiite to benmoreite flows bounded by paleosoil layers at the top and bottom, indicating a time gap between the emplacement of Formation. The final stage comprises a hawaiite-trachytic lava succession interbedded with epiclastic deposits (Mount Pleasant Fm). Multiple different ages and compositions of dikes crosscut the volcanic succession, mainly feeding trachytic lava domes with a dominant NE-SW trending orientation. Our multiscale analysis provides insights into the three-dimensional architecture of diverse rock bodies within the Whakarupō Volcano. This approach will aid the construction of prospective models that can be applied to understand the hazards and geo-energy resources of large basaltic-trachytic volcanic complexes.

Self-Calibrated Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the Quantitative Elemental Analysis of Suspended Volcanic Ash.

Real-time analysis of fine ash in volcanic plumes, which represent magma fragments expelled from the crater during explosive eruptions, is a valuable tool for volcano monitoring and hazard assessment. To obtain the chemical characterization of the juvenile pyroclastic material emitted in volcanic plumes, many analytical techniques can be used. Among them, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is the one that can most easily be adapted to advanced applications in extreme environments. In this paper, LIBS experiments based on self-calibrated approaches are used to determine the elemental composition of suspended volcanic ash. To simulate the conditions of dispersed volcanic ash in the atmosphere, different sizes of volcanic ash samples are suspended in the air by laser-induced shockwaves in a dedicated chamber, and a parametric study is carried out to establish the optimal experimental conditions for recording usable plasma emission spectra for each ash size. The quantitative analysis is performed using a self-calibrated analytical method, including calibration-free LIBS, which is based on the calculation of the spectral radiance of a uniform plasma in local thermodynamic equilibrium. The method accounts intrinsically for self-absorption since it modifies the intensity of spectral lines and thus leads to an underestimation of the elemental fraction. An intensity calibration of the spectra based on the measurements of Fe lines intensities was also used in this work to deduce the apparatus response from the spectrum itself and avoid the use of standard calibration lamps. Results demonstrate the potential of real-time measurements of elemental fractions in volcanic ash with good agreement with the literature composition.

Brief and intensive volcanic emissions from Ontong Java Nui heralded Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a

The volcanic episode that formed Ontong Java Nui (OJN) in the western Pacific ~ 120 million-year-ago is thought to have triggered Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1a, yet the cause-effect relationship remains insufficiently understood. Here, we present a Pb-Os-C isotope dataset for tracking OJN volcanism across a sedimentary sequence containing OAE1a record in the central Pacific. Lead isotopic evidence strongly supports the deposition of OJN-sourced volcanic ash layers at this site after a paired seawater δ13Ccarb–187Os/188Os shift and before the onset of OAE1a. The δ13Ccarb–187Os/188Os shift is attributable to the signature of the initial submarine OJN eruption. The subsequent unradiogenic Pb isotope shifts could represent ash fallout from the brief, explosive subaerial/shallow-marine eruption phase accompanied by intensive volcanic degassing and emissions. The apparent time lag between explosive OJN volcanism and OAE1a is intriguing, which can be accounted for by the delayed increase in the productivity after gas emissions.

Hazardous explosive eruptions of a recharging multi-cyclic island arc caldera

Caldera-forming eruptions of silicic volcanic systems are among the most devastating events on Earth. By contrast, post-collapse volcanic activity initiating new caldera cycles is generally considered less hazardous. Formed after Santorini’s latest caldera-forming eruption of ~1600 bce, the Kameni Volcano in the southern Aegean Sea enables the eruptive evolution of a recharging multi-cyclic caldera to be reconstructed. Kameni’s eruptive record has been documented by onshore products and historical descriptions of mainly effusive eruptions dating back to 197 bce. Here we combine high-resolution seismic reflection data with cored lithologies from International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 398 at four sites to determine the submarine architecture and volcanic history of intra-caldera deposits from Kameni. Our shore-crossing analysis reveals the deposits of a submarine explosive eruption that produced up to 3.1 km3 of pumice and ash, which we relate to a historical eruption in 726 ce. The estimated volcanic explosivity index of magnitude 5 exceeds previously considered worst-case eruptive scenarios for Santorini. Our finding that the Santorini caldera is capable of producing large explosive eruptions at an early stage in the caldera cycle implies an elevated hazard potential for the eastern Mediterranean region, and potentially for other recharging silicic calderas.

A history of explosive eruptions at Young Damavand volcano, Iran

Young Damavand volcano is a steep isolated volcano in the Central Alborz Mountains, Iran, that is characterized by extensive lava flows and pyroclastic successions and is placed on the eroded remains of Old Damavand. Pyroclastic fall and density current deposits on all flanks of the volcano were sampled and studied. From a tephrostratigraphic and geochemical study of the proximal-medial sequences, 14 phases of explosive volcanic activity are identified, characterized by a combination of ash and pumice fall deposits, and/or dense and dilute pyroclastic density current deposits. Some explosive phases of Damavand are thought to have happened one after the other with only short time intervals, since almost no traces of paleosol can be identified between them. We also show that the intensity of the eruptions varied between different phases, confirmed by relative thickness and grain size of the different fall deposits and their distance from the crater. The evidence of numerous explosive eruptions, five of which with Volcanic Explosivity Index 4 in the history of the activity of Young Damavand volcano, shows the importance of assessing its potential volcanic hazards.