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Eruption with Vulcanian type continued at the summit craters Minamidake and Showa continued since 1955. Volcanic disaster during the eruptive period is summarized. Factors causing disasters are volcanic block, lapilli, ash, air-shock, and debris flow triggered by rain fall. No disaster was induced by pyroclastic flows. Volcanic blocks ejected by 20 explosions reached distances >2.5 km and destroy residential houses and hotels. Lapilli fall broke windows of cars, and such a disaster occurred up to a distance of 20 km (87 events). Air-shocks (>300 Pa) broke windows of houses and buildings (39 events). Debris flow triggered by rain fall frequently occurred after a large amount of volcanic ash deposition.

An integrated stratigraphic, sedimentological, volcanological, and geochemical studies were conducted for the first time on the eruptive products of the Marssous volcano, Bahariya Depression, Western Desert, Egypt. The rarity of complex volcanological studies in the west Red Sea rift makes these investigated volcanoes important as they offer a clue to the style of volcanism, eruptive environment and magma genesis during magmatism complimentary to those areas extensively studied in the Arabian Peninsula toward Syria and Eastern Turkey. The Marssous volcano is small monogenetic scoria cone that shows a polyphase feeding system, consisting of unconformable superimposed characteristic effusive-to-explosive eruptive units, suggesting a wide spectrum of diverse eruptive styles through a complex feeder network. On the basis of the sedimentological characteristics, field relationships, lava flow textures and granulometric indicators, five volcanic units have been identified from the base to top as (1) coherent porphyritic massive basalts (Bpm), (2) stratified tuff beds (Unit 1), (3) crude-bedded lapilli tuff beds with bombs (Unit 2), (4) massive agglutinate beds (composed of spatter and fluidal bombs) formed by lava fountains (Unit 3), (5) porphyritic vesicular basalts (Bpv), and (6) subvolcanic feeder intrusions. The degree of vesicularity and the size of the clasts increase from thin Unit 1 (ash to lapilli) through more thick Unit 2 (lapilli-bomb) to Unit 3 (breadcrusted scoriaceous bomb) as an indicative of an increased magma flux and the high eruptive energy together with an enlarged of degassing fragmentation. There is consequently a progressive evolution from an initial Phreatomagmatic explosive stage followed an initial effusive event to dry magmatic explosive (Strombolian & Hawaiian) and effusive eruptive styles in the later. With eruption progression, the external water to fuel Phreatomagmatism was diminished relatively early in the eruptions giving way to accumulate a pyorclastic fall deposition of Strombolian to Hawaiian lava-fountain episodes together with effusive eruptions, all together forming the majority of the pyroclastic and effusive successions of Gabal Marssous. These eruptive phases have happened during a continuous deposition without any time pauses in a short period of time as a result of a single cone-forming eruptions. The Marssous volcano shares resemblances in terms of inferred eruption style and structures with other scoria cones elsewhere in the broad regional context such as North Africa, Mediterranean province, and Arabian Peninsula, and thus provides an outstanding field laboratory to explore scoria cones architecture and growth from a global perspective. This volcano event is a key tectono-stratigraphic marker for an early manifestation, coinciding with the initiation of Red Sea rifting opening.

The purpose of this study is to scientifically analyze the rocks of the Obongsan Mountain in Boseong, Jeollanam-do, which contains the largest extant quarry of Gudlejang (flat stone for heating) in Korea, and to scientifically determine the petrological characteristics of the area and the reasons for its use as a quarry. The rocks in the quarry are composed of light-green lapilli tuff, containing various types of lithic fragments and crystalline fragments in a vitreous matrix consisting of the fine feldspar crystals. The main constituent minerals were identified as quartz, plagioclase, mica, chlorite and opaque minerals. When the major element compositions were plotted on a Na2O+K2O versus SiO2 diagram, all samples were situated in the same compositional area as rhyolite. In addition, the result of magnetic susceptibility measurement also showed a similar range of values, of 1.30 ∼ 4.85 (×10-3 SI), indicating that samples were fractionated from the same magma. Both rock types showed similar apparent specific gravity values of 2.32 ~ 2.60. In particular, plate-shaped joints are well developed in the Obongsan Mountain area, and many areas exhibit talus terrain. In conclusion, the rocks of this area is interpreted to used for a site of Gudlejang quarrying, because the rocks were easily obtainable due to the terrain characteristics, and their petrological properties made them suitable for use as Gudlejang stone.

Among Bagre genera, there is a high variation in the estimation of age, a concern due to overexploitation risk in fisheries because of age underestimation. Bagre panamensis is an important fishery resource of the Mexican Pacific and the Gulf of California. Its age is known from otoliths, but its accuracy needs to be confirmed, and the periodicity of the otoliths record validated. The external morphology, some microstructure attributes, and age record of B. panamensis' otoliths were described from 371 specimens collected southeast of the Gulf of California. The lapilli otoliths were larger than the sagittae and asterisci otoliths. The lapilli otoliths present aragonite crystals with a prismatic shape, and their growth is radial, from the core to the otolith edge. The lapilli otoliths form an annual growth ring, defined by the slowdown in the growth that occurs during April to July, during the breeding season. The ages of the individuals ranged from 1 to 15 years, and the applied method is considered adequate and accurate for its estimation (otolith cross-sectioning and red-neutral staining).

Avroman Mountain has a northwest–southeast trend of Zagros Collisional Belt and elongates parallel to the Iranian border in Northeastern Iraq, Kurdistan Region. Previous studies found many volcanic bodies on the mountain and considered them either as Triassic and Cretaceous dismembered ophiolite fragments or as basaltic dykes. The present work focused on the restudy of these bodies and proved that they are neither dykes nor ophiolite rocks. On the contrary, the present study considers these bodies as successions of altered volcaniclastic sandstones (greywackes) and conglomerates that were transported from the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA) as fresh or old reworked sediments, during Paleocene–Eocene, and deposited inside the Sanandij-Sirjan Zone (SSZ). Additionally, many clues are found that manifest their sedimentary origins such as presences of laminations, a southward decrease in grain sizes, the parallelism of all the bodies to the surrounding layer of Qulqula Radiolarian Formation (QRF) and Avroman Formation, folded successions, graded beddings, poorly sorted textures, irregular and broken grains outlines, a gradation from conglomerate to sandstone. Other evidences are absences of pillow basalts, amygdales, volcanic vents or cones, volcanic mineralizations, volcanic flow structures and textures, chilled borders, contact metamorphism, sedimentary xenoliths, volcanic bombs, or lapilli, and crosscutting relations between the sedimentary bodies and host rocks. These bodies are nearly located between the Avroman and Qulqula Radiolarian formations at the top and the base, respectively. Finally, these bodies have tectonic, depositional, and chronological close relations with the volcaniclastic successions of the Mawat, Bulfat, and Penjween areas. Stratigraphically, they belong to Walash Formation (or Group) and were deposited during the Paleocene–Eocene.

