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Internal structure and occurrence of accretionary lapilli — a case study at Laacher See Volcano

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Abstract

Accretionary lapilli are common in fine-grained pyroclastic flow and surge deposits and related co-ignimbrite/co-surge ash layers of Laacher See volcano. Two morphologically different types are distin-guished: (1) Rim-type lapilli are composed of a coarse-grained core surrounded by a fine-grained rim. Rims are internally graded or made up of several layers of alternating fine and very-fine grained ash. (2) Core-type lapilli lack fine-grained rims. Field relationships, internal, and grain-size characteristics are specific to accretionary lapilli from different types of tephra deposits. Accretionary lapilli may therefore be a helpful tool to infer the origin of tephra of different origin. In co-ignimbrite ashfall, accretionary lapilli are generally concentrated at the base, whereas pyroclastic flow and surge deposits contain lapilli in the upper parts of individual, thin-bedded layers. Rim-type lapilli are found in pyroclastic flow and surge deposits up to 4 km from the source. Core-type lapilli occur at greater distances or are associated with vesiculated tuffs where they are within 1 km from the vent. Accretionary lapilli from co-ignimbrite/co-surge ash show open framework textures and edge-to-face contacts of individual ash particles. Vesicularity is generally low but the overall porosity of 40% to 50% results in an average density of 1200 kg/m3. Accretionary lapilli in pyroclastic flow and surge deposits are more densely packed and platy particles are often in face-to-face contacts. Vesicularity of those from pyroclastic flow deposits is significantly higher; the overall porosity is about 30% to 40% and the average density 1600 kg/m3. Grain-size analyses show that the accretionary lapilli in co-ignimbrite/co-surge ashfall deposits are the most fine-grained with a median (Md) of 20 to 30 μm and a maximum grain size of 250 to 350 μm. Accretionary lapilli from pyroclastic flow deposits have intermediate Md-values of 30 to 50 μm and a maximum grain size of 350 to 500 μm. Those of surge deposits are the coarsest grained with Md-values of 30 to >63 μm and a maximum grain size up to 2 mm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mineralogisch-petrographisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Albertstrasse 23B, W-7800, Freiburg i. Br., Federal Republic of Germany

    Rolf Schumacher

  2. GEOMAR, Wischhofstrasse 1-3, W-2300, Kiel 14, Federal Republic of Germany

    Hans-Ulrich Schmincke

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  1. Rolf Schumacher
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  2. Hans-Ulrich Schmincke
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Schumacher, R., Schmincke, HU. Internal structure and occurrence of accretionary lapilli — a case study at Laacher See Volcano. Bull Volcanol 53, 612–634 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00493689

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