Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Phase-equilibrium geobarometers for silicic rocks based on rhyolite-MELTS—Part 3: Application to the Peach Spring Tuff (Arizona–California–Nevada, USA)

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

Abstract

Establishing the depths of magma accumulation is critical to understanding how magmas evolve and erupt, but developing methods to constrain these pressures is challenging. We apply the new rhyolite-MELTS phase-equilibria geobarometer—based on the equilibrium between melt, quartz, and two feldspars—to matrix glass compositions from Peach Spring Tuff (Arizona–California–Nevada, USA) high-silica rhyolite. We compare the results to those from amphibole geothermobarometry, projection of glass compositions onto the haplogranitic ternary, and glass SiO2 geobarometry. Quartz + 2 feldspar rhyolite-MELTS pressures span a relatively small range (185–230 MPa), consistent with nearly homogeneous crystal compositions, and are similar to estimates based on projection onto the haplogranitic ternary (250 ± 50 MPa) and on glass SiO2 (255–275 MPa). Amphibole geothermobarometry gives much wider pressure ranges (temperature-independent: ~65–300 MPa; temperature-dependent: ~75–295 MPa; amphibole-only: ~80–950 MPa); average Anderson and Smith (Am Mineral 80:549–559, 1995) + Blundy and Holland (Contrib Miner Petrol 104:208–224, 1990) or Holland and Blundy (Contrib Miner Petrol 116:433–447, 1994—Thermometer A, B) pressures are most similar to phase-equilibria results (~220, 210, 190 MPa, respectively). Crystallization temperatures determined previously with rhyolite-MELTS (742 °C), Zr-in-sphene (769 ± 20 °C), and zircon saturation (770–780 °C) geothermometry are similar, but temperatures from amphibole geothermometry (~450–955 °C) are notably different; the average Anderson and Smith + Holland and Blundy (1994—Thermometer B; ~710 °C) temperature is most consistent with previous estimates. The rhyolite-MELTS geobarometer effectively culls glass compositions affected by alteration or analytical issues; Peach Spring glass compositions that yield pressure estimates reveal a tight range of plausible Na2O and K2O contents, suggesting that low Na2O and high K2O contents of many Peach Spring samples are due to alteration. Use of altered whole-pumice compositions in rhyolite-MELTS simulations is likely the cause of the incorrect crystallization sequence reported previously for Peach Spring compositions. Using the rhyolite-MELTS geobarometer, we estimate a more realistic composition for Peach Spring Tuff high-silica rhyolite, and the calculated composition finds close matches with some analyzed rocks and results in the expected sequence of crystallization.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson JL, Smith DR (1995) The effects of temperature and fO2 on the Al-in-hornblende barometer. Am Mineral 80:549–559

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson JL, Barth AP, Wooden JL, Mazdab F (2008) Thermometers and thermobarometers in granitic systems. Rev Mineral Geochem Miner Incl Volcan Processes 69:121–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bachmann O, Bergantz G (2004) On the origin of crystal-poor rhyolites: extracted from batholitic crystal mushes. J Petrol 45:1565–1582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blundy J, Cashman K (2001) Ascent-driven crystallisation of dacite magmas at Mount St Helens, 1980–1986. Contrib Miner Petrol 140:631–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blundy JD, Holland TJB (1990) Calcic amphibole equilibria and a new amphibole–plagioclase geothermometers. Contrib Miner Petrol 104:208–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boehnke P, Watson EB, Trail D, Harrison TM, Schmitt AK (2013) Zircon saturation re-revisited. Chem Geol 351:324–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colombini LL, Miller CF, Gualda GAR, Wooden JL, Miller JS (2011) Sphene and zircon in the Highland Range volcanic sequence (Miocene, southern Nevada, USA): elemental partitioning, phase relations, and influence on evolution of silicic magma. Mineral Petrol 102:29–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erdmann S, Martel C, Pichavant M, Kushnir A (2014) Amphibole as an archivist of magmatic crystallization conditions: problems, potential, and implications for inferring magma storage prior to the paroxysmal 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi, Indonesia. Contrib Mineral Petrol 167:1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson CA, McIntosh WC, Miller CF (2013) Silver Creek caldera—the tectonically dismembered source of the Peach Spring Tuff. Geology 41:3–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JE, Befus KS, Gualda GAR, Ghiorso MS (2014) Experimental constraints on rhyolite-MELTS and the Bishop Tuff magma body. Contrib Miner Petrol 168:1051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glazner AF, Nielson JE, Howard KA, Miller DM (1986) Correlation of the Peach Springs Tuff, a large-volume Miocene ignimbrite sheet in California and Arizona. Geology 14:840–843