We provide up-to-date morphological and compositional data on otoliths of the osteoglossomorph Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides). Using computed tomography (CT) X-ray, we documented the location of each of the three pairs of otoliths (lapilli, sagittae, and asterisci) in relation to the swim bladder, which extended forward in close proximity to the sagittae and asterisci. The lappili were the largest otoliths in terms of surface area and volume, but the sagittae were highly modified, appearing spiral in shape when viewed dorsally, with a surface area to volume ratio more than double that of the lapilli. Using scanning electron microscopy, the surface of each otolith was viewable in great detail, and small otoconia (~10.5 μm diameter) were observed on each, but were most numerous on the sagittae. On scanning electron micrographs, the sagittae appeared to be bi-lobed, with asymmetrical lobes each oriented in the same general direction. Using neutron and X-ray diffraction methods, we found three polymorphs of calcium carbonate crystals (aragonite, vaterite, and calcite), sometimes all within the same otolith. However, in general, lapilli and sagittae were composed predominately of aragonite whereas asterisci were composed chiefly of vaterite. With these results, we provide information on a unique species, whose inclusion in future studies would benefit our understanding of fish hearing, fish evolution, and fisheries ecology.

Preserved rocks in the Jurassic Ferrar Large Igneous Province consist mainly of intrusions, and extrusive rocks, the topic of this chapter, comprise the remaining small component. They crop out in a limited number of areas in the Transantarctic Mountains and southeastern Australia. They consist of thick sequences of lavas and sporadic occurrences of volcaniclastic rocks. The latter occur mainly beneath the lavas and represent the initial eruptive activity, but also are present within the lava sequence. The majority are basaltic phreatomagmatic deposits and in at least two locations form immense phreatocauldrons filled with structureless tuff breccias and lapilli tuffs with thicknesses of as much as 400 m. Stratified sequences of tuff breccias, lapilli tuffs and tuffs are up to 200 m thick. Thin tuff beds are sparsely distributed in the lava sequences. Lava successions are mainly 400–500 m thick, and comprise individual lavas ranging from 1 to 230 m thick, although most are in the range of 10–100 m. Well-defined colonnade and entablature are seldom displayed. Lava sequences were confined topographically and locally ponded. Water played a prominent role in eruptive activity, as exhibited by phreatomagmatism, hyaloclastites, pillow lava and quenching of lavas. Vents for lavas have yet to be identified.

The phreatomagmatic eruption at Aso volcano on October 8, 2016, released PDC and fallout up to 320 km from the vent, providing an opportunity to study the dispersal and sedimentation of tephra bearing wet and dry aggregates. We investigated fresh air-fall tephra and conducted both dry- and wet-sieving to assess the size distribution of both aggregate-bearing deposits on the ground and particles in the plume prior to aggregation. The tephra was asymmetrically distributed in the ENE direction, with a relatively wide distribution and small maximum grain sizes north of the depositional axis, reflecting different wind directions at each altitude. The secondary accumulation maxima at 4–8 km NE from the vent was characterized by the segregation of lapilli followed by accretionary pellets that were rapidly created by aggregation in the wet plume, thereby enhancing the removal of airborne ash. Coalesced aggregates possibly arose from salt precipitation processes. For dry aggregates fallen in medial-to-distal regions, observed deposition duration and fall velocity calculations concluded that fine ash was deposited not as individual particles but as aggregates. Most grain-size distributions along the dispersal axis based on the two sieving methods used were multimodal, with the coarser mode fining according to distance from the vent and the finer mode stabilizing at around 4ϕ; this is interpreted as resulting from the mixture of grain-size distributions with different origins, i.e., the normal settling of individual clasts and particle aggregation. The wet-sieved total grain-size distribution included 20.4 wt% fine ash compared with only 2.4 wt% fine ash in the dry-sieved distribution, suggesting that aggregated particles accounted for 18 wt% of the deposit. Total grain-size distributions based on wet-sieving showed extremely poor sorting that could be explained by the following causes: the release of coarse-grained ejecta originating from the host rock of the crater, fine particles due to fragmentation from a phreatomagmatic eruption, the supply of water and salt from the crater to the plume, and aggregation enhancement of the fine ash on the ground, reflecting the effect of the crater lake as external water source.

Petrographic studies of thin sections from the 1979 and 2017 Surtsey drill cores provide new insights into microstructural features in basaltic lapilli tuff sampled from the principal structural and hydrothermal zones of the volcano. These describe narrow rims of fine ash on altered glass pyroclasts in thin sections of the 2017 cores, characteristics of granular and microtubular structures in the original thin sections of the 1979 core, and glass alteration in diverse environments. The narrow ash rims follow the outlines of glass pyroclasts in the subaerial tuff cone and in submarine and sub-seafloor deposits; they suggest complex eruptive and depositional processes. The tubular microstructures resemble endolithic microborings in older oceanic basalt; they suggest possible microbial activity. Tubule lengths indicate rapid growth rates, up to 30 µm in ~15 years. Comparisons of glass alteration in thin sections prepared immediately after drilling in 1979 and 2017 indicate differential time-lapse alteration processes in the structural and hydrothermal zones of the volcano. In contrast, thin sections of the 1979 core prepared after 38 years in the repository reveal labile glass alteration during archival storage. The oven-dry density of the sub-seafloor lapilli tuff decreases in 2017 samples with high porosity and water absorption and increases in 2017 samples with a compact ash matrix and lower water absorption. The petrographic descriptions and material measurements provide a foundational reference for further investigations of explosive eruption and deposition of basaltic tephra at Surtsey and the subsequent alteration of these deposits in the volcanic environment and, potentially, the curatorial environment.

PurposeResearch has been conducted to analyze the landslide in Banaran area, Ponorogo Regency. The landslides occurred on April 1, 2017. This study was conducted to know the subsurface conditions in the Banaran area to analyze the disaster mitigation efforts. The mitigation efforts are made to reduce the risk from landslides and possible landslides.Design/methodology/approachThe method used is the geo-electric resistivity method of Wenner–Schlumberger configuration. The research was conducted in three villages namely Banaran Village, Bekirang Village and Mendak Village.FindingsThere are 12 resistivity measuring points with a track length of 410 m and a space of 10 m. The measured resistivity range is between 1.42 Ω.m and 67.500 Ω.m. The resistivity data and the local geological maps interpreted that the rocks in the Banaran area consist of clay, tuff lapilli, volcanic breccia and andesite lava. The landslide area begins at a depth of 8–35 m below the surface which is interpreted as tuff. Also, the thickness of the landslide material and the slope is = 400 which supports the occurrence of a more prominent landslide. The results of the parameter scoring of the landslide-prone areas indicated that the research area is very vulnerable to a landslide. The results of the interpretation indicate that the geo-electric resistivity method can provide a good overview for conducting landslide analysis, that is field slippage and potential material thickness occurrence landslide.Originality/valueThis article is very specific as it attempts to discover how prone Banaran are is to landslide.

