Abstract

The dynamics of deep sea explosive eruptions, the dispersion of the pyroclasts, and how submarine eruptions differ from the subaerial ones are still poorly known due to the limited access to sea environments. Here, we analyze two ash layers representative of the proximal and distal deposits of two submarine eruptions from a 500 to 800 m deep cones of the Marsili Seamount (Italy). Fall deposits occur at a distance of more than 1.5 km from the vent, while volcanoclastic flows are close to the flanks of the cone. Ash shows textures indicative of poor magma-water interaction and a gas-rich environment. X-ray microtomography data on ash morphology and bubbles, along with gas solubility and ash dispersion models suggest 200–400 m high eruptive columns and a sea current velocity <5 cm/s. In deep sea environments, Strombolian-like eruptions are similar to the subaerial ones provided that a gas cloud occurs around the vent.

Details

Title
Deep sea explosive eruptions may be not so different from subaerial eruptions
Author
Iezzi Gianluca 1 ; Lanzafame Gabriele 2 ; Mancini, Lucia 3 ; Behrens, Harald 4 ; Tamburrino Stella 5 ; Vallefuoco Mattia 5 ; Passaro Salvatore 5 ; Signanini Patrizio 6 ; Ventura, Guido 7 

 G. D’Annunzio University, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy (GRID:grid.412451.7) (ISNI:0000 0001 2181 4941); National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Rome, Italy (GRID:grid.410348.a) (ISNI:0000 0001 2300 5064) 
 Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Department of Biological, Catania, Italy (GRID:grid.8158.4) (ISNI:0000 0004 1757 1969); Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Italy (GRID:grid.5942.a) (ISNI:0000 0004 1759 508X) 
 Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Italy (GRID:grid.5942.a) (ISNI:0000 0004 1759 508X) 
 Leibniz University, Institute for Mineralogy, Hannover, Germany (GRID:grid.9122.8) (ISNI:0000 0001 2163 2777) 
 Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR-CNR), Napoli, Italy (GRID:grid.9122.8) 
 G. D’Annunzio University, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy (GRID:grid.412451.7) (ISNI:0000 0001 2181 4941) 
 National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Rome, Italy (GRID:grid.410348.a) (ISNI:0000 0001 2300 5064) 
Publication year
2020
Publication date
2020
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2393004286
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.