Explosive activity and eruption scenarios at Somma-Vesuvius (Italy): Towards a new classification scheme

A new proposal for the classification of Somma-Vesuvius (SV) explosive activity is presented, based on a critical revision of a large set of published and unpublished stratigraphic, compositional, and physical volcanology data on the products of the past 20,000 years of activity. The new database is used to discuss the general behaviour of the volcano in terms of frequency, magnitude and intensity of the events, as well as of the length of the repose time which preceded each eruption. Several different types of eruption are recognized, each characterised by specific physical eruptive parameters: plinian, subplinian (further subdivided in subplinian I and subplinian II), violent strombolian, ash emission events. For each eruption type, a complex scenario is described, with phases of different style, duration, magnitude and intensity occurring during the course of the eruption itself. The name given to each eruption type is derived from the style of the most representative part of the eruption (in terms of duration or volume).     

Nature and significance of small volume fall deposits at composite volcanoes: Insights from the October 14, 1974 Fuego eruption,Guatemala

The first of four successive pulses of the 1974 explosive eruption of Fuego volcano, Guatemala, produced a small volume (∼0.02 km³ DRE) basaltic sub-plinian tephra fall and flow deposit. Samples collected within 48 h after deposition over much of the dispersal area (7–80 km from the volcano) have been size analyzed down to 8 φ (4 μm). Tephra along the dispersal axis were all well-sorted (σ _φ = 0.25–1.00), and sorting increased whereas thickness and median grain size decreased systematically downwind. Skewness varied from slightly positive near the vent to slightly negative in distal regions and is consistent with decoupling between coarse ejecta falling off the rising eruption column and fine ash falling off the windblown volcanic cloud advecting at the final level of rise. Less dense, vesicular coarse particles form a log normal sub-population when separated from the smaller (Md_φ < 3φ or < 0.125 mm), denser shard and crystal sub-population. A unimodal, relatively coarse (Md_φ = 0.58φ or 0.7 mm σ _φ = 1.2) initial grain size population is estimated for the whole (fall and flow) deposit. Only a small part of the fine-grained, thin 1974 Fuego tephra deposit has survived erosion to the present day. The initial October 14 pulse, with an estimated column height of 15 km above sea level, was a primary cause of a detectable perturbation in the northern hemisphere stratospheric aerosol layer in late 1974 to early 1975. Such small, sulfur-rich, explosive eruptions may substantially contribute to the overall stratospheric sulfur budget, yet leave only transient deposits, which have little chance of survival even in the recent geologic record. The fraction of finest particles (Md_φ = 4–8φ or 4–63 μm) in the Fuego tephra makes up a separate but minor size mode in the size distribution of samples around the margin of the deposit. A previously undocumented bimodal–unimodal–bimodal change in grain size distribution across the dispersal axis at 20 km downwind from the vent is best accounted for as the result of fallout dispersal of ash from a higher subplinian column and a lower “co-pf” cloud resulting from pyroclastic flows. In addition, there is a degree of asymmetry in the documented grain-size fallout pattern which is attributed to vertically veering wind direction and changing windspeeds, especially across the tropopause. The distribution of fine particles (<8 μm diameter) in the tephra deposit is asymmetrical, mainly along the N edge, with a small enrichment along the S edge. This pattern has hazard significance.     

Infrasonic tracking of large bubble bursts and ash venting at Erebus Volcano,Antarctica

Explosive degassing at Erebus Volcano produces infrasound that can be used to locate, characterize, and quantify eruptive activity from multiple vents. We use a three element distributed microphone network to pinpoint eruption sources and track the activity at the prominent vents through time. Eruptive mechanisms for both source types are analyzed in conjunction with the telemetered time-synced video imagery. We identify two commonly active vents corresponding to the large (often > 10-m diameter) bubble bursts at the free surface of a persistent phonolitic lava lake (‘Ray Lake’), and the less frequent ash-rich eruptions from a constricted vent (‘Active Vent’) located ∼ 80 m from the lava lake. During a 3-month study interval from 6 January to 13 April 2006 we identified and mapped more than 350 eruptive sources from the lava lake and 20 sources from the ash vent. Lava lake events are characterized by high-amplitude infrasonic transients that reflect rapid (less than a few s) acceleration and rupture of magma bubble films followed by an explosion of pressurized gases. Precise infrasonic localization of the lava lake events to accuracies of a few m indicates variable bubble source locations across a 40 by 50-m region spanning the lava lake. Spatial variability is corroborated by the video data. In contrast, degassing from the ash vent produces longer-duration (tens of s), lower amplitude transients that reflect diminished impulsivity and an extended degassing duration, features that are corroborated by video. Because infrasound networks can operate continuously in all weather conditions and during both diurnal and seasonal polar darkness, and are easily incorporated into automatic processing, they significantly contribute to the completeness and quantification of eruption catalogues for Erebus.     

