Volcanic Axis Research Articles

Flare Up of Hot-Dry-Reduced Ignimbrites Related to Extension in the Cascades Arc: The Deschutes Formation, Central Oregon

Abstract Ignimbrite flare-ups are rare periods of intense silicic volcanism during which the pyroclastic volume and eruptive frequency is more than an order of magnitude higher than background activity. Investigating the compositional differences between flare-up and steady-state magmas provides critical constraints on the petrogenetic causes for the event and can offer unique opportunities to investigate the role of large-scale tectonic or geodynamic processes in arc magmatism. In this study, we focus on the bimodal Deschutes Formation ignimbrite flare-up of Central Oregon, which erupted unusually high volumes of pyroclastic material 6.25–5.45 Ma from a new axis of volcanism in the Cascades arc. This episode is marked by increased eruption rates and eruption of more silicic compositions relative to the Quaternary Cascade arc, which rarely erupts rhyolites. Ignimbrites are crystal-poor (<10%) dacite to rhyolites (mostly 65–77 wt.% SiO2) with anhydrous mineral assemblages and higher FeO/MgO, Y, Eu/Eu*, MREE and Zr/Sr, indicating drier magmatic evolution compared to the Quaternary arc, and are more similar to those from the rear-arc High Lava Plains (HLP) province that lies to the east. Magnetite-ilmenite oxybarometry indicates that Deschutes Formation felsic magmas tend to be hotter and more reduced (NNO-1 to NNO) than the Quaternary arc (NNO to NNO + 1.5). Rhyolite-MELTS geobarometry suggests complex storage of diverse Deschutes Formation magmas within the shallow crust (50–250 MPa), and the common co-eruption of multiple plagioclase populations, pumice compositions, and compositionally banded pumice suggest variable degrees of mixing and mingling of distinct magmas. Deschutes magmas also have low δ18Oplagioclase values that indicate partial melting and assimilation of hydrothermally altered shallow crust. Trace element systematics and rhyolite-MELTS modeling suggests that felsic pumice cannot be produced by simple fractionation of co-erupted mafic pumice or basaltic lavas, and requires a crustal melting origin, and trace elements and Pb isotopes suggest that young mafic crust may have been the primary protolith. We suggest that partial melting produced low-Si rhyolite melt (~72 wt.%) that acted as both a parent for the most evolved rhyolites, and as a mixing endmember to create the dacite to rhyodacite magmas with heterogenous plagioclase populations. Unlike the predominantly calc-alkaline basalts erupted in the Quaternary Cascade arc, Deschutes Formation primary basalts are mostly low-K tholeiites, indicative of decompression melting. These are similar to the compositions erupted during a contemporaneous pulse of low-K tholeiite volcanism across the whole HLP that reached into the Cascades rear-arc. We suggest that intra-arc extension focused decompression melts from the back-arc into the arc and that tensional stresses allowed this high flux of hot-dry-reduced basalt throughout the crustal column, causing partial melting of mafic protoliths and the production of hot-dry-reduced rhyolite melts. Depletion of incompatible elements in successive rhyolites implies progressive depletion in fertility of the protolith. Extension also allowed for the establishment of a robust hydrothermal system, and assimilation of hydrothermally-altered rocks by magmas residing in a shallow, complex storage network lead to low δ18O melts. Our findings suggest the integral role that extensional tectonics played in producing an unusual ignimbrite flare-up of hot-dry-reduced rhyolite magmas that are atypical of the Cascades arc and may be an important contributor to flare-ups at arcs worldwide.

Differentiation of Andean and Mesoamerican accessions in a proposed core collection of grain amaranths.

Grain amaranths are made up of three New World species of pseudo-cereals with C4 photosynthesis from the dicotyledonous family Amaranthaceae and the genus Amaranthus. They originate in two ecoregions of the Americas, namely, the inter-Andean valleys of South America and the volcanic axis and lowlands of Mexico and Central America. These correspond to two centers of domestications for Andean and Mesoamerican crops, with one cultivated species found in the first region and two found in the latter region. To date, no core collection has been made for the grain amaranths in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) germplasm system. In this study, our objective was to create a core for the 2,899 gene bank accessions with collection site data by town or farm site of which 1,090 have current geo-referencing of latitude and longitude coordinates. We constituted the core with 260 genotypes of Amaranthus, which we evaluated with 90 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers. Our goal was to distinguish between Andean and Mesoamerican gene pools of amaranths, including the cultivated species and three possible progenitor or wild relative ancestors along with two more species in an outgroup. Population structure, clustering, and discriminant analysis for principal components showed that Andean species Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus quitensis shared fewer alleles with Mesoamerican species Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus, compared to each group individually. Amaranthus hybridus was a bridge species that shared alleles with both regions. Molecular markers have the advantage over morphological traits at quickly distinguishing the Andean and Mesoamerican cultivars and have the added benefit of being useful for following inter-species crosses and introgression.

A Silurian-Devonian active margin in the proto-Andes – new data on an old conundrum

ABSTRACT The Devonian Terra Australis accretionary orogen along the proto-Andes is characterized south of 33°S by the eastward accretion of the Chilenia and Chaitenia terranes. From the middle Silurian to the early Carboniferous the evolution north of 33°S, in the southern central Andes, is enigmatic, and herein called the Silurian-Devonian lull. This lull is notable for the absence of magmatism, metamorphism and deformation while mature siliciclastic detritus accumulated in marginal basins governed by depositional and not by tectonic controls. Detrital zircon age spectra uniformly display a marked scarcity of Silurian and Devonian ages. No evidence of a Devonian active margin system has been put forward so far. Newly discovered volcanic arc lavas in the Devonian-early Carboniferous Compléjo Epimetamórfico Chañaral (CEMC) of northern Chile give evidence of Devonian to early Carboniferous intermediate arc magmatism in this area for the first time. The CEMC also includes mafic volcanic rocks as syndepositional intercalations and as tectonic accretions. They predominantly have E-MORB and OIB characteristics and very likely formed at an extensional volcanic rifted margin environment. The veiled presence of scarce arc magmatism during the Silurian-Devonian lull might be taken as evidence of flat-slab subduction. However, present-day flat-slab regimes produce strongly telescoped mountain belts with high topography and relief. The absence of any deformation during the lull attests against this interpretation. Assuming an extension of Chilenia into northern Chile is unlikely because of different stratigraphies and the absence of ophiolitic sutures. The Silurian-Devonian lull may be explained as a magmatic lull between the flare-ups of the Famatinian and Gondwanide orogenies (Cambrian-Ordovician and Carboniferous-Triassic, respectively) the latter of which is attributed to rapid trenchward migration of the volcanic axis. Magmatic lulls are characterized by less than 25% of magma production relative to flare-ups and occur at times of slow landward migration of an arc system.

Structural Geology and Volcanism in Hululais Geothermal Area, Bengkulu, Indonesia

Hululais Prospect in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu is one of the geothermal fields developed by Pertamina Geothermal Energy. The field is situated within the Bukit Barisan Mountain Range, an NW-SE volcanic arc of Sumatra, and located 8 km western from Musi Segment of Sumatra Fault Zone Zone. Based on field data from geological mapping, remote sensing analyses and borehole data these regional structures influence the occurrence of the NW-SE volcanic axis in Hululais Volcanic Complex (HVC). The Hululais Volcanic Complex (HVC) itself is a Quaternary volcanic complex which comprised of six crown units namely: (Bukit Resam, Suban Agung, Bukit Beriti, Bukit Gedang, Bukit Lumut and Bukit Pabuar) with its associated Hummocks and primary/secondary deposits. These NW-SE distributed of Subang Agung, Bukit Beriti and Bukit Gedang volcanic crowns can be grouped as Hululais Brigade. The manifestations distribution in Hululais also depict the influence of the NW-SE geological structure and its volcanic activity. This is validated by the presence of geothermal manifestation such as fumarole in the central of Hululais Volcanic Complex and hot spring in the medial – distal part of the field.

