Abstract
The Latera caldera is a well-exposed volcano where more than 8 km3 of mafic silica-undersaturated potassic lavas, scoria and felsic ignimbrites were emplaced between 380 and 150 ka. Isotopic ages obtained by 40Ar/39Ar analysis of single sanidine crystals indicate at least four periods of explosive eruptions from the caldera. The initial period of caldera eruptions began at 232 ka with emplacement of trachytic pumice fallout and ignimbrite. They were closely followed by eruption of evolved phonolitic magma. After roughly 25 ky, several phonolitic ignimbrites were deposited, and they were followed by phreatomagmatic eruptions that produced trachytic ignimbrites and several smaller ash-flow units at 191 ka. Compositionally zoned magma then erupted from the northern caldera rim to produce widespread phonolitic tuffs, tephriphonolitic spatter, and scoria-bearing ignimbrites. After 40 ky of mafic surge deposit and scoria cone development around the caldera rim, a compositionally zoned pumice sequence was emplaced around a vent immediately northwest of the Latera caldera. This activity marks the end of large-scale explosive eruptions from the Latera volcano at 156 ka.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barberi F, Innocenti F, Landi P, Rossi U, Saitta M, Santacroce R, Villa IM (1984) The evolution of Latera Caldera (Central Italy) in the light of subsurface data. Bull Volcanol 47:125–141
Bogaard P van den, Hall CM, Schmincke H-U, York D (1987) 40Ar/39 Ar laser dating of single grains: ages of Quaternary tephra from the East Eifel volcanic field. Geophys Res Lett 14:1211–1214
Cavarretta G, Gianelli G, Scandiffio G, Tecce F (1985) Evolution of the Latera geothermal system; II. Metamorphic hydrothermal mineral assemblages and fluid chemistry. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 26:337–364
Conticelli S, Francalanci L, Manetti P, Peccerillo A, Santo A (1986) Caratteristiche compositizionali dei prodotti dell'apparato di Latera (Monti Vulsini, Lazio Settentrionale) e loro significato vulcanologico. Mem Soc Geol Ital 35:345–357
Ferrara G, Preite-Martinez M, Taylor HP Jr, Tonarini S, Turi B (1986) Evidence for crustal assimilation, mixing of magmas, and a 87Sr-rich upper mantle: an oxygen and strontium isotope study of the M. Vulsini volcanic area, Central Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 92:269–280
Fornaseri M (1985) Geochronology of volcanic rocks form Latium (Italy). Rend Soc Ital Mineral Petrol 40:73–106
Holm PM, Lou S, Nielsen A (1982) The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the lavas of the Vulsinian district, Roman Province, central Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 80:367–378
Landi P, Rosi M (1987) Volcano di Latera, In: II Vulcanismo Esplosivo, Guida all'escursione dei vulcani del Lazio Settentrionale. Meeting of the Soc Ital Mineral Petrol, May 21–22, 1987:36–51
Locardi E, Mittempergher M (1965) Study of an uncommon lava sheet in the Bolsena district. Bull Volcanol 28:75–84
Locardi E, Lombardi G, Funiciello R, Parotto M (1976) The main volcanic groups of Latium, Italy: relations between structural evolution and petrogenesis. Geol Rom 15:279–300
Marini A, Nappi G (1986) Origin and evolution of the Monefiascone caldera (Vulsini Volcanoes). Mem Soc Geol Ital 35:657–665
McDougall I (1985) K-Ar and 40Ar/39 Ar dating of the hominidbearing Pliocene-Pleistocene sequence at Koobi Fora, Lake Turkana, northern Kenya. Geol Soc Am Bull 96:159–175
McIntyre GA, Brooks C, Compston W, Turek A (1966) The statistical assessment of Rb-Sr isochrons. J Geophys Res 71:5459–5469
Metzeltin S, Vezzoli L (1983) Contributi alla geologia del Vulcano di Latera (Monte Vulsini, Toscana Meridionale-Lazio Settentrionale). Mem Soc Geol Ital 25:247–271
Nappi G, Renzulli A, Santi P (1991) Evidence of incremental growth in the Vulsinian calderas (central Italy). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 47:13–31
Parker RJ (1979) A computer-based system of XRF analysis and its application to a geochemical study of Vulsini volcano, central Italy. Unpubl Ph D thesis, University of London, 221 pp
Rogers NW, Hawkesworth CJ, Parker RJ, Marsh JS (1985) The geochemistry of potassic lavas from Vulsini, central Italy and implications for mantle enrichment processes beneath the Roman region. Contrib Mineral Petrol 90:244–257
Sparks RSJ (1975) Stratigraphy and geology of the ignimbrites of Vulsini volcano, Central Italy. Geol Rund 64:497–523
Spell TL, Harrison TM, Wolff JA (1990) 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Bandelier Tuffs and San Diego Canyon Ignimbrites, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico: temporal constraints on magmatic evolution. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 43:175–193
Trigila R, Walker GPL (1986) The Onano spatter flow, Italy: evidence for a new ignimbrite depositional mechanism. Astracts of the IAVCEI General Assembly, New Zealand, 1986:81
Turbeville BN (1990) The evolution of a continental alkaline magmatic system: The Latera caldera, Lazio, Central Italy. Unpubl Ph D dissertation. The University of Texas at Austin: 555 pp
Turbeville BN (1992) Evidence of ash fountaining, spatter flow, and rheomorphism during emplacement of the Pitigliano Tuffs, Latera caldera, Central Italy. J Volcanol Geotherm Res, in press
Varekamp JC (1980) The geology of the Vulsinian area, Lazio, Italy. Bull Volcanol 43:487–503
Varekamp JC (1981) Relations between tectonics and volcanism in the Roman Province, Italy. In: Self S, Sparks RSJ (eds) Tephra studies, Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, June 18–29, 1980. D Reidel Publ Co, Dordrecht, 219–225
Varekamp JC, Kalamarides RI (1989) Hybridization processes in Leucite tephrites from Vulsini, Italy, and the evolution of the Italian potassic suite. J Geophys Res 94:4603–4618
York D (1969) Least squeres fitting of a straight line with correlated errors. Earth Planet Sci Lett 5:320–324
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Turbeville, B.N. 40Ar/39Ar Ages and stratigraphy of the Latera caldera, Italy. Bull Volcanol 55, 110–118 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301124
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301124