Sea gravity data in the Gulf of Naples. A contribution to delineating the structural pattern of the Phlegraean Volcanic District

Bathymetric and gravity surveys were carried out from 1988 to 1994, in the Gulf of Naples (Southern Italy) to offshore extend the already existing Bouguer anomaly map. In order to improve the knowledge of the structural setting beneath the active Neapolitan volcanoes (Vesuvio, Campi Flegrei and Ischia), 862 stations were surveyed within the isobath of 400 m; at the same time, and about 2000 on-land gravity values were also collected. A new Bouguer anomaly map spanning the whole volcanic region was drawn from the final data set. Gravity anomalies were referred to the new absolute gravity station in Naples and computed according to 1980 Geodetic Reference System. Finally, a density value of 2200 kg/m³ was used in the computation of the Bouguer and terrain effects. We carried out the inversion of the gravity anomalies adopting a 2.5-D modelling along selected profiles crossing the investigated area. The interpretative models were constrained to data obtained from deep wells and other geophysical investigations.     

Late Holocene phases of dome growth and Plinian activity at Guagua Pichincha volcano (Ecuador)

Since the eruption which affected Quito in AD 1660, Guagua Pichincha has been considered a hazardous volcano. Based on field studies and twenty ¹⁴C dates, this paper discusses the eruptive activity of this volcano, especially that of the last 2000 years. Three major Plinian eruptions with substantial pumice discharge occurred in the 1st century, the 10th century, and in AD 1660. The ages of organic paleosols and charcoal from block-and-ash flow and fallout deposits indicate that these eruptions occurred near the end of 100 to 200 year-long cycles of discontinuous activity which was comprised of dome growth episodes and minor pumice fallouts. The first cycle took place from ~ AD 1 to 140. The second one developed during the 9th and 10th centuries, lasted 150–180 yr, and included the largest Plinian event, with a VEI of 5. The third, historic cycle, about 200 yr in duration, includes pyroclastic episodes around AD 1450 and AD 1500, explosive activity between AD 1566 and AD 1582, possible precursors of the 1660 eruption in the early decades of the 17th century, and finally the 1660 eruption (VEI 4). A fourth event probably occurred around AD 500, but its authenticity requires confirmation. The Plinian events occurred at the end of these cycles which were separated by repose periods of at least 300 yr. Older volcanic activity of similar type occurred between ~ 4000 and ~ 3000 yr BP.     

Applying geomorphological principles and engineering science to develop a phased Sediment Management Plan for Mount St Helens,Washington

Thirty‐seven years post‐eruption, erosion of the debris avalanche at Mount St Helens continues to supply sediment to the Toutle–Cowlitz River system in quantities that have the potential to lower the Level of Protection (LoP) against flooding unacceptably, making this one of the most protracted gravel‐bed river disasters to date. The Portland District, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently revised its long‐term plan for sediment management (originally published in 1985), in order to maintain the LoP above the Congressionally‐authorized level, while reducing impacts on fish currently listed under the Endangered Species Act, and minimizing the overall cost of managing sediment derived from erosion at Mount St Helens. In revising the plan, the USACE drew on evidence gained from sediment monitoring, modelling and uncertainty analysis, coupled with assessment of future LoP trends under a baseline scenario (continuation of the 1985 sediment management strategy) and feasible alternatives. They applied geomorphological principles and used engineering science to develop a phased Sediment Management Plan that allows for uncertainty concerning future sediment yields by implementing sediment management actions only as, and when, necessary. The phased plan makes best use of the potential to enhance the sediment trap efficiency and storage capacity of the existing Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) by incrementally raising its spillway and using novel hydraulic structures to build islands in the North Fork Toutle River (NFTR) and steepen the gradient of the sediment plain upstream of the structure. Dredging is held in reserve, to be performed only when necessary to react to unexpectedly high sedimentation events or when the utility of other measures has been expended. The engineering‐geomorphic principles and many of the measures in the phased Sediment Management Plan are transferrable to other gravel‐bed river disasters. The overriding message is that monitoring and adaptive management are crucial components of long‐term sediment‐disaster management, especially in volcanic landscapes where future sediment yields are characterized by uncertainty and natural variability. © 2017 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