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gualda GAR, Ghiorso MS (2013) Low-pressure origin of high-silica rhyolites and granites. J Geol 121:537–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gualda GAR, Ghiorso MS (2014) Phase-equilibrium geobarometers for silicic rocks based on rhyolite-MELTS. Part 1: Principles, procedures, and evaluation of the method. Contrib Miner Petrol 168:1033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gualda GAR, Vlach SRF (2005) Stoichiometry-based estimates of ferric iron in calcic, sodic-calcic and sodic amphiboles: a comparison of various methods. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 77:521–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gualda GAR, Ghiorso MS, Lemons RV, Carley TL (2012) Rhyolite-MELTS: a modified calibration of MELTS optimized for silica-rich, fluid-bearing magmatic systems. J Petrol 53:875–890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammarstrom JM, Zen E (1986) Aluminum in hornblende: an empirical igneous geobarometer. Am Mineral 71:1297–1313

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayden LA, Watson EB, Wark DA (2008) A thermobarometer for sphene (titanite). Contrib Mineral Petrol 155:529–540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hildreth W, Wilson CJN (2007) Compositional zoning of the Bishop Tuff. J Petrol 48:951–999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland T, Blundy J (1994) Non-ideal interactions in calcic amphiboles and their bearing on amphibole–plagioclase thermometry. Contrib Miner Petrol 116:433–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtz F, Becker A, Freise M, Johannes W (2001) The water-undersaturated and dry Qz–Ab–Or system revisited. Experimental results at very low water activities and geological implications. Contrib Miner Petrol 141:347–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johannes W, Holtz F (1996) Petrogenesis and experimental petrology of granitic rocks. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson MC, Rutherford MJ (1989) Experimental calibration of the aluminum-in-hornblende geobarometer with application to Long Valley caldera (California) volcanic rocks. Geology 17:837–841

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipman PW (1965) Chemical comparison of glassy and crystalline volcanic rocks. USGS Bulletin 1201-D

  • McCracken R, Miller CF, Buesch G, Gualda GAR, Covey A (2012) Glass and mineral analyses from the first deposits of Peach Spring Supereruption (SW USA) illuminate initial tapping of a zoned magma chamber. In: AGU annual fall meeting, 3–7 Dec 2012, San Francisco, CA. Abstract V31C-2803

  • Pamukcu AS, Carley TL, Gualda GAR, Miller CF, Ferguson CA (2013) The evolution of the Peach Spring giant magma body: evidence from accessory mineral textures and compositions, bulk pumice and glass geochemistry, and rhyolite-melts modeling. J Petrol 54:1109–1148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridolfi F, Renzulli A (2012) Calcic amphiboles in calc-alkaline and alkaline magmas: thermobarometric and chemometric empirical equations valid up to 1,130°C and 2.2 GPa. Contrib Miner Petrol 163:877–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridolfi F, Renzulli A, Puerini M (2010) Stability and chemical equilibrium of amphibole in calc-alkaline magmas: an overview, new thermobarometric formulations and application to subduction-related volcanoes. Contrib Miner Petrol 160:45–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson P, Spear FS, Schumacher JC, Laird J, Klein C, Evans BW, Doolan BL (1982) Phase relations of metamorphic amphiboles: natural occurrence and theory. Rev Mineral Amphiboles Petrol Exp Phase Relat 9B:1–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt MW (1992) Amphibole composition in tonalite as a function of pressure: an experimental calibration of the Al-in-hornblende barometer. Contrib Miner Petrol 110:304–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott RB (1971) Alkali exchange during devitrification and hydration of glasses in ignimbrite cooling units. J Geol 79:100–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherrod DR, Nielson JE (eds) (1993) Tertiary stratigraphy of highly extended terranes, California, Arizona, Nevada. US Geological Survey Bulletin, vol 2053

