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| 2. |
- Rhodes, Emma, 1990-, et al.
(författare)
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Insights into the magmatic processes of a shallow, silicic storage zone: Reyðarártindur Pluton, Iceland
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Reyðarártindur is one of several felsic plutons exposed in Southeast Iceland, interpreted to be the shallow plumbing systems of late Neogene volcanic centres (Cargill et al., 1928; Furman et al., 1992; Padilla, 2015). These plutons are considered to preserve analogous plumbing systems to the central volcanoes active in Iceland today (Furman et al., 1992). Reyðarártindur is the oldest pluton in Southeast Iceland at 7.30 ± 0.06 Ma (Padilla, 2015), and has been conveniently incised by the Reyðará River, making it ideal for an in-depth study of the external and internal geometry of a shallow rift-zone magma plumbing system.In order to analyse mechanisms of magma emplacement, we have conducted detailed structural mapping of the pluton and its basaltic host rock using drone-based photogrammetry. To complement this, we have also extensively sampled and analysed the geochemistry and petrology of the pluton interior. An outline of the pluton is shown in Figure 1, highlighting that the pluton is NNW-SSE trending, which is in contrast to the NE-SW regional dyke trend. A total thickness of 500 m and a calculated volume of 1.5 km3 is exposed. While the pluton walls are steeply-dipping, the pluton roof is mostly flat. Deviations from the flat roof occur in the form of areas that are cut by steep dip-slip faults with displacements of up to 100 m. Roof faulting creates both structural highs (horsts) and lows (grabens, as well as a monoclinal structure) in the roof. Many of the faults are intruded by felsic dykes, some of them seem to have been the feeders of surface eruptions.An estimated 95% of the pluton volume is rhyolitic in composition, with 73-76 wt.% SiO2. Geochemically, the magma in the majority of the pluton is similar, but hand samples and thin sections show a large variety of textures. In the lower part of the exposure there is a zone of mingling and mixing between a matrix magma and several different types of silicic enclaves (Figure 1). The matrix magma is more mafic with an SiO2 content of 68-73 wt.% and the enclaves vary in nature with no systematic shape, size or aspect ratio. There are at least two types of enclaves, and the predominant type is a coarse grained trachydacite with 64-69 wt.% SiO2. These less evolved compositions are limited to a 1 km stretch of the riverbed in the centre of the pluton. Closer to the wall contacts (i.e. to the north and south of the mingling zone), the composition of the magma returns to that of the main magma body, as observed at higher elevations.Our poster aims to summarise our results and present interpretations of the magmatic processes preserved in the Reyðarártindur pluton. Our preliminary results indicate that the pluton was emplaced by a combination of floor subsidence and roof doming, and that the pluton structure was modified during further magma intrusion into, and eruption from, the pluton. Fig. 1 – Map of the Reyðarártindur Pluton, South-East Iceland. References Cargill, H., Hawkes, L., and Ledeboen, J. (1928). The major intrustions of South-Eastern Iceland. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 84, 505–539.Furman, T., Meyer, P. S., and Frey, F. (1992). Evolution of Icelandic central volcanoes: evidence from the Austurhorn intrusion, southeastern Iceland. Bulletin of Volcanology. 55, 45–62.Padilla, A. (2015). Elemental and isotopic geochemistry of crystal-melt systems: Elucidating the construction and evolution of silicic magmas in the shallow crust, using examples from southeast Iceland and southwest USA [PhD Dissertation: Vanderbilt University].
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| 3. |
- Rhodes, Emma, 1990-, et al.
(författare)
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Rapid Assembly and Eruption of a Shallow Silicic Magma Reservoir, Reyðarártindur Pluton, Southeast Iceland
- 2021
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Ingår i: Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 1525-2027. ; 22:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although it is widely accepted that shallow silicic magma reservoirs exist, and can feed eruptions, their dynamics and longevity are a topic of debate. Here, we use field mapping, geochemistry, 3D pluton reconstruction and a thermal model to investigate the assembly and eruptive history of the shallow Reyoarartindur Pluton, southeast Iceland. Primarily, the exposed pluton is constructed of a single rock unit, the Main Granite (69.9-77.7 wt.% SiO2). Two further units are locally exposed as enclaves at the base of the exposure, the Granite Enclaves (67.4-70.2 wt.% SiO2), and the Quartz Monzonite Enclaves (61.8-67.3 wt.% SiO2). Geochemically, the units are related and were likely derived from the same source reservoir. In 3D, the pluton has a shape characterized by flat roof segments that are vertically offset and a volume of >2.5 km(3). The pluton roof is intruded by dikes from the pluton, and in two locations displays depressions associated with large dikes. Within these particular dikes the rock is partially to wholly tuffisitic, and rock compositions range from quartz monzonite to granite. We interpret these zones as eruption-feeding conduits from the pluton. A lack of cooling contacts throughout the pluton indicates rapid magma emplacement and a thermal model calculates the top 75 m would have rheologically locked up within 1,000 years. Hence, we argue that the Reyoarartindur Pluton was an ephemeral part of the wider plumbing system that feeds a volcano, and that timeframes from emplacement to eruption were rapid.
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| 4. |
- Rhodes, Emma, 1990-, et al.
(författare)
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Rapid formation and eruption of a silicic magma chamber
- 2022
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Shallow magmatic reservoirs have been identified at many volcanoes worldwide. However, questions still remain regarding their size, dynamics and longevity. The Reyðarártindur Pluton exposed in Southeast Iceland provides a superb example to investigate the above questions. Here, we use field mapping, sampling, geochemistry, 3D pluton shape modelling and a numerical thermal model to reconstruct the assembly and eruptive history of the shallow magma body.In 3D, the c. 2.5 km3 pluton has a castle-like shape characterised by flat roof segments that are vertically offset along steep faults. The exposed pluton is constructed largely of a single rock unit, the Main Granite (69.9 to 77.6 wt.% SiO2). Two additional units occur only as enclaves: the Granite Enclaves (67.4 to 70.2 wt.% SiO2), and the Quartz Monzonite Enclaves (61.8 to 67.3 wt.% SiO2). However, geochemistry clearly indicates that the units are related and hence were likely derived from the same source reservoir. In two locations, the pluton roof displays depressions associated with large dykes. Within these two dykes the rock is partially to wholly tuffisitic, and geochemical compositions range from quartz monzonite to granite. We interpret these dykes as eruption-feeding conduits from the pluton. Additionally, we speculate that the mingling of magmatic units with compositional ranges from quartz monzonite to granite within the conduits indicates that injection of new magma into the reservoir triggered eruption. Rapid pluton construction is indicated by ductile contacts between units in the pluton and a thermal model calculates the top 75 m would have rheologically locked up within 1000 years. Hence, we argue that the pluton was a short-lived part of the wider magmatic system that fed the associated volcano, and that timeframes from emplacement to eruption were limited to 1000 years.Rhodes, E. Barker, A. K. Burchardt, S. et al. (2021). Rapid assembly and eruption of a shallow silicic magma reservoir, Reyðarártindur Pluton, Southeast Iceland. G-Cubed. DOI: 10.1029/2021GC009999
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| 7. |
- Witcher, Taylor, et al.
(författare)
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Development of permeable networks by viscous-brittle deformation in a shallow rhyolite intrusion. Part 1: Field evidence
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Efficient outgassing of shallow magma bodies reduces the risk of explosive eruption. Silica-rich magmas are too viscous for exsolved gas bubbles to escape the system through buoyant forces alone, and so volatile overpressure is often released through deformation-related processes. Here we present a case study on magma-emplacement-related deformation in a shallow (500 m depth) rhyolite intrusion (the Sandfell laccolith, Eastern Iceland) to investigate the establishment and evolution of degassing and outgassing networks in silicic sub-volcanic intrusions. We observe viscous and brittle deformation features: from vesiculated flow bands that organized into 'pore channels' in the ductile regime, to uniform bands of tensile fractures (‘fracture bands’) that grade into breccia and gouge in the brittle regime. Through field mapping, structural analysis, and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), we show that the deformation spectrum, observed all over the laccolith, represents stages of degassing (viscous processes) and outgassing (brittle processes) that resulted in the formation of interconnected permeable networks through the growth and linkage of fracture bands. Areas with concentrations of higher degrees of brittle deformation are proximal to abruptly changing AMS fabrics and point to laccolith-scale strain partitioning in the magma linked to different stages of laccolith growth. The establishment of intrusion-scale permeable networks through the cumulation of discrete magma fractures would have profoundly assisted the outgassing of the entire laccolith. Therefore, fracture banding captures viscous and brittle processes working in tandem as an efficient outgassing mechanism, and should be considered in sub-volcanic intrusions elsewhere.
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| 8. |
- Witcher, Taylor, et al.
