Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental simulation of magma–carbonate interaction beneath Mt. Vesuvius, Italy

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We simulated the process of magma–carbonate interaction beneath Mt. Vesuvius in short duration piston-cylinder experiments under controlled magmatic conditions (from 0 to 300 s at 0.5 GPa and 1,200 °C), using a Vesuvius shoshonite composition and upper crustal limestone and dolostone as starting materials. Backscattered electron images and chemical analysis (major and trace elements and Sr isotopes) of sequential experimental products allow us to identify the textural and chemical evolution of carbonated products during the assimilation process. We demonstrate that melt–carbonate interaction can be extremely fast (minutes), and results in dynamic contamination of the host melt with respect to Ca, Mg and 87Sr/86Sr, coupled with intense CO2 vesiculation at the melt–carbonate interface. Binary mixing between carbonate and uncontaminated melt cannot explain the geochemical variations of the experimental charges in full and convection and diffusion likely also operated in the charges. Physical mixing and mingling driven by exsolving volatiles seems to be a key process to promote melt homogenisation. Our results reinforce hypotheses that magma–carbonate interaction is a relevant and ongoing process at Mt. Vesuvius and one that may operate not only on a geological, but on a human timescale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Auger E, Gasparini P, Virieux J, Zollo A (2001) Seismic evidence of an extended magmatic sill under Mt. Vesuvius. Science 294:1510–1512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayuso RA, De Vivo B, Rolandi G, Seal RR II, Paone A (1998) Geochemical and isotopic (Nd–Pb–Sr–O) variations bearing on the genesis of volcanic rocks from Vesuvius, Italy. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 82:53–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker DR (1991) Interdiffusion of hydrous dacitic and rhyolitic melts and the efficacy of rhyolite contamination of dacitic enclaves. Contrib Mineral Petrol 106:462–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker DR, Freda C, Brooker RA, Scarlato P (2005) Volatile diffusion in silicate melts and its effects on melt inclusions. Ann Geophys 28:699–717

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Bizouard H, Clocchiatti R, Metrich N, Santacroce R, Sbrana A (1981) The Somma-Vesuvius magma chamber: a petrological and vulcanological approach. Bull Volcanol 44:295–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behrens H, Misiti V, Freda C, Vetere F, Botcharnikov RE, Scarlato P (2009) Solubility of H2O and CO2 in ultrapotassic melts at 1200 and 1250°C and pressure from 50 to 500 MPa. Am Mineral 94:105–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berrino G, Corrado G, Riccardi U (1998) Sea gravity on the Gulf of Naples: a contribution to delineating the structural pattern of the Vesuvian área. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 82:139–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blank JG, Brooker RA (1994) Experimental studies of carbon dioxide in silicate melts: solubility, speciation, and stable carbon isotope behaviour. In: Carroll MR, Holloway JR (ed) Volatiles in magmas. Rev Mineral 20:157–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Blythe L, Misiti V, Masotta M, Taddeucci J, Freda C, Troll VR, Deegan FM, Jolis EM (2012) Viscosity controlled magma-carbonate interaction: a comparison of Mt. Vesuvius (Italy) and Mt. Merapi (Indonesia). Geophys Res Abstracts 14, EGU2012-4779-1

  • Botcharnikov R, Freise M, Holtz F, Behrens H (2005) Solubility of C–O–H mixtures in natural melts: new experimental data and implication range of recent models. Ann Geophys 48:633–646

