Scoria Fall Research Articles

Geology, chronology, and temporal evolution of basaltic to dacitic magma system in Raung volcano, East Java, Indonesia

Raung volcano, located within the Ijen UNESCO Global Geopark in East Java, poses a significant risk of volcanic hazard for nearby residents and visitors. Our study provides a framework to understand Raung long-term behavior and potential hazards by examining its stratigraphy, petrology, and temporal magma evolution. The erupted products of Raung vary from lava flow, pyroclastic density current (ignimbrite and block and ash flow), scoria fall, and pumice fall. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples within pyroclastic deposits and weathered sediments beneath tephra fall layers yield the age of 840 ± 30 BP to 370 ± 30 BP. It provides an important chronological marker that confirms the past VEI-4 to VEI-5 eruption around 1200 to 1600 CE. Petrological and geochemical data reveal that Raung magma composition ranges from basalt to dacite (48–64 wt% SiO2) and can be classified into two distinct magma types. Type 1 magma has med-K series, low Rb/Nb, and no Eu anomaly. Type 2 magma has high-K series, high Rb/Nb, and negative Eu anomaly. Evidence of disequilibrium features (e.g., reverse zoning, sieve texture, resorption texture, orthopyroxene mantled by clinopyroxene) and mingling texture, along with geochemical features, indicate magma mixing and many episodes of mafic magma replenishment. While the current volcanic activity is dominated by andesitic Strombolian eruption, the characteristics of Raung eruptive products suggest that past major Plinian eruptions (VEI 4–5) had occurred in both andesitic and dacitic magmatic systems, with greater VEI associated with dacitic composition. The study of Raung temporal evolution documented various eruptive behaviors related to its wide range of magma composition, thus providing an essential database for hazard assessment and mitigation.

Volume Estimation of the Thickest Scoriaceous Tephra-Fall Deposits on the South-Southeastern Flank of Mt. Raung

Thick scoriaceous tephra-fall deposits are widely distributed in the south to the southeast flank of Mt. Raung, indicating the existence of past large explosive eruptions. The deposits are relatively young as the deposits are situated near the surface. Scoriaceous tephra-fall deposits can be divided into four layers from bottom to top, Scoria Fall 1, Scoria Fall 2, Scoria Fall 3, and Scoria Fall 4. There is no time gap between these layers, as evidenced by the deposits not being separated by any weathered layer or soil, suggesting that the deposits represent an eruptive product of a single active period. We estimated the volume of the deposits using isopach maps following Weibull method to identify the magnitude of the eruption. We limited the estimation only to Scoria Fall 2 and Scoria Fall 3 deposits which were consistently exposed on 13 and 9 observation points, respectively. The volume of Scoria Fall 2 is ~0.54 km3 and Scoria Fall 3 is ~0.26 km3 making the total volume of 0.8 km3 (VEI 4).

Eruptive history of Mt. Fuji over the past 8000 years based on integrated records of lacustrine and terrestrial tephra sequences and radiocarbon dating

Reliable records of past volcanic activities are essential for assessing future eruption probabilities and establishing effective volcanic disaster mitigation plans. We integrated the lacustrine and terrestrial sequences of tephra deposits at the northeastern foot of Mt. Fuji based on high-resolution radiocarbon (14C) dating to elucidate its eruptive history over the past 8000 years. Accurate chronologies of 29 tephra layers in the Lake Yamanaka sediments (core YA-1) were determined using the age-depth model of the 14C of bulk organic matter after variability correction of lake reservoir ages. The following ages were compared to those of major tephra deposits in the proximal trench section (MF20-01) and in the literature. From ∼7300 to ∼3200 cal yr BP, four tephra layers in core YA-1 (i.e., YA-T1, 2, 7, and 10) were likely correlated with the scoria fall deposits S-3, 5, 6, and 10 respectively, as reported in the outcrops near the lake. The core also features six undetected eruptions from ∼5050 to ∼3900 cal yr BP, demonstrating the advantages of lake sediments proximal to the volcano in identifying previously undetected eruptions. After ∼3200 cal yr BP, five tephra layers in core YA-1, ranging from ∼2900 to ∼1600 cal yr BP (YA-T11, 12, 14, 20, and 22), showed similar age ranges as the major tephra layers in MF20-01 (IY5, 8, 11, 25, and 26), with identical lithological characteristics and stratigraphic orders. This suggests that the tephra sequence in the trench section positively reflects the major eruptive events over the past 2900 years, providing a basis for the comprehensive reconstruction of volcanic eruption histories in the region.

