Stable isotope and petrologic evidence for open-system degassing during the climactic and pre-climactic eruptions of Mt. Mazama, Crater Lake, Oregon

Evaluation of the extent of volatile element recycling in convergent margin volcanism requires delineating likely source(s) of magmatic volatiles through stable isotopic characterization of sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen in erupted tephra with appropriate assessment of modification by degassing. The climactic eruption of Mt. Mazama ejected approximately 50 km³ of rhyodacitic magma into the atmosphere and resulted in formation of a 10-km diameter caldera now occupied by Crater Lake, Oregon (lat. 43°N, long. 122°W). Isotopic compositions of whole-rocks, matrix glasses and minerals from Mt. Mazama climactic, pre-climactic and postcaldera tephra were determined to identify the likely source(s) of H₂O and S. Integration of stable isotopic data with petrologic data from melt inclusions has allowed for estimation of pre-eruptive dissolved volatile concentrations and placed constraints on the extent, conditions and style of degassing.Sulfur isotope analyses of climactic rhyodacitic whole rocks yield δ³⁴S values of 2.8-14.8‰ with corresponding matrix glass values of 2.4-13.2‰. δ³⁴S tends to increase with stratigraphic height through climactic eruptive units, consistent with open-system degassing. Dissolved sulfur concentrations in melt inclusions (MIs) from pre-climactic and climactic rhyodacitic pumices varies from 80 to 330 ppm, with highest concentrations in inclusions with 4.8-5.2 wt% H₂O (by FTIR). Up to 50% of the initial S may have been lost through pre-eruptive degassing at depths of 4-5 km. Ion microprobe analyses of pyrrhotite in climactic rhyodacitic tephra and andesitic scoria indicate a range in δ³⁴S from −0.4‰ to 5.8‰ and from −0.1‰ to 3.5‰, respectively. Initial δ³⁴S values of rhyodacitic and andesitic magmas were likely near the mantle value of 0‰. Hydrogen isotope (δD) and total H₂O analyses of rhyodacitic obsidian (and vitrophyre) from the climactic fall deposit yielded values οf −103 to −53‰ and 0.23-1.74 wt%, respectively. Values of δD and wt% H₂O of obsidian decrease towards the top of the fall deposit. Samples with depleted δD, and mantle δ¹⁸O values, have elevated δ³⁴S values consistent with open-system degassing. These results imply that more mantle-derived sulfur is degassed to the Earth’s atmosphere/hydrosphere through convergent margin volcanism than previously attributed. Magmatic degassing can modify initial isotopic compositions of sulfur by >14‰ (to δ³⁴S values of 14‰ or more here) and hydrogen isotopic compositions by 90‰ (to δD values of −127‰ in this case).     

Size distribution of condensed aromatic rings in various soil humic acids

Condensed aromatic rings are important skeletal components with regard to the recalcitrant nature of humic acids (HAs) in the environment. However, they have not been extensively studied. The relative content and composition (size distribution) of condensed aromatic rings in HAs were obtained from various soils subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile analysis. In the XRD profiles of all the HAs, the 11 band that was derived from the carbon layer planes was clearly observed. Analysis of the 11 band indicated that the size of the carbon layer planes in HAs ranged from 0.48-1.68 nm, corresponding to 4- to 37-ring condensed aromatic structures. The contents of the total and larger carbon layer planes were larger in HAs with darker color and larger aromatic carbon content. At the same time, the carbon layer planes in HAs were smaller than those in a carbon black reference (from 0.24 to >3.66 nm). In the TEM analysis, fringes observed in HAs were less distinct and less ordered than those in carbon black, which was in agreement with the XRD result.     

Concentration of Gold(I) Thiosulfate Complex Ions on the Surface of Alumina Gel and their Change in Chemical State: Preliminary Experiment in the Elucidation of the Formation Mechanism of Epithermal Gold Deposits

In order to elucidate the formation mechanism of low‐sulfidation epithermal gold deposit, the adsorption of [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? (a model compound for gold(I) complex ion) on alumina gel (a model compound for the aluminum‐bearing minerals) and change in chemical state of [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? after adsorption on the surface of alumina gel were investigated as a basic model experiment. In the pH range from 4 to 6, the amount of [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? adsorbed on alumina gel decreased with increasing pH and decreased drastically between pH 6 and 7, and then approached zero above pH 8 at 30°C. At 60°C, the amount of gold adsorbed above pH 7 was enhanced compared with that at 30°C. This adsorption tendency indicates that [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? is mainly adsorbed by electrostatic interaction between negative charges of [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? and positive charges of alumina gel because of its isoelectric point around pH 9. The chemical state of gold after adsorption of [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? on alumina gel was examined using X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The result showed that [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? was spontaneously reduced to elemental gold even in the absence of specific reducing agents after adsorption on alumina gel. This reduction reaction might occur by two steps: (i) disproportionation of the adsorbed [Au(S₂O₃)₂]^3? at the surface of alumina gel, and (ii) spontaneous reduction of the resulting gold(III) complex ions on the surface of alumina gel. The experimental results suggest that aluminum plays an important role in the concentration of gold(I) complex ions and subsequent reduction of gold during the formation of low‐sulfidation epithermal gold deposits.     

