Fluidal pyroclasts reveal the intensity of peralkaline rhyolite pumice cone eruptions

Ben Clarke, Eliza Calder, Firawalin Dessalegn, Karen Fontijn, JOAQUIN ALBERTO CORTES CARRILLO, Mark Naylor, Ian Butler, William Hutchinson, Gezahen Yirgu

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (journal)peer-review

    19 Citations (Scopus)
    107 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Peralkaline rhyolites are medium to low viscosity, volatile-rich magmas typically associated with rift zones and extensional settings. The dynamics of peralkaline rhyolite eruptions remain elusive with no direct observations recorded, significantly hindering the assessment of hazard and risk. Here we describe uniquely-preserved, fluidal-shaped pyroclasts found within pumice cone deposits at Aluto, a peralkaline rhyolite caldera in the Main Ethiopian Rift. We
    use a combination of field-observations, geochemistry, X-ray computed microtomography (XCT) and thermal-modelling to investigate how these pyroclasts are formed. We find that they deform during flight and, depending on size, quench prior to deposition or continue to inflate then quench in-situ. These findings reveal important characteristics of the eruptions that gave rise to them: that despite the relatively low viscosity of these magmas, and similarities to basaltic scoria-cone deposits, moderate to intense, unstable, eruption columns are developed; meaning that such eruptions can generate extensive tephra-fall and pyroclastic density currents.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number2010
    JournalNature Communications
    Volume10
    Early online date1 May 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2019

    Keywords

    • Natural Hazards
    • Volcanology

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Fluidal pyroclasts reveal the intensity of peralkaline rhyolite pumice cone eruptions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this