Experimental Constraints on Dacite Magma Storage beneath Volcán Quizapu, Chile

Abstract Volcán Quizapu, Chile, is an under-monitored volcano that was the site of two historical eruptions: an effusive eruption in 1846–1847 and a Plinian eruption in 1932, both of which discharged ∼5 km3 (dense rock equivalent) of lava and/or tephra. The majority of material erupted in both cases is trachydacite, nearly identical for each event. We present H2O-saturated, phase equilibrium experiments on this end-member dacite magma, using a pumice sample from the 1932 eruption as the main starting material. At an oxygen fugacity (fO2) of ∼NNO + 0·2 (where NNO is the nickel–nickel oxide buffer), the phase assemblage of An25–30 plagioclase + amphibole + orthopyroxene, without biotite, is stable at 865 ± 10 °C and 110 ± 20 MPa H2O pressure (PH2O), corresponding to ∼4 km depth. At these conditions, experiments also reproduce the quenched glass composition of the starting pumice. At slightly higher PH2O and below 860 °C, biotite joins the equilibrium assemblage. Because biotite is not part of the observed Quizapu phase assemblage, its presence places an upper limit on PH2O. At the determined storage PH2O of ∼110 MPa, H2O undersaturation of the magma with XH2Ofluid = 0·87 would align Ptotal to mineral-based geobarometry estimates of ∼130 MPa. However, XH2Ofluid < 1 is not required to reproduce the Quizapu dacite phase assemblage and compositions. A second suite of experiments at lower fO2 shows that the stability fields of the hydrous silicates (amphibole and biotite) are significantly restricted at NNO – 2 relative to NNO + 0·2. Additional observations of Quizapu lava and pumice samples support the existing hypothesis that rapid pre-eruptive heating drove the effusive 1846–1847 eruption, with important refinements. We demonstrate that microlites in the end-member dacite lavas are consistent with in situ crystallization (during ascent), rather than transfer from an andesite. In one end-member dacite lava, newly identified reverse zoning in orthopyroxene and incipient destabilization of amphibole are consistent with small degrees of heating. Our work articulates a clear direction for future Quizapu studies, which are warranted given the active nature of the Cerro Azul–Descabezado Grande volcanic axis.

Seismic evidence of fluid migration in northeastern Japan after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

We use ambient-noise-based seismic monitoring to detect an anomalous seismic velocity decrease (∼0.01%) widely distributed in Honshu that arose about 1 year after the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. The anomaly is located along the central quaternary volcanic axis, and it suggests that the changes are related to volcanic processes. After correction for possible external environmental forcing-related velocity changes, the anomaly in the seismic velocity remains, which implies that it is associated with some internal physical process. We show a general strong positive correlation between the seismic velocity changes and the intensity of ground motion derived from the daily cumulative seismic moment. However, the lack of correlation during the anomaly itself reveals that this reduction is not directly caused by earthquake shaking. Tiltmeter low-pass observations show temporal variations that are correlated with the velocity changes. These observations strengthen the hypothesis of actual physical deformation. A previously reported decrease in fault strength (∼10%) for the same period as the velocity anomaly further supports a physical property change in the upper crust. We also note a simultaneous increase in activity of low-frequency events in the volcanic area, which suggests an increase in pore pressure in the upper crust. We propose that the observed anomalous seismic velocity decrease in early 2012 is due to an increase in pore pressure induced by an upward fluid migration, which at the same time triggered the increase in fluid-driven swarm seismicity and low-frequency events. We recall the depth-dependent seismic velocity changes in Honshu and derive an average diffusion of 1 m2/s over around 11 months after the Tohoku-Oki earthquake.

Volcanism and rapid sedimentation affect the benthic communities of Deception Island, Antarctica