Subvolcanic structure of the central dike swarm associated with the ring complexes in the Shitara district,central Japan

The Subvolcanic structure of the central dike swarm associated with the Miocene Otoge ring complex and the Shitara igneous complex, central Japan, has been reconstructed. The central dike swarm was supplied from several aligned magma reservoirs. Flow lineations observed at the margin of the dikes converge towards a region that is regarded as a magma reservoir about 1–2 km below present sea level. The minimum diameter of the magma reservoir corresponds to the width of the central dike swarm, estimated to be about 3–4 km. The inferred magma reservoir of the Otoge ring complex, may have a zoned structure, as suggested by the flow lineations of dikes and the arrangement of cone sheets. Felsic magma occupied the upper part, about 1–2 km below present sea level, and basic magma the lower part, deeper than 2 km. The centre of the Shitara igneous complex is interpreted to be composed of several other shallow magma reservoirs. The distribution pattern in plan view of the central dike swarm is summarized from the frequency of dikes (defined by the number of dikes per kilometre in the direction normal to the trend of the dike swarm) and the variations of the different properties of individual dikes along the dike swarm. It has a plane of symmetry normal to the dike swarm above the magma reservoir. The patterns critical to a general understanding of the dike formation are:

Characteristics of Gold Mineralization at the Ciurug Vein, Pongkor Gold-Silver Deposit, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. The Pongkor Gold‐Silver Mine, Bogor district, West Java, is approximately 80 km southwest of Jakarta. The gold and silver mineralization in the area is present in a deposit consisting of an epithermal vein‐system named individually as the Pasir Jawa, Gudang Handak, Ciguha, Pamoyanan, Kubang Cicau, and Ciurug veins. In the area studied, rocks of basaltic‐andesitic composition are dominated by volcanic breccia and lapilli tuff, with andesite lava and siltstone present locally. The hydrothermal alteration minerals in the Ciurug area are typical of those formed from acid to near‐neutral pH thermal waters, where the acid alteration is distributed from the surface to shallow depth, while the near‐neutral pH alteration becomes dominant at depths. The Ciurug vein shows four main mineralization stages where each discrete stage is characterized by a specific facies; these are, from early to late: carbonate‐quartz, manganese carbonate‐quartz, banded‐massive quartz and gray sulfide‐quartz facies. The major metallic minerals are pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena; they occur in almost each mineralization stage. Bornite was observed only in the southern part of the Ciurug vein at a depth of 515 m, and the occurrence of this mineral is reported here for the first time. Electrum and silver sulfides (mostly acanthite) are minor, whereas silver sulfosalts, stromeyerite and mckinstryite, and covellite are in trace amounts. The silver sulfosalts have compositional ranges of pearceite, antimon‐pearceite and polybasite. Most of the electrum occurs coexisting with other sulfide minerals, as inclusions in pyrite grains, with very little as inclusions in chalcopyrite or sphalerite. Gold grades within the Ciurug vein vary from 1.2 to hundreds of ppm, where the highest gold grade occurs in the latest mineralization stage in a thin sulfide band in vein quartz. Fluid inclusion microthermometry of calcite and quartz indicates deposition throughout the mineralized veins in the range from 170 to 230d?C and from low salinity fluids (predominantly lower than 0.2 wt% NaCl equiv.). Fluid inclusions occur with features of boiling.     

Double-planed structure of the deep seismic zone in the northeastern Japan arc

A double-planed structure of deep seismic zone has been found over a wide area more then 300 km × 200 km in the Tohoku District, the northeastern part of Honshu, Japan. This prominent feature of the configuration of the deep seismic zone has been ascertained through a precise determination of the microearthquake hypocenters by using the data from the seismic network of Tohoku University. The two planes are nearly parallel to each other, the distance between the two planes being from 30 to 40 km.Composite focal mechanism solutions are derived from the superposition of the distribution of first motions of P waves, and the different fault types are obtained for the two groups of earthquakes; the earthquakes which occurred in the upper plane are characterized by reverse faulting, some of them by down-dip compressional stresses, and those in the lower plane by down-dip extensional stresses. The evidence obtained here provides valuable information for the definition of the type of mechanism producing the plate motion beneath the island arc.     

