Depositional processes of the Suwolbong tuff ring, Cheju Island (Korea)

The Suwolbong pyroclastic sequence in the western part of Cheju Island, Korea, comprises partly preserved rim beds of a Quaternary basaltic tuff ring whose vent lies about 1 km seaward of the present shoreline. The sequence consists of breccia, lapillistone, lapilli tuff and tuff. Eighteen sedimentary facies are established and organized into six lateral facies sequences (LFS) and seven vertical facies sequences (VFS). The LFS 1, 4 and 5 begin with massive lapilli tuff which transforms downcurrent into either planar-bedded (LFS 1), undulatory-bedded (LFS 4) or climbing dune-bedded (LFS 5) (lapilli) tuff units. They are representative of relatively ‘dry’ base surge whose particle concentration decreases downcurrent with a progressive increase in both tractional processes and sorting. The LFS 2 begins with disorganized and massive lapilli tuff and transforms into crudely stratified units downcurrent. It results from relatively ‘wet’ base surge in which sorting is poor due to the cohesion of damp ash. The LFS 3 comprises well-sorted lapilli tuff and stratified tuff further downcurrent, suggestive of deposition from combined fall and surge of relatively ‘dry’ hydroclastic eruption. All seven vertical facies sequences generally comprise two facies units of coarse-grained fines-depleted lapilli tuff and an overlying fine-grained tuff. These sequences are suggestive of deposition from base surge that consists of a turbulent head and a low-concentration tail. Depositional processes in the Suwolbong tuff ring were dominated by a relatively ‘dry’ base surge. The base surge comprises turbulent and high-concentration suspension near the vent whose deposits are generally unstratified due to the lack of tractional transport. As the base surge becomes diluted downcurrent through fallout of clasts and mixing of ambient air, it develops large-scale turbulent eddies and is segregated into coarse-grained bedload and overlying fine-grained suspension forming thinly stratified units. Further downcurrent, the base surge may be either cooled and deflated or pushed up into the air, depending on its temperature. The Suwolbong tuff ring comprises an overall wet-to-dry cycle with several dry-to-wet cycles in it, suggestive of overall decrease in abundance of external water and fluctuation in the rate of magma rise.     

Intra-crater deposits of the Toga tuff ring, Oga Peninsula, NE Japan

The Toga tuff ring is a large, dissected tuff ring located on the modern shoreline of the Oga Peninsula, NE Japan. The crater measures 2 km by 2.4 km and the inner crater walls are inclined inward at 40–50° to form a funnel shape. Intra-crater beds are mainly composed of platy or blocky, non- to variably vesicular glass shards and pumice lapilli of K-rich rhyolite composition and dip inward at 10°–30° or less. A gravity model suggests they fill the downward-tapering conduit to a depth of 548 m below sea level. Fission-track dates from the intra-crater deposits indicate the age of the Toga tuff ring is ca. 420 ka, likely corresponding to a stage of global sea-level fall, MIS 12. Subsequent sea-level rise and marine transgression is inferred to have resulted in erosion of almost the entire outer tuff ring by post-eruptive wave action.The intra-crater deposit`s are exposed over a thickness of 50 m in the deeply incised crater floor. They comprise mainly monomictic tephra of phreatomagmatic origin and are similar in grain-size distribution and sedimentary structures to relatively high and low density turbidites, although the constituents, sparse block-sag structures, and multiple fluid-escape dikes suggest that they are the subaqueous equivalents of high- and low-density pyroclastic currents with similar grain-sizes and degree of grain-size sorting. Marine diatom frustules sparsely contained in the deposits suggest that the crater was likely open to the sea, enabling rapid access of seawater to the vent. Pyroclasts ejected through the water flowed back into the crater to form eruption-fed oscillatory or circular turbidity currents and were repeatedly recycled and variably abraded by subsequent explosions, while many juvenile pumice lapilli and ash grains were carried beyond the crater rim to form relatively dilute pyroclastic currents. The Toga example suggests that primary deposits emplaced in crater lakes are well sorted, graded and stratified with polymodal flow directions, sparse block-sags, and vesicular and fragile fragments that are more or less abraded by repeated explosions and recycling.     

