Evolution of the magma plumbing system of Miyakejima volcano with periodic recharge of basaltic magmas

Abstract

AbstractDefining the variations in petrological characteristics of erupted magmas within a high-resolution chronostratigraphy provides a necessary framework for monitoring the long-term activity and eruption potential of an active volcano. Here, we investigate the evolution of the magmatic system of Miyakejima volcano, Japan, between the last two caldera-forming eruptions, at ~ 2.3 ka and AD 2000, based on new stratigraphic constraints, radiocarbon ages, and whole-rock geochemical data. The activity of Miyakejima during this interval can be divided into three magmatic periods based on cyclic whole-rock compositional trends. Period 1 spans the interval between ~ 2.3 ka and the 7th century, from the Hatchodaira eruption with caldera collapse to immediately before the Suoana–Kazahaya eruption. Period 2 spans the time period between the seventh century and the fourteenth century, from the Suoana–Kazahaya to the Sonei–bokujyo eruptions. Period 3 covers the period from the two major flank eruptions that occurred in the sixteenth century to the end of the twentieth century until the last caldera-collapse event in AD 2000. The eruption rate decreased from 0.5 km3 per 1000 years in Period 1 to ~ 0.2 km3 per 1000 years in Period 2 and 3. Recharge of primitive basaltic magmas into shallower crustal systems triggered extensive basaltic fissure eruptions at the beginning of each period. Progressively increasing whole-rock SiO2 contents of the hybrid magmas in subsequent eruptions indicates continuous fractional crystallization in small shallow magma chambers which formed at the start of each magmatic period. Intermittent injections of basaltic magma into shallow magma chambers induced magma mixing that caused eruption of hybrid basaltic andesite in each period. We suggest that some basaltic magmas formed isolated magma reservoirs at shallow depth, in which rapid fractionation was able to occur. Rupturing of these isolated magma storage regions filled with gas-rich evolved magma can lead to violent ejection of andesitic magmas, such as for the Suoana–Kazahaya eruption in the seventh century. Our results suggest two main scenarios of eruption for the basaltic magma system at Miyakejima and similar mafic volcanoes in the northern Izu–Bonin arc; (1) eruption of voluminous basaltic lavas after the recharge of primitive basaltic magmas into the shallow magmatic system, and (2) explosive fissure eruption by rupturing of isolated magma bodies filled with gas-rich evolved magmas. Graphical Abstract