Volcanic unrest at Hakone volcano after the 2015 phreatic eruption: reactivation of a ruptured hydrothermal system?

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, volcanic unrest has occurred every 2–5 years at Hakone volcano. After the 2015 eruption, unrest activity changed significantly in terms of seismicity and geochemistry. Like the pre- and co-eruptive unrest, each post-eruptive unrest episode was detected by deep inflation below the volcano (~ 10 km) and deep low frequency events, which can be interpreted as reflecting supply of magma or magmatic fluid from depth. The seismic activity during the post-eruptive unrest episodes also increased; however, seismic activity beneath the eruption center during the unrest episodes was significantly lower, especially in the shallow region (~ 2 km), while sporadic seismic swarms were observed beneath the caldera rim, ~ 3 km away from the center. This observation and a recent InSAR analysis imply that the hydrothermal system of the volcano could be composed of multiple sub-systems, each of which can host earthquake swarms and show independent volume changes. The 2015 eruption established routes for steam from the hydrothermal sub-system beneath the eruption center (≥ 150 m deep) to the surface through the cap-rock, allowing emission of super-heated steam (~ 160 ºC). This steam showed an increase in magmatic/hydrothermal gas ratios (SO2/H2S and HCl/H2S) in the 2019 unrest episode; however, no magma supply was indicated by seismic and geodetic observations. Net SO2 emission during the post-eruptive unrest episodes, which remained within the usual range of the post-eruptive period, is also inconsistent with shallow intrusion. We consider that the post-eruptive unrest episodes were also triggered by newly derived magma or magmatic fluid from depth; however, the breached cap-rock was unable to allow subsequent pressurization and intensive seismic activity within the hydrothermal sub-system beneath the eruption center. The heat released from the newly derived magma or fluid dried the vapor-dominated portion of the hydrothermal system and inhibited scrubbing of SO2 and HCl to allow a higher magmatic/hydrothermal gas ratio. The 2015 eruption could have also breached the sealing zone near the brittle–ductile transition and the subsequent self-sealing process seems not to have completed based on the observations during the post-eruptive unrest episodes.

Volcanic Unrest at Hakone Volcano after the 2015 phreatic eruption — Reactivation of a Ruptured Hydrothermal System?

Since the beginning of the 21st century, volcanic unrest has occurred every 2–5 years at Hakone volcano. After the 2015 eruption, unrest activity changed significantly in terms of seismicity and geochemistry. Like the pre- and co-eruptive unrest, each post-eruptive unrest episode was detected by deep inflation below the volcano (~ 10 km) and deep low frequency events, which can be interpreted as reflecting supply of magma or magmatic fluid from depth. The seismic activity during the post-eruptive unrest episodes also increased; however, seismic activity beneath the eruption center during the unrest episodes was significantly lower, especially in the shallow region (~2 km), while sporadic seismic swarms were observed beneath the caldera rim, ~3 km away from the center. This observation and a recent InSAR analysis imply that the hydrothermal system of the volcano could be composed of multiple sub-systems, each of which can host earthquake swarm and show independent volume change. The 2015 eruption established routes for steam from the hydrothermal sub-system beneath the eruption center (≥ 150 m deep) to the surface through the cap-rock, allowing emission of super-heated steam (~ 160 ºC). This steam showed an increase in magmatic/hydrothermal gas ratios (SO2/H2S and HCl/H2S) in the 2019 unrest episode; however, no magma supply was indicated by seismic and geodetic observations. Net SO2 emission during the post-eruptive unrest episodes, which remained within the usual range of the post-eruptive period, is also inconsistent with shallow intrusion. We consider that the post-eruptive unrest episodes were also triggered by newly derived magma or magmatic fluid from depth; however, the breached cap-rock was unable to allow subsequent pressurization and intensive seismic activity within the hydrothermal sub-system beneath the eruption center. The heat released from the newly derived magma or fluid dried the vapor-dominated portion of the hydrothermal system and inhibited scrubbing of SO2 and HCl to allow a higher magmatic/hydrothermal gas ratio. The 2015 eruption could have also breached the sealing zone near the brittle–plastic transition and the subsequent self-sealing process seems not to have completed based on the observations during the post-eruptive unrest episodes.

