Abstract

We present new evidence that shows magma mingling can be a key process during highly explosive eruptions. Using fractal analysis of the size distribution of trachybasaltic fragments found on the inner walls of bubbles in trachytic pumices, we show that the more mafic component underwent fracturing during quenching against the trachyte. We propose a new mechanism for how this magmatic interaction at depth triggered rapid heterogeneous bubble nucleation and growth and could have enhanced eruption explosivity. We argue that the data support a further, and hitherto unreported contribution of magma mingling to highly explosive eruptions. This has implications for hazard assessment for those volcanoes in which evidence of magma mingling exists.

Details

Title
Enhancement of eruption explosivity by heterogeneous bubble nucleation triggered by magma mingling
Author
Paredes-Mariño, Joali 1 ; Dobson, Katherine J 2 ; Ortenzi, Gianluigi 3 ; Kueppers, Ulrich 4 ; Morgavi, Daniele 1 ; Petrelli, Maurizio 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Hess, Kai-Uwe 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Laeger, Kathrin 1 ; Porreca, Massimiliano 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Pimentel, Adriano 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Perugini, Diego 1 

1  Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, Piazza dell’Universitá, Perugia, Italy 
2  Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Science Labs, Durham, United Kingdom 
3  Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center, Planetary Physics, Rutherfordstraße 2, Berlin, Germany 
4  Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Theresienstraβe 41, Munich, Germany 
5  Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Ponta Delgada, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação em Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos, University of the Azores, Rua Mãe de Deus, Ponta Delgada, Portugal 
Pages
1-10
Publication year
2017
Publication date
Dec 2017
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17098-3
ProQuest document ID
1983431293
Copyright
© 2017. 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.