Reexamination of Eruptive Activity of Akanfuji in the Me-Akan Volcano, Eastern Hokkaido, Japan

Eruption history of Akanfuji in the Me-akan volcano, eastern Hokkaido, has been examined by comparing multiple natural outcrops. In a previous study, at least 17 layers of scoria fall deposits were recognized. To obtain more detailed geological information and reexamine the eruptive activity of Akanfuji, we conducted trench surveys. At each survey site, the scoria fall deposits from Akanfuji are layered with a total thickness of several tens of centimeters to 1 m. A light brown volcanic ash layer is deposited just under the lowest layer of Akanfuji, and the fresh glass in the light brown volcanic ash shows the glass composition of the volcanic ash that erupted at Tarumai volcano 2500 BP. In addition, volcanic ash ejected from Ponmachineshiri of the Me-akan volcano is deposited on top of the newest deposits in the Akanfuji series with a thin soil layer in between. The volcanic ash ejected from Ponmachineshiri contains patches of volcanic ash from the Mashu volcano that erupted 1000 years ago. Therefore, Akanfuji was active from about 2500 to 1000 years ago. Akanfuji ejected scoria fall deposits at least 17 times (Akf-1 to Akf-17), and assuming that it erupted an average number of times during the activity period, it would be once every 90 years. The eruption rate was estimated to be 0.12 km3 DRE/ka.

Estimation of Volume and Column Height from Pumiceous Tephra-Fall Deposits of Mt. Raung, East Java, Indonesia

Pumiceous tephra-fall deposits observed mainly in the western flank of Mt. Raung are indicating past explosive eruption event. The volume and the eruption column height of the eruptive event is estimated using isopach and isopleth maps. These maps are constructed from seven observation points. The pumiceous tephra-fall deposits can be divided into 9 layers from bottom to top, White Pumice Fall 1–7, Yellow Pumice Fall, and Lithic-Rich Scoria Fall. These layers not separated by any soil or weathered layer indicates no significant time gap between them. Isopach and isopleth maps are generated from White Pumice Fall 6, Yellow Pumice Fall, and Lithic-Rich Scoria Fall considering the widespread distribution of these deposits. White Pumice Fall, Yellow Pumice Fall, and Lithic-Rich Scoria Fall are resulted from eruptive event with ~25–33 km, ~35 km, and ~29 km column height and 1.3 km3, 0.73 km3, and 0.32 km3 volume, respectively. Total volume of 2.35 km3 and the column height of 25-35 km suggest that Plinian eruption type of VEI 5 magnitude produces this pumiceous tephra-fall deposit sequence.

Petrology and Geochemical Comparation of Pumice and Scoria Rocks of Slamet Volcano, Central Java

Slamet Volcano is one of Indonesia Quaternary Stratovolcanoes in Central Java Province. Slamet volcano is divided into two parts, Old Slamet in the western part and Young Slamet. The author examined a comparation data of pyroclastic rock of Slamet Volcano, the pyroclastic rocks are pumice from Old Slamet, the scoria fall, and scoria cones are from Young Slamet. They have different geochemical and petrology features, pumice rock has higher SiO2 from 60 to 64 wt.%, scoria fall has SiO2 49.81 to 50.56 wt. %, and scoria cone has SiO2 49.26 wt. %. Petrographic observation showed that pumice is vesicular and contains of phenocryst pyroxene, plagioclase and biotite, scoria fall, and scoria cones have similar petrographic characteristic they have phenocryst of plagioclase, olivine, and pyroxene with hyalopilitic texture. The contrast of major element combined with petrographic features suggest that pyroclastic rock in Slamet Volcano formed by different magma and the magma has differentiation process of Slamet magma is generally caused by magma mixing.