Air merupakan kebutuhan utama manusia untuk hidup. Semakin bertambah jumlah penduduk di dunia membuat keberadaan air mengalami degradasi. Kualitas air permukaan semakin hari semakin menurun, sedangkan kebutuhan akan air tidak bisa dihentikan. Sumber air bersih selain air permukaan yaitu airtanah. Oleh karena itu, pemanfaatan airtanah sebagai sumber air bersih harus diidentifikasi lebih lanjut untuk tetap menjaga kelestariannya. Daerah Prambanan dengan kondisi geologi yang disusun oleh batuan sedimen vulkanik dimungkinkan adanya potensi airtanah namun perlu dilakukan identifikasi terlebih dahulu karena keberadaan airtanah di suatu tempat berbeda tergantung dari ada tidaknya lapisan batuan yang mengandung airtanah. Identifikasi potensi airtanah yang dilakukan pada daerah penelitian yaitu dengan menggunakan metode geolistrik. Hasil pengukuran geolistrik menampilkan penampang resistivitas bawah permukaan daerah penelitian memiliki dua layer akuifer dengan ketebalan layer pertama 2 meter sampai 10 meter dan layer kedua 5 meter sampai 14 meter yang banyak dijumpai pada satuan lapili dan beberapa pada batupasir dan breksi. Kata kunci: potensi airtanah, batuan sedimen vulkanik, geolistrik

The 161-ka Kos Plateau Tuff (KPT) eruption deposited widespread unwelded ignimbrites, but the Dikeos and Sympetro mountains on the SE of Kos Island blocked all but the most energetic pyroclastic flows. KPT remnants north of Sympetro mountain comprise reworked tuffite containing pumice and lithic clasts that petrologically and geochemically resemble those found in KPT unit E tephra, and reworked accretionary lapilli similar to those in KPT unit F. Tuffite is found only downslope from a 375-m-high pass between the Dikeos and Sympetro mountains, which was breached at the eruption climax by pyroclastic flows that then accelerated down the 10° north slope of Sympetro. The tuffite crops out in the palaeocliffs of a prominent terrace at an elevation of 75 m, interpreted as the transgressive ravinement surface of the first interglacial marine highstand after the KPT eruption during marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e. A similar ravinement surface cuts KPT deposits in central Kos at elevations of up to 135 m and implies post-MIS 5e uplift rates of 0.7–1.0 m ka−1, confirmed by the elevation of a previously reported raised beach beneath the KPT. A Holocene raised beach on the east coast of Kos contains pumice clasts from the Yali-4 eruption at 4–3 ka. Its elevation of 2 m above sea level is consistent with the elevation of the local MIS 5e terrace. Its present erosion results from the blocking of discharge from ephemeral streams by human infrastructure. Our study provides the first integrated chronologic and neotectonic interpretation of the prominent plateau and terrace surfaces on Kos Island.

Magma permeability allows release of exsolved and pressurized volatiles during magma ascent, potentially modulating explosive volcanic eruptions. While porosity-permeability relationships in the clasts from silicic Plinian eruptions have received considerable interests in recent years, knowledge on magma permeability during Plinian eruptions of basaltic magma is lacking. In this study, we investigate the porosity-permeability relationships in pyroclasts from the well-studied Plinian eruptions of basaltic magma at Mt. Tarawera, New Zealand (1886 CE) and Mt. Etna, Italy (122 BCE). We find that Darcian permeabilities in the studied clasts range between approximately 10−12 m2 and 10−10 m2 over a range of total porosity between 48 and 82%. The vesicles are well connected with values of 45–82% for connected porosity. Pyroclasts from the studied Plinian eruptions contain abundant microlites (∼ 60–90 vol. %) in the matrix surrounding vesicles. At a given total porosity, the measured permeabilities are somewhat higher than that measured in the crystal-poor lapilli from less explosive basaltic eruptions, and about 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than that in silicic Plinian clasts. The estimated percolation threshold is ∼34% for the two basaltic Plinian eruptions. Using modeling of ascent of multiphase magma through volcanic conduits during eruptions, we find that the relative timing of crystallization and the onset of percolation might have played a key role in the development of the measured porosity-permeability relationships. Using scaling analysis, we further show that rheological stiffening of basaltic melt due to a high crystal content just prior to magma fragmentation should have stabilized the vesicle networks, preserving textures reflecting the eruptive conditions with insignificant post-eruptive modification.

The NE–SW trending Tiddas Souk Es-Sebt des Ait Ikko (TSESDAI) basin, located at 110 km southeast of Rabat, in the region of Khmesset between the village of Tiddas Souk Es-Sebt des Ait Ikko, is the third largest late Palaeozoic continental trough in the northern Central Moroccan Meseta. It is a ~20 km long and ~2–3 km wide basin, comprising mainly mixed volcano-sedimentary reddish-purple continental Permian rocks laying with an angular unconformity on Visean deep marine siliciclastic sediments and unconformably overlain by the Triassic and Cenozoic formations. In this study we aim to better determine the age of Permian volcanics and their chemical and mineralogical characteristics, as well as assess the provenance of inherited zircons, thus contributing to the understanding of the late stages of the Variscan orogeny in Morocco. The standard volcanic succession includes the following terms: (i) andesites, lapilli tuffs and andesitic ash deposits, (ii) accumulations of rhyolitic lavas, (iii) lapilli tuffs and rhyolitic ash (formation F1), (iv) flows and breccias of dacites, (v) andesite flows, and (vi) basaltic flows. The various volcanic and subvolcanic studied rocks display calc-alkaline-series characteristics with high contents of SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, and relatively abundant alkalis, and low contents of MnO. In the classification diagram, the studied facies occupy the fields of andesites, trachy-basalts, dacites, trachydacites, and rhyolites and display a sub-alkaline behavior. These lavas would be derived from a parental mafic magma (basalts) produced by partial fusion of the upper mantle. Specific chemical analyses that were carried out on the mineralogical phases (biotite and pyroxene) revealed that the examined biotites can be classified as magnesian and share similarities with the calc-alkaline association-field, while the clinopyroxenes are mainly augites and plot on the calc-alkaline orogenic basalt field. Andesites and dacites of TSESDAI show similarities with the rocks of the calc-alkaline series not linked to active subduction and which involve a continental crust in their genesis. The existence of enclaves in the lavas of the TSESDAI massif, the abnormally high contents of Rb, Ba, Th, and La, and the systematic anomalies in TiO2 and P2O5 indicate also a crustal contamination mechanism. Three magmatic episodes are distinguished with two episodes that correspond to an eruptive cycle of calc-alkaline andesites and rhyolites followed by a basaltic episode. The SHRIMP U–Pb geochronologic data of zircons recovered from the rhyolite dome of Ari El Mahsar in TSESDAI basin show a Concordia age of 286.4 ± 4.7 Ma interpreted to date the magmatic crystallization of this dome. Thus, the rhyolite likely belongs to the third magmatic episodes of TSESDAI.