    Google Scholar 

  • Brocchini D, Principe C, Castradori D, Laurenzi MA, Gorla L (2001) Quaternary evolution of the southern sector of the Campanian Plain and early Somma-Vesuvius activity: insights from the Trecase 1 well. Mineral Petrol 73:67–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick JP, Troll VR, Ginibre C, Morgan D, Gertisser R, Waight TE, Davidson JP (2007) Carbonate assimilation at Merapi volcano, Java, Indonesia: insights from crystal isotope stratigraphy. J Petrol 48:1793–1812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlier BLA, Ginibre C, Morgan D, Nowell GM, Pearson DG, Davidson JP, Ottley CJ (2006) Methods for microsampling and high-precision analysis of strontium and rubidium at single crystal scale for petrological and geochronological applications. Chem Geol 232:114–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Civetta L, Galati R, Santacroce R (1991) Magma mixing and convective compositional layering within the Vesuvius magma chamber. Bull Volcanol 53:287–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Civetta L, D’Antonio M, De Lorenzo S, Di Renzo V, Gasparini P (2004) Thermal and geochemical constraints on the ‘deep’ magmatic structure of Mt. Vesuvius. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 133:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Antonio M, Civetta L, Orsi G, Pappalardo L, Piochi M, Carandente A, De Vita S, Di Vito MA, Isaia R, Southon J (1999) The present state of the magmatic system of the Campi Flegrei caldera based on the reconstruction of its behaviour in the past 12 ka. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 91:247–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dallai L, Freda C, Gaeta M (2004) Oxygen isotope geochemistry of pyroclastic clinopyroxene monitors carbonate contributions to Roman-type ultrapotassic magmas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 148:247–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dallai L, Cioni R, Boschi C, D’Oriano C (2011) Carbonate-derived CO2 purging magma at depth: influence on the eruptive activity of Somma-Vesuvius, Italy. Earth Planet Sci Lett 310:84–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Campos CP, Dingwell DB, Perugini D, Civetta L, Fehr TK (2008) Heterogeneities in Magma Chambers: insights from the behavior of major and minor elements during mixing experiments with natural alkaline melts. Chem Geol 256:130–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deegan FM, Troll VR, Freda C, Misiti V, Chadwick JP, McLeod CL, Davidson JP (2010) Magma-carbonate interaction processes and associated CO2 release at Merapi volcano, Indonesia: insights from experimental petrology. J Petrol 51:1027–1051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deegan FM, Troll VR, Freda C, Misiti V, Chadwick JP (2011) Fast and furious: crustal CO2 release at Merapi volcano, Indonesia. Geol Today 27:57–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Moro A, Fulignati P, Marianelli P, Sbrana A (2001) Magma contamination by direct wall rock interaction: constraints from xenoliths from the wall of carbonate-hosted magma chamber (Vesuvius 1944 eruption). J Volc Geotherm Res 112:15–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Pezzo E, Bianco F, De Siena L, Zollo A (2006) Small scale shallow attenuation structure at Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. Phys Earth Planet Inter 157:257–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Matteo V, Mangiacapra A, Dingwell DB, Orsi G (2006) Water solubility and speciation in shoshonitic and latitic composition from Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy). Chem Geol 229:113–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Renzo V, Di Vito MA, Arienzo I, Carandente A, Civetta L, D’Antonio M, Giordano F, Orsi G, Tonarini S (2007) Magmatic History of Somma-Vesuvius on the basis of new geochemical and isotopic data from a deep borehole (Camaldoli della Torre). J Petrol 48:753–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dingwell DB (1996) Volcanic dilemma: flow or blow? Science 273:1054–1055

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon JE (1997) Degassing of alkali basalts. Am Mineral 82:368–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Font L, Davidson JP, Pearson DG, Nowell GM, Jerram DA, Ottley CJ (2008) Sr and Pb isotope micro-analysis of plagioclase crystals from Skye lavas: an insight into open-system processes in a flood basalt province. J Petrol 49:1449–1471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freda C, Gaeta M, Palladino DM, Trigila R (1997) The Villa Senni Eruption (Alban Hills, central Italy): the role of H2O and CO2 on the magma chamber evolution and on the eruptive scenario. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 78:103–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freda C, Baker D, Ottolini L (2001) Reduction of water loss from gold-palladium capsules during piston cylinder experiments by use of pyrophyllite powder. Am Mineral 86:234–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Freda C, Gaeta M, Misiti V, Mollo S, Dolfi D, Scarlato P (2008) Magma-carbonate interaction: an experimental study on ultrapotassic rocks from Alban Hills (Central Italy). Lithos 101:397–415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freda C, Gaeta M, Giaccio B, Marra F, Palladino DM, Scarlato P, Sottili G (2011) CO2-driven large mafic explosive eruptions: the Pozzolane Rosse case study from the Colli Albani Volcanic District (Italy). Bull Volcanol 73:241–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fulignati P, Gioncada A, Sbrana A (1995) The magma chamber related hydrothermal system of Vesuvius, first mineralogical and fluid inclusion data on hydrothermalized subvolcanic and lavic samples from phreatomagmatic eruptions. Per Mineral 64:185–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulignati P, Marianelli P, Sbrana A (1998) New insights on the thermometamorphic-metasomatic magma chamber shell of the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius. Acta Vulcanol 10:47–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulignati P, Marianelli P, Santacroce R, Sbrana A (2004) Probing the Vesuvius magma chamber-host rock interface through xenoliths. Geol Mag 141:417–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fulignati P, Panichi C, Sbrana A, Caliro S, Gioncada A, Del Moro A (2005) Skarn formation at the walls of the 79AD magma chamber of Vesuvius (Italy): minerological and isotopic constraints. N Jb Miner Abh 181:53–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaeta M, Di Rocco T, Freda C (2009) Carbonate assimilation in open magmatic systems: the role of melt-bearing skarns and cumulate forming processes. J Petrol 50:361–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghiorso MS, Hirschmann MM, Sack RO (1994) New software models-thermodynamics of magmatic systems. EOS Trans Am Geophys Union 75:574–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilg HA, Lima A, Somma R, Belkin HE, De Vivo B, Ayuso RA (2001) Isotope geochemistry and fluid inclusions study of skarns from Vesuvius. Mineral Petrol 73:145–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goff F, Love SP, Warren RG, Counce D, Obenholzner J, Siebe C, Schmidt SC (2001) Passive infrared remote sensing evidence for large, intermittent CO2 emissions at Popcatépetl volcano, Mexico. Chem Geol 177:133–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holloway JR (1976) Fluids in the evolution of granitic magmas: consequences of finite CO2 solubility. Geol Soc Am Bull 87:1513–1518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holloway JR, Blank JG (1994) Application of experimental results to C–O–H species in natural melts. In: Carroll MR, Holloway JR (eds) Volatiles in magmas. Rev Mineral 30:187–230