Stratigraphy, chronology, and magma evolution of Holocene volcanic products from Mt. Slamet deposited in the Guci Valley, Central Java, Indonesia

The active cone of Mt. Slamet is situated above the Guci Valley, making it vulnerable to volcanic eruptions. This is a fast-growing resort area with a permanent population of thousands and annual visitation in the hundreds of thousands. In this study, we combined stratigraphic observations with petrologic and geochemical analysis of volcanic rocks deposited in the valley to better understand the potential volcanic hazards. Within 7–9 km from the summit, the valley contains four massive lavas, seven pyroclastic density current deposits, one scoria fall, and one lahar deposit. Two of the three massive pyroclastic density current deposits (3–15 m thick) were dated to 8040 ± 30 BP and 3910 ± 30 BP; the third was overlain by the 8040 ± 30 BP deposit. Therefore, during the Holocene at least 7 explosive eruptions have occurred at Mt. Slamet. The valley's volcanic deposits were characterized by lower CaO numbers, higher FeO*, and higher FeO/MgO ratios than older products from Mt. Slamet, representing a distinct character of modern magma. Thus, our stratigraphic record suggests that the Guci Valley may be exposed to future eruptive activity with corresponding hazards to the population.

Lithostratigraphy and geochemistry of Aojiki volcano and Sumiyoshiike and Yonemaru maars, Kamo Volcanic Field (Southern Kyushu), Japan

The Kamo Volcanic Field (KVF), a partly preserved Quaternary volcanic sequence of three small-volume basaltic volcanoes located about 10 km northwest of the Aira caldera in the Kagoshima graben in southwestern Kyushu, Japan. It forms part of the volcanic arc of Japan and consists of the Late Pleistocene Aojiki volcano and two Holocene maars: Sumiyoshiike and Yonemaru. Here, we report the first results of a combined lithostratigraphic and petrogenetic study of these three volcanoes. Eruptive products of Aojiki volcano comprise an initial scoriaceous tephra, a lava flow and scoria fall from the cone. Sumiyoshiike and Yonemaru maar products are mainly scoria fall and pyroclastic surge deposits, which are closely related in time and were principally emplaced by phreatomagmatic explosive eruptions. Major and trace element data of the eruptive products suggest four groups of magmas. Aojiki scoria (G1: SiO2= 50.3-51.4) are the most evolved, followed by Aojiki tephra/lava (G2: SiO2 = 48.1-50.7), while Sumiyoshiike (G3: SiO2 = 47.0-48.5) and Yonemaru (G4: SiO2= 46.3-48.5) are relatively less evolved. These magmas are derived from the same spinel bearing (lithospheric) mantle source previously metasomatized by subducting fluids and might have evolved in independent magma chambers mainly by fractional crystallization and crustal contamination except for G1 magma which may have suffered some associated mixing.

Tectonically controlled carbonate-seated maar-diatreme volcanoes: The case of the Volsci Volcanic Field, central Italy

Quaternary carbonate-seated maar-diatremes in the Volsci Range are one of the most intriguing products of the west-directed subduction of the Adriatic slab that drove the development of the Apennine mountain belt in Central Italy. The Volsci Volcanic Field is characterized by phreatomagmatic surge deposits, rich in accidental carbonate lithics, and subordinate Strombolian scoria fall deposits and lava flows, locally sourced from some tens of monogenetic eruptive centers (at least fifty tuff rings and scoria cones). We investigate the subsurface maar-diatreme processes in terms of relationships between faulting and explosive magma-water interaction, as well as the distribution pattern of the eruptive centers. With this aim, we present the following new data: i) description of the fold-and-thrust belt structure and associated eruptive centers, ii) componentry of volcanic rock-types, iii) determination of grain-size, degrees of whiteness and roundness of carbonate lithic inclusions, iv) micropaleontological analysis of carbonate lithics. We show that the clustering of eruptive centers is controlled by tectonic features. A first order control is tentatively related to crustal laceration and deep magma injection along a ENE-trending Quaternary lateral tear in the slab and to Mesozoic rift-related normal faults. A second-order control is provided by orogenic structures (mainly thrust and extensional faults). In particular, magma-water explosive interaction occurred at multiple levels (< 2.3 km depth), depending on the structural and hydrogeologic setting of the Albian-Cenomanian carbonates, which are intersected by high-angle faults. The progressive comminution, rounding and whitening of entrained carbonate lithics allow us to trace multistage diatreme processes. Finally, our study bears implications on volcanic hazard assessment in the region.