Highlights • Regardless of eruptive style, Masaya magmas are compositionally similar. • Volatile contents are higher in Plinian samples, but low compared to CAVA magmas. • All Masaya magmas undergo extensive pre-eruptive degassing at low pressure. • Initial volatiles are higher than observed, but do not control eruptive style. • The state of the volcano's conduit modulates eruptive style in a top–down manner. Abstract Highly explosive Plinian eruptions of basaltic magma are enigmatic because low melt viscosities should inhibit such eruptive style. Masaya volcano, Nicaragua, is a persistently active basaltic system capable of a wide range of eruptive styles, from open-conduit lava lake activity to voluminous Plinian eruptions; it is thus an ideal natural laboratory to constrain potential controls on basaltic eruption style. Here we report the major, trace, and volatile (CO2, H2O, S, Cl, F) element composition of olivine-, plagioclase- and clinopyroxene-hosted melt inclusions as well as matrix glasses from lava lake ejecta and two Plinian tephra deposits—the 2.1 ka Masaya Triple Layer and the 1.8 ka Ticuantepe Lapilli—to test whether pre-eruptive volatile contents and degassing history may be linked to eruptive style. All samples display a relatively narrow and largely overlapping basaltic–basaltic andesitic compositional range ( wt.% SiO2, wt.% MgO) with similar trace element signatures (e.g., , ). However, lava lake and Plinian samples show systematic differences in pre-eruptive volatile contents, forming distinct groups with mean H2O contents of wt.% (lava lake), wt.% (Masaya Triple Layer), and wt.% (Ticuantepe Lapilli). Together, these groups generate broad positive correlations between S, Cl and H2O concentrations, with maximum values reaching 920 ppm, 1300 ppm and 2.3 wt.%, respectively, which are low compared to typical Central American arc magmas. Magma temperature estimates overlap and average at 30°C, while volatile saturation pressures are low, mainly

Pozzolanic activity is the ability of certain materials to react with lime in the presence of water to form products with binding properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pozzolanic activities of pyroclastic materials forming volcanic cones in the Tombel Graben and to compare their properties with those of a cone from the same area, currently exploited for the manufacture of cement in Cameroon. Located on the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), the Tombel Graben (GT) presents a multitude of pyroclastic cones (115) resulting from the monogenic volcanism (4Ma-present). Still unexploited, this research work suggests the valorization of these materials which, if wisely used would have positive ecological, environmental and economic impact in the society. To achieve these objectives, ten samples of materials ((NTD 01 to NTD 10) from nine cones, including one which is currently being exploited by a local company were selected for this study. The geochemical composition of the samples and their physico-chemical properties, including specific surface area, reactivity with lime and resistance index were determined. The results indicate that the cones were dominantly made of lapilli and ashes with the value of Al2O3+SiO2+Fe2O3 ranging from 67.8 to 75.47 wt%. The samples are constituted by amorphous phases, Anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8,) and Labrador (Al1.66 Ca0.66 Na0.34 Si2.34O8 ) well known as materials from the region of Tombel; lime activities between 70 and 98%, specific surface area between 4.871 and 9.489 cm2/g and a strength activity index of 41.82–95.32% and 62–94% respectively after seven (7) and twenty eight (28) days. The physico-chemical properties of NTD 07, NTD 06 and NTD 10 indicate that with a mixture of 20/80 wt% (pouzzolane/cement), they show properties better than those of the reference materials (NTD04 and NTD05) currently used to manufacture cement in central Africa and those of pure cement. This capacity could be linked to the presence of an important amorphous phase, silica and allumine as reported in the literature.

BVD is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council through the EnvEast Doctoral Training partnership (grant number NE/1002582/1)., Proximal deposits of small-volume trachytic eruptions are an under-studied record of eruption dynamics despite being common across a range of settings. The 59 ± 4 ka Echo Canyon deposits, Ascension Island, resulted from a small-volume explosiveeffusive trachytic eruption. Variations in juvenile clast texture reveal changes in ascent dynamics and transitions in eruption style. Five dominant textural types are identified within the pumice lapilli population. Early Strombolian-Vulcanian eruption phases are typified by macro- and micro-vesicular equant clast types. Sheared clasts are most abundant at the eruption peak, transitioning to dense clasts in later phases due to shear-induced coalescence, outgassing and vesicle collapse. Melt densification and outgassing via tuffisite veins increased plume density, contributing to partial column collapse and the explosive-effusive transition. Bulk vesicularity distributions indicate a shift in dominant fragmentation mechanism during the eruption, from early-stage bubble interference and rupture to late-stage transient fragmentation, with a transient peak of Plinian activity. Dome and lava groundmass crystallinities of up to 70% indicate near-complete degassing during effusive phases, followed by shallow over pressurisation and a final less explosive phase. We provide textural evidence for high-intensity explosive phases and rapid transitions in eruptive style during small-volume trachytic eruptions and consider the impact of trachytic melt compositions on underlying dynamics of these short-lived, explosive events. This analysis demonstrates the value of detailed stratigraphy in understanding critical changes in eruption dynamics and the timescales over which they may occur which is of particular value in anticipating future eruptions of this type., Natural Environment Research Council through the EnvEast Doctoral Training partnership NE/1002582/1

Lamongan volcano is one of the unique volcanoes in the Sunda Volcano. This volcano has side eruption centers or on the slopes of the volcano. The morphology of parasitic eruptions in this volcanoes complex includes maars and boccas. There are about 64 parasitic eruption centers consisting of 37 volcanic cones (bocca) and 27 ranu (maar). The purpose of this research is to study the characteristics of lithology and petrogenesis of this volcano complex, especially in Ranu Pakis and surrounding areas. The analytical method used is to do geological mapping and petrographic analysis. The lithology found in this research area consists of magmatic and phreatomagmatic eruption deposits. Genetically this lithology includes pyroclastic flow, pyroclastic fall (scoria fall and phreatomagmatic scoria fall/accretionary lapili), tuff (phreatic) and basaltic lava. In some pyroclastic deposits, especially in maar there are fragments of accretionary lapilli, while in bocca there are basaltic lavas. Other fragments present in pyroclastic deposits are basalt scoria blocks and bombs embedded in the groundmass of volcanic ash. The results of petrographic analysis indicate that the volcanic rocks in the study area are calc alkaline affinity consisting of pyroxene andesite, basalt and pyroxene basalt lava. The pyroxene basalt lava is composed by plagioclase, clinopyroxene and little olivine embedded in the volcanic glass. Lavas are structured scoria and textured porphyritic, intersertal, trachytic, aphyric and pilotaxitic. Trachytic texture is found in the basalt fragments of pyroxene from the pyroclastic fall deposits in Ranu Pakis and Ranu Wurung. While pyroxene andesite lavas composed by plagioclase, clinopyroxene embedded in the volcanic glass. Lavas are structured scoria and textured porphyritic, intergranular, pilotaxitic and aphyric.

