Tracking Magma Processes Using Textures and Timescales (At Open Vent Volcanoes)

Open vent volcanoes are characterized by persistent, summit, passive degassing during quiescence, often with limited or no magma erupted. This degassing is punctuated by a diverse range of magmatic eruptive behavior, from effusive and almost dome-like extrusion of viscous lavas to explosive eruptions. The persistent degassing of these volcanoes implies that there is a more or less permanent physical connection between the surface and deeper magmatic plumbing system. Mayon volcano is located on Luzon Island in the Philippines, ~300 km southeast of the capital, Manila. Nearly 50 eruptions have occurred since written records began in 1616, with the most recent eruption occurring in February 2018. Explosive events of the last 200 years have ranged from minor ash explosions to Strombolian and Vulcanian plume producing eruptions (VEI 2-3). A detailed petrological model of the Mayon plumbing system has not been developed, despite being the most active volcano in the Philippines. I will present a detailed geochemical and petrological dataset for multiple eruptions between 1814 and 2009. These data reveal the plumbing system structure and location of magmatic environments, and the timing of magmatic processes at Mayon. Such spatial and temporal constraints may help monitoring efforts for better anticipating its eruptions.

Host: Mike Krawczynski

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