The Geology and Lamongan Volcanic Rocks Case Study at Ranu Pakis, Klakah, Lumajang, East Java Province, Indonesia

Lamongan volcano is one of the unique volcanoes in the Sunda Volcano. This volcano has side eruption centers or on the slopes of the volcano. The morphology of parasitic eruptions in this volcanoes complex includes maars and boccas. There are about 64 parasitic eruption centers consisting of 37 volcanic cones (bocca) and 27 ranu (maar).&#x0D; The purpose of this research is to study the characteristics of lithology and petrogenesis of this volcano complex, especially in Ranu Pakis and surrounding areas. The analytical method used is to do geological mapping and petrographic analysis.&#x0D; The lithology found in this research area consists of magmatic and phreatomagmatic eruption deposits. Genetically this lithology includes pyroclastic flow, pyroclastic fall (scoria fall and phreatomagmatic scoria fall/accretionary lapili), tuff (phreatic) and basaltic lava. In some pyroclastic deposits, especially in maar there are fragments of accretionary lapilli, while in bocca there are basaltic lavas. Other fragments present in pyroclastic deposits are basalt scoria blocks and bombs embedded in the groundmass of volcanic ash. The results of petrographic analysis indicate that the volcanic rocks in the study area are calc alkaline affinity consisting of pyroxene andesite, basalt and pyroxene basalt lava. The pyroxene basalt lava is composed by plagioclase, clinopyroxene and little olivine embedded in the volcanic glass. Lavas are structured scoria and textured porphyritic, intersertal, trachytic, aphyric and pilotaxitic. Trachytic texture is found in the basalt fragments of pyroxene from the pyroclastic fall deposits in Ranu Pakis and Ranu Wurung. While pyroxene andesite lavas composed by plagioclase, clinopyroxene embedded in the volcanic glass. Lavas are structured scoria and textured porphyritic, intergranular, pilotaxitic and aphyric.

The Talili Pyroclastics eruption sequence: VEI 5 precursor to the seventh century CE caldera-forming event at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

Studies of the products of the activity precursory to caldera-forming events are essential in revealing how caldera systems evolve in the prelude to climactic eruptions. Here, we investigate the deposits formed by the Talili Pyroclastics eruption sequence, which preceded the youngest major eruptive event, the seventh century CE (1400 BP) Rabaul Pyroclastics VEI 6 caldera-forming eruption, at Rabaul in northeastern Papua New Guinea. The Talili Pyroclastics deposits are essentially a bimodal (dacite-basalt) tephra sequence that was emplaced during the 2.8 ky leading to the Rabaul Pyroclastics eruption. The dominant activity during the Talili period, starting at 4200 BP, involved strong (up to VEI 5), water-modified explosive eruptions of dacite from intra-caldera vents. This activity generated > 4.4 km3 of unstratified, bedded and laminated fine-grained fall deposits, pyroclastic surges and a small ignimbrite. In addition, all three of the young stratovolcanoes on the eastern and northeastern fringes of Rabaul Caldera were active during the Talili era, producing > 0.7 km3 of basaltic scoria fall and flow deposits. The main phase of Talili era basalt production occurred at 4100 BP and involved sequential eruptions from two of the stratovolcanoes, Palangiangia and Kabiu. The sequence of dacitic Talili eruptives shows a progressive decline then late-stage increase in SiO2 contents, with corresponding changes in Fe2O3, MgO and CaO. Early and late products have compositions similar to those of the most-evolved products of the major eruptions at Rabaul (intermediate to high-SiO2 dacites), while middle-stage products are similar to those of the historical eruptions (lower-SiO2 dacites and andesites). The basaltic eruptives have three different compositions, attributed to three different (stratovolcano) sources. There is no evidence of mixing or mingling of basalt and dacite. However, andesitic scoria inclusions in the early-erupted dacitic ignimbrite represent mingling of andesitic and dacitic magmas. As with the Talili Pyroclastics, at least two other earlier tephra sequences at Rabaul probably resulted from phases of VEI 5 volcanism and directly underlie the deposits of major eruptions. This leads to the inference that cycles of escalating eruptive activity have prevailed prior to some of the major eruptions, and suggests that the strength of volcanism at Rabaul may rise from the lower levels (maximum of VEI 4) evident since the Rabaul Pyroclastics event as the system moves towards the next major eruption.