Volcanic activity at Mt. Etna in the last decade has mostly been manifested by sequences of short paroxysmal episodes characterised by powerful lava fountains and high eruption columns. On the 23 February 2013, an exceptionally intense episode occurred at the New South-East Crater, producing a fountain >800 m high (among the highest ever recorded at Etna) and a ~9 km eruption column that dispersed ash >400 km from the vent. Textural and petrographic analyses of lapilli revealed that magma erupted during the high-intensity phase is characterised by low microlite contents (

Surtseyan eruptions have long been studied from their edifice deposits, emplaced subaqueously or subaerially. Here we characterize a Surtseyan eruption from both edifice and ash-sheet deposits using a combination of techniques. The volcano studied is Black Point, which erupted into Lake Russell about 13,000 years ago from a water depth of 105 m, producing a total of ~0.8 km3 of tephra. The techniques, applied to samples acquired by targeted sampling based on geological observations in the field, include geochemical characterization of the eruption products, grain-size analysis of the ash-size fraction at proximal and medial sites, three-dimensional characterization of vesicles in lapilli, and particle-shape analysis for ash grains using the recently introduced freeware PARTISAN©. The aim of this combined approach is to determine how the eruption evolved through its course, from before magma fragmentation to the mechanisms of formation, transport and deposition of the tephra. Field observations are consistent with the ash-sheet deposits forming from eruption-fed density currents, and/or fallout through the water column from a subaerial plume +/− umbrella cloud. Geochemical correlation links the mound deposits, as well as the tuff rings, with a stratigraphic sequence at about 2 km west from the edifice. Both show non-linear but broadly correlative geochemical variations in deposits from the subaqueous stage of the eruption through the subaerial one. Pyroclast vesicle textures indicate that volatile expansion played only a minor role in magma fragmentation, and that there was a high level of bubble coalescence and hence outgassing during the eruption. We infer that fragmentation was mostly phreatomagmatic, resulting from explosive interactions between rising magma and water-saturated sediments. Two-dimensional particle-shape analysis of ash grains shows a large variability in the shape parameters of convexity and solidity; this tells us little about fragmentation style but serves as a proxy for magma vesicularity. The most interesting aspect of this eruption is that none of the shape parameters, or qualitative observations, show any sort of systematic change during the course of the eruption, despite the eruption having begun in 100 m of water and ended up subaerial.

The Cisuru area is located in Talegong Sub-district, Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia which is belongs to the central part of Southern Mountain Slope. The aim of this research is to understand the nature and characteristic of fluid inclusion from quartz veins (especially drill core samples) in the study area. Rock units in the area are characterized by Tertiary volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic sequence which is mainly composed of andesite, andesitic breccia, volcanic breccia, lapilli tuff, dacite and related to the intrusion of diorite. The Cisuru epithermal mineralization is dominantly hosted by andesite, dacite, breccia and lapilli tuff, and would probably be controlled by both permeable rocks and NS and NE-SW trending strike-slip faults. The mineralization is shown as void filling and replacement within the silica zone, veinlets along with the open space/fractures and dissemination. Fluid inclusion from quartz veins was studied to know nature, characteristics and origin of hydrothermal fluids. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusions were realized by using a Linkam THMSG 600 combined freezing and heating stages. Homogenization temperature and final ice melting temperature were measured for primary two-phase inclusion from quartz veins. Base on the study of the fluid inclusion, the value of homogenization temperature (Th) range from 200 ºC to 395 °C and ice melting temperature range from -0.1 to - 4.5 where salinity range from 0.2 to 7.2 wt. % NaCl equivalent. Fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometric measurement data exhibit that fluid mixing, dilution and boiling were main processes during the hydrothermal evolution. The formation temperature of each quartz vein is 260 ºC to 290 ºC and also their formation depth is estimated between 560m to 925m respectively. Combination of fluid inclusions petrography, microthermometric measurement, and estimate paleo depth from Cisuru area were suggested under the epithermal environment.

On 13 to 14 February 2014 a ~4 h long, VEI 4 eruption occurred at Kelut volcano (Java, Indonesia). Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and extensive ash fall led to 7 fatalities and disruption to flights across the Asia-Pacific region. New sedimentological descriptions of the pyroclastic deposits from the 2014 eruption were compared with eyewitness and satellite reports to elucidate temporal variations in eruptive dynamics. The stratigraphy of the deposits is presented in 3 stages, associated with two eruptions that occurred approximately ~15–30 min apart. Stage 1 PDC deposits originate from the smaller onset eruption. The PDC deposits from Stage 2, and tephra fall deposits from Stage 3 originate from the second, plinian eruption. During the onset eruption (Stage 1), low energy PDCs were produced that ran out to 70% by vol.) PDC deposits ran out to 4.7 km from the vent. The deposits reflect an increased output of fresh fragmented magma, and some conduit widening evidenced by dense lithic fragments. Vent instabilities and incorporation of dense material into basal margins of the plume led to the marginal collapse and formation of these PDCs. Stage 3 occurred in the final hour at the peak of the plinian eruption, around 01:00 to 02:00, and produced reversely graded lapilli fall deposits with ≤90 vol% pumice from a 26 km-high plume. This indicates that there was a sustained flux of juvenile magma to the now open vent system, and expansion and fragmentation of the gas-rich magma was at its most efficient. Our study of the eruptive sequence of Kelut provides some constraints on predicted patterns for future explosive activity, critical for further hazard assessment of the volcano. Since 1901 Kelut has erupted on intervals of 1 to 23 years, and the 2014 event characterises a typical “explosive” style of eruption that alternates regularly with effusive dome-formation and collapse events. This pattern depends on the dynamics of magma renewal to the system, and degassing conditions in the shallow magma reservoir and upper conduit. If this pattern holds, and the next eruption occurs within the next two decades, a return of prolonged dome growth could be anticipated.

DOI: 10.17014/ijog.6.3.235-253 Tangkuban Parahu Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in West Java, Indonesia, although most of the recent eruptions were relatively mild (e.g. 2013 eruption). However, there is still little information from the volcanic products in the proximal area. Here, a new documentation from the proximal volcanic succession is provided, including tephra-stratigraphy, componentry analysis, and petrography of volcanic products. Detailed mapping of the proximal area shows that the volcanic products are predominantly composed of alternating fine-clay and coarse ash, lapilli tuff, and pyroclastic breccia within ten tephra units. Componentry of ash particles revealed the presence of five components, associated with hydrothermally altered lithics, oxidized lithics, coherent crystalline lithics, magmatic juvenile, and free crystal in entire eruptive products. These indicate that the subvolcanic hydrothermal system has been developed since the Holocene and associated with a continual introduction of magmatic intrusion. Petrographic observation shows the presence of hydrothermal minerals of quartz or silica accompanied by alunite and kaolinite, representing acidic alteration within the crater-conduit. The existence of a silicified zone indicates that the subvolcanic hydrothermal system played an essential role as a cap-rock of pressurized gas and steam at depth (200-500 m), whereas magmatic injection caused the vapour plume expansion. The observation concluded that the proximal volcanic succession captured the evidence of coupled phreatic and phreatomagmatic activities during the latest development of Mount Tangkuban Parahu.

Indonesia is the most country who has a lot of volcanic mounts of Ring of Fire can erupt everytime it can be. When volcanoes eruptions, some of material be exploded such as bomb, lapilli, pyroclastic ash etc. Piroclastic ash can influence respiration disease and it call ISPA (Infeksi Saluran Pernapasan Atas). ISPA is kind of disease which attacks lung by damaging alveolar under process of loading pyroclastic ash movement. The government gives supporting non standard mask 3 ply be used to protect people from pyroclastic ash. However, this mask can’t filter pyroclastic ash properly. So that, it makes society get suffer ISPA’s disease after have inhaled pyroclastic ash. Current research about support material for respirator mask is less than other country. In addition, the utilization of the supporting material for the mask, not many do. This research will find out solution to integrate support material e.g. microalgae (Nannochloropsis oculata) as a supplier of oxygen to enhance the advanced functionality of the mask in preventing the proliferation of ISPA’s disease.

Terceira Island (Azores archipelago, central Atlantic Ocean) presents a unique but poorly studied Quaternary palaeobotanical record. Among the sites referenced in the literature, Fanal Bay, within Angra do Heroismo city, is known at least since the 1940s. Field prospection in the summer of 2016 revealed two layers of leaf fossils with an unexpected fossil abundance. The preliminary results showed that these represented autochthonous or para-autochthonous (T0) fossil assemblages, preserved by the emplacement of ash or lapilli layers by volcanic events, in a leaf litter of a laurel palaeoforest. Unfortunately, in 2018, the site was destroyed due to development works to consolidate and requalify the Fanal Bay cliff from further sea erosion. This prevented a detailed study and the ex situ preservation of an important palaeontological site, within the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark. With this work, we hope to call the attention to the need of implementing geoconservation strategies in order to prevent the destruction of important geoheritage within the Azores Islands and to transpose this warning to other geoconservationists in oceanic islands worldwide.

Author(s): Jackson, MD; Couper, S; Stan, CV; Ivarsson, M; Czabaj, MW; Tamura, N; Parkinson, D; Miyagi, LM; Moore, JG | Abstract: Micrometer-scale maps of authigenic microstructures in submarine basaltic tuff from a 1979 Surtsey volcano, Iceland, drill core acquired 15 years after eruptions terminated describe the initial alteration of oceanic basalt in a low-temperature hydrothermal system. An integrative investigative approach uses synchrotron source X-ray microdiffraction, microfluoresence, micro-computed tomography, and scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with Raman spectroscopy to create finely resolved spatial frameworks that record a continuum of alteration in glass and olivine. Microanalytical maps of vesicular and fractured lapilli in specimens from 157.1-, 137.9-, and 102.6-m depths and borehole temperatures of 83, 93.9, and 141.3 °C measured in 1980, respectively, describe the production of nanocrystalline clay mineral, zeolites, and Al-tobermorite in diverse microenvironments. Irregular alteration fronts at 157.1-m depth resemble microchannels associated with biological activity in older basalts. By contrast, linear microstructures with little resemblance to previously described alteration features have nanocrystalline clay mineral (nontronite) and zeolite (amicite) texture. The crystallographic preferred orientation rotates around an axis parallel to the linear feature. Raman spectra indicating degraded and poorly ordered carbonaceous matter of possible biological origin are associated with nanocrystalline clay mineral in a crystallographically oriented linear microstructure in altered olivine at 102.6 m and with subcircular nanoscale cavities in altered glass at 137.9-m depth. Although evidence for biotic processes is inconclusive, the integrated analyses describe the complex organization of previously unrecognized mineral texture in very young basalt. They provide a foundational mineralogical reference for longitudinal, time-lapse characterizations of palagonitized basalt in oceanic environments.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]QUASARE [ADD1_IRSTEA]Dynamique et fonctionnement des écosystèmes; International audience; This assesses features of otoliths from laboratory-reared embryos, larvae and juvenile European chub Squalius cephalus from hatching to 180 days post-hatching (dph). We observed the development of the three pairs of otoliths (lapilli, sagittae and asterisci) and more precisely shape changes, as well as timing and deposition rate of increments of the lapilli. The lapilli and the sagittae were present at hatching, whereas the asterisci formed between 20 and 30 dph. The lapillus and sagitta shapes were round until 20 dph. From 60 dph the anterior and the posterior rostra of the sagittae were well developed, but very thin, making this otolith too fragile to manipulate for further studies of shape and validation of otolith increment deposition rate. The lapilli provided reliable age estimates for free embryos, larvae and juveniles up to 120 dph. However, caution should be taken when ageing fish older than 150 dph as an underestimation was noticeable. The regression of the number of otolith increments on age showed a slope and an intercept not significantly different from 1 and 0, respectively , which indicated that otolith growth increments were deposited on a daily basis, with the first microincrement occurring at hatching. Increment counts were consistent between three interpreters, indicating a consistent and reliable age estimate. This study validates that the otolith increment deposition rate can be used to assess hatching dates and daily growth of wild S. cephalus under 150 dph and in environments similar to the conditions used in this study.

Two correlated tephra deposits, each 13 cm thick in the Aisen region of southern Chile, one in a lacustrine sediment core from the Mallin el Toqui (MET) peat bog and another from a subaerial soil exposure ∼10 km to the west in the Rio Maniguales (RM) valley, preserve evidence for a large explosive eruption of Mentolat volcano, one of the five stratovolcanoes of the southernmost portion of the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ). This eruption is constrained in age to ≥11,728 cal years BP by radiocarbon dating of organic matter from the MET sediment core and is termed the ∼11.7 ka MEN event. The two tephra deposits are identical and based on their petrology, bulk tephra, glass, and amphibole geochemical characteristics, are attributed to an eruption of Mentolat volcano. Both contain pumice lapilli with glass compositions that ranges from 59 to 76 wt. % SiO2, with medium to low-K2O calc-alkaline composition and trace element abundances similar to both lavas and other tephras derived from Mentolat. They have abundant amphibole, plagioclase, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene phenocrysts, with a smaller proportion of olivine and Fe-Ti oxides, and a minor amount of distinctive crustal xenoliths with both unfoliated and foliated textures. Amphiboles have low K2O (0.20–0.37 wt. %) and TiO2 (1.5–3.8 wt. %) and are similar geochemically to amphiboles from other Mentolat-derived tephra (K2O = 0.14–0.43 wt. % and TiO2 = 1.9–2.4 wt. %), but distinct from amphiboles in lavas and tephra derived from other volcanoes in the southernmost SSVZ including Cay (K2O = 0.47–0.55 wt. % and TiO2 = 2.4–3.1 wt. %) and Melimoyu (K2O = 0.39–0.52 wt. % and TiO2 = 2.8–4.5 wt. %). Amphiboles from the ∼11.7 ka MEN tephra formed over a broad range of pressures (154–406 MPa), temperatures (834-969 °C), and magma water contents (4.9–7.0 wt. %), which overlap with the physical-chemical conditions for the formation of amphiboles from other Mentolat-derived tephra. The two correlated tephra deposits, which are located ∼95 km southeast of Mentolat, are correlative with tephra of similar age identified in 12 other lacustrine sediment cores from the region, for which, based on their petrology and the geochemistry of their tephra glass and amphiboles, Mentolat is also the likely source volcano. This eruption produced approximately 1.8 km3 of bulk material with an estimated magnitude of 5.2. Mentolat has produced numerous (>18) explosive eruptions since glacial retreat from the region and future explosive eruptions from this center could potentially impact local population centers and the agricultural industry in southern Chile and Argentina.

Eruption with Vulcanian type continued at the summit craters Minamidake and Showa continued since 1955. Volcanic disaster during the eruptive period is summarized. Factors causing disasters are volcanic block, lapilli, ash, air-shock, and debris flow triggered by rain fall. No disaster was induced by pyroclastic flows. Volcanic blocks ejected by 20 explosions reached distances >2.5 km and destroy residential houses and hotels. Lapilli fall broke windows of cars, and such a disaster occurred up to a distance of 20 km (87 events). Air-shocks (>300 Pa) broke windows of houses and buildings (39 events). Debris flow triggered by rain fall frequently occurred after a large amount of volcanic ash deposition.

The N–S trending Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic Dongargarh–Kotri belt in the Bastar Craton in central India exposes bimodal volcanics and volcaniclastics of the Nandgaon Group. In this contribution, lithofacies analysis of the Nandgaon Group has been attempted mainly based on distribution of rhyolites, basalts and pyroclastics in this ancient volcanic terrain, their field characteristics and petrography. The study area in the central part of the belt around Dongargaon–Gotatola area can be two distinct domains based on distribution and composition of volcanics and volcaniclastics. Domain-I comprises coherent and autoclastic rhyolite, and Domain-II with basic lava and pyroclastics. The rhyolites of Domain-I can be further divided into feldspar quartz phyric, quartz phyric, aphyric, and autoclastic rhyolites. Basic lava of Domain-II includes basalt and andesitic basalt. The associated volcaniclastics are mainly coarse lapilli tuff, fine lapilli tuff and ash beds. Field characteristics of coherent lavas and volcaniclastics attest to phreato-magmatically controlled plinian to sub-plinian style of eruptions. Effusive and explosive eruptive processes through multiple vents gave rise to the observed volcanic sequences. This study indicates that subaerial volcanism initially led to formation of felsic ignimbrites and ash deposits followed by effusive rhyolite lava flows. Subsequently, mafic volcanism occurred giving rise to pyroclastic flows and surges, followed by effusive mafic lava flows.

In 2019, Stromboli volcano experienced one of the most violent eruptive crises in the last hundred years. Two paroxysmal explosions interrupted the ‘normal’ mild explosive activity during the tourist season. Here we integrate visual and field observations, textural and chemical data of eruptive products, and numerical simulations to analyze the eruptive patterns leading to the paroxysmal explosions. Heralded by 24 days of intensified normal activity and 45 min of lava outpouring, on 3 July a paroxysm ejected ~6 × 107 kg of bombs, lapilli and ash up to 6 km high, damaging the monitoring network and falling towards SW on the inhabited areas. Intensified activity continued until the less energetic, 28 August paroxysm, which dispersed tephra mainly towards NE. We argue that all paroxysms at Stromboli share a common pre-eruptive weeks-to months-long unrest phase, marking the perturbation of the magmatic system. Our analysis points to an urgent implementation of volcanic monitoring at Stromboli to detect such long-term precursors., Integrated field and laboratory investigations, and numerical simulations of the 2019 paroxysmal explosions at Stromboli volcano revealed that they were anticipated by a week-to-month-long destabilization in the normal volcanic activity, a pattern common to all paroxysms.

Mt. Meru, in the northern Tanzania divergence zone within the East African Rift System, is a historically active volcano, with its last eruption in 1910 CE. The flank deposits of Meru are dominated by lava flows, debris avalanche deposits as well as major pyroclastic formations indicative of Plinian-style eruptions. The stratigraphy, spatial extent, and chronology of these pyroclastic deposits have, however, not been systematically studied. Here we report on the detailed reconstruction of the stratigraphy and eruptive dynamics of Late Quaternary Meru explosive eruptions, based on field investigations, geochronological and geochemical analyses. The findings indicate that Meru had at least three moderate-to-large-scale explosive eruptions over the past 40,000 years. The oldest Meru explosive event we recognize (MXP1) generated pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), while the second (MXP2) and the third, most intense explosive event (MXP3) generated both pyroclastic fallout and PDCs. Conventional radiocarbon dating of 6 palaeosols underlying MXP2 and MXP3, dated at ~34.1–38.5 ka cal BP and ~31.5–36.9 ka cal BP respectively, suggest these two eruptions may have followed each other relatively close in time. The compositional range of pumice lapilli of both MXP2 and MXP3 is limited to tephriphonolite-phonolite. Dispersal and thickness data of the better preserved and larger MXP3 deposits suggest a minimum bulk volume of 2.5 km3 of pumice fallout and 1.2 km3 of PDCs, respectively, which corresponds to a total erupted mass of at least 2.7 × 1012 kg and a magnitude of 5.4. Similar large-scale eruptions in the future would have a considerable impact on the nearby large urban population in Arusha city and its suburbs. This new information is, therefore, vital for the long-term volcanic hazard assessment in Northern Tanzania.

Transmitted light and back-scattered electron (BSE) micrographs of silicate melt-coated calcite aggregates and silicate melt particles, high-resolution energy-dispersive spectrometry elemental map, high-resolution BSE mosaic of accretionary lapillus, X-ray fluorescence analyses of bulk rock and accretionary lapilli, electron microprobe analyses of silicate melt particles, and modal composition calculations.

In this paper, a detailed mineralogical study on iron-rich spherules in Taihu Lake was carried out, and we present a proposed impact-related origin for these iron-rich spherules. The iron-rich spherical concretions in Taihu Lake occur in a specific silty layer formed around ~7 ka B.P., sandwiched between an upper lacustrine deposit layer and a lower hard loess layer, and they are widely distributed and are the most abundant iron-rich concretions in that specific layer in the vicinity of Taihu Lake. The spherules are typically ~0.5 to 3 mm in diameter with a shape very similar to a spherical shape but not exactly rounded and have various apparent aerodynamic shapes, such as spherical, cone, spindle, ellipsoidal, elongated and pear-shaped morphologies. SEM imaging shows that there is no central core and no concentric layers in the spherules. Iron-rich spherical concretions are similar to accretionary lapilli and have a typical colloidal structure with abundant angular quartz grains and trace fragments of clays wrapped in fine cements that are mainly goethite with minor clays and carbon particles. The typical nodule-forming mechanism in aqueous sediments does not sufficiently explain the morphology and internal features of the iron-rich spherules of Taihu Lake, whereas the aerosol formation mechanism under the airburst impact origin hypothesis of the Taihu Lake basin may be a better explanation of the unique mineralogy of the spherules. Specifically, airburst impact plumes could be the reaction chambers of the aerosol to form the accretionary lapilli with a colloidal texture for the interior, while a dense shell and semi-plastic morphological features can form in the falling processes from higher altitudes in the plume.

