Burn lessons learned from the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption

New Zealand's most active volcano, Whakaari White Island was a common tourist attraction prior to its eruption on 9 th December 2019. At the time of the eruption, there were 47 people on the island from three tour groups. 39 people survived the initial eruption and were extracted. 31 entered into the New Zealand National Burn Service across four hospitals. The median age of the patients treated at the National Burn Centre was 45.5 years (range: 14 − 67 years) and median total body surface area burn was 49.5% (range: 9% - 90%). The three month survival of this eruptive event was 55%, which subsequently fell to an overall rate of 53% following one late death of an early survivor after repatriation home. Of the patients who survived the initial eruption for long enough to be admitted to the National Burn Service, the overall survival rate was 71% at three months. We describe 12 lessons we have learnt from our management of the survivors. The key surgical lessons among these are: The injuring mechanism combined ballistic trauma, thermal and acidic burn components, with the acid component being the most problematic and urgent for management. Volcanic ash burns result in on-going burn depth progression, deep underlying tissue damage and significant metabolic instability. Early skin grafting was not successful in many cases. Reconstructive strategy needed adjusting to cope with the high operative demand and limited donor sites in all patients. Protect yourself from potential dangers with additional personal protective equipment (PPE) in an unfamiliar setting.

Seismic velocity changes at White Island volcano, New Zealand, using ten years of ambient noise interferometry

<p>Seismic velocity changes at volcanoes carry information about stresses present within hydrothermal and magmatic systems. In this thesis, temporal velocity changes are measured at White Island volcano using ambient noise interferometry between 2007–2017. This period contains multiple well-documented eruptions starting in 2012, following an inactive period that extends back over a decade. Three primary objectives are identified: (1) investigate what seismic velocity changes can tell us about dynamic changes beneath the volcano, (2) investigate non-volcanic sources and their possible influence on interpretations, and (3) consider the potential for real-time monitoring using ambient-noise. These objectives extend beyond White Island volcano, with implications for ambient noise monitoring of volcanoes globally. Two different approaches are used to measure velocity changes at White Island. The first involves cross-correlating noise recorded by pairs of seismic stations. Velocity changes are sought by averaging changes recorded across ten station-pairs that consist of an onshore station and a station on the volcano. The second approach involves cross-correlating the different components of individual seismic stations. This represents a less traditional approach to monitoring volcanoes, but is well-suited to White Island which has one permanent station active throughout eruptive activity. Single seismic stations located onshore are also processed to investigate background regional changes. Two periods of long-term velocity increases are detected at the volcano. The first occurs during a highly active period in 2012–2013 and the second occurs in the months preceding an explosive eruption in April 2016. Comparison with velocities recorded by onshore stations suggest a meteorological source for these changes is unlikely. Velocity increases are therefore interpreted to reflect cracks closing under increased pressures beneath the volcano. Similarly, a rapid decline in the velocity within 2–3 months of the April 2016 eruption is interpreted to reflect depressurization of the system. In addition to volcanic sources, we also find clear evidence of non-volcanic processes influencing velocity changes at the volcano. Two clear co-seismic velocity decreases of approximately 0.05–0.1% are associated with a Mw 5.2 earthquake in 2008 — within 10 km of the volcano — and the Mw 7.1 East Cape earthquake in 2016. The East Cape earthquake — located 200 km away from the volcano — produces significant velocity decreases over a large region, as detected by stations onshore and on White Island. This likely reflects dynamic stress changes as a result of passing seismic waves, with an eruption two weeks later interpreted here to have been triggered by this event. Finally, we identify similarities between annual variations recorded by onshore stations and changes at the volcano, suggesting an environmental influence. Velocity changes at White Island therefore represent a complex interaction of volcanic and non-volcanic processes, highlighting the need for improved understanding of external sources of change to accurately detect short-term eruptive precursors.</p>

Seismic velocity changes at White Island volcano, New Zealand, using ten years of ambient noise interferometry