Deception Island is amongst the most active volcanoes in the Southern Ocean, with over 20 explosive eruptions in the last ca. 200 years. The eruption that formed the caldera at Deception Island occurred 3980 ± 125 calendar years Before Present, and it is the largest eruptive event documented in Antarctica during Holocene. Since then, post-caldera volcanic activity has comprised many scattered eruptive vents across the island. Mortality of benthic organisms has been reported during the most recent eruptions occurred on the island, in 1967, 1969, and 1970 Common Era (CE), with very low abundances of organisms during the 1967–1973 CE period. Within the sea-flooded part of the caldera depression, named Port Foster, a submarine volcanic axis with several volcanic cones is observed. An interdisciplinary team sampled the best morphologically preserved volcanic edifice within Port Foster, the so-called Stanley Patch. Geophysical data traced the volcano and characterized its morphology and inner structure. Underwater scuba sampling allowed to acquire sediment and rock samples, photographs and video images of the benthic organisms and seascape. Morphology of Stanley Patch cone and textural characteristics of the collected pyroclastic rocks indicate that the volcanic edifice was originated during an explosive eruption. Furthermore, the lack of palagonitization, quenched pyroclast margins, and hyaloclastite deposits indicate that this cone has formed on-land, before the caldera floor became inundated by the seawater, highlighting the complex intra-caldera evolution of Deception Island. A sediment core from the crater was collected for sedimentological, and geochemical analysis. Antarctic climate and seasonal sea ice, together with organic degradation due to high sedimentation rates, explain the low total organic carbon data measured. The volcanic history of the island has probably avoided the development of a stable benthic community over time, similar to other Antarctic shallow communities. Moreover, the current geomorphological conditions still shape different benthic communities than in the surrounding coastal ecosystems. Stanley Patch, and the whole Port Foster, provide a natural laboratory for benchmarking the reestablishment of benthic communities on a volcanic-influenced shallow marine environment, offering relevant data for future studies evaluating global climate change effects on the Antarctic seabed.

Morphotectonic Analysis of the East Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

Backarc basin systems are important sites of extension leading to crustal rupture where basin development typically occurs in rifting phases (or stages) with the final successful stages identified by the formation of spreading ridges and new oceanic crust. The East Manus Basin is a young (<1 Ma), active, rapidly rifting backarc basin in a complex tectonic setting at the confluence of the oblique convergence of the Australian and Pacific plates. Here we undertake the first comprehensive spatial-temporal morphotectonic description and interpretation of the East Manus Basin including a link to the timing of, and tectonic controls on, the formation of seafloor massive sulfide mineralization. Key seafloor datasets used in the morphotectonic analysis include multi-resolution multibeam echosounder seafloor data and derivatives. Morphotectonic analysis of these data defines three evolutionary phases for the East Manus Basin. Each phase is distinguished by a variation in seafloor characteristics, volcano morphology and structural features: Phase 1 is a period of incipient extension of existing arc crust with intermediate to silicic volcanism; Phase 2 evolves to crustal rifting with effusive, flat top volcanoes with fissures; and Phase 3 is a nascent organized half-graben system with axial volcanism and seafloor spreading. The morphotectonic analysis, combined with available age constraints, shows that crustal rupture can occur rapidly (within ∼1 Myr) in backarc basins but that the different rift phases can become abandoned and preserved on the seafloor as the locus of extension and magmatism migrates to focus on the ultimate zone(s) of crustal rupture. Consequently, the spatial-temporal occurrence of significant Cu-rich seafloor massive sulfide mineralization can be constrained to the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 within the East Manus Basin. Mineralizing hydrothermal systems have utilized interconnected structural zones developed during these phases. This research improves our understanding of the early evolution of modern backarc systems, including the association between basin evolution and spatial-temporal formation of seafloor massive sulfide deposits, and provides key morphotectonic relationships that can be used to help interpret the evolution of paleo/fossilized backarc basins found in fold belts and accreted terrains around the world.

Chapter 3.1a Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands: volcanology

Abstract The voluminous continental margin volcanic arc of the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the major tectonic features of West Antarctica. It extends from the Trinity Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands in the north to Alexander Island and Palmer Land in the south, a distance of c. 1300 km, and was related to east-directed subduction beneath the continental margin. Thicknesses of exposed volcanic rocks are up to c. 1.5 km, and the terrain is highly dissected by erosion and heavily glacierized. The arc was active from Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous times until the Early Miocene, a period of climate cooling from subtropical to glacial. The migration of the volcanic axis was towards the trench over time along most of the length of the arc. Early volcanism was commonly submarine but most of the volcanism was subaerial. Basaltic–andesitic stratocones and large silicic composite volcanoes with calderas can be identified. Other rock associations include volcaniclastic fans, distal tuff accumulations, coastal wetlands and glacio-marine eruptions. Other groups of volcanic rocks of Jurassic age in Alexander Island comprise accreted oceanic basalts within an accretionary complex and volcanic rocks erupted within a rift basin along the continental margin that apparently predate subduction.

