Volcanic Deposits Research Articles

Travel Time Tomography to Delineate 3-D Regional Seismic Velocity Structure in the Banyumas Basin, Central Java, Indonesia, Using Dense Borehole Seismographic Stations

The Banyumas Basin is a tertiary sedimentary basin located in southern Central Java, Indonesia. Due to the presence of volcanic deposits, 2-D seismic reflection methods cannot provide a good estimation of the sediment thickness and the subsurface geology structure in this area. In this study, the passive seismic tomography (PST) method was applied to image the 3-D subsurface Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs ratio. We used 70 seismograph borehole stations with a recording duration of 177 days. A total of 354 events with 9, 370 P and 9, 368 S phases were used as input for tomographic inversion. The checkshot data of a 4, 400-meter deep exploration well (Jati-1) located within the seismic network were used to constrain the shallow crustal layer of the initial 1-D velocity model. The model resolution of the tomographic inversions was assessed using the checkerboard resolution test (CRT), the diagonal resolution element (DRE), and the derivative weight sum (DWS). Using the obtained Vp, Vs, and Vp/Vs ratio, we were able to sharpen details of the geological structures within the basin from previous geological studies, and a fault could be well-imaged at a depth of 4 km. We interpreted this as the main dextral strike-slip fault that controls the pull apart process of the Banyumas Basin. The thickness of the sediment layers, as well as its layering, were also could be well determined. We found prominent features of the velocity contrast that aligned very well with the boundary between the Halang and Rambatan formations as observed in the Jati-1 well data. Furthermore, an anticline structure, which is a potential structural trap for the petroleum system in the Banyumas Basin, was also well imaged. This was made possible due to the dense borehole seismographic stations which were deployed in the study area.

Late Miocene to Plio-Pleistocene volcanic and paleoenvironmental history of the Cerro Domo and Ventisqueros Mesa area, northwest James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula

We present the description and interpretation of a James Ross Island Volcanic Group (JRIVG) succession around the Cerro Domo and Ventisqueros Mesa area. Our aim is to reconstruct the volcanic evolution and provide new palaeoenvironmental information for the northwest sector of James Ross Island, northern Antarctic Peninsula. We present representative stratigraphic logs that are combined with new chronological constraints provided by 40Ar/39Ar ages and 87Sr/86Sr isotope analyses that demonstrate a record of the late Miocene to earliest Pleistocene. The first volcanic activity registered is associated with tuff cone deposits that resulted from marine hydromagmatic eruptions, close to 6.18 ± 0.14 Ma. Subsequently, lodgement till deposits record a grounded glacial advance. Overlying the glacigenic deposits, fossil-bearing sediments record a marine or glacimarine environment following the ice sheet retreat, and an 87Sr/86Sr age of 6.02 (+0.09, −0.09) Ma dates ice-poor conditions. A lava-fed delta system, which yields an age of 5.37 ± 0.12 Ma, prograded over the previous deposits. Stacked pillow lavas, curvy columnar-jointed basalts and subaerial tabular lavas, with a 4.9 ± 0.10 Ma age, were emplaced after the lava-fed delta deposition. Another lava-fed delta located to the north of the previously volcanic units yielded an age of 3.57 ± 0.19 Ma. A glacial pavement carved into the top of these deposits records a second ice advance in the area. The final volcanic activity emplaced Cerro Domo, a large volcanic edifice which was the centre of explosive hydromagmatic eruptions. The presence of pristine, articulated bivalves in life position within the lower volcanic deposits of Cerro Domo, together with an 87Sr/86Sr age of 3.16 (+0.59, −0.43) Ma, are strong indicators of a marine environment and suggest ice-poor “interglacial” conditions at this time. Dykes cutting the volcanic deposits of Cerro Domo and considered coeval with the eruptions afford ages of 2.62 ± 0.08 and 2.72 ± 0.09 Ma. Our results provide new insights on the volcanic and glaciation history of James Ross Island, as well as supporting marine, ice-poor conditions around ~6 Ma, and near or right before the Plio-Pleistocene boundary, between ~3.2 and ~2.6 Ma.

Thematic vent opening probability maps and hazard assessment of small-scale pyroclastic density currents in the San Salvador volcanic complex (El Salvador) and Nejapa-Chiltepe volcanic complex (Nicaragua)

Abstract. The San Salvador volcanic complex (El Salvador) and Nejapa-Chiltepe volcanic complex (Nicaragua) have been characterized by a significant variability in eruption style and vent location. Densely inhabited cities are built on them and their surroundings, including the metropolitan areas of San Salvador (∼2.4 million people) and Managua (∼1.4 million people), respectively. In this study we present novel vent opening probability maps for these volcanic complexes, which are based on a multi-model approach that relies on kernel density estimators. In particular, we present thematic vent opening maps, i.e., we consider different hazardous phenomena separately, including lava emission, small-scale pyroclastic density currents, ejection of ballistic projectiles, and low-intensity pyroclastic fallout. Our volcanological dataset includes: (1) the location of past vents, (2) the mapping of the main fault structures, and (3) the eruption styles of past events, obtained from critical analysis of the literature and/or inferred from volcanic deposits and morphological features observed remotely and in the field. To illustrate the effects of considering the expected eruption style in the construction of vent opening maps, we focus on the analysis of small-scale pyroclastic density currents derived from phreatomagmatic activity or from low-intensity magmatic volcanism. For the numerical simulation of these phenomena we adopted the recently developed branching energy cone model by using the program ECMapProb. Our results show that the implementation of thematic vent opening maps can produce significantly different hazard levels from those estimated with traditional, non-thematic maps.

Reply to Norini and Groppelli's comment on “Estimating the depth and evolution of intrusions at resurgent calderas: Los Humeros (Mexico)” by Urbani et al. (2020)

Abstract. Structural studies in active caldera systems are widely used in geothermal exploration to reconstruct volcanological conceptual models. Active calderas are difficult settings to perform such studies mostly because of the highly dynamic environment, dominated by fast accumulation of primary and secondary volcanic deposits, the variable and transient rheology of the shallow volcanic pile, and the continuous feedbacks between faulting, secondary porosity creation, and geothermal fluid circulation, alteration and cementation that tend to obliterate the tectonic deformation structures. In addition, deformation structures can be also caused by near- and far-field stress regimes, which include magmatic intrusions at various depths, the evolving topography and regional tectonics. A lack of consideration of all these factors may severely underpin the reliability of structural studies. By rebutting and providing a detailed discussion of all the points raised by the comment of Norini and Groppelli (2020) to the Urbani et al. (2020) paper, we take the opportunity to specify the scientific rationale of our structural fieldwork and strengthen its relevance for geothermal exploration and exploitation in active caldera geothermal systems in general and, particularly, for the Holocene history of deformation and geothermal circulation in the Los Humeros caldera. At the same time, we identify several major flaws in the approach and results presented in Norini and Groppelli (2020), such as (1) the lack of an appropriate ranking of the deformation structures considering an inventory method for structural analysis; (2) the misinterpretation and misquoting of Urbani et al. (2020) and other relevant scientific literature; and (3) irrelevant and contradictory statements within their comment.

Forests protect aquatic communities from detrimental impact by volcanic deposits in the tropical Andes (Ecuador)