<p>Seismic velocity changes at volcanoes carry information about stresses present within hydrothermal and magmatic systems. In this thesis, temporal velocity changes are measured at White Island volcano using ambient noise interferometry between 2007–2017. This period contains multiple well-documented eruptions starting in 2012, following an inactive period that extends back over a decade. Three primary objectives are identified: (1) investigate what seismic velocity changes can tell us about dynamic changes beneath the volcano, (2) investigate non-volcanic sources and their possible influence on interpretations, and (3) consider the potential for real-time monitoring using ambient-noise. These objectives extend beyond White Island volcano, with implications for ambient noise monitoring of volcanoes globally. Two different approaches are used to measure velocity changes at White Island. The first involves cross-correlating noise recorded by pairs of seismic stations. Velocity changes are sought by averaging changes recorded across ten station-pairs that consist of an onshore station and a station on the volcano. The second approach involves cross-correlating the different components of individual seismic stations. This represents a less traditional approach to monitoring volcanoes, but is well-suited to White Island which has one permanent station active throughout eruptive activity. Single seismic stations located onshore are also processed to investigate background regional changes. Two periods of long-term velocity increases are detected at the volcano. The first occurs during a highly active period in 2012–2013 and the second occurs in the months preceding an explosive eruption in April 2016. Comparison with velocities recorded by onshore stations suggest a meteorological source for these changes is unlikely. Velocity increases are therefore interpreted to reflect cracks closing under increased pressures beneath the volcano. Similarly, a rapid decline in the velocity within 2–3 months of the April 2016 eruption is interpreted to reflect depressurization of the system. In addition to volcanic sources, we also find clear evidence of non-volcanic processes influencing velocity changes at the volcano. Two clear co-seismic velocity decreases of approximately 0.05–0.1% are associated with a Mw 5.2 earthquake in 2008 — within 10 km of the volcano — and the Mw 7.1 East Cape earthquake in 2016. The East Cape earthquake — located 200 km away from the volcano — produces significant velocity decreases over a large region, as detected by stations onshore and on White Island. This likely reflects dynamic stress changes as a result of passing seismic waves, with an eruption two weeks later interpreted here to have been triggered by this event. Finally, we identify similarities between annual variations recorded by onshore stations and changes at the volcano, suggesting an environmental influence. Velocity changes at White Island therefore represent a complex interaction of volcanic and non-volcanic processes, highlighting the need for improved understanding of external sources of change to accurately detect short-term eruptive precursors.</p>

Volatile transport of metals in the andesitic magmatic-hydrothermal system of White Island

