Holocene explosive activity of Hudson Volcano, southern Andes

 Fallout deposits in the vicinity of the southern Andean Hudson Volcano record at least 12 explosive Holocene eruptions, including that of August 1991 which produced ≥4 km³ of pyroclastic material. Medial isopachs of compacted fallout deposits for two of the prehistoric Hudson eruptions, dated at approximately 3600 and 6700 BP, enclose areas at least twice that of equivalent isopachs for both the 1991 Hudson and the 1932 Quizapu eruptions, the two largest in the Andes this century. However, lack of information for either the proximal or distal tephra deposits from these two prehistoric eruptions of Hudson precludes accurate volume estimates. Andesitic pyroclastic material produced by the 6700-BP event, including a  1 10-cm-thick layer of compacted tephra that constitutes a secondary thickness maximum over 900 km to the south in Tierra del Fuego, was dispersed in a more southerly direction than that of the 1991 Hudson eruption. The products of the 6700-BP event consist of a large proportion of fine pumiceous ash and accretionary lapilli, indicating a violent phreatomagmatic eruption. This eruption, which is considered to be the largest for Hudson and possibly for any volcano in the southern Andes during the Holocene, may have created Hudson's 10-km-diameter summit caldera, but the age of the caldera has not been dated independently. Received: 31 January 1997 / Accepted: 29 October 1997     

The December 24, 2006 eruption of Bezymyannyi Volcano,Kamchatka

An explosive eruption occurred on Bezymyannyi Volcano December 24, 2006. The distribution of ashfall deposits over the peninsula was studied. The tephra was investigated for its chemical, mineral, and grain-size composition, its water-soluble complex was studied. About 30 000 tons of water-soluble substances along with 7 million tons of ash entered the environment over an area of over 8000 km². Information is supplied for this eruption from various sources and its geological impact has been estimated. The total volume of erupted pyroclastics was 0.01–0.014 km³, of which 0.004 km³ consisted of ash and 0.006–0.01 km³ were pyroclastic flow deposits.     

The July 1994 episode of seismic activity at Colima Volcano, Mexico

A new period of seismic activity that culminated in a small phreatic explosion took place in Colima Volcano (Western Mexico) during the month of July 1994. In this note, we present our analysis of this seismicity based upon information from RESCO, the seismic network of the University of Colima. The activity began with a seismic swarm of type A (tectonic-like) earthquakes with epicenters towards the SSW of the summit, followed by shallow low-frequency events underneath the volcanic edifice. The activity was accompanied by landslides and culminated with an explosion that produced small ash falls on the surrounding area. The seismic activity ceased after this episode.     

Multiharmonic model of seismic activity in Kamchatka

Based on the uniform catalogue of earthquakes of the minimum energy class 8.5 for 1962–2008, multiharmonic models of seismic activity in Kamchatka are developed. The main harmonic components with periods from a few days to 12 years are identified. Both the entire catalogue and its modified versions obtained by the elimination of aftershocks and clusters, as well as nonoverlapping time series were used to study the stability of the models. The forward-prediction testing showed that in the models with weekly averaged initial data, periods of increased and reduced seismic activity lasting for several weeks are predicted with high confidence on an interval of up to 1.8% of the education period. This testifies for the presence of deterministic components in the seismic activity.     

Microparticles of native metals,sulfides, and oxides in andesitic ashes of Karymskii Volcano

New data on accessory mineral phases found in ashes of the erupting Karymskii Volcano as micro-dispersed particles of native metals (Al, Fe, and Zn), intermetallic compounds, sulfides and oxides of iron, and carbonaceous substances are presented. Dominating submicron particles of native Al and Fe are largely confined to coarse-grained ash fractions; this is supported by extensive observations. The co-occurrence of iron oxide and sulfide particles of the same size possibly indicates extremely heterogeneous conditions of gas transport reactions during the eruption. The presence of native metals and carbonaceous compounds may attest to periods of a highly reducing environment in the fluid system supplying Karymskii Volcano.     