  • Iacono-Marziano G, Gaillard F, Pichavant M (2008) Limestone assimilation by basaltic magmas: an experimental re-assessment and application to Italian volcanoes. Contrib Mineral Petrol 155:719–738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iacono-Marziano G, Gaillard F, Scaillet B, Pichavant M, Chiodini G (2009) Role of non-mantle CO2 in the dynamics of volcano degassing: the Mount Vesuvius example. Geology 37:319–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iannace A, Capuano M, Galluccio L (2011) Dolomites and dolomites’’ in Mesozoic platform carbonates of the Southern Apennines: geometric distribution, petrography and geochemistry. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 310:324–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iezzi G, Mollo S, Ventura G, Cavallo A, Romano C (2008) Experimental solidification of anhydrous latitic and trachytic melts at different cooling rates: the role of nucleation kinetics. Chem Geol 253:91–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesher CE, Hervig RL, Tinker D (1996) Self diffusion of network formers (silicon and oxygen) in naturally occurring basaltic liquid. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:405–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesne P, Scaillet B, Pichavant M, Beny J-M (2010) The carbon dioxide solubility in alkali basalts: an experimental study. Contrib Mineral Petrol 162:133–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y, Richter FM, Davis AM, Watson EB (1996) Diffusion in silicate melts I. Self diffusion in CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 at 1500°C and 1 Gpa. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:4353–4367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metz P, Milke R (2012) Mechanism and kinetics of forsterite formation in metamorphic siliceous dolomites: finding form a rock-sample experiment. Eur J Mineral 24:59–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mollo S, Gaeta M, Freda C, Di Rocco T, Misiti V, Scarlato P (2010) Carbonate assimilation in magmas: a reappraisal based on experimental petrology. Lithos 114:503–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mollo S, Heap MJ, Iezzi G, Hess K-U, Scarlato P, Dingwell D (2012) Volcanic edifice weakening via decarbonation: a self-limiting processes? Geophys Res Lett 39:L15307. doi:10.1029/2012GL052613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore G (2008) Interpreting H2O and CO2 contents in melt inclusions: constraints from solubility experiments and modeling. Rev Mineral Geochem 69:333–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orsi G, De Vita S, Di Vito M (1996) The restless, resurgent Campi Flegrei nested caldera(Italy): constraints on its evolution and configuration. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 74:179–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paone A (2006) The geochemical evolution of the Mt. Somma-Vesuvius volcano. Mineral Petrol 87:53–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papale P, Moretti R, Barbato D (2006) The compositional dependence of the saturation surface of H2O + CO2 fluids in silicate melts. Chem Geol 229:78–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peccerillo A (1999) Multiple metasomatism in central-southern Italy: geochemical effects, timing and geodynamic implications. Geology 27:315–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peccerillo A (2005) Plio-quaternary volcanism in Italy. Petrology, geochemistry, geodynamics. Springer, Berlin, pp 133–135

  • Perugini D, Petrelli M, Poli G (2006) Diffusive fractionation of trace elements by chaotic mixing of magmas. Earth Planet Sci Lett 243:669–680

