Deep and disturbed: conditions for formation and eruption of a mingled rhyolite at Ascension Island, south Atlantic

Katy Jane Chamberlain, Jenni Barclay, Katie Preece, Richard Brown, Iona McIntosh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The generation of felsic melts (through open or closed system processes) within ocean island volcanoes has been a key area of study since their identification. At Ascension Island in the south Atlantic, explosively erupted felsic melts have, to date, demonstrated a marked absence of signs of magma mixing and crustal assimilation. Here we present the first observations of a fall deposit from Ascension Island recording both macro- and micro-scale evidence for magma mingling. Geochemical analyses of mineral and glass phases, coupled with volatile concentrations of melt inclusions highlight the role of lower-crustal partial melting to produce rhyolitic magmas. Glass textures and the lack of zoning in major mineral phases indicate that mingling with a mafic melt occurred shortly prior to eruption. These inferences of a deep rhyolite production zone, coupled with rapid ascent rates highlight the challenges in forecasting a similar style of eruption at Ascension Island in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-153
Number of pages15
JournalVolcanica
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 May 2020

Keywords

  • Ascension Island
  • Crustal melting
  • Magma genesis
  • Magma mingling

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