Volcanic activity impacts ecosystems sometimes with multiple, complex and long-lasting consequences, including volcanic tephra (airborne material) causing widespread disruptions. We study the effects of tephra deposition around two tropical lakes of Ecuador using a multi-proxy analysis of lake sediment archives spanning the last 2000 years. We present the dynamics of terrestrial vegetation (pollen), aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna (chironomids) and organic matter (stable isotopes) in: (i) a high elevation, stream-connected, open alpine grassland (Andean páramo) and (ii) a mid-elevation, stream-isolated, pre-montane forest. Páramo vegetation showed a slight increase in herbs and quick recovery after the tephra deposition; however, the aquatic community suffered a regime shift not reversed today c. 1500 years after the event. In the pre-montane location, the canopy opened up following tephra deposition, and it took c. 150 years to return to pre-impact levels. At the forested site, no major changes in the aquatic fauna were observed related to the tephra deposition. We hypothesise that the forest acted as a protective barrier preventing a large fallout of ash into the aquatic system. Forest not only acted as a buffer for ash falling into the water from the air, but also prevented landslides of tephra by enhancing soil stability, contrary to what was observed in the open system. We demonstrate the protective ecosystem service that forests play in sustaining ecological resilience and water quality facing natural (volcanic) disturbance. The ongoing deforestation of tropical regions therefore might increase the vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems, threatening the water quality for ecosystems and human populations.

Improving Volcanic Soil Chemistry After the Eruption of Mt. Sinabung, North Sumatera in 2020

Volcanic activity produces pyroclastic deposits when erupted and cover the surrounding area. The minerals contained in these deposits are the source of plant nutrients. The volcanic deposits weathered, release nutrients to the environment, and improve soil chemical properties. The eruption of Mt. Sinabung in 2018 covered an area of 30, 320 ha, while in 2019 was 1, 371 ha. The study aims to investigate the status of nutrient content and the volcanic ash weathering level in 2020. There were 16 samples taken from ash deposits at various depths, with a total area of 1, 585.31 ha. Samples were analyzed to determine the total elemental composition using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, nutrient reserves, and weathering indices. The results showed that the total elemental composition of SiO2 is 51.51-67.51% classified as mafic (basalt) to felsic (dacite) materials, Al2O3; 15.54-23.41%, Fe2O3; 2.84-10.02% and CaO; 3.94-6.46%. Mount Sinabung’s volcanic ash has a nutrient reserve capacity of MgO, CaO, P2O5, K2O, and SO3, respectively with the amount of 37, 384.17 kg/ha, 235, 794.99 kg/ha, 34, 293.12 kg/ha, 72, 357.39 kg/ha, and 70, 352.22 kg/ha. The weathering indices of volcanic ash of 2020 were determined with a value of 2.76-4.19 for Ruxton ratio and Product of Weathering Index (PWI) of 67.39-76.13, indicates the weathering rate of silicates from volcanic ash are still at initial stage and are still in the fresh condition.

Investigation of the uptake of molybdenum by plants from Argentinean groundwater

Some regions of Argentina are affected by high concentrations of molybdenum, arsenic and vanadium from natural sources in their groundwater. In particular, Mo levels in groundwater from Eduardo Castex (La Pampa, Argentina) typically exceed the guidelines for drinking water formerly established by WHO at 70 μg/L. Therefore, this study investigated the uptake of Mo in plants, using cress (Lepidium sativum L.) as a model using hydroponic experiments with synthetic solutions and groundwater from La Pampa. Cress grown from control experiments (150 μg/L Mo, pH 7) presented an average Mo concentration of 35.2 mg/kg (dry weight, d.w.), higher than the typical total plant range (0.7–2.5 mg/kg d.w.) in the literature. Using pooled groundwater samples (65.0–92.5 μg/L Mo) from wells of La Pampa (Argentina) as growth solutions resulted in significantly lower cress Mo levels (1.89–4.59 mg/kg d.w.) than were obtained for synthetic solutions of equivalent Mo concentration. This may be due to the high levels in these groundwater samples of As, V, Fe and Mn which are known to be associated with volcanic deposits. This research addressed the hitherto scarcity of data about the effect of various physicochemical parameters on the uptake of Mo in plants.

Evidence for geologically recent explosive volcanism in Elysium Planitia, Mars

Volcanic activity on Mars peaked during the Noachian and Hesperian periods but has continued since then in isolated locales. Elysium Planitia hosts numerous young, fissure-fed flood lavas with ages ranging from approximately 500 to 2.5 million years (Ma). We present evidence for a fine-grained unit that is atypical of aeolian deposits in the region and may be the youngest volcanic deposit yet documented on Mars. The unit has a low albedo, high thermal inertia, includes high‑calcium pyroxene-rich material, and is distributed symmetrically around a segment of the Cerberus Fossae fissure system in Elysium Planitia. This deposit is superficially similar to features interpreted as pyroclastic deposits on the Moon and Mercury. Unlike previously documented lava flows in Elysium Planitia, this feature is morphologically consistent with a fissure-fed pyroclastic deposit, mantling the surrounding lava flows with a thickness on the order of tens of cm over most of the deposit and a volume of 1.1–2.8 × 107 m3. Thickness and volume estimates are consistent with tephra deposits on Earth. Stratigraphic relationships indicate a relative age younger than the surrounding volcanic plains and the Zunil impact crater (~0.1–1 Ma), with crater counting suggesting that the deposit has an absolute model age of 53 ± 7 to 210 ± 12 ka. This young age implies that if this deposit is volcanic then the Cerberus Fossae region may not be extinct and that Mars may still be volcanically active. This interpretation is consistent with the identification of seismicity in this region by the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy, and Heat Transport (InSight) lander, and has additional implications for astrobiology.

Magnetic anisotropy of an ancient volcanic system: Flow dynamics of post-collisional Ediacaran volcanism in southernmost Brazil

Knowledge about flow dynamics of volcanic sequences is fundamental for understanding their emplacement and consequently the evolution of the associated volcanic terrain. Despite this importance, studies that apply different approaches to ancient volcanic systems are still rare. In this paper, we study the case of silicic volcanic sequences in southernmost Brazil, contributing to the interpretation of the post-collisional Ediacaran volcanic settings of the Sul-riograndense shield. Rock magnetism analyses, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM), were performed on 32 sites of silicic volcanic rocks integrated with fieldwork observations. Magnetic mineralogy data indicate that magnetite or Ti-poor magnetite and high-coercivity phases (e.g., hematite) are the main magnetic carriers for the studied volcanic deposits. AARM results reveal an inverse magnetic fabric when single-domain grains are present, strongly affecting the interpretation of flow directions of lavas and ignimbritic deposits. AMS scalar results integrated with ignimbrite lithofacies analyses showed different fabric imbrication styles between stratified lower units and rheomorphic upper ignimbrites, allowing their separation in the emplacement model. Flow directions based on AMS, AARM data and field observations show a potential correlation of these volcanic deposits with an intrusive complex located on the southeastern border of the ignimbritic plateau. The emplacement of pyroclastic flow deposits was probably associated with a complex fissure system, where discontinuities within the basement plateau border may have served as feed conduits for these deposits. Our results highlight the importance of applying a regionally distributed AMS sampling coupled with a strong mineralogical and field control to the study of ancient volcanic systems.

Geochemical and mineralogical composition of the 2018 volcanic deposits of Mt. Anak Krakatau

Mount Anak Krakatau erupted on 22nd December 2018, resulting in a large deposit of fresh volcanoclastic materials on the island's surface. As the age of these new soil materials is known precisely, and the island is isolated from human activities, studying the ash and pyroclastic materials of Anak Krakatau will provide insights on the first stages of pedogenesis in tropical volcanic regions. This paper reports for the first time the chemical and geochemical characteristics of the fresh volcanic materials of Mt. Anak Krakatau. Samples were collected at 63 days and 82 days after the eruption. Remobilization of newly deposit volcanic materials occurred immediately after the eruption. Rill and gully erosion were observed on the surface of the island. Two types of samples were collected and analysed: volcanic ash (< 2 mm) and lapilli (2–64 mm). The pHH2O of the samples had a mean value of 5.9 (std. dev. 0.6). The CEC of the materials was very low but variable (3.11 ± 2.3 cmolc kg−1) and the cations were easily leached (Mg > Ca > K > Na). Microscopic analysis and XRD patterns showed that the materials were dominated by plagioclases, with labradorite being the dominant species. XRF analysis indicated that there were two types of volcanic materials: the first group had lower SiO2 concentration (mean 39%) and lower Al2O3 (mean 10%) but a higher concentration of Fe2O3 (mean 18.9%), CaO (15.6%), K2O (1.7%), SO4 (2.9%), P2O5 (2.8%), and heavier elements (Mn, Zn, Cu, Ti, Sr, Zr, Cr) and Ag2O (0.76%). The second group was more common with basaltic-andesitic composition with a mean concentration of 54.9% SiO2, 17.2% Al2O3, and 8.5% Fe2O3. Anak Krakatau eruptions and volcanic deposits are rare events; basic information provided in this report offers valuable information on the initial stage of pedogenesis and can be used as a baseline for future pedogenesis study.

High–Resolution Modeling of Airflows and Particle Deposition over Complex Terrain at Sakurajima Volcano

The realistic representation of atmospheric pollutant dispersal over areas of complex topography presents a challenging application for meteorological models. Here, we present results from high–resolution atmospheric modeling in order to gain insight into local processes that can affect ash transport and deposition. The nested Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with the finest resolution of 50 m was used to simulate atmospheric flow over the complex topography of Sakurajima volcano, Japan, for two volcanic eruption cases. The simulated airflow results were shown to compare well against surface observations. As a preliminary application, idealized trajectory modeling for the two cases revealed that accounting for local circulations can significantly impact volcanic ash deposition leading to a total fall velocity up to 2–3 times the particle’s terminal velocity depending on the size. Such a modification of the estimated particle settling velocity over areas with complex topography can be used to parametrize the impact of orographic effects in dispersal models, in order to improve fidelity.

Subsurface Identification of Campus I Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta using The Microtremor Wave Method

Thick layers of sediment can cause Prag damage to buildings in the event of an earthquake. The subsurface identification in the Campus I area of Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta needs to be done because of the increase of new multi-story buildings in the PGRI Campus area. The identification analysis uses HVSR (Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio) so that the thickness of the sedimentary layer could show in the study area. The magnitude of the dominant frequency value was measured by the microtremor method somewhere illustrates the type of soil in the study area. Based on the results of data processing, it can show that the Campus I area of PGRI Yogyakarta University is composed of thick sedimentary layers with thicknesses ranging from 26.7 m - 59.3 m. Based on the distribution map, the most adhesive sediment layer is under the area of the Rectorate building and the Faculty of Business building. These results show the similarity to the Special Region of Yogyakarta, which is an area arranged in a basin with fill material in the form of volcanic deposits.

Gold and gold-bearing volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits of the Central Cuba

Background. Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits (VMS) are the most important sources of Cu and Zn; they account for a large share of the world production of Pb, Ag, Au, Se, Te, Bi and Sb, as well as small amounts of many other metals. The polymetallic VMS deposits of economic value of varying degrees are known in the rocks of the Los Pasos Cretaceous Formation, Cuba.Aim. To show the potential of the Cretaceous volcanic deposits of Central Cuba for gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead deposit prospecting.Materials and methods. The study characterises the San Fernando, Independencia, Antonio, Los Cerros VMS deposits and the Boca del Toro and El Sol ore occurrences located in the Los Pasos Formation. The similarities and differences in the mineral and elemental composition and structures of the ores of these objects are described, which underlie the assessment of their economic importance.Results. The latitudinal zoning of VMS and noble metal mineralisation of the Central Cuban ore region is outlined. In the west, copper-VMS deposits with accompanying gold ore objects prevail. In the east, copper-zinc VMS deposits with barite and gold-silver objects are widespread.Conclusions. It is necessary to assume the different erosional sections corresponding to the blocks of the Cretaceous volcanic arc of Central Cuba, which is larger in the west and smaller in the east. Proceeding from the presence of veinlet gold ores, their confinement to tectonic zones and the lack of correlation between noble and chalcophile metals at the San Fernando deposit, as well as significantly different gold-silver ratios in the considered ore objects, it could be assumed that some of the gold-silver ores were formed after VMS. The obtained Au/Ag ratios are close to the ores of the high sulphidation type (high sulphide ores) from similar ore regions of Venezuela and the Kur-il island arc. In this regard, one can expect hidden gold deposits in the west and gold-silver deposits in the east of the studied area.

Determining the Volcanic Eruption Style of Tephra Deposits From Infrared Spectroscopy

AbstractOrbital imagery and spectroscopy at Mars have identified a variety of deposits potentially consistent with volcanic tephra formed during explosive volcanic eruptions, and some of these deposits may have formed due to water‐ or ice‐magma interactions during phreatomagmatic eruptions. If this is the case, these deposits could serve as an additional record of past water on Mars. Previous work has demonstrated that phreatomagmatic tephra is characterized by much lower crystallinities than tephras from other types of eruptions. We hypothesize that crystallinity could be inferred remotely using spectroscopy; however, tephra spectral properties have not been directly linked to their mineralogy. Here, we use Mars analog tephra samples to investigate if eruption styles and the past presence of water during the eruption of possible volcanic deposits on Mars can be determined using orbital spectroscopy. Visible/near‐infrared (VNIR) reflectance and thermal infrared (TIR) emission spectra were collected of basaltic volcanic tephras sourced from a range of eruption styles and deposit types on Earth. Our research demonstrates that, TIR and VNIR data are both sufficient to detect increased glass abundances in volcanic deposits, potentially indicating volatile interactions during an eruption, and that glass‐poor tephras have distinct TIR properties that can be used to infer tephra type (e.g., ignimbrite vs. scoria). Combining VNIR and TIR orbital data for analysis based on our new laboratory spectral endmember library may allow a reevaluation of Martian volcanic and volatile histories using current and future planetary orbital and in situ spectral datasets.

Plants colonizing volcanic deposits: root adaptations and effects on rhizosphere microorganisms

Volcanic activity alters earth surfaces creating environments where new ecosystems can be established. Just some plants are able to colonize this kind of environment. Low availability of nitrogen and phosphorus have been widely considered to restrict plant colonization on volcanic deposits worldwide. Root adaptations such as associations with mycorrhizal fungi, associations with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, and root structures specialized to exude carboxylates, comprise mechanisms plants use to grow on low nutrient availability conditions, such as volcanic ash or tephra. Most of the studies carried out on volcanic deposit colonizing plants have been focused on aboveground features such as plant survival, growth, and plant-plant interactions. Belowground processes, involving root activity and the rhizosphere, have been less studied. Plants that colonize different volcanically affected areas in the world, the effect on microorganisms associated mainly with the rhizosphere of these plants, microbe-microbe and microbe-plant interactions are reviewed here. Plant-to-plant interactions, involving the different kind of roots adaptations, may be complementary to facilitate each other and positively influence the ecosystem recovery of volcanic deposits. At rhizosphere level, particular microbial communities can be recruited with specific beneficial functions (nitrogen-fixing, plant promoting growth, etc.) that improve soil development and plant colonization of volcanic deposits. New aspects such as the ability of mycorrhizal fungi to recruit bacteria able to solubilize phosphorus, and the presence of endophytes and their role in promoting the growth of early plant colonizers of volcanic are also discussed.

The use of historical cartography and ALS technology to map the geomorphological changes of volcanic areas: A case study from Gran Cono of Somma-Vesuvius volcano

The eruptive activity of a volcano modifies its surface topography through morphological changes generated by the deposition of emitted volcanic material and resulting gravity-driven processes, which can form accumulation of material in addition to the most common erosional phenomena. Mapping and quantifying such morphological changes allow to derive new data useful to better describe and understand the eruptive history of the volcano itself. Nowadays, one of the mostly used method to identify such morphological changes consists of comparing Digital Elevation Models (DEM) of the volcanic area before and after an eruptive event. If the eruptive event is referred to periods prior to 1980's, the only method to reproduce DEMs consists of elaborating the historical cartography that is often available only in paper format. In this work we aim to prove the reliability of this approach, presenting a study on the morphological changes (from 1876 to 1944) of the summit caldera of the Somma–Vesuvio volcano (Italy). For the first time, we compare DEMs derived from historical maps (1876, 1906 and 1929) and a DEM dated 2012 obtained by remote sensing. The four models of the caldera, digitally reproduced at the same spatial resolution, are morphologically investigated through specific maps derived from the DEMs and a set of height profiles. In addition, further morphometric analyses and accurate quantifications in volume and surface are presented and discussed for a portion of the Somma-Vesuvio summit caldera, represented by the Gran Cono edifice. Considering the different typology of the source data used in this study, it is also provided a discussion on the respective accuracies that, especially for the historical maps, represent a crucial point for obtaining DEMs able to reproduce topographies more realistic as possible. For this reason, despite data source were processed following rigours criteria, the calculations of volume, surface and distance related to the morphological changes of the volcano are associated to an accurate quantification of the error. Following this, the main results obtained in this study are: i) the identification of several past volcanic deposits and the estimation of the related thicknesses, both in good agreement with published literature; ii) the quantification of the morphological changes of the Gran Cono from 1876 to 1944 resulting in a volume and surface growth of 133 × 106 m3 (±5%) and ~0.14 km2, respectively; iii) the identification of a possible migration path of the centroid of the Gran Cono crater along the SW-NE preferential direction during the investigated period.

Eupolypod ferns with dryopteroid/thelypteroid traits from Arroyo Chacay (Huitrera Formation, Eocene), Río Negro Province, Argentina

The Huitrera Formation is a sequence of volcanic deposits that outcrops in the northwestern region of Patagonia. Several paleofloras have been recognized in this (or in coeval) units, in classical localities named Pichileufu, Confluencia, Pampa de Jones and Laguna del Hunco. These works, focused mostly on the angiosperm and conifer content of the unit, allowed the recognition of a diverse array of taxa. Nevertheless, ferns remain underrepresented in the literature. In this work, three ferns preserved as impressions/compressions are described for this unit, collected from outcrops at the Arroyo Chacay locality. A new genus and species (Tapelrayen helgae gen. et sp. nov.) is designated to encompass fertile remains comparable with Thelypteridaceae and Dryopteridaceae. Another fossil form of ambiguous affinities is left in open nomenclature (Eupolypod incertae sedis) and a third form is referred to Cyclosorus sp. cf. C. interruptus (Willd.) H.Itô of the Thelypteridaceae. A discussion on the complex taxonomical scenario that is presented for fossil leaves comparable with Thelypteridaceae and Dryopteridaceae is presented, in light of the recent published taxonomic schemes.

Shifts in soil chemical and microbial properties across forest chronosequence on recent volcanic deposits

Afforestation of new unconsolidated volcanic deposits is a practice used to stabilize barren areas and enhance the accumulation of organic matter in the developing soil. Changes in soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, including the soluble and microbial fractions, within the first decades since afforestation have been poorly investigated. Therefore the objective of the present study was to investigate how key C and N pools vary in litter and soil of four forests planted on barren volcanic deposits from recent Mount Vesuvius eruptions. We examined three forest stands (40, 70 and 100 years old) afforested with Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) and a 40-year old forest of Black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.). As a baseline of C and N pools prior to afforestation, data from treeless sites were included in the study. Both the inputs with litter fall and soil C and N stocks increased with forest age in the Stone pine stands. In the mineral soil, C concentration per gram soil dry weight and C:N ratio increased with age from treeless sites to the oldest forest. Microbial biomass C and fungal biomass as a fraction of organic carbon (OC) and respiration per unit OC (an index of organic matter mineralization potential) decreased significantly with stand age. The results suggest that a main driver of C accumulation in the mineral soil is the decline with increasing stand age of the microbial fraction of organic matter and its activity. The comparison between the two pine species revealed that litter production was more abundant in the Black pine than in the even-aged, 40-year-old, Stone pine stand; moreover Black pine litter was more acidic and had a higher stable residue than Stone pine litter. Therefore a different pattern of C sequestration occurs with a higher C stock in the organic layers and a lower C stock in the mineral soil of Black pine compared to Stone pine.