Growth history and formation environments of ferromanganese deposits on the Philippine Sea Plate, northwest Pacific Ocean

Abstract   Hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts are widespread on the floor of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, south and east of the Japanese Islands, despite vigorous tectonic activity, such as subduction and back-arc spreading, since at least the Mid-Paleogene over the Philippine Sea Plate region and nearby. The crusts occur mainly at water depths shallower than 3000 m, but also at greater depths of up to 6000 m. Fine-scale ¹⁰Be/⁹Be dating was undertaken on several 5–10 cm thick hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts sampled from different geological environments, including inactive submarine volcanoes, tectonic escarpments and abandoned rifts. The results indicate that the crusts have grown at relatively constant rates of 4–7 mm/my without any significant time breaks. These uniform and constant growth rates suggest that the basins have been exposed constantly to oxygenated bottom waters since their formation in the Middle Miocene ( ca 15 Ma) or earlier. Local geological or oceanographic environmental changes might have slowed or increased some of the growth rates resulting in correlation of some internal structures. The Philippine Sea Plate region could have economic potential in areas of thick hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts over a wide range of water depths.     

Rainstorm-induced landslides at Kisawa village, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, August 2004

Heavy rain fell on the Shikoku area during Typhoon Namtheun, setting a new record for daily rainfall in Japan of 1317 mm. The rain which peaked at 120 mm/h, triggered numerous landslides in the Nakagawa basin of Tokushima Prefecture, Japan on August 1, 2004. Among them, four large, rapid, long-runout landslides were triggered at Kisawa village. Two people were caught in one landslide and disappeared without trace, and there was much property damage. Ring-shear tests on samples from the landslides showed that shear resistance was greatly reduced by high pore-water pressure after shear failure was triggered by the increase in ground-water level during the rain.     

Monitoring of generation and propagation of the Kuroshio small meander using sea level data along the southern coast of Japan

The occurrence of the small meander of the Kuroshio, generated south of Kyushu and propagating eastward, was examined using sea level data collected during 1961–1995 along the south coast of Japan. Intra-annual variation of the sea level was expanded by the frequency domain empirical orthogonal function (FDEOF) modes, and it was found that the second and third modes are useful for monitoring the generation and propagation of the small meander. The third FDEOF for periods of 10–100 days has a phase reversal between Hosojima and Tosa-shimizu with significant amplitude west of Kushimoto, and the amplitude of its time coefficient is large during the non-large-meander (NLM) period and has a significant peak when the small meander exists southeast of Kyushu. The second FDEOF for periods of 20–80 days has a phase reversal between Kushimoto and Uragami, and the amplitude of its time coefficient is large when the small meander propagates to the south of Shikoku. The third FDEOF mode allowed us to conclude that the small meander occurred 42 times from July 1961 to May 1995, most of them (38) occurring during the NLM periods. The second FDEOF mode permits the conclusion that half of the 38 small meanders reached south of Shikoku. Of these, five small meanders influenced transitions of the Kuroshio path from the nearshore NLM path; one caused the offshore NLM path and four brought about the large meander. About one-tenth of the total number of small meanders are related to the formation of the large meander.     

Co-ignimbrite ash-fall deposits of the 1991 eruptions of Fugen-dake, Unzen Volcano, Japan

Fugen-dake, the main peak of Unzen Volcano, began a new eruption sequence on November 17, 1990. On May 20, 1991, a new lava dome appeared near the eastern edge of the Fugen-dake summit. Small-scale, 10⁴–10⁶ m³ in volume, Merapi-type block and ash flows were frequently generated from the growing lava dome during May–June, 1991. These pyroclastic flows were accompanied by co-ignimbrite ash plumes that deposited ash-fall deposits downwind of the volcano. Three examples of co-ignimbrite ash-fall deposits from Unzen pyroclastic flows are described. The volume of fall deposits was estimated to be about 30% by volume of the collapsed portions of the dome that formed pyroclastic flows. This proportion is smaller than that described for other larger co-ignimbrite ash-fall deposits from other volcanoes. Grain size distributions of the Unzen co-ignimbrite ash-fall deposits are bi-modal or tri-modal. Most ashes are finer than 4 phi and two modes were observed at around 4–7 phi and 9 phi. They are composed mainly of groundmass fragments. Fractions of another mode at around 2 phi are rich in crystals derived from dome lava. Some of the fine ash component fell as accretionary lapilli from the co-ignimbrite ash cloud indicating either moisture or electrostatic aggregation. We believe that the co-ignimbrite ash of Unzen block and ash flows were formed by the mechanical fracturing of the cooling lava blocks as they collapsed and moved down the slope. These ashes were entrained into the convective plumes generated off the tops of the moving flows.