Active faults of El Salvador

In this work we present a review of the current state of knowledge of the active faults in El Salvador and its seismo-tectonic implications. An updated map of active fault traces is combined with the spatial analysis of shallow seismicity, focal mechanisms, recent geodetic GPS velocities, local strain estimations and morpho-tectonic features to provide a synoptic view of the active tectonics of the El Salvador. The major faults selected as potential seismic sources bound tectonic blocks or regions that include GPS sites with consistent relative velocity vectors. We propose several active tectonic domains along El Salvador controlled by three current deformation regimes: a crustal block in the forearc sliver dominated by rigid westward translation with the faster and more homogeneous GPS velocities; three zones dominated by E-W distributed extensional coaxial deformation; and two bands with a deformation compatible with transtensional regime. In the Western sector of the ESFZ, GPS velocities and local structure suggest that E-W extension concentrates along the NNW-SSE oriented Santa Ana volcanic axis and it could connect to the north with the extensional region of the Ipala Graben. This is consistent with to the eastward shift of the North America-Cocos-Caribbean triple junction and “the closing of the zipper” proposed in recent models that progressively slows down the strike-slip movement along the northern limit of the forearc sliver. In the central sector large GPS velocity gradient parallel to the volcanic arc may be associated to complex and discontinuous structure of the ESFZ driving slowdown of the westward movement of local tectonic blocks. The southeaster sector of the ESFZ is an incipient large pull-apart structure affecting a pre-existing extensional N-S oriented fabric that induces two tectonic subdomains, the eastern one undergo E-W coaxial extension and the western one characterized by transtensional strain regime. We propose a new structural segmentation of the ESFZ considering that this fault zone includes all those structures that accommodate the relative velocity between the forearc sliver and the Chortís block. The 38 active faults with surface traces that are mapped for more than 5 km long proposed in this work, with maximum potential magnitude Mw ranging from 5.98 to 7.94, will contribute to improve regional and local seismic sources databases and seismic hazard assessment.

Jurassic segmentation of the early Andean magmatic Province in southern central Chile (35–39°S): Petrological constrains and tectonic drivers

Jurassic volcanismin Southern-Central Chile (35°–39°S) is represented mainly by two units. The first characterized by the volcanic and subvolcanic mostly andesitic deposits of the Altos de Hualmapu Formation, located in actual Coastal Cordillera (35°–35°30′S) and the second corresponding to the lower basaltic and upper andesitic to dacitic upper member of Nacientes del Biobio Formation, in actual Main Cordillera (39°S). Both units mark the transition between northern and patagonian segments of Early Andean Magmatic Province (EAMP) that reach its maximum magmatic activity in this area during late Middle Jurassic in Coastal Cordillera, after two minor pulses of activity between Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic. No evidence of arc activity is recorded in this area after 155 Ma, when volcanic axis seems to shift to actual Main Cordillera until Lower Cretaceous when it is resumed again to the west. The discontinuity of the arc front suggest the presence of a major cutoff in axis at ≈36–37°. Whole rock geochemical and isotopical Sr-Nd-Pb data shows that this areal discontinuity coincides with an enrichment of the magmas that suggest ≈20–30% of participation of an enriched source in the genesis of the magmas. Given the mostly extensional to transtensional tectonic regime of Western Gondwana during Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous it is unlike to assume high degrees of assimilation at shallow levels, so the observed enrichment should reflect the addition of fertile asthenospheric mantle dragged by the slab as result of the massive roll back and tearing of the oceanic plate under the Arc in Patagonia during Upper Triassic and Middle Jurassic.

Lava Flows Erupted in 1996 on North Gorda Ridge Segment and the Geology of the Nearby Sea Cliff Hydrothermal Vent Field From 1-M Resolution AUV Mapping

Author(s): Clague, DA; Paduan, JB; Caress, DW; McClain, J; Zierenberg, RA | Abstract: The northernmost segment of the Gorda mid-ocean ridge is the site of a small-volume eruption in 1996 and the persistent off-axis Sea Cliff hydrothermal vent field. To better understand the geologic setting and formation of these features, 1-m resolution bathymetric mapping using autonomous underwater vehicles was completed in 2016. The mapped region covers 35 km2 and 15.6 km of the volcanic axis from south of the 1996 lava flows, and a cross section for ∼4.5 km perpendicular to the axis, that extends beyond the Sea Cliff hydrothermal vent field. A proposed 1996 flow ∼7 km south of previously mapped flows is an artifact from a poor pre-eruption survey. The 1996 flows consist of three discrete steep hummocky mounds of pillows and syneruptive talus. The Sea Cliff hydrothermal field is located a few km north of the narrowest, shallowest section of the ridge segment, 2.6 km east of the center of the neovolcanic zone, and ∼370 m above the average depth of the axial graben on the largest offset ridge-parallel fault. No evidence supports the prior hypothesis that the site is located where two fault systems intersect. The axial graben is asymmetrical with larger fault offsets on the east side. The ridge axis below the hydrothermal field and to the south toward the 1996 flows is constructed dominantly of hummocky flows of pillow basalt, many unusually steep-sided, with syneruptive talus at the base of their steep slopes. Three channelized flows ponded between steep hummocky flows, and then partially drained. Some low-eruption-rate hummocky flows and high-eruption-rate channelized flows have nearly identical compositions, supporting the idea that eruption rates on mid-ocean ridges vary because of different dike widths. Four volcanic structures with volumes between 0.18 and 0.25 km3 occur in the axial graben south of the 1996 flows. Two are flat-topped cones, another is a 1.5-km diameter inflated hummocky flow with 7 pit craters that demonstrate that the flow had a molten interior during growth. The fourth voluminous structure is a steep ridge with abundant syneruptive talus on its lower slopes. The North Gorda segment is an end-member, structurally and volcanically, compared with other Pacific intermediate-rate spreading ridges.

Rapid Shifts in Chemical and Isotopic Compositions of Sediment Pore Waters in the Amami Sankaku Basin in Response to Initial Arc Rifting in the Mid‐Oligocene

AbstractPore waters were recovered from the sediment cores drilled in the back‐arc Amami Sankaku Basin (ASB) during the International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 351. The sediment sequence is composed of the recent mud and ooze from late Oligocene/early Miocene accumulated at 7 m/Ma and rapid deposition of thick volcaniclastic sequence at 50 m/Ma. Such variations are reflected in the evolutions of chemical and isotopic compositions of pore waters. Cl and Ca concentrations in pore waters increased rapidly with depth and became enriched in the deep portion. Before arc rifting, extremely high deposition rates of volcaniclastic gravity‐flow sediments from the nearby Kyushu‐Palau arc into the ASB resulted in strong alteration, removing Mg and Si from pore waters. Mg concentrations were initially almost zero but abruptly shifted to substantial increases after ~29.5 Ma, indicating extended rifting of the active volcanic axis from the ASB. The δ18O and δD values of pore waters also evolved from more depleted and wide range to more positive and narrow range as a response to reduced alteration and increasing influence of seawater. Concentrations of Si and Mn in pore waters rapidly increased since ~29.5 Ma but suddenly declined at ~17.5 Ma due to the cessation of input of volcaniclastic materials. Covariations of Ca and Mg in pore waters are very similar to those in the back‐arc West Philippine Basin but significantly different from those in the Izu‐Bonin fore‐arc basin. Variations in chemical and isotopic compositions of pore waters can assist the reconstruction of tectonic activities.

Subduction-zone contributions to axial volcanism in the Oman–U.A.E. ophiolite

Over four decades of research on the Semail ophiolite (Oman–U.A.E.) has greatly in uenced our understanding of processes occurring at fast-spreading ocean ridges. While the well-developed sheeted dike complex and comagmatic lower pillow lavas indicate that the early Semail crust formed at a spreading axis, the precise tectonic setting of this axis—whether true mid-ocean ridge, back-arc or “proto”-arc— is contentious. This is largely because the tectonic implications of the geochemistry of the main axial volcanic unit (Geotimes/V1) are disputed. We bypass this hurdle by focusing on intercalations of primitive lavas that are depleted relative to mid-ocean-ridge basalt and that are deeply intercalated within the early Geotimes axial volcanostratigraphy throughout the northern ophiolite. Our analyses of these intercalations show a clear trace-element in uence from a subducting slab. We interpret the depleted axial melts to have formed by localized, high-degree partial melting assisted by a high-Th/Nb slab uid. These results con rm a deep subduction in uence on the entire axial spreading phase of the world’s largest ophiolite. Considered in the context of later hydrous and boninitic Alley volcanism and of insight from modern tectonic environments, our observations support a proto-arc, subduction-initiation setting for the origin of the Semail ophiolite.

