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The Green Tuff Ignimbrite, Pantelleria, is compositionally zoned from pantellerite at the base to comenditic trachyte at the top, the variation apparently representing an inverted vertical zonation in the pre-eruptive reservoir. The main phenocryst assemblages are alkali feldspar + olivine + clinopyroxene + ilmenite + apatite in the trachytes and alkali feldspar + aenigmatite + clinopyroxene ± quartz in the rhyolites. Thermodynamic modelling indicates that the temperature range was ∼900–700°C, f O2 FMQ –1·5 to FMQ –0·5 (where FMQ is fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer) and a SiO2 (relative to quartz saturation) 0·74–1·00. Melt water contents ranged from ∼1 wt % in the trachytes to ∼4 wt % in the pantellerites. Matrix glass analyses in the more evolved rocks are highly variable, showing that compositional layers in the upper parts of the reservoir, formed by fractional crystallization, were mixed during eruption, the proportion of rhyolitic to trachytic melts increasing towards the top of the reservoir. Some areas of glass have low Al2O3 contents (5·16–5·46 wt %) and high FeO* contents (9·66–10·02 wt %), making them the most evolved melts yet reported from Pantelleria. The new glass data reveal how whole-rock analyses do not truly reflect the complete range of melt compositions in the pre-eruptive reservoir. The trachytes contain >40% modal phenocrysts, which with relatively high Ba contents and positive Eu anomalies are considered to have originated in a feldspar-accumulitic layer. Phenocrysts in the trachytes are commonly heavily resorbed, inferred to be a result of heating by influxes of intermediate composition magma, which, however, were not erupted. It is argued that magmas of intermediate composition were present in the Green Tuff reservoir but were efficiently trapped in a crystal-rich layer below the Green Tuff magmas, which was eventually erupted during a resurgent phase as the Montagna Grande Trachyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent (<100ka) volcanic stratigraphy of Terceira, Azores, includes at least seven peralkaline trachytic ignimbrite formations, attesting to a history of explosive eruptions. In this study, the petrogenesis and pre-eruptive storage conditions of the ignimbrite-forming magmas are investigated via whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry, melt inclusion and groundmass glass major element and volatile compositions, mineral chemistry, thermobarometric models, and petrogenetic modelling. Our primary aims are to develop a model for the magmatic plumbing system from which the ignimbrite-forming trachytes of Terceira were produced by evaluating various petrogenetic processes and constraining pre-eruptive magma storage conditions. We also place the ignimbrite-forming magmas into the context of the Terceira suite and discuss the potential implications of pre-eruptive magma conditions for eruptive behaviour. Results indicate that ignimbrite-forming, comenditic trachytes are generated predominantly by extended fractional crystallization of basaltic parental magmas at redox conditions around 1 log unit below the fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer. This is achieved via a polybaric fractionation pathway, in which mantle-derived basalts stall and fractionate to hawaiitic compositions at lower crustal depths (~15km), before ascending to a shallow crustal magma storage zone (~2-4km) and fractionating towards comenditic trachytic compositions. The most evolved pantelleritic magmas of Terceira (not represented by the ignimbrites) are plausibly generated by continued fractionation from the comenditic trachytes. Syenite autoliths represent portions of peralkaline trachytic melt that crystallized in situ at the margins of a silicic reservoir. Trachytic enclaves hosted within syenitic autoliths provide direct evidence for a two-stage mingling process, in which ascending hawaiites are mixed with trachytic magmas in the shallow crustal magma storage zone. The resulting hybridized trachytes then ascend further and mix with the more evolved peralkaline trachytes in the uppermost eruptible cap of the system, passing first through a syenitic crystal mush. The reduced viscosities of the peralkaline silicic magmas of this study in comparison with their metaluminous counterparts facilitate rapid crystal-melt segregation via crystal settling, generating compositionally zoned magma bodies and, in some instances, relatively crystal-poor erupted magmas. Reduced viscosity may also inhibit highly explosive activity (e.g. formation of a sustained eruption column), and limit the majority of explosive eruptions to low pyroclastic fountaining or 'boil-over' eruption styles. The formation of intermediate composition magmas within the system is considered to be limited to episodic mixing between mafic and silicic magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furnas is one of three active central volcanoes on São Miguel Island, Azores, and is considered to be one of the most hazardous in the archipelago. In this study, the pre-eruptive magma plumbing system of the 10 young (<5 ka), intra-caldera, sub-Plinian, trachytic eruptions of the Upper Furnas Group (UFG) is investigated via whole rock major and trace element geochemistry, mineral chemistry, thermobarometry, and petrogenetic modelling. The main aim of this work is to elucidate the petrogenesis of the Furnas trachytes, constrain the P–T–fO2 conditions under which they evolve, and investigate the temporal evolution of the magma plumbing system. Results indicate that the trachytes are derived predominantly from extended fractional crystallisation of alkali basalt parental magmas, at depths between ~3 and 4 km. This is considered to take place in a density-stratified reservoir, with alkali basalt magmas at the base and hydrous trachytes forming an upper cap or cupola. The presence of this reservoir at shallow crustal depths beneath the caldera likely inhibits the ascent and subsequent eruption of mafic magmas, generating a compositional Daly Gap. Rare syenitic ejecta represent in situ crystallisation of trachytic magmas in the thermal boundary zone at the top of the reservoir. Trachytic enclaves within these syenites, in addition to banded pumices and ubiquitous clinopyroxene antecrysts in the UFG pumice falls, provide evidence for mingling/mixing processes within the magmatic system. Despite relatively uniform major element compositions, systematic trace element variations within individual eruptions highlight the importance of fractional crystallisation during late-stage evolution of the trachytes. This is facilitated by the accumulation of water and the development of mild peralkalinity, which contribute to low pre-eruptive melt viscosities and efficient crystal settling. Compositional zoning patterns between individual eruptions cannot be accounted for by periodic tapping of a single magma batch undergoing fractional crystallisation. Instead, up to four individual cycles are recognised, in which a zoned cap of eruptible trachytic magma, formed at the top of the reservoir, was erupted in one or more eruptions and was re-established via intermittent replenishment and subsequent fractional crystallisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding lava dome eruptions is a major concern in volcanology regarding the assessment of associated hazards. This question is usually addressed through the study of active calc-alkaline domes, however, alkaline domes remaining poorly known. The Puy de Dôme is the most prominent volcano of the Chaîne des Puys Quaternary intraplate volcanic field in the French Massif Central. It is a complex trachytic lava dome ca. 11 ka old. Field investigations, geomorphological and petro-geochemical studies were performed to understand the magmatic system of this dome and reconstruct its volcanic evolution. The different lava facies were fully characterised and their relationships with the volcano building stages have been established. A new four-step evolution is proposed for the growth of this edifice. Mineralogical and geochemical variations document magmatic differentiation with self-mixing and minor crustal contamination in a zoned reservoir within the upper crust. Magma mixing and crustal contamination through fluids interactions during magma ascent and the involvement of fumarolic activity throughout the edifice building are also documented. Further, this work highlights the specific features of the Puy de Dôme compared to calc-alkaline domes: lack of lava flows and almost complete magma degassing during ascent, resulting in the lack of significant explosive activity until the last eruption step. • An alkaline lava dome ca. 11 ka old with two lava facies and three pyroclastic units • Differentiation, self-mixing and minor crustal contamination in a zoned reservoir • Magmatic fluids and magma conduit processes, fractures and fumarolic activity • A four-step eruption: cryptodome/cpx-trachyte dome/bi-trachyte dome/explosive event • Almost complete magma degassing during ascent and lack of lava flow [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]