  • Tuttle OF, Bowen NL (1958) Origin of granite in the light of experimental studies in the system, NaAlSi3O8–KAlSi3O8–SiO2–H2O. Geol Soc Am Mem 74:1–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valentine GA, Buesch DC, Fisher RV (1989) Basal layered deposits of the Peach Springs Tuff, northwestern Arizona, USA. Bull Volc 51:395–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson EB, Harrison TM (1983) Zircon saturation revisited: temperature and composition effects in a variety of crustal magma types. Earth Planet Sci Lett 64:295–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young RA, Brennan WJ (1974) Peach Springs Tuff: its bearing on structural evolution of the Colorado Plateau and development of Cenozoic drainage in Mohave County, Arizona. Geol Soc Am Bull 83:83–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zielinski RA, Lipman PW, Millard HT (1977) Minor-element abundances in obsidian, perlite, and felsite of calc-alkalic rhyolites. Am Mineral 52:426–437

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Support for this work was provided by NSF grants (EAR-0948528, EAR-1151337, EAR-1321806) and a Vanderbilt University Discovery Grant to Gualda, NSF grants (EAR-0948734, EAR-132942) to Ghiorso, an NSF grant (EAR-0911726) to Miller and Gualda, and a Vanderbilt University Summer Research Program (VUSRP) grant to McCracken.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

    Ayla S. Pamukcu

  2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA

    Guilherme A. R. Gualda & Calvin F. Miller

  3. OFM Research – West, 7336 24th Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA

    Mark S. Ghiorso

  4. Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011, USA

    Reba G. McCracken

Authors
  1. Ayla S. Pamukcu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Guilherme A. R. Gualda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark S. Ghiorso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Calvin F. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Reba G. McCracken
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ayla S. Pamukcu.

Additional information

Communicated by Gordon Moore.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

410_2015_1122_MOESM1_ESM.xls

Table S 1 Peach Spring high-silica rhyolite glass composition, method of analysis, and highest saturation level achieved with rhyolite-MELTS geobarometry. (XLS 166 kb)

410_2015_1122_MOESM2_ESM.xls

Table S 2 Compositions of Peach Spring amphibole and feldspar crystals analyzed by EMP. Average plagioclase edge compositions were used for amphibole–plagioclase geothermometry. (XLS 217 kb)

410_2015_1122_MOESM3_ESM.pdf

Table S 3 Pressure estimates from rhyolite-MELTS geobarometry upon application of each of the five phase saturation conditions. (PDF 166 kb)

Table S 4 Pressure and temperature estimates from the various amphibole geobarometers for each analysis. (PDF 913 kb)

410_2015_1122_MOESM5_ESM.pdf

Figure S 1 Plots of pressure-, temperature-, and plagioclase-dependent cation substitutions (recalculated using the method of Holland and Blundy (1994); see Figure 1 in main text for plots using amphibole formulas recalculated using the 13eCNK method of Robinson et al. (1982) in amphiboles from Peach Spring high-silica rhyolites. (PDF 237 kb)

410_2015_1122_MOESM6_ESM.pdf

Figure S 2 Backscattered electron images, elemental maps, and cathodoluminescence images of Peach Spring amphibole, feldspar, and quartz crystals. (PDF 3016 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pamukcu, A.S., Gualda, G.A.R., Ghiorso, M.S. et al. Phase-equilibrium geobarometers for silicic rocks based on rhyolite-MELTS—Part 3: Application to the Peach Spring Tuff (Arizona–California–Nevada, USA). Contrib Mineral Petrol 169, 33 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-015-1122-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-015-1122-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation