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Active Volcanoes of Chiapas (Mexico): El Chichón and Tacaná pp 139–154Cite as

Fluid Geochemistry of Tacaná Volcano-Hydrothermal System

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Part of the book series: Active Volcanoes of the World ((AVOLCAN))

Abstract

Tacaná hosts an active volcano-hydrothermal system, characterized by boiling temperature fumaroles, near the summit (3,600–3,800 m asl), and bubbling degassing thermal springs near its base (1,000–2,000 m asl). The magmatic signature of gases rising to the surface is attested by their high CO2 contents (δ13CCO2 = −3.6 ± 1.3 ‰), and relatively high 3He/4He ratios (6.0 ± 0.9 RA), with a CO2/3He ratio typical for the Central American Arc (2.3 × 1010–6.9 × 1011). Such magmatic signature is practically identical for the near-summit fumaroles, and the bubbling gases at the base of Tacaná edifice. Besides the HCO3-enrichment in thermal spring waters, the springs (pH 5.8–6.7) show a SO4-and minor Cl-enrichment: a CO2 and H2S + SO2-rich magmatic steam condenses into a deeper geothermal aquifer, and the resulting hydrothermal fluid mixes with meteoric waters near the surface. The recharge area for the thermal springs is located at higher elevations (>400 m higher than spring outlet elevation), as inferred from the δD-δ18O data for rivers, thermal and cold springs. These general insights of the Tacaná volcano-hydrothermal system serve as the baseline for future volcanic surveillance, and geothermal prospection. The main locus of hydrothermal activity is located inside the Tacaná horseshoe-shaped crater in the northwestern sector of the volcanic edifice. In terms of volcanic hazard, this sector can be considered the most probable site for future phreatic activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Bologna, Via Donato Creti 12, 40128, Bologna, Italy

    Dmitri Rouwet

  2. Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Copilco, Del, Coyoacán, 04510, México DF, Mexico

    Dmitri Rouwet, Yuri Taran & Salvatore Inguaggiato

  3. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146, Palermo, Italy

    Dmitri Rouwet & Salvatore Inguaggiato

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  1. Dmitri Rouwet
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  2. Yuri Taran
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  3. Salvatore Inguaggiato
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Correspondence to Dmitri Rouwet .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany

    Teresa Scolamacchia

  2. Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM- Campus Morelia, Morelia, Mexico

    José Luis Macías

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Rouwet, D., Taran, Y., Inguaggiato, S. (2015). Fluid Geochemistry of Tacaná Volcano-Hydrothermal System. In: Scolamacchia, T., Macías, J. (eds) Active Volcanoes of Chiapas (Mexico): El Chichón and Tacaná. Active Volcanoes of the World. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25890-9_7

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