(författare)
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Development of permeable networks by viscous-brittle deformation in a shallow rhyolite intrusion. Part 2: Microstructural analysis
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Volcanic and magmatic outgassing mechanisms can determine eruptive behavior of shallow silicic magma bodies. Most outgassing mechanisms proposed take place along conduit margins, where highest strain rates drive ascending magma to brittle failure. However, these mechanisms do not account for outgassing large volumes of magma away from the conduit walls. Here, we present a continuum of porosity preserved in the microcrystalline rhyolitic Sandfell laccolith, Eastern Iceland. Three stages in the continuum are described: porous flow bands, pore channels, and fracture bands. These deformation features are present throughout the entire exposed volume of the Sandfell laccolith in meter-long band geometries, ranging from mm- to dm-scale thickness, and interlayered with coherent, undeformed rhyolite. Using microstructural analytical methods, we show that emplacement-related deformation induced strain partitioning around a crystal content of 45% that resulted in the segregation of melt-rich and melt-poorer flow bands. Subsequent deformation induced by continued magma emplacement caused strain partitioning in the melt-rich flow bands. Depending on strain rate, different types of deformation features developed, through dilation or porosity redistribution (porous flow bands), cavitation (pore channels), or tensile fracture (fracture bands). Porous flow bands have permeability values ~4 orders of magnitude higher than undeformed rhyolite. Pore channels and fracture bands have much larger length scales, and so permeability increase dramatically in those systems. Hence, the abundance and interconnectivity of deformation features preserved in the Sandfell laccolith provided an efficient outgassing mechanism for the bulk of the intrusion. Outgassing due to viscous-brittle magma deformation during magma emplacement should therefore be considered for crystal-rich magmas, e.g., during effusive lava dome extrusion.
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| 9. |
- Witcher, Taylor, et al.
(författare)
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Experimentally produced shear fabrics in partially melted rhyolite
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The rheology of magma largely dictates its ability to release pressurized volatiles through outgassing. Degree of outgassing governs explosive potential of silicic magma in the shallow crust. Rheological studies have been conducted to constrain the outgassing mechanisms in magmas with one, two, or three phases (pure melt, crystal or bubble suspensions, and crystal and bubble suspensions). While synthetic materials reduce uncertainties of results, applying the same methods to natural material allows for comparison to deformation textures preserved in nature. Here we deform natural rhyolite from the Sandfell laccolith, Eastern Iceland in torsion, in an attempt to recreate tensile fracture arrays that have previously been created on synthetic HPG8 melt by the same method. We used a Paterson-type torsion apparatus to deform partially melted (3-phase) rhyolite at 900 and 850 degrees C at controlled twist-rates (constant strain rate). We performed 9 successful experiments at strain rates between 2.92 x 10-5 and 1.87 x 10-3 s-1 and reaching a final strain of ~1. Mechanical results show steady-state viscous deformation took place in all experiments, with apparent viscosity decreasing and maximum stress generally increasing with increasing strain rate. Preliminary sample imaging has shown strain partitioning between bubbly melt and ‘stiff’ clusters of microlites, and approximate crystal and bubble fractions of 0.26 and 0.03, respectively. We compared our results to rheological models of crystal suspensions, and crystal + bubble suspensions. Relative viscosity is higher than crystal suspension models at 0.26 crystal fraction, which may be explained by the influence of bubbles. The microlite clusters ‘rolling’ through melt channels may have also contributed to the apparent viscosity being higher than expected at 0.26 crystal fraction. We propose future work to simulate natural rhyolite fracturing by lowering deformation temperature to increase melt viscosity, increasing crystal fraction, and running experiments to higher final strain values.
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| 10. |
- Witcher, Taylor, et al.
(författare)
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Metal liberation by magma fracturing
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Demand for metals is increasing with the advancement of technology. Silicic magmas contain metals of interest in trace quantities which need to be released from the magma and concentrated by many orders of magnitude to form economically viable mineral deposits. Mechanisms that can act on such large volumes of magma and allow metal-rich fluids to move through the magma are keenly debated. Here we present evidence from the Sandfell laccolith, an exposed rhyolitic magmatic intrusion in Eastern Iceland. Sandfell hosts a rarely-preserved magmatic fracture network that contains extensive mineralization of hydrous Fe-silicates, hydrous Mn-oxides, and La-oxides. The bands of tensile fractures are pervasive throughout the exposed intrusion and have, remarkably, survived 11 Ma of weathering processes post-emplacement. Their excellent preservation and exposure have allowed the first thorough documentation of what role magmatic fractures play in a metal-partitioning process. We propose that small-scale yet extensive fracturing of silicic magma during emplacement provides essential pathways for vapor-rich volatiles to decouple fluid-mobile elements from the melt, and sufficiently localize them for later transport into high-grade veins. Understanding the processes behind metal partitioning and fluid transport in the magmatic environment will increase the efficiency of mineral exploration, contribute to geothermal applications, and shed light on degassing mechanisms occurring at depth under active and hazardous volcanoes today.
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