ISSN:
1432-0819
Keywords:
Key words Fe
;
Ti oxides
;
Tephrostratigraphy
;
Geochemistry
;
Geothermometry
;
Taupo volcanic zone
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
Notes:
Abstract Grain-specific analyses of Fe–Ti oxides and estimates of eruption temperature (T) and oxygen fugacity (fO2) have been used to fingerprint rhyolitic fall and flow deposits that are important for tephrostratigraphic studies in and around the Taupo volcanic zone of North Island, New Zealand. The analysed Fe–Ti oxides commonly occur in the rims of orthopyroxene crystals and appear to reflect equilibrium immediately prior to eruption because of geochemical correlation with the co-existing glass phase. The composition of the spinel phase is particularly diagnostic of eruptive centre for post-65 ka events and can be used to distinguish many tephra beds from the same volcano. The 29 different units examined were erupted over a wide range in T (690–990°C) and Δ log fO2 (–0.1 to 2.0). These parameters are closely related to the mafic mineral assemblage, with hydrous mineral-bearing units displaying higher fO2. Such trends are superimposed on larger differences in fO2 that are related to eruptive centre. At any given temperature, all post-65 ka Okataina centre tephra have higher fO2 values than post-65 ka Taupo centre tephra. This provides a useful criterion for identifying the volcanic source. There are no temporal T and fO2 trends in the tephra record; over intervals 〉20 ka, however, tephra sequences from Taupo centre form characteristic T-fO2 buffer trends mirroring the glass chemistry. Individual eruptive events display uniform spinel and rhombohedral phase compositions and thus narrow ranges in T (± 〈20°C) and log fO2 (± 〈0.5), allowing these features to identify individual magma batches. These criteria can help distinguish tephra deposits of similar bulk or glass composition that originated from the same volcano. Distal fall deposits record the same T-fO2 conditions as the proximal ignimbrite and enable distal–proximal correlation. Lateral and vertical compositional and T-fO2 variability displayed in large volume (〉100 km3) ignimbrites, such as the Oruanui, Rotoiti and Ongatiti, is similar to that found in a single pumice clast and thus mainly reflects analytical error; however, thermal gradients of ca. 50°C may occur in some units.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004450050229
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