The hydrogeochemistry of thermal springs on Mutnovskii Volcano, southern Kamchatka

This paper reports results from a hydrogeochemical study of thermal springs on Mutnovskii Volcano. The solutions of boiling pots and the pore water of thermal localities in the Donnoe Field were found to have an anomalous composition over a wide range of chemical elements, including rare earth elements (REE) and platinum-group elements (PGEs). The solutions of different springs exhibit considerable variations in their major and minor element compositions, indicating differences in the generation and upward transport of solutions. Physicochemical modeling showed that the mud pots studied could have been formed when the separate was ascending along an open fissure channel from the secondary zone of mixed boiling fluids. The high concentrations of titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, REEs, and PGMs suggest a deep-seated source for these. The chemical forms of the elements in the solutions (primarily free aquaions) and the acidic environment favor high mobility of these elements. Deposition and concentration of these elements under near-surface conditions is unlikely.     

On the Magma Chambers beneath Klyuchevskoi Volcano,Kamchatka

Numerous summit and parasitic eruptions of moderate potassium magnesian and high-alumina basalts and basaltic andesites, their mineralogic and geochemical features, and the composition of in situ chilled melt inclusions in the olivine of cinder lapilli discharged by Klyuchevskoi Volcano all provide evidence of the presence of magma chambers beneath the volcano. This is also supported by a dualism in the variation of CaO and Al₂O₃ concentrations in olivine and clinopyroxene during crystallization. The mineralogic features in the high-alumina basalts that were discharged by all parasitic eruptions of Klyuchevskoi provide evidence of magnesian magma being emplaced from a deeper chamber into a shallow high-alumina chamber. The distribution of incoherent elements in the volcano’s magnesian and aluminiferous rocks shows that they came from a single mantle source. The geochemical and mineralogic data are in good agreement with the results of geophysical surveys that concern the structure and properties of the lithosphere beneath Klyuchevskoi.     

Thunderstorm activity according to VLF observations at Kamchatka

The azimuthal distribution of lightning discharges and cyclone epicenters at a distance of up to 4000 km from the observation point at Kamchatka is given. The azimuths of lightning discharges were determined using an ELF finder, and the cyclone epicenters were determined from meteorological maps. Time dependences of the distribution of received radiations from lightning discharges have been obtained.     

Ground tilt variations in the Klyuchevskoi Volcano Area, Kamchatka

We consider the results of ground tilt observations in the area of Klyuchevskoi Volcano, Kamchatka at the Klyuchi and Apakhonchich stations using photoelectric tiltmeters. An anomalous tilt was recorded during a period of increased activity in the summit crater of Klyuchevskoi Volcano in November 1979. In January and February 1980 three more cases of anomalous tilting before the volcano’s active periods were observed. The tilts exhibit some common kinematic features that are quite consistent with the activity periods. Various disturbing influences were estimated as affecting the observations of tilts related to seismic and volcanic events. For the first time in Kamchatka, the parameters of the five principal elastic-tide waves have been determined. Sea tides exerted an indirect effect on the amplitude factors γ(M2) on the E-W component at both sites to decrease them relative to the global value, γ(M2) = 0.7. We investigated the influence of sea tides on the elastic solid earth tide along the Trans-Kamchatka and Kola traverses. The observed and theoretical γ(M2) factors at both traverses situated in different geodynamic areas are in approximate agreement.     

Spinel in the allivalites of Malyi Semyachik Volcano,Kamchatka

A microprobe study of Ol–An nodules (allivalites) as sampled from the basaltic andesites of Malyi Semyachik Volcano in Kamchatka revealed small inclusions of a mafic mineral in crystals of olivine and anorthite and in the intergranular mass. The mineral was later identified as spinel. A microprobe analysis of the spinel showed that the grains that were found in minerals are not zonal, with spinel inclusions of different chemical compositions occurring in a single crystal. In contrast to this situation, the spinel crystals in the intergranular basis are zonal and exhibit a reaction rim. The spinel compositions form a long and well-pronounced trend that occurs in the solvus zone of solid solutions that has not been adequately described in the literature. The existence of the resulting spinel trend in the solvus zone can be explained by an early capture of spinel grains by growing silicate crystals and by their rapid cooling after the eruption, which chilled the metastable solution. Spinel grains occasionally exhibited initial phases in the decomposition of a solid solution owing to their long residence in a cooling lava flow at temperatures below the solvus. It is supposed that these spinels were formed somewhat earlier or simultaneously with the crystallization of the silicate phase. This diversity in the compositions of non-zonal spinel can be explained by thermo diffusion that led to homogeneous compositions in the initially zonal spinel crystals after they had been included in the host mineral crystals.     

Mechanism of explosive eruptions of Kilauea Volcano,Hawaii

A small explosive eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, occurred in May 1924. The eruption was preceded by rapid draining of a lava lake and transfer of a large volume of magma from the summit reservoir to the east rift zone. This lowered the magma column, which reduced hydrostatic pressure beneath Halemaumau and allowed groundwater to flow rapidly into areas of hot rock, producing a phreatic eruption. A comparison with other events at Kilauea shows that the transfer of a large volume of magma out of the summit reservoir is not sufficient to produce a phreatic eruption. For example, the volume transferred at the beginning of explosive activity in May 1924 was less than the volumes transferred in March 1955 and January–February 1960, when no explosive activity occurred. Likewise, draining of a lava lake and deepening of the floor of Halemaumau, which occurred in May 1922 and August 1923, were not sufficient to produce explosive activity. A phreatic eruption of Kilauea requires both the transfer of a large volume of magma from the summit reservoir and the rapid removal of magma from near the surface, where the surrounding rocks have been heated to a sufficient temperature to produce steam explosions when suddenly contacted by groundwater.     

The 1984 to 1996 cyclic activity of Lascar Volcano, northern Chile: cycles of dome growth, dome subsidence, degassing and explosive eruptions

 Lascar Volcano (5592 m; 23°22'S, 67°44'W) entered a new period of vigorous activity in 1984, culminating in a major explosive eruption in April 1993. Activity since 1984 has been characterised by cyclic behaviour with recognition of four cycles up to the end of 1993. In each cycle a lava dome is extruded in the active crater, accompanied by vigorous degassing through high-temperature, high-velocity fumaroles distributed on and around the dome. The fumaroles are the source of a sustained steam plume above the volcano. The dome then subsides back into the conduit. During the subsidence phase the velocity and gas output of the fumaroles decrease, and the cycle is completed by violent explosive activity. Subsidence of both the dome and the crater floor is accommodated by movement on concentric, cylindrical or inward-dipping conical fractures. The observations are consistent with a model in which gas loss from the dome is progressively inhibited during a cycle and gas pressure increases within and below the lava dome, triggering a large explosive eruption. Factors that can lead to a decrease in gas loss include a decrease in magma permeability by foam collapse, reduction in permeability due to precipitation of hydrothermal minerals in the pores and fractures within the dome and in country rock surrounding the conduit, and closure of open fractures during subsidence of the dome and crater floor. Dome subsidence may be a consequence of reduction in magma porosity (foam collapse) as degassing occurs and pressurisation develops as the permeability of the dome and conduit system decreases. Superimposed upon this activity are small explosive events of shallow origin. These we interpret as subsidence events on the concentric fractures leading to short-term pressure increases just below the crater floor. Received: 12 December 1996 / Accepted: 6 May 1997     

Optimum station distribution to monitor seismic activity of Teide Volcano,Tenerife, Canary Islands

Optimization and location capability methods have been applied to the design of a seismic monitoring network composed of five stations to be installed around Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano in Tenerife, Canary Islands.In terms of location errors coming from the relative spatial distribution of seismic stations and hypocenters, the optimum network provides an improvement in epicentral location capability of 60% compared with a preliminary choice of five stations, while its improvement in focal depth determination is between 30% and 60%, depending on the average focal depth of seismic activity. Network enlargement to six stations, adding station CTFE from the Spanish National Geographic Institute (IGN), gives an improvement of 20% with respect to the optimum configuration.The interest and importance of previous planning on optimum distribution of seismic stations have become evident, as well as the need to enlarge the network in the near future, to attain more accurate focal depths.     

On the eruptions, deformation, and seismicity of Klyuchevskoy Volcano, Kamchatka in 1986–2005 and the mechanisms of its activity

The eruptions, seismicity, and deformations, the properties of the magma feeding, and the mechanism of the activity of Klyuchevskoy, a giant basaltic volcano in Kamchatka, are considered. Twenty-eight author’s papers on the above subjects, published from 1985 to 2006, are reviewed. The activity of Klyuchevskoy the adventive and summit eruptions of Klyuchevskoy from 1986 to 2005 is described. The seismicity of Klyuchevskoy from 1986 to 2005 and its relation to eruptions are considered. It was inferred from geodetic measurements that the center of the magmatic pressure beneath the volcano moved in the depth range from 3 to 25 km during the period from 1979 to 2005. Based on previously developed models and observations from 1986 to 2005, the main properties of the Klyuchevskoy magma feeding system and the magma ascent in five major parts of the system are described and characterized: near the top of the plunging Pacific plate (with a depth of approximately 160 km), in the asthenosphere (160 to 40 km), in the region of the intermediate magma chamber where the magmas coming from below are accumulated (40 to 20 km), in the crust (20 to 5 km), and in the upper part of the system (from a depth of 5 km under the volcanic edifice to the crater at an altitude of 4.75 km). A comparison between the outputs from the summit and adventive eruptions on Klyuchevskoy as functions of time for the period from 1978 to 2005 shows that the probability of adventive eruptions should increase in the future.     

Rhonite in molten inclusions from the olivine of allivalite nodules from Malyi Semyachik Volcano and basalts of Klyuchevskoi Volcano,Kamchatka

A microprobe study of olivine found in allivalite nodules from lavas discharged by Malyi Semyachik Volcano and of olivine phenocrysts from basalts discharged by Klyuchevskoi Volcano revealed the presence of rhonite as a daughter mineral, for the first time ever. Rhonite was found in small (10–50 μm) grains that are xenomorphic in intergrowths with other minerals and have regular crystallographic outlines in contact with glass. We also found high-alumina clinopyroxene, chromium-free spinel, and hornblende. Residual glass is distinguished by its higher concentrations of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, alkalies, and by lower concentrations of FeO, MgO, and CaO. The chemical composition of the rhonite we studied is characterized by limited variations of the major components and fits the formula (Si,Al)₆(Ti,Al,Fe⁺³,Fe⁺²,Mn,Mg)₆(Ca,Na)₂O₂₀ well. The data points in the composition of the rhonites we have studied lie in the overall field of much more variable compositions to be found in the field. Unlike the previous findings in alkaline and subalkaline rocks, the rhonite we describe in the present report was found in rocks of the tholeiitic and calc-alkaline series.     

Evolution of the seismic activity from the 1982 eruption of El Chichon Volcano, Chiapas, Mexico

 We analyzed more than 1700 earthquakes related to the 1982 eruption of El Chichon volcano in southern Mexico. The data were recorded at specific periods throughout the whole eruptive interval of March to April 1982, by three different networks. The seismic activity began several months before the first eruption on 28 March. During this period the seismicity consisted of hybrid and long-period shallow earthquakes most likely related to processes of faulting, fracturing, and fluid movement underneath the volcano. The foci of events occurring before the eruption circumscribe an aseismic zone from approximately 7 to 13 km below the volcano. After the eruption, the seismic activity consisted of tectonic-type earthquakes that peaked at 1200 events/h. This later activity occurred over a wide range of depths, mostly between 5 and 20 km, that includes the former aseismic zone and is roughly limited by the major tectonic faults in the area. Received: 19 May 1998 / Accepted: 13 June 1999     

10,000 Years of explosive eruptions of Merapi Volcano, Central Java: archaeological and modern implications

Stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating of pyroclastic deposits at Merapi Volcano, Central Java, reveals 10,000 years of explosive eruptions. Highlights include:(1) Construction of an Old Merapi stratovolcano to the height of the present cone or slightly higher. Our oldest age for an explosive eruption is 9630±60 ¹⁴C y B.P.; construction of Old Merapi certainly began earlier.(2) Collapse(s) of Old Merapi that left a somma rim high on its eastern slope and sent one or more debris avalanche(s) down its southern and western flanks. Impoundment of Kali Progo to form an early Lake Borobudur at 3400 ¹⁴C y B.P. hints at a possible early collapse of Merapi. The latest somma-forming collapse occurred 1900 ¹⁴C y B.P. The current cone, New Merapi, began to grow soon thereafter.(3) Several large and many small Buddhist and Hindu temples were constructed in Central Java between 732 and 900 A.D. (roughly, 1400–1000 ¹⁴C y B.P.). Explosive Merapi eruptions occurred before, during and after temple construction. Some temples were destroyed and (or) buried soon after their construction, and we suspect that this destruction contributed to an abrupt shift of power and organized society to East Java in 928 A.D. Other temples sites, though, were occupied by “caretakers” for several centuries longer.(4) A partial collapse of New Merapi occurred <1130±50 ¹⁴C y B.P. Eruptions 700–800 ¹⁴C y B.P. (12–14th century A.D.) deposited ash on the floors of (still-occupied?) Candi Sambisari and Candi Kedulan. We speculate but cannot prove that these eruptions were triggered by (the same?) partial collapse of New Merapi, and that the eruptions, in turn, ended “caretaker” occupation at Candi Sambisari and Candi Kedulan. A new or raised Lake Borobudur also existed during part or all of the 12–14th centuries, probably impounded by deposits from Merapi.(5) Relatively benign lava-dome extrusion and dome-collapse pyroclastic flows have dominated activity of the 20th century, but explosive eruptions much larger than any of this century have occurred many times during Merapi's history, most recently during the 19th century.Are the relatively small eruptions of the 20th century a new style of open-vent, less hazardous activity that will persist for the foreseeable future? Or, alternatively, are they merely low-level “background” activity that could be interrupted upon relatively short notice by much larger explosive eruptions? The geologic record suggests the latter, which would place several hundred thousand people at risk. We know of no reliable method to forecast when an explosive eruption will interrupt the present interval of low-level activity. This conclusion has important implications for hazard evaluation.     

Random patterns of occurrence of explosive eruptions at Colima Volcano, Mexico

Analysis of the patterns of eruption occurrences may improve our understanding of volcanic processes. In this paper, the available historical data of an individual volcano, Colima in México, are used to classify its eruptions by size using the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The data shows that, if eruptions are only taken into account above a certain VEI level, the stochastic process associated with the explosive volcanic events can be represented by a non-stationary Poisson point process, which can be reduced to a homogeneous Poisson process through a transformation of the time axis. When eruptions are separated by VEI values, the occurrence patterns of each magnitude category can also be represented by a Poisson distribution. Analysis of the rate of occurrence of all eruptions with VEI greater than 1 permits the recognition of three distinct regimes or rates of volcanic activity during the last 430 years. A double stochastic Poisson model is suggested to describe this non-stationary eruptive pattern of Colima volcano and a Bayesian approach permits an estimation the present hazard.