Discovery of Hydrothermal Vent Fields on Alarcón Rise and in Southern Pescadero Basin, Gulf of California

AbstractHydrothermal vent fields located in the gap between known sites in Guaymas Basin and 21°N on the East Pacific Rise were discovered on the Alarcón Rise and in southern Pescadero Basin. The Alarcón Rise spreading segment was mapped at 1‐m resolution by an autonomous underwater vehicle. Individual chimneys were identified using the bathymetric data. Vent fields were interpreted as active from temperature anomalies in water column data and observed and sampled during remotely operated vehicle dives. The Ja Sít, Pericú, and Meyibó active fields are near the eruptive fissure of an extensive young lava flow. Vent fluids up to 360 °C from Meyibó have compositions similar to northern East Pacific Rise vents. The Tzab‐ek field is 850 m west of the volcanic axis, and active chimneys rise up to 33 m above a broad sulfide mound. The inactive field is 10 km north‐northeast along the rift axis, and most sulfide chimneys are enriched in Zn and associated elements that are transported at lower temperature compared to the more Cu‐rich active fields. In southern Pescadero Basin, the Auka field is on the margin of a sediment‐filled graben at 3,670‐m depth. Discharging fluids are clear, contain hydrocarbons, and have neutral pH, elevated salinity, and temperatures up to 291 °C. They have deposited massive mounds of calcite with minor sulfide. The fluids are compositionally similar to those in Guaymas Basin, produced by high‐temperature basalt‐seawater interaction followed by reaction with sediment. The paucity of sulfide minerals suggests subsurface deposition of metals.

Emplacement and temporal constraints of the Gondwanan intrusive complexes of northern Patagonia: La Esperanza plutono-volcanic case

Two main lines of evidence disagree whether or not the Patagonian blocks collided with Gondwana. All models invoke the voluminous magmatism of the La Esperanza Complex as evidence for active subduction magmatic arc or to a postcollisional setting. The evolution of this bimodal igneous suite is reassessed with field, geochronological (SHRIMP U-Pb zircon and K-Ar mica) and petrophysical data. Emplacement of high-K calk-alkaline granitic magmas occurred at shallow crustal levels (2–8±2km depth) related to the development and collapse of a caldera associated with a regional NW-SE structural trend. Magmatism involved intermediate hybrid pulses at 273±2Ma and 255±2Ma (Prieto Granodiorite) that shifted like a yo-yo to acidic magmas at 260±2Ma and 250±2Ma (Donosa and Calvo granites). Absence of solid-state deformation features and the low anisotropy degrees in the granites indicate that its fabric is magmatic in origin. Magnetic fabric in granodiorites displays a concentrical pattern with subhorizontal foliations and lineations. Parallel to the volcanic axis, magnetic foliations and moderately plunging lineations indicate a common feeder system for plutonics and volcanics. Donosa Granite shows a discordant pattern with WNW-ESE ENE-WSW trending low plunging lineations and foliations. The plutono-volcanic system construction (273–255Ma) followed NW-SE and NE-SW diamond shape faults trends and supracrustal discontinuities. Magmatic Climax is bracketed at 260Ma. The collapse of the edifice is evidenced by the intrusion of acid magma plugs and dike swarms between 250 and 246Ma. A similar age range was identified in other areas of Patagonia related to syn and postcollisional tectonic events. No evidence of tectonic activity such as major uplift, metamorphism or thrusting was found excepting regional strike-slip faulting and extension. Therefore, La Esperanza Complex is a high crustal level episode, and as such may not have structurally recorded an active collision during its crystallization and cooling.

Seismic evidence for a cold serpentinized mantle wedge beneath Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens is the most active volcano within the Cascade arc; however, its location is unusual because it lies 50 km west of the main axis of arc volcanism. Subduction zone thermal models indicate that the down-going slab is decoupled from the overriding mantle wedge beneath the forearc, resulting in a cold mantle wedge that is unlikely to generate melt. Consequently, the forearc location of Mount St Helens raises questions regarding the extent of the cold mantle wedge and the source region of melts that are responsible for volcanism. Here using, high-resolution active-source seismic data, we show that Mount St Helens sits atop a sharp lateral boundary in Moho reflectivity. Weak-to-absent PmP reflections to the west are attributed to serpentinite in the mantle-wedge, which requires a cold hydrated mantle wedge beneath Mount St Helens (<∼700 °C). These results suggest that the melt source region lies east towards Mount Adams.

