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Inflated pyroclasts in proximal fallout deposits reveal abrupt transitions in eruption behaviour
Thomas J Jones1, Yannick Le Moigne2,3, James K Russell4
1Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK. thomas.jones@liverpool.ac.uk.
Nature Communications
|May 20, 2022
Summary
Pyroclasts from Tseax volcano reveal abrupt shifts in eruption dynamics. These findings help identify changes in volcanic behavior at mafic volcanoes globally.
Area of Science:
- Volcanology
- Geochemistry
- Material Science
Background:
- Explosive eruptions of low viscosity magmas produce pyroclastic deposits whose characteristics depend on cooling efficiency.
- Pyroclast type and deposit formation offer insights into eruption dynamics and magma properties.
- Tseax volcano in British Columbia, Canada, provides a unique case study for examining pyroclastic deposits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation and characteristics of newly identified inflated pyroclasts at Tseax volcano.
- To understand the eruptive processes and magma properties that led to the formation of these unique pyroclastic deposits.
- To establish a framework for identifying eruptive behavior transitions at other mafic volcanoes.
Main Methods:
- Detailed field observations of pyroclast morphology and deposit characteristics.
- Chemical and textural analysis of pyroclasts.
- High-temperature rheometry and thermal modeling to simulate cooling and expansion processes.
Main Results:
- Identification of inflated pyroclasts exhibiting post-depositional expansion, found alongside scoria.
- Evidence of abrupt transitions in eruptive behavior, from lava fountaining to low-energy bubble bursts.
- Correlation between pyroclast type, deposit characteristics, and inferred eruption dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The formation of these pyroclastic deposits at Tseax volcano resulted from rapid changes in eruptive style.
- Understanding these transitions is crucial for interpreting volcanic hazards and eruption histories.
- This study provides a model for recognizing similar eruptive behavior shifts at mafic volcanoes worldwide.
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