Research Article| January 01, 2014 Plate tephra: Preserved bubble walls from large slug bursts during violent Strombolian eruptions Dawn C.S. Ruth; Dawn C.S. Ruth * 1Department of Geology, 411 Cooke Hall, State University of New York University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA *E-mail: dcs34@buffalo.edu. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eliza S. Calder Eliza S. Calder 1Department of Geology, 411 Cooke Hall, State University of New York University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA2School of Geosciences, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, The King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2014) 42 (1): 11–14. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34859.1 Article history received: 20 Jun 2013 rev-recd: 09 Sep 2013 accepted: 10 Sep 2013 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Dawn C.S. Ruth, Eliza S. Calder; Plate tephra: Preserved bubble walls from large slug bursts during violent Strombolian eruptions. Geology 2014;; 42 (1): 11–14. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G34859.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We describe unusual “plate tephra” particles that provide key information about rarely observed processes that occur during volcanic eruptions. The tephra formed during the 2008–2009 eruption of Llaima volcano, Chile, and dispersed as far as 9 km from the vent. The plates are angular clasts of vesicular basaltic andesite ranging in size from 1 to 14 cm and in thickness from 2 to 5 mm. External features such as ridges, varying degrees of curvature, and adhered material are present. Internal textures include strong crystal alignment and deformed enclaves. We propose that the plates are wall fragments formed during the rupture of large gas slugs associated with unsteady fire fountaining during the violent Strombolian phase of the eruption. The presence of plate tephra may be a diagnostic feature of highly unsteady activity where slug rupture is concurrent with the formation of a sustained eruption column. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.