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Villarrica (Chile) is a basaltic stratovolcano, currently in an open-conduit condition. It now has relatively frequent Strombolian and effusive eruptions, but it had large explosive eruptions in prehistoric times. Among them, the most recent eruption was Chaimilla, which occurred about 3100 years ago and produced deposits that indicate complex, multiphase eruptive dynamics. Significant differences in mineralogy and glass compositions of the erupted scoria suggest the eruption was fed by two distinct magma batches with similar bulk compositions but distinct crystallization and degassing histories. The lower sequence scoria has a complex crystal assemblage with several crystal populations produced by mixing between a relatively degassed magma containing Fo olivine, normally or reversely zoned plagioclase (An) and augite (type 1 magma), and a subordinate volume of more-primitive and more volatile-rich magma rising from depth (type 2 magma) and carrying normally zoned plagioclase and higher-Mg (Fo) olivine crystals. Type 2 magma was the main component emitted during the larger and more explosive eruptive phase that deposited the upper sequence. The Chaimilla eruption occurred under closed-vent conditions and was fed by water-rich magmas. When compared with the petrological features of the magma currently erupted at Villarrica, which has slightly more-evolved bulk compositions, lower crystal content and lower water content, these results suggest that the evolution in eruptive style of the volcano from highly explosive to a lava lake/Strombolian activity corresponds to significant changes in the shallow plumbing system (which is now at much shallower depths); these plumbing-system changes were not associated with significant changes in the parental magma compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Villarrica (Chile) is one of the most active volcanoes in South America having erupted about 60 times in the last 460years. Although its historical eruptive activity has been mainly effusive and weakly explosive, it had strong explosive behaviour in postglacial times. Chaimilla (<3.1ka) is one of the best exposed and widely dispersed pyroclastic deposits, related to both fall and flow activity. The deposit is dispersed over an area of 250km2 and consists of 8 units (A–H) which were grouped into four sequences. Stratigraphic data suggest that the eruption had a relatively short duration and evolved from i) an Opening phase, dispersing ash, lapilli clasts, accretionary lapilli, blocks and bombs, to ii) a Pulsatory phase, originating a series of magmatic explosions, to iii) a Collapsing phase, characterised by unstable plumes which emplaced a series of pyroclastic density currents intercalated with thin fallout layers and finally to iv) a Climactic phase forming a more sustained plume which eventually collapsed generating the final pyroclastic density currents. The deposit (fall and flow) has a minimum cumulative volume of 0.6km3, with the main sustained phase being associated with a VEI 4 and the flow units having a minimum estimated total volume of 0.04km3. The erupted material has a homogenous chemical composition but displays a remarkable variability in both textural and physical properties. The density distribution of juvenile products shows a clear bimodality characterised by two main populations: P1 and P2. Population P1 consists of highly vesicular clasts (modal density around 1000kgm−3) with mostly sub-spherical bubbles and moderately crystallised groundmass with large-sized microlites. Clasts from population P2 are poorly vesicular (modal density around 1600kgm−3) with irregular to collapsed bubbles and numerous smaller microlites. The variability of both vesicularity and microlite characteristics suggests the involvement of two magma batches with distinct pre-eruptive degassing and rising histories. Our eruption conceptual model implies the arrival of new magma (represented in the deposit by P1 clasts) into a small, outgassed magma body which was accumulated at shallow level (mainly represented by P2 clasts). A new Chaimilla-type eruption could significantly affect the communities that have recently developed around Villarrica volcano and subsist mainly on tourism and forestry. As a result, a better understanding of the dynamics and evolution of the Chaimilla eruption is necessary for the identification of potential hazard scenarios at Villarrica volcano and, ultimately, for the risk mitigation of this populated area of Southern Chile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]