Tephra-fall deposits from the 1992 eruption of Crater Peak, Alaska: implications of clast textures for eruptive processes |
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Authors: | Cynthia A Gardner Katharine V Cashman Christina A Neal |
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Institution: | (1) U.S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Observatory, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, Washington 98661, USA Fax: +360 696 7866 e-mail: cgardner@usgs.gov, US;(2) Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA, US;(3) U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Volcano Observatory, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA, US |
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Abstract: | The 1992 eruption of Crater Peak, Mount Spurr, Alaska, involved three subplinian tephra-producing events of similar volume
and duration. The tephra consists of two dense juvenile clast types that are identified by color, one tan and one gray, of
similar chemistry, mineral assemblage, and glass composition. In two of the eruptive events, the clast types are strongly
stratified with tan clasts dominating the basal two thirds of the deposits and gray clasts the upper one third. Tan clasts
have average densities between 1.5 and 1.7 g/cc and vesicularities (phenocryst free) of approximately 42%. Gray clasts have
average densities between 2.1 and 2.3 g/cc, and vesicularities of approximately 20%; both contain abundant microlites. Average
maximum plagioclase microlite lengths (13–15 μm) in gray clasts in the upper layer are similar regardless of eruptive event
(and therefore the repose time between them) and are larger than average maximum plagioclase microlite lengths (9–11 μm) in
the tan clasts in the lower layer. This suggests that microlite growth is a response to eruptive processes and not to magma
reservoir heterogeneity or dynamics. Furthermore, we suggest that the low vesicularities of the clasts are due to syneruptive
magmatic degassing resulting in microlitic growth prior to fragmentation and not to quenching of clasts by external groundwater.
Received: 5 September 1997 / Accepted: 1 February 1998 |
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Keywords: | Microlites Eruptive processes Density degassing Vesiculation Tephra fall Mount Spurr |
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