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The eruptive history and chemical stratigraphy of a post-caldera, steady-state volcano: Yasur, Vanuatu

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Abstract

The persistent activity of Yasur volcano, a post-caldera scoria cone in the southern Vanuatu Arc, along with the uniformity exhibited by its eruptive products, indicates that it is a “steady-state” volcano. This implies that rates of magma replenishment and tapping are in equilibrium. Examination of recently exposed tephra sequences suggests that Strombolian-style activity at Yasur has persisted in its current form for the last 630–850 years. Eruption of tephra with uniform grain size and texture throughout this period indicates invariant eruption magnitude and style. Based on tephra accumulation rates, a uniform, time-averaged eruption flux of ∼410–480 m3 days−1 is estimated. Major and trace element analyses of glass shards and mineral grains from these tephra deposits show limited variation in magma composition throughout that time, consistent with a chemically buffered magma reservoir and models for steady-state volcanism. Similarly, mineral crystallisation temperature estimates are within error, suggesting the magma reservoir has retained a constant temperature through this time, while pressure estimates suggest shallow crystallisation. Eruptions appear to be driven by gas release, with small fluctuations in magma chemistry and eruptive behaviour governed by perturbations in volatile flux. This period of steady-state activity was preceded by ∼600 years of higher-magnitude, lower-frequency eruptions during which less evolved compositions were erupted. Variation between these two styles of eruptive behaviour may be explained by a shift from a periodically closed to fully opened conduit, allowing more regular magma release and changes to degassing regimes. New radiocarbon ages suggest a period of irregular eruptive behaviour extending >1,400 year B.P. Overall, a transition from an irregular to a very steady magmatic system has occurred over the past ∼2 kyr. Previously determined tectonic indicators for caldera resurgence in the area suggest revived magma replenishment after a hiatus following the caldera-forming Siwi eruption. This replenishment, while now supplying today’s constant activity, has not yet manifested itself in variations in composition or style/magnitude of eruptions.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to Douglas Charley and the people who live around Yasur for assistance and hospitality in Vanuatu. Michael Turner, Norman Pearson and David Adams offered invaluable assistance with analytical work at Macquarie University. Data were obtained using instrumentation funded by the DEST Systemic Infrastructure Grants, ARC LIEF, NCRIS, industry partners and Macquarie University. CF was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship. HH acknowledges support from an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, FT120100440, and ST acknowledges support from an Australian Research Council Professorial Fellowship, DP0988658. SJC was supported by the Living with Volcanic Risk programme of the NZ Natural Hazards Research Platform. We thank Nicole Métrich and an anonymous reviewer for their constructive feedback on this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GEMOC, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Chris W. Firth, Heather K. Handley & Simon P. Turner

  2. Volcanic Risk Solutions, IAE, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Shane J. Cronin

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  1. Chris W. Firth
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Correspondence to Chris W. Firth.

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Firth, C.W., Handley, H.K., Cronin, S.J. et al. The eruptive history and chemical stratigraphy of a post-caldera, steady-state volcano: Yasur, Vanuatu. Bull Volcanol 76, 837 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-014-0837-3

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