Tephra evidence for the most recent eruption of Laoheishan volcano, Wudalianchi volcanic field, northeast China

Wudalianchi volcanic field (WDLC) is one of the youngest intracontinental monogenetic volcanic fields in China. The 1719–1721 CE Laoheishan-Huoshaoshan eruption, and the 1776 CE Laoheishan eruption are the latest eruptions in WDLC based on the local historical records. However, most of the recent explosive eruptive products around WDLC are attributed to the 1719–1721 CE Laoheishan-Huoshaoshan eruption while less attentions were paid on the 1776 CE Laoheishan eruption. There are two types of scoria fall deposits around Laoheishan volcano, i.e. the upper light grey high vesicular scoria deposit (US) and below dark low vesicular scoria deposit (BS). Most of the glass shards from US exhibit >4% Na2O while BS show <4% Na2O. In addition, US presents two different glass composition clusters, indicating a complex magma batch feeding the eruption. Broadly, all of these eruptive products from WDLC have extreme high potassium (usually >5%) content with trachyandesitic to tephriphonolitic in composition that can be clearly distinguished from those from other nearby volcanic regions, such as Nuomin (~150km to Nangelaqiushan lake (NGLQ)), Arxan-Chaihe (~450km to NGLQ), Longgang (~700km to NGLQ) and Jingbohu (~550km to NGLQ). A cryptotephra layer is clearly revealed as a distinct peak in magnetic susceptibility measurements from NGLQ~8km northwest to Laoheishan volcano. Glass composition of the cryptotephra layer recorded in NGLQ is similar to the proximal US around Laoheishan volcano. On basis of historical records and field observations, we ascribed US to the 1776 CE Laoheishan eruption and BS to the 1719–1721 CE Laoheishan-Huoshaoshan eruption. Consequently, historical records assigned a precise age (1776 CE) for the tephra recorded in NGLQ, and thus can be used to refine the age model of these lacustrine sediments.

Fluorine and Chlorine Contents in the Products of the 1108 (Tennin) Eruption of Asama Volcano

Fluorine and chlorine have been determined for all kinds of the products of the 1108 activity of Asama volcano. The activity displayed various features that are characteristic of andesitic eruptions, i.e., scoria (pumice) fall (B-scoria L), intermediate-type pyroclastic flow (the Oiwake pyroclastic flow) and lava flow (the Kamino-butai lava flow). Their F-Cl variation patterns are widely varied according to the natures of the eruption in a similar way to those of the 1783 activity of Asama (Yoshida and Tsuchiya, 2004). The B-scoria L samples show uniform and the highest Cl contents in average. The Kamino-butai lava flow samples have low and uniform Cl contents. These results coincide with those obtained by the study on the 1783 activity and may be explained by the enrichment of volatiles in the uppermost part of the magma column before the eruption. The F and Cl contents of Oiwake pyroclastic flow samples show very large variances. Some Oiwake samples take almost the same halogen contents as the B-scoria L samples. Whereas, the other samples show the lowest F and Cl contents and the largest variances, and indicate strong release of gas at or after the effusion. The detailed examination of topographical distribution of the F and Cl contents shows that the Oiwake pyroclastic flow is composed of many flow units of high-halogen and of low-halogen contents and may suggest the transition of the mode of the formation of the pyroclastic flow with different degassing conditions. In the low-halogen flow units, volatiles might be mostly released in the early stage of the flow.