Ordovician volcanic rocks record rifting, Variscan metamorphism and gold mineralization processes (Truchas Syncline, NW Iberia, Spain)

Ordovician volcanic rocks outcrop in several locations of the NW Iberian Variscan belt. Their composition is mainly basaltic (with less acid types) and occur as volcanic-volcanoclastic layers within a shale-slate succession. This work focuses on volcanic and related rocks within a prominent Variscan structure, the Truchas Syncline. We studied field relations, petrography, mineralogy, geochemistry and conducted thermodynamic modelling to review the petrogenesis and establish the evolution of these volcanic rocks classified as within-plate alkaline basalts (high Ti/Y, Nb/Y and Nb/Yb). Crustal contamination is absent given the elevated Nb/La ratio (1–1.5). These features indicate low melting degrees of the upper mantle and a continental rifting environment. The finding of Ordovician orthid brachiopods in some of the volcanoclastic rocks suggests a shallow marine environment for the volcanic deposition. Variscan metamorphism occurred at lower greenschist conditions with chlorite-temperatures of 374 ± 6 °C. Quartz + carbonate veins indicate that H2O–CO2 metamorphic fluids traversed some volcanic rocks, reacting with Ca–Fe–Mg phases to produce carbonates (Mg-calcite–Fe-dolomite). For this event, T-XCO2 modelling indicates temperatures below 350–360 °C and fluid XCO2 between 0.10 and 0.45. Such fluids can be important carriers of Au and might explain gold deposits in adjacent quartzites. Metasomatic shales (Fe-chlorite + quartz) outcrop nearby and were derived from a mixed protholith of shales and minor volcanic components. Its geochemistry shows Fe enrichment and high peraluminosity. Variscan deformation further modified its geochemistry causing Si-depletions and relative increases of other elements (K, Na, Ti, Al, Rb, Sr, Ba and LREE) in shear zones domains.

Field investigation of volcanic deposits on Vulcano, Italy using a handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instrument

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an important analytical technique in a variety of fields ranging from in-situ terrestrial geological field investigations to robotic exploration missions of extraterrestrial bodies such as Mars. In this study, the performance of a commercial handheld LIBS instrument was evaluated during an international summer school in 2019 that focused on the exploration of extreme environments on Earth and in space. Several sites on the Eolian island Vulcano (Italy) were investigated with different spectroscopic methods including LIBS. We focus here on the exploration of one particular outcrop with LIBS, where layered and colored ash deposits were observed. Furthermore, a laboratory study was performed to investigate and validate the effect of varying distance of the instrument to the sample. Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) for data exploration showed that elemental variations between the layers of the outcrop can be observed with the LIBS data from the handheld instrument. This was further confirmed by a layer-by-layer analysis of elemental correlations and depositional trends. Geologically relevant major elements such as Si, Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Na could be identified but also minor and trace elements such as F, Li, Mn, and Sr. Our results also show that the effects of varying distances of the instrument to the sample are critical for the quality of the data acquired and hence pose significant challenges to the analysis and interpretation. We propose a dedicated data pre-processing approach, which includes the masking of emission lines of Ar from the locally induced Ar atmosphere, as a possible solution to overcome this challenge. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of the performance and limitations of a handheld LIBS instrument, particularly in the context of future terrestrial and planetary field investigations.