Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models

Abstract Scoria cones are the most abundant type of volcano in the Solar System. They occur in every tectonic setting and often overlap with human populations, yet our ability to provide complete geochronology within volcanic fields remains limited. Appropriate geochronology underpins the reconstruc...

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Main Authors: Gabor Kereszturi, Pablo Grosse, Melody Whitehead, Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud, Drew T. Downs, Rina Noguchi, Matthieu Kervyn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Communications Earth & Environment
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02425-8
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author Gabor Kereszturi
Pablo Grosse
Melody Whitehead
Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud
Drew T. Downs
Rina Noguchi
Matthieu Kervyn
author_facet Gabor Kereszturi
Pablo Grosse
Melody Whitehead
Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud
Drew T. Downs
Rina Noguchi
Matthieu Kervyn
author_sort Gabor Kereszturi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Scoria cones are the most abundant type of volcano in the Solar System. They occur in every tectonic setting and often overlap with human populations, yet our ability to provide complete geochronology within volcanic fields remains limited. Appropriate geochronology underpins the reconstruction of size-frequency distribution and is a key input for robust volcanic hazard assessment. Morphometric data have long been used to estimate relative ages of scoria cones; however, they have only shown promise at single volcanic fields and simple cones with homogenous pyroclastics. Here, we present a new global inventory of dated scoria cones (n = 572) from 71 volcanic fields formed under diverse magmatic, tectonic and climatic regimes, and build data-driven age models for dating scoria cones using easily accessible morphometric, reflectance and climatic variables. Our models suggest chemical composition of ascending magma may influence the initial scoria cone morphology which is then gradually modified by erosion over time.
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series Communications Earth & Environment
spelling doaj-art-80fafa8277314b3dbb3be6b71101aab42025-08-20T02:30:59ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-06-016111110.1038/s43247-025-02425-8Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate modelsGabor Kereszturi0Pablo Grosse1Melody Whitehead2Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud3Drew T. Downs4Rina Noguchi5Matthieu Kervyn6Volcanic Risk Solutions, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey UniversityConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)Volcanic Risk Solutions, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey UniversityDepartamento de Vulcanología, Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoU.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano ObservatoryFaculty of Science, Niigata University, Nishi-kuDepartment of Geography, Vrije Universiteit BrusselAbstract Scoria cones are the most abundant type of volcano in the Solar System. They occur in every tectonic setting and often overlap with human populations, yet our ability to provide complete geochronology within volcanic fields remains limited. Appropriate geochronology underpins the reconstruction of size-frequency distribution and is a key input for robust volcanic hazard assessment. Morphometric data have long been used to estimate relative ages of scoria cones; however, they have only shown promise at single volcanic fields and simple cones with homogenous pyroclastics. Here, we present a new global inventory of dated scoria cones (n = 572) from 71 volcanic fields formed under diverse magmatic, tectonic and climatic regimes, and build data-driven age models for dating scoria cones using easily accessible morphometric, reflectance and climatic variables. Our models suggest chemical composition of ascending magma may influence the initial scoria cone morphology which is then gradually modified by erosion over time.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02425-8
spellingShingle Gabor Kereszturi
Pablo Grosse
Melody Whitehead
Marie-Noëlle Guilbaud
Drew T. Downs
Rina Noguchi
Matthieu Kervyn
Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
Communications Earth & Environment
title Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
title_full Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
title_fullStr Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
title_short Understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
title_sort understanding the evolution of scoria cone morphology using multivariate models
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02425-8
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