Mass budget partitioning during explosive eruptions: insights from the 2006 paroxysm of Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador

AbstractHow and how much the mass of juvenile magma is split between vent‐derived tephra, PDC deposits and lavas (i.e., mass partition) is related to eruption dynamics and style. Estimating such mass partitioning budgets may reveal important for hazard evaluation purposes. We calculated the volume of each product emplaced during the August 2006 paroxysmal eruption of Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador) and converted it into masses using high‐resolution grainsize, componentry and density data. This data set is one of the first complete descriptions of mass partitioning associated with a VEI 3 andesitic event. The scoria fall deposit, near‐vent agglutinate and lava flow include 28, 16 and 12 wt. % of the erupted juvenile mass, respectively. Much (44 wt. %) of the juvenile material fed Pyroclastic Density Currents (i.e., dense flows, dilute surges and co‐PDC plumes), highlighting that tephra fall deposits do not depict adequately the size and fragmentation processes of moderate PDC‐forming event. The main parameters controlling the mass partitioning are the type of magmatic fragmentation, conditions of magma ascent, and crater area topography. Comparisons of our data set with other PDC‐forming eruptions of different style and magma composition suggest that moderate andesitic eruptions are more prone to produce PDCs, in proportions, than any other eruption type. This finding may be explained by the relatively low magmatic fragmentation efficiency of moderate andesitic eruptions. These mass partitioning data reveal important trends that may be critical for hazard assessment, notably at frequently active andesitic edifices.

Luminescence dating of scoria fall and lahar deposits from Somma–Vesuvius, Italy

Luminescence dating has been applied to scoria and lahar deposits from Somma–Vesuvius, Italy. Samples include scoria from the AD472 and 512 (or 536) eruptions and lahar deposits. In order to find a stable luminescence signal which is less affected by anomalous fading, infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) signals at elevated temperatures after bleaching with IR at 50 °C (termed post-IR IRSL; pIRIR) were tested at different preheat and elevated stimulation temperatures. The fading rates of both IRSL and pIRIR signals reduced dramatically with increasing preheat and pIRIR stimulation temperatures. A pIRIR signal measured at 290 °C after a preheat at 320 °C (60 s) and an IR stimulation at 50 °C (100 s) was selected to calculate the equivalent dose (De). The gamma spectrometry results indicate that the U-series nuclides are not in equilibrium and there is a large 226Ra excess. The dose rates and ages were calculated by assuming a 226Ra excess (over its parent 230Th) at deposition, and that this unsupported excess then decayed to the present level. The resulting luminescence ages of the two scoria samples agreed with the expected ages, and the ages of the lahar deposits indicate that they are associated with the AD1631 eruption.

Holocene record of large explosive eruptions from Chaitén and Michinmahuida Volcanoes, Chile

Tephra fall deposits and one large ignimbrite close to Chait&eacute;n and Michinmahuida Volcanoes were analyzed for chemistry and radiocarbon dated to correlate the eruptive units and establish the timing of eruptions. These data suggest that both volcanoes were the source of large (VEI &ge;5) and small to moderate (VEI &lt;5) explosive eruptions throughout the Holocene. Four deposits are associated with volcanic activity from Chait&eacute;n Volcano, with two from Plinian eruptions at 9.9-9.5 and 5.3-4.9 (cal) ka BP that also generated pyroclastic density currents. The last event recognized from Chait&eacute;n (prior 2008) occurred a few hundred years ago, producing deposits that are similar to those of the 2008 eruption. All products from Chait&eacute;n are high-silica rhyolites; whole-rock compositions are indistinguishable but glass compositions are subtly different for some of the units. Seven deposits are related to eruptions of Michinmahuida Volcano, including a Plinian fall deposit at 7.6-7.3 ka BP and a large ignimbrite deposit at 10.5-10.2 ka BP. The chemical compositions of these products range from andesite to dacite. The last substantial explosive eruption event from Michinmahuida Volcano appears to have been a 0.5-0.3 ka BP sub-Plinian eruption, although younger scoria fall deposits likely derived from local pyroclastic cones are also found. Both volcanoes pose a wide variety of potential hazards to the region ranging from those derived from ignimbrite-forming eruptions to pyroclastic-cone formation. Valleys adjacent to the volcanoes were the areas most heavily affected by volcanic activity, because they were inundated by pyroclastic density currents and lahars. However, even regions located tens of kilometers east and north of the volcanoes experienced accumulations of tephra, which could harm both agriculture and infrastructure if similar events occurred today.

