The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits

Abstract Acid‐sulphate alteration commonly changes the physicochemical properties of volcanic conduits. Although several conduit pressurization models suggest hydrothermal sealing, little experimental evidence exists from conduit‐filling rocks on the development of such a seal. Here we show that aci...

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Main Authors: Shreya Kanakiya, Ludmila Adam, Michael C. Rowe, Jan M. Lindsay, Lionel Esteban
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-10-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095175
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author Shreya Kanakiya
Ludmila Adam
Michael C. Rowe
Jan M. Lindsay
Lionel Esteban
author_facet Shreya Kanakiya
Ludmila Adam
Michael C. Rowe
Jan M. Lindsay
Lionel Esteban
author_sort Shreya Kanakiya
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Acid‐sulphate alteration commonly changes the physicochemical properties of volcanic conduits. Although several conduit pressurization models suggest hydrothermal sealing, little experimental evidence exists from conduit‐filling rocks on the development of such a seal. Here we show that acid‐sulphate alteration affects conduit‐filling lavas and tuffs differently, with implications for their role in sealing the conduit. In lavas, alteration creates fluid pathways and decreases rock stiffness by dissolving primary minerals. In contrast, in the inherently porous tuffs, alteration reduces fluid pathways and increases rock stiffness by precipitating secondary minerals. Compaction of tuffs under subsurface pressures together with such alteration‐related sealing can form low porosity and low permeability zones within the conduit. Such zones could promote fluid‐pressure build‐up and predispose the volcano to explosive eruptions. We discuss our results in the context of observed seismicity and ground deformation and suggest using our elastic properties data to constrain geophysical inversions of acid‐sulphate altered volcanic conduits.
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-0b957fb7c30a4bbcb05976ad0a5f4f972025-08-20T03:30:53ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072021-10-014820n/an/a10.1029/2021GL095175The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic ConduitsShreya Kanakiya0Ludmila Adam1Michael C. Rowe2Jan M. Lindsay3Lionel Esteban4University of Auckland School of Environment Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland School of Environment Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland School of Environment Auckland New ZealandUniversity of Auckland School of Environment Auckland New ZealandCSIRO‐Energy Perth WA AustraliaAbstract Acid‐sulphate alteration commonly changes the physicochemical properties of volcanic conduits. Although several conduit pressurization models suggest hydrothermal sealing, little experimental evidence exists from conduit‐filling rocks on the development of such a seal. Here we show that acid‐sulphate alteration affects conduit‐filling lavas and tuffs differently, with implications for their role in sealing the conduit. In lavas, alteration creates fluid pathways and decreases rock stiffness by dissolving primary minerals. In contrast, in the inherently porous tuffs, alteration reduces fluid pathways and increases rock stiffness by precipitating secondary minerals. Compaction of tuffs under subsurface pressures together with such alteration‐related sealing can form low porosity and low permeability zones within the conduit. Such zones could promote fluid‐pressure build‐up and predispose the volcano to explosive eruptions. We discuss our results in the context of observed seismicity and ground deformation and suggest using our elastic properties data to constrain geophysical inversions of acid‐sulphate altered volcanic conduits.https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095175hydrothermal alterationdissolution and secondary mineral precipitationpetrophysical propertieselastic propertiesvolcanic conduitsWhakaari (White Island)
spellingShingle Shreya Kanakiya
Ludmila Adam
Michael C. Rowe
Jan M. Lindsay
Lionel Esteban
The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits
Geophysical Research Letters
hydrothermal alteration
dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation
petrophysical properties
elastic properties
volcanic conduits
Whakaari (White Island)
title The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits
title_full The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits
title_fullStr The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits
title_short The Role of Tuffs in Sealing Volcanic Conduits
title_sort role of tuffs in sealing volcanic conduits
topic hydrothermal alteration
dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation
petrophysical properties
elastic properties
volcanic conduits
Whakaari (White Island)
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095175
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