The Ilchulbong tuff cone, Cheju Island, South Korea

The Ilchulbong mount of Cheju Island, South Korea, is an emergent tuff cone of middle Pleistocene age formed by eruption of a vesiculating basaltic magma into shallow seawater. A sedimentological study reveals that the cone sequence can be represented by nine sedimentary facies that are grouped into four facies associations. Facies association I represents steep strata near the crater rim composed mostly of crudely and evenly bedded lapilli tuff and minor inversely graded lapilli tuff. These facies suggest fall-out from tephra finger jets and occasional grain flows, respectively. Facies association II represents flank or base-of-slope deposits composed of lenticular and hummocky beds of massive or backset-stacked deposits intercalated between crudely to thinly stratified lapilli tuffs. They suggest occasional resedimentation of tephra by debris flows and slides during the eruption. Facies association III comprises thin, gently dipping marginal strata, composed of thinly stratified lapilli tuff and tuff. This association results from pyroclastic surges and cosurge falls associated with occasional large-scale jets. Facies association IV comprises a reworked sequence of massive, inversely graded and cross-bedded (gravelly) sandstones. These facies represent post-eruptive reworking of tephra by debris and stream flows. The facies associations suggest that the Ilchulbong tuff cone grew by an alternation of vertical and lateral accumulation. The vertical buildup was accomplished by plastering of wet tephra finger jets. This resulted in oversteepening and periodic failure of the deposits, in which resedimentation contributed to the lateral growth. After the eruption ceased, the cone underwent subaerial erosion and faulting of intracrater deposits. A volcaniclastic apron accumulated with erosion of the original tuff cone; the faulting was caused by subsidence of the subvolcanic basement within the crater.     

Geology of the Mwadui kimberlite, Shinyanga district, Tanzania

The Mwadui pipe represents the largest diamondiferous kimberlite ever mined and is an almost perfectly preserved example of a kimberlitic crater in-fill, albeit without the tuff ring.

The geology of Mwadui can be subdivided into five geological units, viz. the primary pyroclastic kimberlite (PK), re-sedimented volcaniclastic kimberlite deposits (RVK), granite breccias (subdivided into two units), the turbidite deposits, and the yellow shales listed in approximate order of formation. The PK can be further subdivided into two units—lithic-rich ash and lapilli tuffs which dominate the succession, and lithic-poor juvenile-rich ash and lapilli tuffs. The lower crater is well bedded down to at least 684 m from present surface (extent of current drill data). The bedding is defined by the presence of juvenile-rich lapilli tuffs vs. lithic-rich lapilli tuffs, and the systematic variation in granite content and clast size within much of the lithic-rich lapilli tuffs. Four distinct types of bedding have been identified in the pyroclastic deposits. Diffuse zones characterised by increased granite abundance and size, and upward-fining units, represent the dominant types throughout the deposit.

Lateral heterogeneity was observed, in addition to the vertical changes, suggesting that the eruption was quite heterogeneous, or that more than one vent may have been present. The continuous nature of the bedding in the pyroclastic material and the lack of ash-partings suggest deposition from a high concentration (ejecta), sustained eruption column at times, e.g. the massive, very diffusely stratified deposits. The paucity of tractional bed forms suggest near vertical particle trajectories, i.e. a clear air-fall component, but the poorly sorted, matrix-supported nature of the deposits suggest that pyroclastic flow and/or surge processes may also have been active during the eruption.

Available diamond sampling data were examined and correlated with the geology. Data derive from the old 120 (37 m), 200 (61 m), 300 (92 m) and 1200 ft (366 m) levels, pits sunk during historical mining operations, drill logs, as well as more recent bench mapping. Correlating macro-diamond sample data and geology shows a clear relationship between diamond grade and lithology. Localised enrichment and dilution of the primary diamond grade has taken place in the upper reworked volcaniclastic deposits due to post-eruptive sedimentary in-fill processes. Clear distinction can be drawn between upper (re-sedimented) and lower (pyroclastic) crater deposits at Mwadui, both from a geological and diamond grade perspective.

Finally, an emplacement model for the Mwadui kimberlite is proposed. Geological evidence suggests that little or no sedimentary cover existed at the time of emplacement. The nature of the bedding within the pyroclastic deposits and the continuity of the bedding in the vertical dimension suggest that the eruption was continuous, but that the eruption column may have been heterogeneous, both petrologically as well as geometrically. Volcanic activity appears to have ceased thereafter and the crater was gradually filled with granite debris from the unstable crater walls and re-sedimented volcaniclastic material derived from the tuff ring.

The Mwadui kimberlite exhibits marked similarities compared to the Orapa kimberlite in Botswana.     

Depositional mechanics and sequences of base surges, Songaksan tuff ring, Cheju Island, Korea