Dynamics of explosive paroxysms at open-vent andesitic systems: High-resolution mass distribution analyses of the 2006 Tungurahua fall deposit (Ecuador)

Long-lasting andesitic eruptions sometimes include strong short-lived explosive events, which can pose significant hazards in populated regions. The origin and dynamics of such violent eruptions remain poorly known and may involve a combination of different factors. Tungurahua volcano, Ecuador, reawakens in 1999 and is an example of such an open-vent system that experienced a strong and deadly andesitic pyroclastic flow-forming event in August 2006. Inspection of the deposits suggested that the event could have been triggered by magma mixing (coexistence of both silicic pumices and andesitic scoria in the tephra), magma–water interaction (presence of xenolithic clasts) or deep andesitic magma reinjection (based on mineral chemistry). Here we investigate these options by performing a high-resolution mass budget analysis of the scoria fall deposit. This is achieved by analysing componentry compositions and their mass distribution pattern in the layer, which allow us to document and integrate exponential and power laws mass decay rates over wide areas. The results yield a total mass for the tephra layer of ∼2×1010kg. The pumice mass fraction is far too small (<0.4%) to account for the high explosivity of the 2006 event. Similarly, the xenoclastic mass fraction is unexpectedly small (0.2%) and suggests limited magma–water interaction. Instead, we interpret these xenoclasts as a result of upper conduit erosion at a rate of ∼30cm/h during the paroxysm. Altogether our results support an explosive event fed by a deep gas-rich andesitic reinjection, which would have incorporated a pocket of older differentiated magma and eroded the upper conduit during the sub-plinian event. The high-resolution mass-based approach reveals useful to decipher the origin of the violent 2006 paroxysm and has potential to improve magnitude determinations of ancient eruption by considering componentry mass instead of volume. It is also applicable for monitoring purposes in the context of ongoing crises at andesitic volcanoes worldwide

Eruptive history of Mount Katmai, Alaska

Mount Katmai has long been recognized for its caldera collapse during the great pyroclastic eruption of 1912 (which vented 10 km away at Novarupta in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes), but little has previously been reported about the geology of the remote ice-clad stratovolcano itself. Over several seasons, we reconnoitered all parts of the edifice and sampled most of the lava flows exposed on its flanks and caldera rim. The precipitous inner walls of the 1912 caldera remain too unstable for systematic sampling; so we provide instead a photographic and interpretive record of the wall sequences exposed. In contrast to the several andesite-dacite stratovolcanoes nearby, products of Mount Katmai range from basalt to rhyolite. Before collapse in 1912, there were two overlapping cones with separate vent complexes and craters; their products are here divided into eight sequences of lava flows, agglutinates, and phreatomagmatic ejecta. Latest Pleistocene and Holocene eruptive units include rhyodacite and rhyolite lava flows along the south rim; a major 22.8-ka rhyolitic plinian fall and ignimbrite deposit; a dacite-andesite zoned scoria fall; a thick sheet of dacite agglutinate that filled a paleocrater and draped the west side of the edifice; unglaciated leveed dacite lava flows on the southeast slope; and the Horseshoe Island dacite dome that extruded on the caldera floor after collapse. Pre-collapse volume of the glaciated Katmai edifice was ∼30 km3, and eruptive volume is estimated to have been 57 ± 13 km3. The latter figure includes ∼40 ± 6 km3 for the edifice, 5 ± 2 km3 for off-edifice dacite pyroclastic deposits, and 12 ± 5 km3 for the 22.8-ka rhyolitic pyroclastic deposits. To these can be added 13.5 km3 of magma that erupted at Novarupta in 1912, all or much of which is inferred to have been withdrawn from beneath Mount Katmai. The oldest part of the edifice exposed is a basaltic cone, which gave a 40Ar/39Ar plateau age of 89 ± 25 ka.