Geological and geochemical characteristics of the litho units exposed in and around Kalalikhera area of Pur-Banera belt have confirmed the presence of felsic volcanic rock unit named Kalalikhera felsic volcanic, with characteristic features such as (i) abundance of lapilli composed of polygonal quartz and feldspar and (ii) presence of relict bipyramidal quartz. These volcanics are associated with thin bands of chert. Geochemically, the volcanics are found to be of rhyolitic composition. Development of garnet porphyroblasts along with preferred orientation of the silicate minerals of rhyolite indicates a low to medium grade metamorphism and deformation of the units. Monazite geochemistry of the volcanics indicated towards the metamorphic origin of monazites, with REE pattern show steep fractionation trend from La to Lu. The in-situ chemical age of 2192 ± 57 Ma recorded from xenotime is interpreted as indicative of the opening of the Aravalli basin with the onset of rifting leading to the formation of Kalalikhera volcanics. The estimated ages of 1784 ± 92, 1351 ± 45 and 1026 ± 57 Ma from monazite analyses are interpreted as different metamorphic events associated with (i) closure of the basin and the onset of Aravalli orogeny, (ii) further imprints of Delhi orogeny, and (iii) with late Grenvillian age imprints.

The Osborn Plateau is a large intraplate elevation in the eastern Indian Ocean, which has been poorly studied by geological and geophysical methods. On cruise SO258/1 aboard the R/V Sonne, new data were collected by Parasound seismic processing, multibeam survey, and, for the first time, dredging. Faults in the sedimentary cover, which extend to the seafloor surface, indicate high neotectonic activity in the area of the Osborn Plateau. It may have continued up to the present, as well as in the adjacent segment of the Ninetyeast Ridge, where strong earthquakes are recorded. Two reflectors A and C in the upper part of the sedimentary cover mark global regressive changes in the World Ocean level at the Pliocene–Pleistocene and Miocene–Pliocene and boundaries. Reflector B in sediments at the Lower–Upper Pliocene boundary is associated with a change in the regional hydrodynamic regime at the time in the eastern Indian Ocean. Reflector B at the Lower–Upper Pliocene boundary is associated with a change in the local hydrodynamic regime in the region of the plateau and was caused by uncompensated sedimentation. As a result of dredging, strongly altered vitroclastic tuffs were obtained, consisting of palagonized ash particles and lapilli. Analysis of geochemical data on the composition of palagonite made it possible to reconstruct the main geochemical features of the primary composition of glass in tuffs, in particular, high enrichment in incompatible elements (Nb, Zr, Ti, La, etc.). The results of studying the dredged rocks suggest that tuffs dredged on the Osborn Plateau were formed as a result of explosive volcanic eruptions of alkaline basalts under subaerial or relatively shallow conditions and represent the latest eruption products in the region.

The sedimentological, lithological and textural characteristics of the Brown Tuffs (BT) pyroclastic deposits, combined with their grain-size, componentry and geochemical glass compositions, are here investigated to obtain information on the transport and depositional mechanisms of the corresponding pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). The BT are widespread reddish-brown to grey, ash-rich pyroclastic deposits generated by pulsating hydromagmatic explosive activity from the La Fossa Caldera on Vulcano island during the c. 80–6 ka time-stratigraphic interval, and then distributed on most of the Aeolian Islands and Capo Milazzo peninsula (Sicily) and in the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Sea regions. Near the source area on Vulcano, the BT are characterised by alternating massive and planar to cross stratified lithofacies that result from the stepwise, repeating aggradation of discrete PDC pulses. This alternance is regulated by either fluid escape or granular flow depositional regimes at high clast concentration or grain by grain traction deposition in the waning diluted stages of the PDCs. Most of the BT on Vulcano show intermittently stratified and massive ash deposits resulting from a pervasive post-depositional disruption of the primary structures. This is induced by upward fluid expulsion associated with dissipation of pore pressure between layers at different grain size (fine to coarse ash) and porosity, as outlined by distinctive upwards bends and pillar-type escape structures through the fluid-filled cracks and rupture points. Massive BT deposits with a faint colour and grain-size banding are widely recognised on Lipari, the nearby island of Vulcano. Based on the presence, at the base of BT depositional units, of cm-thick amalgamation bands containing pumice lapilli, scoria and lithic clasts ripped-up and embedded from the loose underlying pyroclastic units, they are interpreted as deposited by ash-rich PDCs laterally spreading from La Fossa Caldera and moving to Lipari. During their motion to Lipari these currents (likely) crossed a narrow and shallow sea-water inlet which did not stop their advancement but influenced the grain size distribution of those spreading on the Lipari mainland. In this paper, the mechanism of clast erosion and incorporation is outlined across the whole island of Lipari by means of field study, grain-size, and geochemical glass analyses on the different components of the mixed basal bands of the BT. This suggests that the BT PDCs maintained enough flow power as to erode the substratum, hence likely impacting the territory, over a distance up to at least 16–17 km from the volcanic source. Evidence that the BT PDCs exerted a high shear-stress over the loose substratum is also provided by undulated, recumbent flame and rip-up structures at the base of some depositional units in southern and central Lipari. In order to form such bed granular instabilities between the BT and the underlying deposits we calculate that the currents had at least a shear velocity of ca. 2 m s−1 and a shear stress in the range of 1–4.5 kPa. These results add new insights on the large-scale hazard at the Aeolian Islands and shed new lights on the widespread transport and depositional dynamics of ash flows spreading over the sea and reaching nearby islands, and their interactions with the substratum and the pre-depositional topography.

The dating of young submarine volcanic eruptions, with their potential generation of tsunamigenic waves, is essential for a reliable hazard assessment. This is particularly relevant in highly populated coastal areas. The scarce knowledge of the underwater environment makes however, this reconstruction challenging. Our study is focused on the NW sector of the Sicilian Channel, where several small- and medium-size volcanic edifices are present. The only documented Surtseyan-type eruption occurred in A.D. 1831, forming the ephemeral Ferdinandea Island. Late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene eruptions have been up to now only hypothesized, and based solely on indirect data. Here we present the first radiocarbon dates of a coralligenous bioconstruction sampled at 34 m water depth from the summit of the Actea volcano, grown up progressively (up to nowadays) on a lapilli tuff deposit. Actea volcano is a recently discovered pyroclastic cone located at only four nautical miles off the SW coast of Sicily. The oldest age of the bioconstructions that started to encrustate the shallow water pyroclastics shortly after their emplacement (7,387 ± 175 cal years B.P.) represents a terminus ante quem, thus testifying a mid-Holocene submarine eruption in this sector of the Sicilian Channel. This method may be effectively used to bridge the gap between historical accounts and the geological record and thus may contribute to a better volcanic hazard assessment of submarine eruption and related phenomena such as tsunamis.

Pyroclastic deposits of volcanic explosive eruptions are associated with both sedimentation of tephra and emplacement of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) that travel on the flank of volcanoes. Pyroclastic deposits are typically mixtures of ash, lapilli and blocks, very loose and unconsolidated, hence prone to move along a slope. Due to highly porous structure, such deposits are also prone to wetting induced collapse, with a transition from a solid-like behaviour to a fluid-like behaviour. It entails a long run-out of mass-movements (landslides or lahars and debris flows) eventually triggered. Disasters associated with this type of deposit remobilization have been recorded all over the world even decades or centuries after the end of an eruption. Here we provide new insights into remobilization of tephra deposits based on various international case studies, bridging a gap among the different dataset and interpretations. Exponential and power relations are found among the uniformity coefficient, the median diameter and the main physical variables adopted in the physical-based models used for the analysis of the natural hazards in volcanic deposits.