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perugini D, De Campos CP, Dingwell DB, Petrelli M, Poli G (2008) Trace element mobility during magma mixing: preliminary experimental results. Chem Geol 256:146–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piochi M, Ayuso RA, De Vivo B, Somma R (2006) Crustal contamination and crystal entrapment during polybaric magma evolution at Mt. Somma-Vesuvius volcano, Italy: geochemical and Sr isotope evidence. Lithos 86:303–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rittmann A (1933) Evolution and differentiation des Somma-Vesuvius-magmas. Zs. Vulkanologie 15:8–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolandi G, Munno R, Postiglione I (2004) The A.D. 472 eruption of the Somma volcano. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 129:291–319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaaf P, Stimac J, Siebe C, Macias JL (2005) Geochemical evidence for mantle origin and crustal processes in volcanic rocks from Popocatépetl and surrounding monogenetic volcanoes, Central Mexico. J Petrol 46:1243–1282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Somma R, Ayuso RA, De Vivo B, Rolandi G (2001) Major, trace element and isotope geochemistry (Sr-Nd-Pb) of interplinian magmas from Mt. Somma-Vesuvius (Southern Italy). Mineral Petrol 73:121–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thirlwall MF (1991) Long-term reproducibility of multicollector Sr an Nd isotope ratio analysis. Chem Geol 94:85–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troll VR, Hilton DR, Jolis EM, Chadwick JP, Blythe LS, Deegan FM, Schwarzkopf LM, Zimmer M (2012a) Crustal CO2 liberation during the 2006 eruption and earthquake events at Merapi volcano, Indonesia. Geophys Res Lett 39:L11302. doi:10.1029/2012GL051307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troll VR, Deegan FM, Jolis EM, Harris C, Chadwick JP, Gertisser R, Schwarzkopf LM, Borisova AY, Bindeman IN, Sumarti S, Preece K (2012b) Magmatic differentiation processes at Merapi Volcano: inclusions petrology and oxygen isotopes. J Volcanol Res (in press). doi:10.16/j.jvolgeores.2012.11001

  • Turi B, Taylor HP Jr (1976) Oxygen isotope studies of potassic volcanic rocks of the Roman Province, Central Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 55:1–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vetere F, Botcharnikov RE, Holtz F, Behrens H, De Rosa R (2011) Solubility of H2O and CO2 in shoshonitic melts at 1250°C and pressures from 50 to 400 MPa: implications from Campi Flegrei magmatic systems. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 202:251–261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson BE (1982) Basalt contamination by continental crust: some experiments and models. Contrib Mineral Petrol 80:73–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson EB, Jurewicz SR (1984) Behavior of alkalies diffusive of granitic xenoliths with basaltic magma. J Geol 92:121–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson BE, Sneeringer MA, Ross A (1982) Diffusion of dissolved carbonate in magmas: experimental results and applications. Earth Planet Sci Lett 61:356–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Werner C, Brantley S (2003) CO2 emissions from the Yellowstone volcanic system. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 4(7):1061. doi:10.1029/2002GC000473

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y (1993) A modified effective binary diffusion model. J Geophys Res 98:11901–11920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y (2010) Diffusion in minerals and melts: theoretical background. In Zhang Y, Cherniak DJ (eds) Rev Mineral Geochem 72:5–59

  • Zhang Y, Stolper EM (1991) Water diffusion in a basaltic melt. Nature 351:306–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zollo A, Gasparini P, Virieux J, Le Meur H, De Natale G, Biella G, Boschi E, Capuano P, De Franco R, Dell’Aversana P, De Matteis R, Guerra I, Iannaccone G, Mirabile L, Vilardo G (1996) Seismic evidence for a low-velocity zone in the upper crust beneath Mount Vesuvius. Science 274:592–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zollo A, Gasparini P, Virieux J, Biella G, Boschi E, Capuano P, De Franco R, Dell’Aversana P, De Matteis R, De Natale G, Iannaccone G, Guerra I, Le Meur H, Mirabile L (1998) An image of Mt. Vesuvius obtained by 2D seismic tomography. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 82:161–173

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zollo A, Marzocchi W, Capuano P, Lomax A, Iannaccone G (2002) Space and time behavior of seismic activity at Mt. Vesuvius volcano, Southern Italy. Bull Seismol Soc Am 92:625–640

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to L. Civetta for providing the starting materials. V. Misiti and A. Cavallo kindly helped during the experimental and EMPA work at INGV and G. Nowell kindly supported the micro-drilling and strontium isotope analysis at Durham University. Discussion with S. Mollo, G. Orsi, C. Siebe, L. Dallai, and T. Walter is much appreciated. We thank D. Baker and two anonymous referees for constructive reviews. We also thank the Swedish Science Foundation (VR), the Centre for Natural Disaster Science (CNDS), Uppsala University (UU), the Royal Swedish Academy of Science (KVA), the Irish Research Council for Science (IRCSET), and the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) for generous financial support of our work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, CEMPEG, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden

    E. M. Jolis, V. R. Troll, F. M. Deegan & L. S. Blythe

  2. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143, Rome, Italy

    C. Freda & V. R. Troll

  3. Department of Geosciences, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden

    F. M. Deegan

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Science Labs, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    C. L. McLeod & J. P. Davidson

  5. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004, USA

    C. L. McLeod

Authors
  1. E. M. Jolis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Freda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. R. Troll
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. M. Deegan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L. S. Blythe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. C. L. McLeod
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. J. P. Davidson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. M. Jolis.

Additional information

Communicated by G. Moore.

Electronic supplementary material

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jolis, E.M., Freda, C., Troll, V.R. et al. Experimental simulation of magma–carbonate interaction beneath Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 166, 1335–1353 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-013-0931-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-013-0931-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation