Submarine eruption near Socorro Island, Mexico: Geochemistry and scanning electron microscopy studies of floating scoria and reticulite

Siebe, Claus; Komorowski, Jean‐Christophe; Navarro, Carlos; McHone, J. F.; Delgado, Hugo; Cortés, Abel

doi:10.1016/0377-0273(95)00029-1

Cited by 61 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…While no one has observed an eruption from the main volcanic edifice on Socorro, hydrothermal activity at the summit caldera, including steam vents, mud pools and hot springs are still observed (Taran et al, 2002). The most recent activity in the region occurred in 1993, when a submarine eruption occurred to the west of Socorro, ejecting floating blocks of basaltic scoria and reticulite (Siebe et al, 1995).…”

Section: Present-day Eruptive Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleomagnetic behavior of volcanic rocks from Isla Socorro, Mexico

et al. 2009

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The direction and magnitude of the geomagnetic field vary both spatially and temporally and undergo significant departures from that of a geocentric axial dipole. In order to properly characterize persistent behaviors, time-averaged field models must be based on the highest quality data. Here we present full-vector paleomagnetic data for volcanic units exposed in the southeast quadrant of the island of Socorro, Mexico. We carried out a joint expedition between the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma México to Isla Socorro in January of 2005 during which we collected oriented paleomagnetic samples from 21 sites, representing as many as 10 different volcanic units (the oldest of which is ∼540 ka). We subjected over 100 specimens to the most up-to-date paleointensity methods, and included the standard reliability checks. In an earlier study, Bohrson et al. (1996) proposed a series of widespread eruptive events, based on similarities of argon/argon dates. Paleointensity from specimens that conform to the strictest acceptance criteria are available from both the (unoriented) original sample collection and our fully oriented (but as yet undated) new collection. Correlation between the two collections is however problematic. The time-averaged direction from Socorro is consistent with that expected from a geocentric axial dipole, and the time-averaged intensity is 30.0±7.1 μT, equivalent to a virtual axial dipole moment (VADM) of 67.6±16.0 ZAm 2 .

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Section: Present-day Eruptive Activitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleomagnetic behavior of volcanic rocks from Isla Socorro, Mexico

et al. 2009

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“…The potential for erupting buoyant magma in the submarine environment and the subsequent complex jet structure could also explain an unsual submarine basaltic eruption that took place off of Soccorro island, Mexico [31]. In 1993 submarine vents at depths up to 210 meters discharged highly vesiculated basalt that rose to the surface as large 1 -3 meters blocks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 1993 submarine vents at depths up to 210 meters discharged highly vesiculated basalt that rose to the surface as large 1 -3 meters blocks. Many blocks consisted of reticulite with porosities of 98% [31]. Some clasts also included denser scoriaceous zones with mean porosities of 67%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Timescales of transitions to negative buoyancy of vesiculated magma exposed to water is dependent on clast size [32]. In the case of the Soccorro eruption, once the large clasts reached the surface they continued to interact with seawater, generating steam jets that propelled the clasts over the sea surface until they eventually absorbed enough water to sink [31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of volatile degassing on initial flow structure and entrainment during undersea volcanic fire fountaining eruptions

Friedman

Carey

Raessi

2012

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Release of dissolved volatiles during submarine fire fountaining eruptions can profoundly influence the buoyancy flux at the vent. Theoretical considerations indicate that in some cases buoyant magma can be erupted prior to fragmentation (~75% vesicle volume threshold). Laboratory simulations using immiscible fluids of contrasting density indicate that the structure of the source flow at the vent depends critically on the relative magnitudes of buoyancy and momentum fluxes as reflected in the Richardson number (Ri). Analogue laboratory experiments of buoyant discharges demonstrate a variety of complex flow structures with the potential for greatly enhanced entrainment of surrounding seawater. Such conditions are likely to favor a positive feedback between phreatomagmatic explosions and volatile degassing that will contribute to explosive volcanism. The value of the Richardson number for any set of eruption parameters (magma discharge rate and volatile content) will depend on water depth as a result of the extent to which the exsolved volatile components can expand.

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“…Submarine volcanic eruptions have largely only been observed remotely from the sea surface, where they are located by pumice and other floating particles [323,324]. Process has been inferred indirectly from analysis of the particles deposited from the erupting vents [325][326][327][328][329] or recovered from the water surface [324].…”

Section: (A) Active Processes (I) Volcanic Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspects of marine geoscience: a review and thoughts on potential for observing active processes and progress through collaboration between the ocean sciences

Mitchell

2012

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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Much progress has been made in the UK in characterizing the internal structures of major physiographic features in the oceans and in developing understanding of the geological processes that have created or shaped them. UK researchers have authored articles of high impact in all areas described here. In contrast to terrestrial geoscience, however, there have been few instrumented observations made of active processes by UK scientists. This is an area that could be developed over the next decades in the UK. Research on active processes has the potential ability to engage the wider public: Some active processes present significant geo-hazards to populations and offshore infrastructure that require monitoring and there could be commercial applications of technological developments needed for science. Some of the suggestions could involve studies in shallow coastal waters where ship costs are much reduced, addressing tighter funding constraints over the near term. The possibilities of measuring aspects of volcanic eruptions, flowing lava, turbidity currents and mass movements (landslides) are discussed. A further area of potential development is in greater collaboration between the ocean sciences. For example, it is well known in terrestrial geomorphology that biological agents are important in modulating erosion and the transport of sediments, ultimately affecting the shape of the Earth's surface in various ways. The analogous effect of biology on large-scale geomorphology in the oceans is also known but remains poorly quantified. Physical oceanographic models are becoming increasingly accurate and could be used to study further the patterns of erosion, particle transport and deposition in the oceans. Marine geological and geophysical data could in turn be useful for further verification of such models. Adapting them to conditions of past oceans could address the shorter-period movements, such as due to internal waves and tides, which have been barely addressed in palaeoceanography.

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Submarine eruption near Socorro Island, Mexico: Geochemistry and scanning electron microscopy studies of floating scoria and reticulite

Cited by 61 publications

References 53 publications

Paleomagnetic behavior of volcanic rocks from Isla Socorro, Mexico

Paleomagnetic behavior of volcanic rocks from Isla Socorro, Mexico

Influence of volatile degassing on initial flow structure and entrainment during undersea volcanic fire fountaining eruptions

Aspects of marine geoscience: a review and thoughts on potential for observing active processes and progress through collaboration between the ocean sciences

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