Magnetic fabric and rock magnetic studies of the ~1.78 Ga large igneous province in the North China Craton and its implication for the configuration of the supercontinent Nuna/Columbia

<p>The paleo-position of the North China Craton (NCC) within the Supercontinent Nuna/Columbia is controversial. Hindered by ubiquitous alteration of the very ancient rocks, paleomagnetic studies have not been able yet to conclusively solve this puzzle. Comprehensive analysis on the relatively limited Precambrian records is essential to understand the geological history of these cratons. Within the NCC, the tectonic setting of a ~1.78 Ga large igneous province (LIP) is long debated. It is considered to be related to a paleoplume, post-collision extension, or an Andean continental margin. Knowing its mode of formation constrains the geological evolution of the NCC and its paleo-position within the Supercontinent Nuna/Columbia. Here we conduct a study into the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) in the dykes and lavas of the ~1.78 Ga LIP, together with systematic rock magnetic experiments, to constrain the geological background of the igneous event(s), to understand the tectonic evolution of the NCC, as well as its paleo-position within the assembly of the Nuna/Columbia supercontinent.</p><p>Thirty-three dykes in the northern and middle parts and thirty lavas in the southern part of the NCC were collected. Detailed rock magnetic analyses indicate PSD magnetite to be the dominant magnetic mineral in the samples, occasionally with pyrrhotite in the dykes and hematite in the lavas. The often observed relatively weak anisotropy degree suggests that the AMS ellipsoids probably portray magma flow-related fabrics. The inferred directions from the AMS fabrics of the lavas reveal a radial flow pattern with an eruption center located on the south margin of the NCC. The studied dykes show a predominance of horizontally to subhorizontally northward magma flow, with only few vertical intrusions. These observations imply that the ~1.78 Ga LIP may have formed by magma source(s) at the south margin of the NCC. Some localized magma sub-chambers may have formed during the propagation of the magma and could have been responsible for the less common vertically intruded dykes and the EW-trending dykes. Therefore, we favor a plume-related tectonic setting for the ~1.78 Ga LIP with the eruption center along the margin of the NCC. It can serve as an essential criterion to search for possible neighbour(s) of the NCC within Nuna/Columbia, which should preserve the relics of the ~1.78 Ga LIP. Our study, in combination with extant geological and paleomagnetic results suggests a close linkage of the NCC with the São Francisco-Congo, Rio de la Plata and Siberia cratons in the Nuna/Columbia supercontinent.</p>

Cost-benefit analysis of rehabilitation and opening new cultivation land for tangerine cv Madu impacted by volcanic ash fallout of Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Mufidah L, Sugiyatno A, Ratule MT. 2017. Short Communication: Cost-benefit analysis of rehabilitation and opening new cultivation land for tangerine cv Madu impacted by volcanic ash fallout of Mount Sinabung, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 339-345. Indonesian tangerine plants which have diverse varieties possess the adaptability from lowlands to highlands in the tropical region. Some of the tangerine production centers in Indonesia, such as Karo, Mandailing Natal, Dairi, Malang, Batu, and Bali are located in the volcano path which is prone to eruption. The eruption of Mount Sinabung in 2013 and 2014 had caused damage to the local tangerine cv Madu cultivation which was estimated to reach more than 476 billion rupiahs. The eruption affected a cultivation area of 7.202,89 ha and has been predicted to be one of the factors that caused the decline of North Sumatra’s contribution to tangerine production. Therefore, this paper has tried: (i) to analyze the financial feasibility of rehabilitating tangerine cv Madu cultivation located in between 7-10 km radius of the eruption center (zone 1) and in between 5-7 km radius of the eruption center (zone 2), and (ii) to consider the option of opening up a new tangerine cultivation land.The results showed that the BCR for the immediate rehabilitation of zones 1 and 2 were 3.33 and 2, respectively. Thus, the rehabilitation scheme was feasible to be implemented and can reduce the damage and losses suffered by farmers. On the other hand, the opening of new land still takes approximately three years to be productive. The BCRof the option of opening new land within that period of time was 0.47, which is lower compared with that of the rehabilitation of zones 1 and 2 (2.61 and 2.57, respectively).This study was intended as an initial guidance for making decisions and determining the potential benefit to be gained and the losses that can be avoided. This study also gave an overview of the budget that should be prepared. In conclusion, we recommended the farmers to carry out the rehabilitation over opening up new cultivation land.