<p>Volcanic gases observed at active volcanoes originate from the magma at depth. These volatiles exsolve as a result of decompression, crystallization and cooling of the silicate melt. The transport of metals in a magmatic volatile phase arises from complexation with the main volatile species, sulfur and halides. Composition of the magma, temperature, pressure and redox state have thus strong implications on metal mobility in these environments. Moreover, a variety of interactions and phase separations can affect these fluids after exsolution from the parental magma. This thesis aims at constraining the volatile transport of trace metals at White Island, a subduction-related magmatic-hydrothermal system, through a characterization and metal budget of the magmatic reservoir and the different atmospheric discharges. The metal content of the reservoir, as well as the effects of degassing and magma mixing on the magma are explored through the study of ejecta from the 1976-2000 eruptive cycle. CO₂, SO₂ and H₂O are degassing from a mafic melt at ~ 5 km depth, regularly feeding a shallower and evolved reservoir at ~ 800 m. Average contents of 164 ppm of Cu, 73 ppm of Zn, 12 ppm of Pb and 0.4 ppm of Au and Ag were detected in melt inclusions. A fraction of these metals partition into the exsolving aqueous fluid. Onset of magnetite crystallization may trigger exsolution of sulphide melt, found to contain around 30 wt% of Cu, and as much as 36 wt% Ni, 21 wt% Ag, 0.10 wt% Au in small inclusions, representing a considerable source of metals available for an aqueous fluid phase upon resorption. The volatile transport of metals is indicated by their enrichment in a variety of discharges at the surface. The hyperacidic waters of the crater lake absorb metals from the magmatic gases injected at subaqueous vents. Concentrations of ~ 12 ppm of As and Zn, 6 ppm of Cu and Pb were observed. Hydrolysis of the host rock by the reactive waters is responsible for the high cation contents of the fluids. Precipitation of secondary minerals such as silica, anhydrite, gypsum, sulfur and alunite occurs within and underneath the crater lake. The predicted speciation of metals greatly varies, dominated by CuI and FeII chloride complexes in the more reduced environment at the lake bottom, whereas CuII and FeIII are stable in the oxidized surficial waters. Arsenic is mainly present as As(OH)₃ at depth, with H₃AsO₄ dominating at the surface. Ag, Pb and Zn are complexed with chloride, and are not redox dependent. The presence of a body of molten sulfur at the bottom of the lake is indicated by sulfur spherules, both floating at the lake surface and in sediments. Pyrite crystals coat the surface of some globules, and chemical analyses reveal an enrichment in a variety of chalcophile metals (Tl, Sb, Bi, Au, As, Ag. Re, Cu). The volcanic gases emitted at fumaroles are enriched in metals compared to the magma. The effective transport of Se, Te, Sb, B, Au, As, and Bi is indicated by enrichment factors larger than 1000. In contrast, Cu is relatively depleted, suggesting deposition in the subsurface environment. Variations in composition are observed with time, mainly depending on temperature and major composition of the emissions. Values > 100 ppb of Sb, Bi, Ni, Zn, As and Se, > 10 ppb of Te, Pb, and Cu, and up to 8 ppb of Tl were recorded. Chloride is predicted to be the main ligand responsible for metal transport, even at higher temperature. The lack of thermodynamic data for complex solvated metal clusters may nevertheless bias our results. The low temperature of the studied fumaroles (maximum 192.5 °C) is in accordance with the small abundance of sulfides in the sublimates, whereas the high proportion of sulfates indicates oxidized conditions. The volcanic plume is enriched in metals such as Bi, Cd, Tl, Se, Te and Sb. The most common particles emitted are sulfates, halides, silicates, sulphuric acid and Zn ± Cu oxides. Metal emission rates are in the range of 1-10 kg/day for As, Se, Cu and Zn, 0.1-1 kg/day for Pb, Tl and Bi. Emissions of high-temperature magmatic gases are indicated by elevated SO₂/HCl ratio and the presence of Au in the particulate phase. Mass balance calculations in White Island magmatic-hydrothermal system indicate a segregation of around 4900 tons of copper per year, either accumulated from a dense brine at ~ 500 m depth, or deposited by low-density vapors on their way to the surface. Metal-rich sulfide blebs trapped in phenocrysts may also retain Cu at depth. These results thus reinforce the belief that White Island is an actively forming porphyry copper deposit.</p>

Volatile transport of metals in the andesitic magmatic-hydrothermal system of White Island