Faults strengthening and seismicity induced by geothermal exploitation on a spreading volcano, Mt. Amiata, Italia

Seismogenic structures such as faults play a primary role in geothermal system generation, recharge and output. They are also the most susceptible to release seismic energy over fluid injection/extraction operations during anthropic exploitation. We describe the microseismic activity recorded in 2000–2001 in the Piancastagnaio geothermal field, on the SE flank of Mt. Amiata volcano, southern Tuscany, Italy. From our field observations we find that a relatively high percentage (i.e. about 5%) of the recorded events are of hydro-fracturing origin and have a distinct waveform seismic signature when compared to the recorded events of tectonic shear-fracturing origin. While hydrofracturing events are mostly concentrated around the geothermal fields, the spatial distribution of hypocenters shows a deepening and a density increase of the micro-seismic activity from the volcanic axis toward the exploited geothermal reservoir, suggesting that volcanic spreading at Amiata is still active. The study of different data-sets from different time periods together with the knowledge from Terzaghi's law that production of large quantity of pore-fluid with the associated fluid pressure reduction could augment the stress normal to faults' surfaces (and thus their resistance to slip), make us argue that the process of volcanic spreading affecting the edifice of Amiata may allow augmented accumulation of stresses on faults, eventually leading to the release of higher stress drops, once ruptures occur. The Gutenberg–Richter magnitude–frequency distribution shows that the strongest events on record have a local magnitude in the 5–5.5ML range, for 100-year recurrence time. In conclusions, we infer that geothermal exploitation at Mt. Amiata should be closely monitored in order to understand how fluid injection/production is responsible for the hydrofracturing seismic activity and affects stress accumulation on and rupture of faults within and in the neighborhood of the geothermal fields. This understanding may allow a geothermal field management that will hopefully reduce the risk for inducing larger seismic events in the area.

A New Salamander of the GenusChiropterotriton(Caudata: Plethodontidae) from the Sierra Madre Oriental of Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract. A new salamander of the genus Chiropterotriton is described from the Sierra Madre Oriental in southwestern Tamaulipas, Mexico. This genus is widespread in the Sierra Madre Oriental, its range extending from Tamaulipas to northern Oaxaca, and it occurs into central Mexico along the mountains associated with the Transverse Volcanic Axis. The species described herein is one of the northernmost species. Previously a few species of Chiropterotriton have been reported from the mountains of Tamaulipas and adjacent Nuevo Leon, but this new salamander is easily distinguished by its enlarged nares. It also differs from all congeners by a combination of characters including size, limb length, hand and foot morphology, color pattern, and dental morphology.

Microbial diversity in Los Azufres geothermal field (Michoacán, Mexico) and isolation of representative sulfate and sulfur reducers

Los Azufres spa consists of a hydrothermal spring system in the Mexican Volcanic Axis. Five samples (two microbial mats, two mud pools and one cenote water), characterized by high acidity (pH between 1 and 3) and temperatures varying from 27 to 87°C, were investigated for their microbial diversity by Terminal-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) and 16S rRNA gene library analyses. These data are the first to describe microbial diversity from Los Azufres geothermal belt. The data obtained from both approaches suggested a low bacterial diversity in all five samples. Despite their proximity, the sampling points differed by their physico-chemical conditions (mainly temperature and matrix type) and thus exhibited different dominant bacterial populations: anoxygenic phototrophs related to the genus Rhodobacter in the biomats, colorless sulfur oxidizers Acidithiobacillus sp. in the warm mud and water samples, and Lyzobacter sp.-related populations in the hot mud sample (87°C). Molecular data also allowed the detection of sulfate and sulfur reducers related to Thermodesulfobium and Desulfurella genera. Several strains affiliated to both genera were enriched or isolated from the mesophilic mud sample. A feature common to all samples was the dominance of bacteria involved in sulfur and iron biogeochemical cycles (Rhodobacter, Acidithiobacillus, Thiomonas, Desulfurella and Thermodesulfobium genera).