The Songaksan mount in the southwestern part of Cheju Island, Korea, is a Taalian tuff ring produced by phreatomagmatic explosions at an aquifer. A detailed analysis of proximal-to-distal facies changes reveals that the tuff ring sequence can be represented by 21 sedimentary facies; one lateral facies sequence (LFS) and three vertical facies sequences (VFS). The VFS 1 and 2 are representative of facies relationships in horizontal near-vent deposits. The VFS 1 comprises scour-fill bedded tuff, inversely graded tuff, massive tuff and laminated tuff from base to top. The VFS 2 is a variant of the VFS 1, replaced by an inversely graded lapilli tuff unit at the base. The sequences suggest traction carpet, suspension and minor traction sedimentation from a high-concentration near-vent base surge. The LFS 1 and the VFS 3 are distilled from outward-dipping flank deposits. Both sequences begin with disorganized lapilli tuff, followed successively by stratified (lapilli) tuff, dune-bedded (lapilli) tuff, very thinbedded tuff and accretionary lapilli. They are suggestive of waning base surge which decreases in particle concentration, suspended-load fall-out rate and flow regimes with an increase in traction and sorting. These facies sequences suggest that a base surge experiences flow transformation with its flow characters changing with time and space. A near-vent base surge is turbulent, uniformly mixed and highly concentrated and produces scour-fill bedded tuff. As capacity decreases, the surge transforms into a dense and laminar underflow and a dilute and turbulent upper part (gravity transformation), depositing inversely graded, massive and normally graded (lapilli) tuff. Ensuing loss of sediment load and mixing of ambient air result in flow dilution (surface transformation). Stratified and dune-bedded units are produced by tractional processes of turbulent and low-concentration surge. Further dilution causes deceleration and cooling and results in precipitation of moistened ash and accretionary lapilli from suspension.     

Physical character of archean felsic volcanism in the vicinity of the Helen iron Mine,Wawa, Ontario,Canada

Archean felsic volcanic rocks form a 2000 m thick succession stratigraphically below the Helen Iron Formation in the vicinity of the Helen Mine, Wawa, Ontario. Based on relict textures and structures, lateral and vertical facies changes, and fragment type, size and distribution, the felsic volcanic rocks have been subdivided into (a) lava flows and domes (b) hyalotuffs, (c) bedded pyroclastic flows, (d) massive pyroclastic flows, and (e) block and ash flows.Lava flows and domes are flow-banded, massive, and/or brecciated and occur throughout the stratigraphic succession. Dome/flow complexes are believed to mark the end of explosive eruptive cycles. Deposits interpreted as hyalotuffs are finely bedded and composed dominantly of ash-size material and accretionary lapilli. These deposits are interlayered with bedded pyroclastic flow deposits and probably formed from phreatomagmatic eruptions in a shallow subaqueous environment. Such eruptions led to the formation of tuff cones or rings. If these structures emerged they may have restricted the access of seawater to the eruptive vent(s), thus causing a change in eruptive style from short, explosive pulses to the establishment of an eruption column. Collapse of this column would lead to the accumulation of pyroclastic material within and on the flanks of the cone/ring structure, and to flows which move down the structure and into the sea. Bedded pyroclastic deposits in the Wawa area are thought to have formed in this manner, and are now composed of a thicker, more massive basal unit which is overlain by one or more finely bedded ash units. Based on bed thickness, fragment and crystal size, type and abundance, these deposits are further subdivided into central, proximal and distal facies.Central facies units consist of poorly graded, thick (30–80 m) basal beds composed of 23–60% lithic and 1–8% juvenile fragments. These are overlain by 1–4 thinner ash beds (2–25 cm). Proximal facies basal beds range from 2–35 m in thickness and are composed of 15–35% lithic and 4–16% juvenile fragments. Typically, lithic components are normally graded, whereas juvenile fragments are inversely graded. These basal beds are overlain by ash beds (2–14 in number) which range from 12 cm to 6 m in thickness. Distal basal beds, where present, are thin (1–2 m), and composed of 2–8% lithic and 6–21% juvenile fragments. Overlying ash beds range up to 40 in number.The climax of pyroclastic activity is represented by a thick (1000 m) sequence of massive, poorly sorted, pyroclastic flow deposits which are composed of 5–15% lithic fragments and abundant pumice. These deposits are similar to subaerial ash flows and appear to mark the rapid eruption of large volumes of material. They are overlain by felsic lavas and/or domes. Periodic collapse of the growing domes produced abundant coarse volcanic breccia. The overall volcanic environment is suggestive of caldera formation and late stage dome extrusion.     

Pyroclastic surges of the Pleistocene Monte Guardia sequence (Lipari Island, Italy): depositional processes

The 20–16 ka Monte Guardia sequence of Lipari island, southern Italy, is a complex succession of silicic pyroclastic surge deposits produced, in part, by hydromagmatic explosions near sea level. Most surges were directed to the east, north-east and north of the vent, and climbed the 12° southern slopes of Monte Sant’Angelo in the central part of the island. A series of thin, distinctive key bed-sets containing oxidized ash and accretionary lapilli allow a detailed correlation of sections and the lateral tracing of deposits of single pyroclastic surges across the island. Facies analysis reveals that the proximal-to-distal facies changes are different from those suggested by a previous study based on a statistical approach to lateral facies distribution. Single dry surge deposits evolve downcurrent from (1) beds of disorganized medium- to coarse-grained lapilli containing scattered blocks, to (2) bipartite disorganized/stratified beds of fine- to coarse-grained lapilli with ash matrix, to (3) dunes formed of coarse-grained ash to medium-grained lapilli, to (4) planar beds of fine-grained lapilli. This facies sequence is similar to published models for some Korean surge deposits, and records decelerating surges which experienced a downflow decrease in turbulence, particle concentration and suspended-load fall-out rate, and an increase in traction processes. As the Monte Guardia surges climbed the opposing slopes of Monte Sant'Angelo, they bifurcated into eastern and western tongues, which experienced rapid deceleration leading to a rapid downcurrent thinning and fining of the surge deposits. Two fluid-dynamical approaches suggest that Monte Guardia surges travelled at speeds of more than 75–85 m s -¹ before climbing Monte Sant’Angelo. Flows with this vigour and distribution are capable of destroying animal and plant populations on Lipari.     

Explosive rhyolite tuya formation: classic examples from Kerlingarfjöll,Iceland

Rhyolite eruptions in Iceland mostly take place at long-lived central volcanoes, examples of which are found associated with each of the present-day rift-zone ice caps. Subglacial eruptions at Kerlingarfjöll central volcano produced rhyolite tuyas that are notable for their exposures of early-erupted pyroclastic material. Observations from a number of these edifices are synthesised into a general model for explosive rhyolite tuya formation. Eruptions begin with violent phreatomagmatic explosions that generate massive tuff (mT), but the influence of water quickly declines, leading to the formation of massive lapilli-tuffs (mLT) containing magmatically-fragmented vesicular pumice and ash. These are deposited rapidly near the vent, probably by moist pyroclastic density currents, confined by ice but not within a meltwater lake. The explosive-effusive transition is controlled by the ascent rate and gas content of the magma. An unusual obsidian-rich massive lapilli-tuff lithofacies (omLT) is identified and interpreted as pyroclastic material that was intruded into gas-fluidised deposits at the explosive-effusive transition. The effusive phase of eruption involves the emplacement of intrusions and lava caps. Intrusions of lava into the early-erupted phreatomagmatic deposits are characterised by peperitic margins and the formation of hyaloclastite. Intrusions into stratigraphically higher levels of the pyroclastic material show more limited interaction with the host tephra and have microcrystalline cores. Large lava bodies with columnar-jointed margins cap the tuyas and have intrusive basal contacts with the tephras. The main influence of the ice is to confine the rhyolite eruptive products to immediately above the vent region. This is in contrast to subglacial basaltic tuya-forming eruptions, which are characterised by the formation of meltwater lakes, phreatomagmatic fragmentation and subaqueous deposition. The lack of meltwater storage may reduce the potential for large jökulhlaups.     

The Hianana Volcanics: Remnants of a Late Permian tuff ring and lava flow,Coombadjha Volcanic Complex,northeastern New South Wales

The Hianana Volcanics consist of bedded tuff and dacitic lava that form a locally mappable unit within the extensive, Late Permian silicic volcanic sequence of northeastern New South Wales. Principal components of the bedded tuff are crystal and volcanic lithic fragments ranging from coarse ash to lapilli, accompanied by variable amounts of fine ash matrix. Well denned plane parallel thin bedding is characteristic. Sandwave bed forms, including low‐angle cross‐beds and wavy beds, are confined to an area of 2–3 km² coinciding with the thickest sections (70 m) of bedded tuff. A high‐aspect ratio flow of porphyritic dacitic lava overlies the bedded tuff in the same area. The setting, lithofacies, extent and geometry of the bedded tuffs of the Hianana Volcanics are comparable with modern tuff rings which are composed of the deposits from base surges generated by explosive phreatomagmatic eruptions at primary volcanic vents. Many of these have also discharged lava late in their activity. Proximal parts of the Hianana tuff ring were buried by the porphyritic lava after the phreatomagmatic eruptions had ceased. In more distal sections, the bedded tuff is less than 10 m thick and dominantly comprises fine grained, plane parallel, very thin beds and laminae; these features suggest an origin by fallout from ash clouds that accompanied the phreatomagmatic eruptions. The distal ash was covered and preserved from erosion by a layer of welded ignimbrite, the source of which is unknown.     

Stratigraphy of the Kos Plateau Tuff: product of a major Quaternary explosive rhyolitic eruption in the eastern Aegean, Greece

 The Kos Plateau Tuff (KPT) erupted during a moderate-volume explosive rhyolitic event approximately 161 ka from a source south of Kos in the eastern Aegean sea. Six major stratigraphic units have been identified, from A at the base, to F, uppermost. Unit A is a widespread vitric ash fall layer that is thickest (1.5 m), and most extensive, southeast of the source. Unit B is a 1- to 2-m-thick, low-angle cross-stratified armoured pumice lapilli and ash layer found on Kos. Unit C resembles unit B but includes a greater abundance of lithic lapilli, less fine ash, is only diffusely stratified and is on Kos and west of the source. Unit D includes a sequence of three non-welded, 1- to 20-m-thick ignimbrites that extend radially >38 km from the source in areas of low topography. Unit E is a sequence of two non-welded, 3- to 8-m-thick ignimbrites which occur radially from the vent regardless of topography, >64 km from source. Unit F has a 6-m-thick, basal, low-angle cross-stratified armoured pumice lapilli and ash part probably deposited radially from source. The upper part of unit F is a widespread >1-m-thick vitric ash fall layer, found to at least 50 km from the source. These six units represent a change in eruptive conditions from initial and final phreatomagmatic activity depositing fallout and internally stratified pyroclastic density current deposits to "dry" explosive during the more intense phases of the eruption which generated ignimbrites. Received: 8 June 1998 / Accepted: 14 January 1999     

Volcaniclastic resedimentation in distal fluvial basins induced by large-volume explosive volcanism: the Ebisutoge–Fukuda tephra, Plio-Pleistocene boundary, central Japan

The Ebisutoge–Fukuda tephra (Plio‐Pleistocene boundary, central Japan) has a well‐recorded eruptive style, history, magnitude and resedimentation styles, despite the absence of a correlative volcanic edifice. This tephra was ejected by an extremely large‐magnitude and complex volcanic eruption producing more than 400 km³ total volume of volcanic materials (volcanic explosivity index=7), which extended more than 300 km away from the probable eruption centre. Remobilization of these ejecta occurred progressively after the completion of a series of eruptions, resulting in thick resedimented volcaniclastic deposits in spatially separated fluvial basins, more than 100 km from the source. Facies analysis of resedimented volcaniclastic deposits was carried out in distal fluvial basins. The distal tephra (≈100–300 km from the source) comprises two different lithofacies, primary pyroclastic‐fall deposits and reworked volcaniclastic deposits. The resedimented volcaniclastic succession shows five distinct sedimentary facies, interpreted as debris‐flow deposits (facies A), hyperconcentrated flow deposits (facies B), channel‐fill deposits (facies C), floodplain deposits with abundant flood‐flow deposits (facies D) and floodplain deposits with rare flood deposits (facies E). Resedimented volcaniclastic materials at distal locations originated from unconsolidated deposits of a climactic, large ignimbrite‐forming eruption. Factors controlling inter‐ and intrabasinal facies changes are (1) temporal change of introduced volcaniclastic materials into the basin; (2) proximal–distal relationship; and (3) distribution pattern of pyroclastic‐flow deposits relative to drainage basins. Thus, studies of the Ebisutoge–Fukuda tephra have led to a depositional model of volcaniclastic resedimentation in distal areas after extremely large‐magnitude eruptions, an aspect of volcaniclastic deposits that has often been ignored or poorly understood.     

The Ediacaran volcanosedimentary succession of Gabal Abu Had,North Eastern Desert,Egypt: geological study,facies analyses,and depositional setting

Gabal Abu Had is an exposure of a volcanosedimentary succession in the North Eastern Desert Basement Complex. This succession includes intercalation of two major rock units, which are Dokhan Volcanics and Hammamat Group with different styles of formation, deposition environments, and genesis. Gabal Abu Had succession (GHS) is a northward dipping, c. 700-m-thick volcanosedimentary succession that rests on metavolcanic and old granitoid rocks with erosion unconformity. The lower part of GHS is dominated by volcaniclastic mass flow deposits and andesitic lava with interbedded gravely sandstone, whereas the upper sequence is composed of pyroclastic flow deposits including welded to no welded ignimbrite intercalated with gravely sandstone and massive clast-support conglomerate toward the top. Facies analysis study of GHS presented eight lithofacies types, which grouped into five lithofacies associations. The GHS basin started with effusive eruption of silica-poor volcanic center, which produced andesitic lava. A part of lava underwent hyaloclastic fragmentation due to the presence of fluvial water in places producing the volcaniclastic mass flow deposits. Later, an explosive silica-rich volcanic center affected the GHS basin and created the pyroclastic plain deposits (ignimbrite and bedded tuff). The fluvial braided river is still in action since the first eruption, producing gravely sandstone, which is intercalated with the volcanic sequence. The upper GHS is characterized by thick, massive, and clast-supported conglomerate (well rounded clasts up to 100 cm) of alluvial fan facies. Several silica-rich and silica-poor subvolcanic intrusions were emplaced in the GHS. The GHS development displays a cycle from low- to high-energy sedimentation under humid climatic conditions, in addition to extension and down faulting of basin shoulders. In comparison with Gabal El Urf, located to the north of GHS and was studied by El-Gameel (2010), the GHS is a lava-rich succession rather than Gabal El Urf succession which is mainly pyroclastic rich.     

Distinguishing base-surge deposits and volcaniclastic fluviatile sediments: an ancient example from the Lower Devonian Snowy River Volcanics, south-eastern Australia

A 500‐m‐long road cutting in the Lower Devonian Snowy River Volcanics (SRV), eastern Victoria, Australia, exposes phreatomagmatic units and volcaniclastic sediments. Based on bed geometry, sorting and sedimentary structures, it was possible to distinguish base‐surge deposits from ephemeral fluvial deposits in this relatively well‐exposed ancient succession. Where the base‐surge deposits infill irregular topography, bed sets mantle the pre‐existing surface but thicken into topographic lows. In contrast, where the fluvial deposits infill topographic depressions, beds onlap laterally against channel walls. In addition, curvi‐planar slide surfaces within the base‐surge deposits generated by inter‐eruptive slumping indicate rapid emplacement as a constructional tuff rampart (? maar). The base‐surge deposits are always poorly sorted and commonly contain accretionary lapilli, reflecting their deposition from turbulent, low‐particle‐concentration, steam‐rich pyroclastic currents. In contrast, the fluvial deposits are relatively well‐sorted, reflecting hydraulic sorting and winnowing during tractional transport and deposition. There are significant differences in the types of sedimentary structures present. (1) Bedding in the base‐surge deposits is entirely tabular, and beds can be traced laterally to the limits of the outcrop. In contrast, the fluvial deposits have abundant internal scour surfaces that result in beds/bedding intervals lensing out laterally over intervals of the order of 5–10 m. (2) Cross‐beds with relatively high‐angle foresets are restricted to the fluvial deposits. (3) Laterally persistent tabular beds that contain abundant, densely packed accretionary lapilli are restricted to the base‐surge deposits. In summary, although base‐surge deposits and ephemeral fluvial deposits can appear superficially similar, it is possible to apply facies models carefully to distinguish between them, even in ancient successions.     

The Udo tuff cone, Cheju Island, South Korea: transformation of pyroclastic fall into debris fall and grain flow on a steep volcanic cone slope

The Udo tuff cone of Cheju Island, South Korea, is a middle Pleistocene basalt tuff cone that has formed by early Surtseyan-type eruptions and later drier hydroclastic eruptions. The tuff cone comprises steep (20–30°) and planar beds of lapillistone, lapilli tuff and tuff that can be grouped into seven sedimentary facies (A-G). Facies A and B comprise continuous to lenticular layers of grain-supported and openwork lapillistone that are inversely graded and coarsen downslope. They suggest emplacement by grain flows that are maintained by gravity-induced stress and grain collisions. Facies C includes poorly sorted, crudely bedded and locally inversely graded lapilli tuff, also suggestive of rapid deposition from highly concentrated grain flows. Facies D includes thinly stratified and mantle-bedded tuff that was probably deposited by fallout of wind-borne ash. Other facies include massive lapilli tuff (Facies E), chaotic lapilli tuff (Facies F) and cross-bedded tuffaceous sandstone (Facies G) that were deposited by resedimentation processes such as debris flow, slide/slump and stream flow, respectively. The grain flows that produced Facies A, B and C are interpreted to have originated from falling pyroclasts, which initially generated highly dispersed, saltating avalanches, in which momentum was transferred by the particles themselves. This transport mechanism is similar to that of debris fall. As the slope gradient was too low to maintain a highly dispersed flow, the debris fall decelerated and contracted due to a decrease in dispersive pressure. The mode of momentum transfer changed to one of collision because contraction of the debris fall resulted in an increase in particle concentration. This transport mechanism is similar to that of common grain flows. Grain segregation occurred in several ways. Initial segregation of ash from lapilli occurred due to their differing terminal fall velocities, and their contrasting degrees of sliding friction with the bed. Percolation of ash into interstices of lapilli during flow (kinematic sieving) augmented further segregation of ash from lapilli. The latter process, along with a dispersive pressure effect, gave rise to vertical inverse size grading. Downdip inverse grading was produced by particle overpassing.     

长白山天池地区全新世以来火山活动及其特征

长白山火山全新世规模最大的喷发活动发生在公元1199-1200年,即800年前的大爆发,被确定为普林尼或布里尼(Plinian)式喷发。这次大爆发形成体积巨大的、分布广泛的以空中降落堆积物为主的火山喷发碎屑堆积物,在长白山火山周围,远至日本都留下了地质记录。文章辨认并划分了这次大爆发火山碎屑物的成因类型:火山喷发空中降落堆积物(airfalltephra)、火山碎屑流(pyroclasticflow)状堆积物和火山泥流(lahar)堆积物,并且点、面结合,近、远和国内、国外兼顾,分析了这些火山碎屑物的主要特征、分布和相互关系,进而确定这些火山碎屑物分别属于两次普林尼式爆发。第1次(早期)普林尼式爆发称赤峰期,火山喷发模式为:普林尼式喷发柱(赤峰空落浮岩层)-火山碎屑流(长白山火山碎屑流层),随即主要由火山碎屑流诱发火山泥流(二道白河火山泥流层);第2次(晚期)普林尼式爆发称园池期,喷发模式为:普林尼式喷发柱(园池空落浮岩火山灰层)-火山碎屑流(冰场火山碎屑流层)。在层序上将气象站期碱流岩置于800年前大爆发火山碎屑物之下是正确的,其时代为晚更新世-全新世早期。     

吉林龙岗火山群火山碎屑基浪堆积特征与成因机理

吉林龙岗火山群火山碎屑基浪堆积是中国少数保存较好的、近代喷发的低平火山区之一。基于岩性、岩相与相序的识别与分析,火山碎屑基浪堆积序列由分选性和磨圆度较差的玄武质砂、砾和火山灰构成的毫米级-厘米级厚高频率韵律有序叠置而成,堆积物中发育大量的块状层理、似丘状层理、低角度板状交错层理、槽泊层理、平行层理、冲蚀槽等堆积构造。横向上低平火山由内至外其碎屑粒度、堆积构造、厚度存在着一定规律变化,与易混淆的火山岩区地面流水沉积和火山碎屑流堆积物存在明显的差别。岩浆射汽喷发晚期往往伴随斯通博利式喷发和夏威夷式熔岩流,三者构成一个完整火山活动旋回。     

Sedimentology of subaqueous volcaniclastic sediment gravity flows in the Neogene Santa Maria Basin, California

Subaqueous tuff deposits within the lower Miocene Lospe Formation of the Santa Maria Basin, California, are up to 20 m thick and were deposited by high density turbidity flows after large volumes of ash were supplied to the basin and remobilized. Tuff units in the Lospe Formation include a lower lithofacies assemblage of planar bedded tuff that grades upward into massive tuff, which in turn is overlain by an upper lithofacies assemblage of alternating thin bedded, coarse grained tuff beds and tuffaceous mudstone. The planar bedded tuff ranges from 0.3 to 3 m thick and contains 1-8 cm thick beds that exhibit inverse grading, and low angle and planar laminations. The overlying massive tuff ranges from 1 to 10 m thick and includes large intraclasts of pumiceous tuff and stringers of pumice grains aligned parallel to bedding. The upper lithofacies assemblage of thin bedded tuff ranges from 0.4 to 3 m thick; individual beds are 6-30 cm thick and display planar laminae and dewatering structures. Pumice is generally concentrated in the upper halves of beds in the thin bedded tuff interval. The association of sedimentary structures combined with semi-quantitative analysis for dispersive and hydraulic equivalence of bubble-wall vitric shards and pumice grains reveals that particles in the planar bedded lithofacies are in dispersive, not settling, equivalence. This suggests deposition under dispersive pressures in a tractive flow. Grains in the overlying massive tuff are more closely in settling equivalence as opposed to dispersive equivalence, which suggests rapid deposition from a suspended sediment load. The set of lithofacies that comprises the lower lithofacies assemblage of each of the Lospe Formation tuff units is analogous to those of traction carpets and subsequent suspension sedimentation deposits often attributed to high density turbidity flows. Grain distributions in the upper thin bedded lithofacies do not reveal a clear relation for dispersive or settling equivalence. This information, together with the association of sedimentary features in the thin bedded lithofacies, including dewatering structures, suggests a combination of tractive and liquefied flows. Absence of evidence for elevated emplacement temperatures (e.g. eutaxitic texture or shattered crystàls) suggests emplacement of the Lospe Formation tuff deposits in a cold state closely following pyroclastic eruptions. The tuff deposits are not only a result of primary volcanic processes which supplied the detritus, but also of processes which involved remobilization of unconsolidated ash as subaqueous sediment gravity flows. These deposits provide an opportunity to study the sedimentation processes that may occur during subaqueous volcaniclastic flows and demonstrate similarities with existing models for sediment gravity flow processes.     

古地理环境对火山喷发样式的影响:以准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷东部下二叠统风城组为例*

自然界中,火山的喷发样式常因岩浆或周围环境的变化而发生转换。为了探索沉积盆地古地理环境对古代火山喷发样式的可能影响,文中利用地震、钻测井及岩心资料,厘定准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷东部下二叠统风城组古地理环境及火山岩的分布;利用岩心和薄片观察、扫描电镜、元素地球化学、电子探针等技术,对取心段火山岩岩石类型、岩石组合和地球化学特征开展了研究。结果表明:(1)取心段火山岩发育4种岩石类型和3种岩石组合,射气岩浆喷发和岩浆喷发2种火山喷发样式类型;(2)射气岩浆喷发以发育熔积岩,具面包皮结构、熔结结构、熔结珍珠结构的熔结凝灰岩和增生火山砾为特征,而岩浆喷发以胶结增生火山砾而形成含增生火山砾熔岩为特征;(3)火山口古地理环境的演化控制着火山喷发样式的类型及其转换,进而影响喷发产物的特征:古地理环境为水下环境时,足量的水和上升的高温岩浆相互作用发生射气岩浆喷发;古地理环境变为陆上时,岩浆发生溢流式岩浆喷发。取心段古地理环境变化的主要原因可能是喷发产物在火山口附近的堆积或季节性气候变化引起的湖平面变化;(4)古地理环境对古代火山喷发的样式类型、喷发过程、喷发产物特征具有重要影响,这可以为盆地中火山岩成因分析和喷发过程重建提供新的视角,为火山岩油气藏的精细勘探开发提供新的思路。     

Eruption and emplacement of a laterally extensive, crystal-rich, and pumice-free ignimbrite (the Cretaceous Kusandong Tuff, Korea)

The Cretaceous Kusandong Tuff, Korea, is a thin (1–5 m thick) but laterally extensive (~ 200 km) silicic ignimbrite emplaced in a fluviolacustrine basin adjacent to a continental volcanic arc. The tuff has been used as an excellent key bed because of its great lateral continuity and unique lithology, characterized by the virtual absence of juvenile clasts and an abundance of quartz and feldspar crystals (up to 55–73 vol.%). The tuff is mostly massive and ungraded and locally shows crude internal layering, basal inverse grading and near-top normal grading of crystals, either erosional or non-erosional lower surfaces, and flat-lying to imbricated grain fabrics. Fragile intraformational clasts of mudstone and tuff are also included. These features provide only ambiguous information on the properties of the responsible pyroclastic density currents: i.e. whether they were dense and laminar or dilute and turbulent. The overall lateral continuity and sheet-like geometry of the tuff suggests, however, that the transport system of the currents was highly expanded, dilute, and turbulent. A plug-flow or slab-flow model cannot explain the origin of crude internal layering, imbricated grain fabrics, and the high crystal content, which is most likely the result of vigorous sorting processes within a dilute and turbulent current. Features indicative of deposition from a dense and laminar transporting medium are locally present, suggesting that a dense and laminar depositional system could develop locally at the base of the dilute and turbulent transport system. The virtual absence of juvenile clasts in the tuff is interpreted to be due to rapid ascent, sudden decompression, and full fragmentation of silicic magma into fine glass shards and crystals. Scarcity of basement-derived accidental components together with the absence of pumiceous fallout deposits beneath the tuff is interpreted to be due to shallow-level fragmentation of magma followed by immediate generation of pyroclastic density currents from shallow-level blasts at the onset of eruption. The eruption occurred through multiple vent sites in a short period of time, producing a seemingly single but actually composite ignimbrite unit. Such an eruption was probably possible because of a regional tectonic event within the basin or in its vicinity. It is proposed that a composite ignimbrite with the characteristics of the Kusandong Tuff can be an exemplary product of syntectonic volcanism that can provide an insight into the interpretation of structural and stratigraphic evolution of a sedimentary basin.     

TITAN2D simulations of pyroclastic flows at Cerro Machín Volcano,Colombia: Hazard implications

Cerro Machín is a dacitic tuff ring located in the central part of the Colombian Andes. It lies at the southern end of the Cerro Bravo–Cerro Machín volcanic belt. This volcano has experienced at least six major explosive eruptions during the last 5000 years. These eruptions have generated pyroclastic flows associated with Plinian activity that have traveled up to 8 km from the crater, and pyroclastic flows associated with Vulcanian activity with shorter runouts of 5 km from the source. Today, some 21,000 people live within a 8 km radius of Cerro Machín. The volcano is active with fumaroles and has shown increasing seismic activity since 2004, and therefore represents a potentially increasing threat to the local population. To evaluate the possible effects of future eruptions that may generate pyroclastic density currents controlled by granular flow dynamics we performed flow simulations with the TITAN2D code. These simulations were run in all directions around the volcano, using the input parameters of the largest eruption reported. The results show that an eruption of 0.3 km³ of pyroclastic flows from a collapsing Plinian column would travel up to 9 km from the vent, emplacing a deposit thicker than 60 m within the Toche River valley. Deposits >45 m thick can be expected in the valleys of San Juan, Santa Marta, and Azufral creeks, while 30 m thick deposits could accumulate within the drainages of the Tochecito, Bermellón, and Coello Rivers. A minimum area of 56 km² could be affected directly by this kind of eruption. In comparison, Vulcanian column-collapse pyroclastic flows of 0.1 km³ would travel up to 6 km from the vent depositing >45 m thick debris inside the Toche River valley and more than 30 m inside the valleys of San Juan, Santa Marta, and Azufral creeks. The minimum area that could be affected directly by this kind of eruption is 33 km². The distribution and thickness of the deposits obtained by these simulations are consistent with the hazard map presented by INGEOMINAS (Geological Survey of Colombia) in 2002. The composite map of the simulated flow deposits suggests that after major explosive events such as these, the generation of lahars is probable.