<p>Volcanic gases observed at active volcanoes originate from the magma at depth. These volatiles exsolve as a result of decompression, crystallization and cooling of the silicate melt. The transport of metals in a magmatic volatile phase arises from complexation with the main volatile species, sulfur and halides. Composition of the magma, temperature, pressure and redox state have thus strong implications on metal mobility in these environments. Moreover, a variety of interactions and phase separations can affect these fluids after exsolution from the parental magma. This thesis aims at constraining the volatile transport of trace metals at White Island, a subduction-related magmatic-hydrothermal system, through a characterization and metal budget of the magmatic reservoir and the different atmospheric discharges. The metal content of the reservoir, as well as the effects of degassing and magma mixing on the magma are explored through the study of ejecta from the 1976-2000 eruptive cycle. CO₂, SO₂ and H₂O are degassing from a mafic melt at ~ 5 km depth, regularly feeding a shallower and evolved reservoir at ~ 800 m. Average contents of 164 ppm of Cu, 73 ppm of Zn, 12 ppm of Pb and 0.4 ppm of Au and Ag were detected in melt inclusions. A fraction of these metals partition into the exsolving aqueous fluid. Onset of magnetite crystallization may trigger exsolution of sulphide melt, found to contain around 30 wt% of Cu, and as much as 36 wt% Ni, 21 wt% Ag, 0.10 wt% Au in small inclusions, representing a considerable source of metals available for an aqueous fluid phase upon resorption. The volatile transport of metals is indicated by their enrichment in a variety of discharges at the surface. The hyperacidic waters of the crater lake absorb metals from the magmatic gases injected at subaqueous vents. Concentrations of ~ 12 ppm of As and Zn, 6 ppm of Cu and Pb were observed. Hydrolysis of the host rock by the reactive waters is responsible for the high cation contents of the fluids. Precipitation of secondary minerals such as silica, anhydrite, gypsum, sulfur and alunite occurs within and underneath the crater lake. The predicted speciation of metals greatly varies, dominated by CuI and FeII chloride complexes in the more reduced environment at the lake bottom, whereas CuII and FeIII are stable in the oxidized surficial waters. Arsenic is mainly present as As(OH)₃ at depth, with H₃AsO₄ dominating at the surface. Ag, Pb and Zn are complexed with chloride, and are not redox dependent. The presence of a body of molten sulfur at the bottom of the lake is indicated by sulfur spherules, both floating at the lake surface and in sediments. Pyrite crystals coat the surface of some globules, and chemical analyses reveal an enrichment in a variety of chalcophile metals (Tl, Sb, Bi, Au, As, Ag. Re, Cu). The volcanic gases emitted at fumaroles are enriched in metals compared to the magma. The effective transport of Se, Te, Sb, B, Au, As, and Bi is indicated by enrichment factors larger than 1000. In contrast, Cu is relatively depleted, suggesting deposition in the subsurface environment. Variations in composition are observed with time, mainly depending on temperature and major composition of the emissions. Values > 100 ppb of Sb, Bi, Ni, Zn, As and Se, > 10 ppb of Te, Pb, and Cu, and up to 8 ppb of Tl were recorded. Chloride is predicted to be the main ligand responsible for metal transport, even at higher temperature. The lack of thermodynamic data for complex solvated metal clusters may nevertheless bias our results. The low temperature of the studied fumaroles (maximum 192.5 °C) is in accordance with the small abundance of sulfides in the sublimates, whereas the high proportion of sulfates indicates oxidized conditions. The volcanic plume is enriched in metals such as Bi, Cd, Tl, Se, Te and Sb. The most common particles emitted are sulfates, halides, silicates, sulphuric acid and Zn ± Cu oxides. Metal emission rates are in the range of 1-10 kg/day for As, Se, Cu and Zn, 0.1-1 kg/day for Pb, Tl and Bi. Emissions of high-temperature magmatic gases are indicated by elevated SO₂/HCl ratio and the presence of Au in the particulate phase. Mass balance calculations in White Island magmatic-hydrothermal system indicate a segregation of around 4900 tons of copper per year, either accumulated from a dense brine at ~ 500 m depth, or deposited by low-density vapors on their way to the surface. Metal-rich sulfide blebs trapped in phenocrysts may also retain Cu at depth. These results thus reinforce the belief that White Island is an actively forming porphyry copper deposit.</p>

The Petrology and Petrochemistry of Andesite and Dacite Volcanoes in Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

