Somma-Vesuvius’ activity: a mineral chemistry database

Mineralogy and Petrology - Clinopyroxene and olivine are ubiquitous phases in Somma-Vesuvius (SV) volcanics and for the first time they were systematically studied in several products younger than...     

Multi-stage metasomatism in the lithosphere beneath the Veneto Volcanic Province (VVP, Northern Italy)

Mantle peridotites from the Veneto Volcanic Province (VPP) have been investigated in order to constrain P-T conditions of mantle events, determine the style of the metasomatic reactions, and the compositions of the metasomatic agents. Studied rocks show dominant protogranular and transitional textures; only one sample shows effect of pyrometamorphism. Clinopyroxenes in protogranular lherzolites show depleted LREE patterns, while those of transitional rocks are characterised by spoon-shaped REE patterns (La up to 60 times chondrite), and variable enrichments in LILE. Two generations of fluid inclusions are recognised: 1) Type I (CO₂ ± CO ± C fluid) found only in orthopyroxene of transitional xenoliths which may contain very small amphibole; 2) Type II (CO₂-rich fluid) found in all minerals of all xenoliths. Most of inclusions homogenize to liquid, with Th_L ranging between ?44 and 31°C. The densest CO₂ fluid inclusions (d?=?1.13?g/cm³), indicates a trapping pressure of ~10?kbar at 800°C. We propose that the mantle beneath the VVP equilibrated at pressures of 10?kbar, at about 800°C. Traces of an aqueous fluid preserved as fluid inclusions in orthopyroxene suggest the existence of an older subduction related metasomatic event and the occurrence of two stages metasomatism in the lithosphere beneath the SE Alps.     

Understanding magma evolution at Campi Flegrei (Campania, Italy) volcanic complex using melt inclusions and phase equilibria

The magmatic evolution of two eruptive episodes at Campi Flegrei (Italy) has been investigated using phase equilibria modeling (MELTS) and data from melt inclusions (MIs) in phenocrysts from the Fondo Riccio and Minopoli 1 eruptions. Assuming that isobaric fractional crystallization of a mantle-derived parental magma is the dominant petrogenetic process, major element evolution and corresponding changes in the physical and thermodynamic properties of the magma bodies from which Fondo Riccio and Minopoli1 magmas were erupted can be tracked. Fondo Riccio parental magma was trachyandesitic, approximated by the composition of FR-C1-O2-M1, which evolved mainly through fractional crystallization at low pressure (P?≈?0.15?GPa, ≈ 7?km depth), along the QFM, QFM?+?1 oxygen buffer with an initial dissolved H₂O content of ～3?wt%. Minopoli1 parental magma was trachyandesitic, approximated by the chemistry of Mi1-C1-O5-M1, evolved through fractional crystallization at P?≈?0.3?GPa (≈ 12?km depth), with oxygen fugacity along QFM?+?1buffer and initial H₂O content of?～?2 wt%. The relationship between melt fraction and T reveals for Fondo Riccio the presence of a pseudo-invariant temperature at which the physical properties of melt change abruptly. The net effect of these changes is to drive the system towards dynamic instability, which it is suggested to be the trigger mechanism for the eruptions.     

How sediment composition and flow rate influence downstream channel morphodynamics upon dam removal

The process of dam removal establishes the channel morphology that is later adjusted by high-flow events. Generalities about process responses have been hypothesized, but broad applicability and details remain a research need. We completed laboratory experiments focused on understanding how processes occurring immediately after a sediment release upon dam removal or failure affect the downstream channel bed. Flume experiments tested three sediment mixtures at high and low flow rates. We measured changes in impounded sediment volume, downstream bed surface, and rates of deposition and erosion as the downstream bed adjusted. Results quantified the process responses and connected changes in downstream channel morphology to sediment composition, temporal variability in impounded sediment erosion, and spatial and temporal rates of bedload transport. Within gravel and sand sediments, the process response depended on sediment mobility. Dam removals at low flows created partial mobility with sands transporting as ripples over the gravel bed. In total, 37% of the reservoir eroded, and half the eroded sediment remained in the downstream reach. High flows generated full bed mobility, eroding sands and gravels into and through the downstream reach as 38% of the reservoir eroded. Although some sediment deposited, there was net erosion from the reach as a new, narrower channel eroded through the deposit. When silt was part of the sediment, the process response depended on how the flow rate influenced reservoir erosion rates. At low flows, reservoir erosion rates were initially low and the sediment partially exposed. The reduced sediment supply led to downstream bed erosion. Once reservoir erosion rates increased, sediment deposited downstream and a new channel eroded into the deposits. At high flows, eroded sediment temporarily deposited evenly over the downstream channel before eroding both the deposits and channel bed. At low flows, reservoir erosion was 17–18%, while at the high flow it was 31–41%.     

The impact of beaver dams on the morphology of a river in the eastern United States with implications for river restoration

Restoration projects in the United States typically have among the stated goals those of increasing channel stability and sediment storage within the reach. Increased interest in ecologically based restoration techniques has led to the consideration of introducing beavers to degraded channels with the hope that the construction of beaver dams will aggrade the channel. Most research on beaver dam modification to channels has focused on the long‐term effects of beavers on the landscape with data primarily from rivers in the western United States. This study illustrated that a role exists for beavers in the restoration of fine‐grained, low gradient channels. A channel on the Atlantic Coastal Plain was analyzed before, during, and after beaver dams were constructed to evaluate the lasting impact of the beaver on channel morphology. The channel was actively evolving in a former reservoir area upstream of a dam break. Colonization by the beaver focused the flow into the channel, allowed for deposition along the channel banks, and reduced the channel width such that when the beaver dams were destroyed in a flood, there was no channel migration and net sediment storage in the reach had increased. However, the majority of the deposition occurred at the channel banks, narrowing the channel width, while the channel incised between sequential beaver dams. The study indicated that where channels are unstable laterally and bank erosion is a concern, the introduction of beavers can be a useful restoration tool. However, because of the likelihood of increased channel bed erosion in a reach with multiple beaver dams, they may not be the best solution where aggradation of an incised channel bed is the desired result. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.