New insights into eruption source parameters of the 1600 CE Huaynaputina Plinian eruption, Peru

Abstract

In the Central Andes, large Plinian eruptions (Volcanic Explosivity Index ≥ 5) occur at a relatively high frequency, i.e. average one every 2000 to 4000 years over the past 50,000 years in Peru. Such recurring explosive activity represents a significant challenge for regions typically hosting several million people (e.g. Southern Peru, Western Bolivia and Northern Chile). With VEI 6, the 1600 CE Huaynaputina eruption is considered the largest historical eruption in South America. We have re-examined the first Plinian phase of this eruption in order to better assess critical eruption source parameters (i.e. erupted volume, plume height, mass eruption rate, eruption duration).The revised bulk volume of the tephra-fall deposit associated with the Plinian phase is approximately 13-14 km 3 , almost twice the previous estimate (7-8 km 3 within the 1 cm isopach) based on methods including power law, Weibull function and Bayesian linear regression. Tephra was dispersed by strong winds to the WNW as far as 400 km on Peruvian territory and then in the Pacific Ocean. Seven villages were buried, killing~1500 people. The revised plume height estimate, 32.2 ± 2.5 km, is consistent with the early estimations. As a result, the Huaynaputina 1600 CE first eruption phase lies in the upper part of the Plinian field close to the ultra-Plinian transition, making this event one of the largest in the past millennium which coincides with results from recent studies on palaeoclimatic impacts.

Global Temperature Responses to Large Tropical Volcanic Eruptions in Paleo Data Assimilation Products and Climate Model Simulations Over the Last Millennium

“…Additionally, further analyses of the Huaynaputina event in 1600 CE are required, which has recently been upgraded to a stronger eruption than previously estimated (Prival et al, 2019). Consistent with the findings of Prival et al (2019), the Huaynaputina eruption induced the largest global cooling anomaly over the Last Millennium in both PHYDA (−0.63°C) and LMR (−0.44°C).…”

“…Based on our results, and consistent with suggestions by Schneider et al (2017), it is likely that the magnitude estimates for the 1453 and 1458 events might have been shifted in eVolv2k_v2, namely the event in 1453 or 1452 was larger than 1458, despite the opposite estimate in eVolv2k_v2. Additionally, further analyses of the Huaynaputina event in 1600 CE are required, which has recently been upgraded to a stronger eruption than previously estimated (Prival et al, 2019). Consistent with the findings of Prival et al (2019), the Huaynaputina eruption induced the largest global cooling anomaly over the Last Millennium in both PHYDA (−0.63°C) and LMR (−0.44°C).…”

Volcano monitoring in Latin America: taking a step forward

“…example is the explosive eruption of Huaynaputina volcano in 1600 CE, in southern Peru. This is considered the largest historic eruption in South America, with a total of 13-14 km 3 of tephra covering vast areas of southern and west-central Peru, western Bolivia, and northern Chile [Prival et al 2020].…”

Monitoring of active volcanoes in Peru by the Instituto Geofísico del Perú

“…In southern Peru, as result of an extensive work [e.g., de Silva and Francis 1991;Fidel Smoll et al 1997;Thouret et al 2001;Mariño Salazar 2002;Thouret et al 2002;Mariño Salazar and Thouret 2003;Gerbe and Thouret 2004;Thouret et al 2005;Rivera et al 2010;Harpel et al 2011;Siebert et al 2011;Rivera et al 2014;Aguilar 2015;Samaniego et al 2015;Macedo Sánchez et al 2016;Samaniego et al 2016;Bromley et al 2019;Manrique et al 2020;Prival et al 2020;Rivera Porras et al 2020;, 16 volcanic centres have been listed as active (at least with an eruption in historical times "550 yr) and potentially active (with activity in the Holocene), as shown in Figure 1. Significant explosive eruptions have occurred in this arc segment during the late Holocene, including the last Plinian eruptions of Misti volcano (~2030 years BP) [Thouret et al 2001;Harpel et al 2011;Cobeñas et al 2012], Ubinas (~1000 years BP) [Thouret et al 2005], and Huaynaputina (1600 CE) [Thouret et al 2002], as well as the explosive eruption and collapse of the NE flank of Tutupaca (1787-1802 CE) [Samaniego et al 2015].…”

“…During the next 17 days a succession of explosions and emissions of volcanic products occurred causing total devastation in an area of 5400 km 2 . The total bulk volume of the tephra-fall was estimated as 13-14 km 3 [Thouret et al 1999;Prival et al 2020]. This eruption resulted in the deaths of more than 1500 people, the destruction of more than 16 villages, and had devastating effects throughout southern Peru [Thouret et al 1999].…”