Mixed deposits of simultaneous strombolian and phreatomagmatic volcanism: Rothenberg volcano, east Eifel volcanic field

The Pleistocene basanite-tephrite Rothenberg cone complex in the East Eifel was constructed by alternating dominantly Strombolian (S1–3) and dominantly phreatomagmatic (P1–3) phases of volcanism along a NNE-SSW linear vent system. Strombolian eruptions, from the central vent of the S1 scoria cone, and phreatomagmatic eruptions, from a vent on the southern margin of the cone, occurred simultaneously during the second phreatomagmatic phase (P2). The P2 deposits are a complex sequence in which Strombolian fallout ejecta is intimately admixed with phreatomagmatic fallout and pyroclastic surge material. Every bed contains at least trace amounts of ejecta from both sources but, at every site, an alternation of Strombolian-dominant and phreatomagmatic-dominant units is recorded. Each bed also shows marked lateral changes with a progressive northward increase in the proportion of Strombolian material. The two eruptive styles produced morphologically distinct clast populations often with widely separated (5–7 φ) grain size modes. The phreatomagmatic component of the P2 deposits is inferred to be the result of shallow interaction of external water and cool, partially degassed magma which reached the surface at a time when the magma column was retreating from the northern Strombolian central vent.The Rothenberg deposits illustrate the complexity and sensitivity of controls on Strombolian and associated phreatomagmatic volcanism, and the shallow depth of fragmentation during such eruptions. During such shallow eruptions minor, ephemeral and localised variations in the rate of rise and discharge of magma, and vent geometry and hydrology significantly influence the magma:water ratio and hence eruptive style.