CO2 degassing from Pico Island (Azores,Portugal) volcanic lakes

The CO₂ degassing from lakes on Pico Island (Azores archipelago) were characterized in order to estimate the total diffuse CO₂ output and identify the possible sources of CO₂. Two surveys have been made in each lake (Capitão, Caiado, Rosada, Peixinho, Paúl and Seca), in the winter and summer periods. These water bodies show small surface areas and are rather shallow, with depths ranging from 1.8 to 8.6 m. Water samples are cold, both in winter and summer periods, not presenting variations along the water column, with acid to neutral pH (5.26–7.06). The electrical conductivity values point out to very diluted waters (mean range between 27 and 33.4 μS cm⁻¹), of the Na-Cl type, corresponding to meteoric waters influenced by marine salts.To measure the CO₂ flux at the lakes surface the modified accumulation chamber method was used, and a total of 1632 measurements were accomplished (711 in winter surveys and 921 in summer). Two statistical analysis (GSA and sGs) were applied to the results of diffuse CO₂ flux measurements, showing that the CO₂ flux values measured in theses lakes are relatively low (0.60–20.47 g m⁻² d⁻¹), what seems to indicate a single source for CO₂ (biogenic source), also suggested by the water δ¹³C isotopic signature.CO₂ emissions range between 0.04 t d⁻¹ (Rosada_1) and 0.25 t d⁻¹ (Caiado_1) during the winter surveys, being in general similar to the values recorded during the summer surveys that vary between 0.03 t d⁻¹ (Peixinho_2 and Seca_1) and 0.30 t d⁻¹ (Caiado_2). Taken into account the surface area of the lakes, the highest values were estimated for both surveys made in Seca Lake (˜13 t km⁻² d⁻¹). The occurrence of a dense macrophyte mass in a few of the studied lakes, such as Caiado and Seca, seems to enhance the CO₂ flux from these water bodies.     

江西相山火山盆地地质结构研究:来自大地电磁测深及三维地质建模的证据

江西省相山火山盆地是我国第一大、世界第三大火山岩型铀矿田,其西部牛头山一带铀矿勘探中发现深部有大垂幅的Pb-Zn-Ag矿化.60多年来,以该矿田为对象开展的研究取得了一系列丰硕成果,但对火山机构的认识仍不确定.我们采集了涵盖该火山盆地主要地质体的1386块钻孔岩芯标本和243块地表岩石标本,开展了电阻率、磁化率、密度等物性参数测量,并在火山盆地中施测了19条MT剖面(2条骨干剖面和17条精细剖面),对3000 m以浅主要地层、岩体和断裂带等目标地质体的三维展布特征进行了解译和三维建模.研究结果表明:(1)相山火山盆地具有变质岩-花岗岩双基底.基底变质岩系顶界面表现为南北分带(三隆间两凹)和东西分块(两垒夹一堑)的三维地质格局;南西部有加里东期花岗岩侵人,具有似层状的空间展布特征;盆地基底变质岩系与上覆火山-沉积岩盖层之间呈连续的水平低阻异常带,不整合界面清晰.(2)打鼓顶组火山岩呈似层状产出,主要分布于盆地西部;在河元背一船坑一杏树下一带识别出近东西走向厚层的流纹英安岩凹槽,相山铀矿田西部探明的主要铀矿床分布在该凹槽内或其边缘.鹅湖岭组火山岩总体形态呈蘑菇状,在盆地中部厚度较大.在相山主峰半径约2 km的范围内,发现自下而上贯通式的低阻异常,推测是鹅湖岭组碎斑熔岩喷发的通道相(火山颈相),其火山颈呈陡立管状,深部向南东倾伏,浅部向南东撒开.后期花岗斑岩呈岩墙-岩床组合状,总体构成一个向西开口的环形岩体.打鼓顶期主要岩浆通道位于相山顶一巴山之间,次岩浆通道位于河元背;鹅湖岭期火山活动主岩浆通道也位于相山顶一巴山之间,次岩浆通道位于河元背、阳家山(芙蓉山)、严坑和柏昌.(3)火山盆地中断裂构造发育,MT测量结果显示存在7条北东向、4条北西向和1条南北向格架性断裂构造(其中一条新发现的北东向断裂隐伏于白垩纪红盆之下),盆地北部发育1条弧形火山塌陷构造,表现为大规模延续的低阻异常带.     

Tree-ring based summer temperature reconstruction for the source region of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau

Understanding of past climatic variability over the Tibetan Plateau is still limited because of the lack of long-term climatic records. Here we reconstruct the mean summer (June–August) minimum temperature for the past 379 years based on tree-ring data in the source region of the Yangtze River. This reconstruction successfully captures recent abrupt climatic changes and agrees in general with other temperature reconstructions for the Tibetan Plateau on a decadal timescale. The cold and warm periods coincide with documented glacier advances and retreats on the east and southeast Tibetan Plateau. The interval 1816–22 is among the coldest periods in the reconstruction and may be related to the influence of the Tambora eruption in Indonesia in 1815. Comparisons with other paleoclimatic proxies imply a high degree of confidence for our reconstruction and its indicative power for a large-scale climate variability on the Tibetan Plateau.