Tephrostratigraphy and petrological study of Chikurachki and Fuss volcanoes, western Paramushir Island, northern Kurile Islands: Evaluation of Holocene eruptive activity and temporal change of magma system

A tephrostratigraphic and petrological study of the Chikurachki (1816 m)-Tatarinov-Lomonosov volcanic chain (CTL volcanic chain) and Fuss (1772 m), located at the southern part of Paramushir Island in the northern Kurile Islands, was carried out to reveal the explosive eruption history during the Holocene and the temporal change of the magma systems of these active volcanoes. Tephra successions were described at 54 sites, and more than 20 major eruptive units were identified, consisting of pumice fall, scoria fall and ash fall deposits, each of which are separated by paleosol or peat layers. The source volcano of each recognized tephra layer was confirmed by correlation with proximal deposits of each eruption center with respect to petrography and whole-rock and glass chemistry. The age of each layer was determined by radiocarbon dating and the stratigraphic relationship with the dated, widespread tephra from Kamchatka according to the thickness of paleosols bracketed between tephra layers. The Holocene activity in this region was initiated by eruptions from the Tatarinov and Lomonosov volcanoes. After the eruptions, the Fuss and Chikurachki volcanoes started their explosive activities at ca. 7.5 ka BP, soon after the deposition of widespread tephra from the Kurile Lake caldera in southern Kamchatka. Compared with Fuss located on the back-arc side, Chikurachki has frequent, repeated explosive and voluminous eruptions. Whole-rock compositions of the rocks of the CTL volcanic chain and Fuss are classified into medium-K and high-K groups, respectively. These suggest that magma systems beneath the CTL volcanic chain and Fuss differ from each other and have been independently constructed. The rocks of the Chikurachki volcano are basalt-basaltic andesite and have gradually evolved their chemical compositions; when graphed on a SiO 2-oxide diagram, these form smooth trends from mafic to more felsic. This suggests that the magma system evolved mainly by fractional crystallization. In contrast, matrix glass chemistries for Fuss pumices are distinct for each eruption and show different K 2O levels on a SiO 2-K 2O diagram. This implies that the magma system of Fuss has been frequently replaced. Both volcanoes have been active under the same subduction system. However, the Chikurachki volcano will continue eruptive activity under a stable magma system with a higher magma discharge rate, whereas Fuss may continue construction with an intermittent supply of distinct, small magma batches.

Influence of the substrate on maar–diatreme volcanoes — An example of a mixed setting from the Pali Aike volcanic field, Argentina

The morphologic parameters, pyroclastic deposits and evolution of maar–diatreme volcanoes are affected by the type of environment in which they are emplaced. End-member cases are a hard substrate (rocks) and a soft substrate (unconsolidated volcaniclastic or sedimentary deposits). In this paper, we present an example of a volcanic complex emplaced in a mixed hard–soft setting from the Pali Aike volcanic field (PAVF) near the Argentina–Chile border. The Plio-Pleistocene PAVF is an alkaline, mafic, back-arc monogenetic field which contains over 100 phreatomagmatic volcanoes. The studied volcanic complex contains two large coalescent maars overlain by scoria and spatter. The 1.4 × 1.3 km East Maar has better exposures than the shallower, 1.9 km-wide West Maar and seems to have been less modified by post-eruptive processes. The tephra rim of the East Maar was studied in detail and we infer it was produced mostly by base surges from phreatomagmatic eruption columns, with rare instances of intercalated scoria fall layers. Based on regional information, the general pre-maar stratigraphy is dominated by sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks of the Magallanes Basin, including a thick poorly consolidated upper unit dating from the Miocene. These are overlain by Plio-Pleistocene fluvio-glacial deposits and PAVF lavas, some of which are exposed in the East Maar just below the phreatomagmatic deposits. All of these units are represented as lithic clasts in the tephra rim of the East Maar, the most abundant being the clasts from the earlier basaltic lavas and rock fragments derived from the glacial deposits. There is no specific evidence for a deep diatreme under the East Maar, and in this particular case, the mixed environment seems to have produced a maar–diatreme volcano typical of a soft substrate.