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The lithospheric architecture of Africa consists of several Archean cratons and smaller cratonic fragments, stitched together and flanked by polycyclic fold belts. Here we investigate the structure and chemistry of spinels from lithospheric mantle xenoliths from distinct tectonic settings, i.e. from the the Saharan metacraton in Libya (Waw-En-Namus) which could show archaic chemical features, Cameroon (Barombi Koto and Nyos Lakes) where the Sub Continental Lithospheric Mantle was modified during the Pan-African event and fluxed by asthenospheric melts of the Tertiary Cameroon Volcanic Line and Morocco (Tafraoute, Bou-Ibalrhatene maars) in the Middle Atlas where different metasomatic events have been recorded. From a structural point of view it is to notice that the Libyan spinels can be divided into two groups having different oxygen positional parameter (u > 0.2632 and u < 0.2627, respectively), while those from Cameroon are in between those values as the Moroccan ones already studied by other authors. The intracrystalline closure temperature (Tc) of the here studied spinels is different among the different samples with one Libyan group (LB I) showing Tc in the range 490-640°C and the other 680-950°C (LB II). Cameroon and Morocco spinels show a Tc in the range 630-760°C. About 150 different spinels have been studied for their trace element content and it can be seen that many of them are related to Cr content, while Zn and Co are not and clearly distinguish the occurrences. Differences in the trace element chemistry, in the structural parameters and in the intracrystalline closure temperatures suggest that a different history should be considered for Cameroon, Morocco and LB I and LB II spinels. Even if it was not considered for this purpose, we tentatively used the Fe2+/Fe3+ vs. TiO2 diagram that discriminate between peridotitic and the so-called “magmatic” spinels, i.e. spinel crystallized from melts. LB I and LB II spinels plot in the peridotitic field while Cameroon and Morocco spinels fall in the magmatic one. Consequently, the xenoliths sampled from a probably juvenile SCLM at the edge of the most important lithospheric roots (i.e. Cameroon and Morocco) apparently have spinels possibly fractionated in situ from percolating melts and do not represent a real spinel-peridotite facies. On the contrary mantle xenoliths from Libya exhibit spinels with peridotitic features compatible with a slow ascent of a mantle diapir (plume).

The pressure, temperature, and timing (P-T-t) conditions at which CO2 was produced during the Himalayan prograde metamorphism have been constrained, focusing on the most abundant calc-silicate rock type in the Himalaya. A detailed petrological modeling of a clinopyroxene + scapolite + K-feldspar + plagioclase + quartz ± calcite calc-silicate rock allowed the identification and full characterization – for the first time – of different metamorphic reactions leading to the simultaneous growth of titanite and CO2 production. The results of thermometric determinations (Zr-in-Ttn thermometry) and U-Pb geochronological analyses suggest that, in the studied lithology, most titanite grains grew during two nearly consecutive episodes of titanite formation: a near-peak event at 730–740 °C, 10 kbar, 30–26 Ma, and a peak event at 740–765 °C, 10.5 kbar, 25–20 Ma. Both episodes of titanite growth are correlated with specific CO2-producing reactions and constrain the timing, duration and P-T conditions of the main CO2-producing events, as well as the amounts of CO2 produced (1.4–1.8 wt% of CO2). A first-order extrapolation of such CO2 amounts to the orogen scale provides metamorphic CO2 fluxes ranging between 1.4 and 19.4 Mt/yr; these values are of the same order of magnitude as the present-day CO2 fluxes degassed from spring waters located along the Main Central Thrust. We suggest that these metamorphic CO2 fluxes should be considered in any future attempts of estimating the global budget of non-volcanic carbon fluxes from the lithosphere.

The effects of crystal nucleation and growth on the viscosity of andesitic magmas are investigated at 1 atm. Pressure. The data are used to describe the rheological evolution of andesitic magmas and to derive empirical equations to model the crystallization dynamics. Viscosity experiments were performed at temperatures of 1473, 1483, and 1493 K with shear rates of 0.5 s−1 by using wide-gap concentric cylinder viscometry. We focused on eruptible magmas (i.e., crystal contents well-below ~50%) by following the time evolution of crystal nucleation and growth of a natural andesitic magma, while continuously monitoring the changes in viscosity. At near-equilibrium conditions, the basaltic-andesite contains 6, 13, and 25 area % crystals at 1493, 1483, and 1473 K, respectively, resulting in a viscosity increase of ca. 1 log unit. We show that the timescale of viscosity increase is mainly dictated by the delay time preceding crystallization and markedly decreases with increasing undercooling (from 22 to 42 K) and shear rates (from 0.1 to 1 s−1). The plagioclase growth rates estimated from our data are in the order of ~3–5 × 10−6 cm/s, which is much faster than the rates estimated for crystallization in static conditions. We conclude that the effect of the shear rate must be taken into account in modelling magmatic and volcanic processes, especially when transient changes in viscosity need to be estimated. Our results are important for understanding the dynamics of lava flows where deformation plays a significant role in promoting crystallization.

Plinian-type eruptions are extremely hazardous, producing pyroclastic fallout and flows extending many kilometres from the vent. The most commonly invoked eruption trigger for Plinian-type eruptions is the intrusion of fresh magma, generally associated with precursory ground deformation and seismicity days/weeks before eruption. Closed-system internal triggering has also been proposed, such as protracted crystallisation of magma, which can produce a build-up of exsolved volatiles and thus pressurise the system prior to eruption. On 22–23 April 2015 Calbuco volcano, Chile, produced a sub-Plinian eruption with 2O) and formed phenocrysts of titanomagnetite, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase cores (An78–93). Gradual cooling of the magma chamber produced thermal gradients and magma convection, evidenced by plagioclase overgrowth rims (An58–77) and blocky microlites (25–250 μm). Our interpretation is that this continuing crystallisation induced second boiling and an over-pressurisation of the system, leading to the rapid onset of the 2015 eruption. Petrological and geochemical evidence therefore shows that a closed-system magma chamber can evolve into a highly explosive eruption with very little precursory warning, posing a challenge for current volcano monitoring paradigms. We propose that internal triggering should be carefully considered as a mechanism for unexpected sub-Plinian eruptions, prompting a potential revision of existing hazard management strategies.

New viscosity experiments at superliquidus temperatures and during cooling at a rate of 10 K/hr have been performed at different shear rates on a synthetic pyroxenite melt. Results revealed that this melt is extremely fluid at temperature between 1646 and 1530 K and measured viscosities are between 2.2 and 7.8 Pa·s. Such very low viscosities allow the lava to flow in turbulent regime as confirmed by the high Reynolds numbers, which are always >2,000. As a consequence, very long distance could be covered by the lava flow. If we consider this studied composition as proxy for Mars lava flows coupled with very high effusion rates, our results might explain the presence of extraordinary large volcanic channels, as recently hypothesized for the Kasei Valles on Mars, even considering that the gravity is approximately one third that of Earth. Few literature data tracking viscosity during cooling are available, and they reported shear thinning effect on different compositions. Our experiments performed at 0.1 and 1 s−1 have shown complex variation in the apparent viscosity, confirming that nonequilibrium rheology represents a still unexplored field of investigation useful to better understand the real geological scenarios occurring in magmatic and volcanic systems. ©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Unravelling the rheological behaviour of magmas is fundamental for hazard assessment. At shallow depth the combined effects of degassing, vesiculation and crystallization are likely to produce dramatic changes in the rheology, hence modulating flow dynamics and eruptive style. The rheological evolution from a low viscosity crystal-poor, bubble-free, water-rich melt to a highly viscous crystal-rich, vesicular magma containing a water-poor melt often occurs in the conduit. To clarify the viscous flow dynamics of rheologically-layered volcanic conduits, we performed decompression experiments using a magma analogue system characterized by a low-viscous Layer L (10 Pa s) at the bottom and a high-viscous particle-bearing Layer H (≥1000 Pa s) at the top. Silicone oils and spherical glass beads are employed as magma and crystal analogues, respectively. Three sets of experiments address the effects of: 1) decompression rate (ca. 10−2 and 104 MPa/s); 2) crystal content in the high viscosity magma (0, 10, 30 and 70 vol.%); and 3) volume ratio of the two rheological layers (0.6 or 0.3). Our results indicate that decompression rate exerts the most dramatic role, yielding changes in time-scale of outgassing up to two orders of magnitude, and affecting the style of decompression response (permeable outgassing or fragmentation). The solid fraction 1) strongly modulates gas mobility, 2) influences the pervasiveness of fragmentation and 3) affects the extent of mingling in the experimental conduit. These results demonstrate that the properties of a shallow, partially-crystallized portion of the magmatic column and its response to varying ascent rate are primary controls on eruptive style.

Central-southern Italy is one of the most suitable areas in the world for tephrostratigraphic studies, owing to the numerous volcanic sources with explosive activity during the Pleistocene. This work presents a systematic investigation of the chemical (trace elements) and isotopic (Sr and Nd) compositions of the main tephra markers within lacustrine sediments of the San Gregorio Magno Basin (Campania, southern Italy). This study: (i) provides full geochemical (trace elements and isotopes) characterization of eight significant Upper Pleistocene marker layers (X-6, X-5, C-22, MEGT/Y-7, CI/Y-5, C-10, Y-3, NYT/C2) widely dispersed over the Mediterranean area; (ii) proposes a new tephra marker for Marine Isotope Stage 7, dated to 240 ka; and (iii) refines the correlations of tephra levels belonging to the investigated sequence. This study highlights that in most cases the Nd isotope composition of the glass and Sr isotope composition of the coexisting minerals are more reliable than Sr-87/Sr-86 of the glass, and hence is more helpful as a further tool for tephrostratigraphic correlations, as recently proposed in the literature. Moreover, this study is a first step towards the construction of a complete geochemical database for future tephra investigations in the Mediterranean area.

Tephra layers from six deep-sea cores, recovered between the Ionian and the Aegean Seas, and covering a time span between ~ 102 and ~ 8.2 ka BP, were investigated with the aim of identifying their volcanic source. The stratigraphic position of each tephra layer defined by means of nannofossil biostratigraphy and occurrence of sapropel layers was integrated with a thorough geochemical characterization of glass shards based on major oxides and trace elements content, and Sr-Nd isotope ratios. Major oxides composition permitted their subdivision into three groups (K-trachyte, peralkaline rhyolite, andesite), confirmed by Principal Component Analysis on trace elements data. Primordial mantle-normalized trace elements distribution patterns allowed for precise identification of the geochemical affinity and geodynamical setting of each group. Although the Sr isotopic composition of some investigated tephras was deeply affected by seawater alteration as expected, the 143 Nd/ 144 Nd values discriminate well the three groups of tephras in combination with major oxides and trace elements data. Therefore, La/Yb and Th/Y vs. 143 Nd/ 144 Nd discrimination diagrams are proposed for identification of potential volcanic sources active in the 102–8.2 ka BP time span in the Eastern Mediterranean area for unknown tephras. The obtained results have permitted the attribution of six K-trachytic tephras to the Y-5 stratigraphic marker (Campanian Ignimbrite eruption of Campi Flegrei, Southern Italy, ~ 39 ka BP), and two pantelleritic (= peralkaline rhyolite) tephras to the Y-6 stratigraphic marker (Green Tuff eruption of Pantelleria Island, Sicily Channel, ~ 46 ka BP). The andesitic tephra, stratigraphically constrained between ~ 39 and ~ 83–102 ka BP, might correspond to the X-1 stratigraphic marker, found in several deep-sea cores of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, although its attribution is still debated in the literature. On the basis of trace elements content, supported by Sr-Nd isotopic features, it is here hypothesized that this tephra could be related to a volcanic source located in the Aegean Sea area, probably the island of Santorini. More generally, this study demonstrates that the combination of Sr-Nd isotopic with major oxide and trace element geochemical fingerprinting on selected and purified glass shards is a very effective tool for identifying nature and source of doubtful tephra layers.

We present new electron microprobe and Sr-isotope analytical results from mixing experiments using natural volcanic samples. In order to constrain the dynamics of such mixing events, we applied a Taylor–Couette flow, simulating forced convection under very low Reynolds numbers, in a time series ranging from 1 h up to 1 week. The end-member melts derive from samples of the Campanian Ignimbrite (CI), in Italy. The CI is thought to represent a layered reservoir formed in 3 stages: 1) a resident phono-trachytic magma reservoir (end-member A); replenished by 2) a less evolved trachybasaltic–trachytic magma (end-member B of trachytic composition); 3) short-term pre-eruptive mixing in the shallow chamber between a new trachytic and the phono-trachytic resident magmas. Our experiments are motivated by this hypothesis. The two end-members are stirred together, under constant low flow velocity (0.5 rotations per minute). This initially generates single convection cells, which cause progressive homogenization of some major components. This is the case after 1, 4 and 9 h. After 16 h the 87Sr/86Sr-isotopic system is homogenized and the starting compositions are fully mixed. Then separate convection cells and compositional layering for major and minor elements emerged. Based on microprobe measurements of quenched melts (glass) from the 16-hour, 25-hour and 1-week long experiments, we confirm the separation of layers having different densities. This phenomenon is locally complicated by the production of micro-volumes of unmixed melts. Our results support the effectiveness of the interplay between convection and diffusion, enhanced by a double-diffusive–convection-driven differentiation for moderately high-silica magmas under high (near-liquidus) temperatures, attesting that differentiation initiates in the liquidus before the onset of fractional crystallization.

Terrestrial analogues are often investigated to get insights into the geological processes occurring on other planetary bodies. Due to its thickness and petrological similarities, the pyroxenitic layer of the 120m-thick magmatic pile Theo’s Flow (Archean Abitibi greenstone belt Ontario, Canada), has always been regarded as the terrestrial analogue for Martian nakhlites. However, its origin and cooling history and, as a consequence those of nakhlites, have always been a matter of vigorous debate. Did this lava flow originate from a single magmatic event similar to those supposed to occur on Mars or do the different units derive from multiple eruptions? We demonstrate, by a combination of geothermometric constraints on augite single crystals and numerical simulations, that Theo’s Flow has been formed by multiple magma emplacements that occurred at different times. This discovery supports the idea that the enormous lava flows with similar compositions observed on Mars could be the result of a process where low viscosity lavas are emplaced during multiple eruptions. This has profound implications for understanding the multiscale mechanisms of lava flow emplacement on Earth and other planetary bodies.