<p>The volcanic rocks of Edgecumbe, Whale Island, White Island and Manawahe are andesites and dacites, which are collectively termed the Bay of Plenty volcanics. Edgecumbe is a comparatively young volcano, being active between 1700 and 8000 years B.P.; Whale Island has probably been inactive for at least the last 36,000 years; White Island has probably been active for much of the late Pleistocene, and is still in a stage of solfataric activity with intermittent tephra eruptions; and Manawahe is probably of the order of 750,000 year old (K-Ar date by J.J. Stipp). The geology of Edgecumbe, Whale Island and White Island is discussed, and the petrography and mineralogy of the Bay of plenty volcanics is discussed and compared. The rocks of Edgecumbe and Whale Island are extremely similar petrographically, but the rocks of White Island and Manawahe are sufficiently different that they can be distinguished both from one another and from Edgecumbe and Whale Island rocks. Most of the Bay of Plenty volcanics are plagioclase andesites or plagioclase dacites. New total rock analyses for 28 elements in 44 samples of the Bay of Plenty volcanics are presented, together with analyses of 4 samples from elsewhere in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Three samples were analysed for an additional 17 elements. The Bay of Plenty volcanics are calc-alkaline and are predominantly dacites (greater than or equal to 63% SiO2) by Taylor et al.'s (1969) definition, but there is chemical continuity from samples with about 61% SiO2 to samples with about 66% SiO2. Major and trace element variation trends cannot be explained entirely by a crystal fractionation hypothesis, and assimilation of upper crustal material of rhyolitic composition best explains the variation trends for Edgecumbe and Whale Island. The variation trends and certain element abundances in White Island rocks suggest the assimilation of marine sediments, and introduction of seawater into the magma. Taken as a whole, the Bay of Plenty volcanics fit the chemical trends which have been established for the Taupo Zone by earlier workers (e.g. Steiner, 1958; Clark, 1960). The apparent geochemical 'gap' or discontinuity between about 68% and 71.5% SiO2 noted by Steiner (1958) is further substantiated by the new geochemical data presented here. It is considered likely that basalt, andesite and rhyolite are all primary magmas in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Their possible origins, and the origins of Taupo Zone dacites are discussed.</p>

The Petrology and Petrochemistry of Andesite and Dacite Volcanoes in Eastern Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

<p>The volcanic rocks of Edgecumbe, Whale Island, White Island and Manawahe are andesites and dacites, which are collectively termed the Bay of Plenty volcanics. Edgecumbe is a comparatively young volcano, being active between 1700 and 8000 years B.P.; Whale Island has probably been inactive for at least the last 36,000 years; White Island has probably been active for much of the late Pleistocene, and is still in a stage of solfataric activity with intermittent tephra eruptions; and Manawahe is probably of the order of 750,000 year old (K-Ar date by J.J. Stipp). The geology of Edgecumbe, Whale Island and White Island is discussed, and the petrography and mineralogy of the Bay of plenty volcanics is discussed and compared. The rocks of Edgecumbe and Whale Island are extremely similar petrographically, but the rocks of White Island and Manawahe are sufficiently different that they can be distinguished both from one another and from Edgecumbe and Whale Island rocks. Most of the Bay of Plenty volcanics are plagioclase andesites or plagioclase dacites. New total rock analyses for 28 elements in 44 samples of the Bay of Plenty volcanics are presented, together with analyses of 4 samples from elsewhere in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Three samples were analysed for an additional 17 elements. The Bay of Plenty volcanics are calc-alkaline and are predominantly dacites (greater than or equal to 63% SiO2) by Taylor et al.'s (1969) definition, but there is chemical continuity from samples with about 61% SiO2 to samples with about 66% SiO2. Major and trace element variation trends cannot be explained entirely by a crystal fractionation hypothesis, and assimilation of upper crustal material of rhyolitic composition best explains the variation trends for Edgecumbe and Whale Island. The variation trends and certain element abundances in White Island rocks suggest the assimilation of marine sediments, and introduction of seawater into the magma. Taken as a whole, the Bay of Plenty volcanics fit the chemical trends which have been established for the Taupo Zone by earlier workers (e.g. Steiner, 1958; Clark, 1960). The apparent geochemical 'gap' or discontinuity between about 68% and 71.5% SiO2 noted by Steiner (1958) is further substantiated by the new geochemical data presented here. It is considered likely that basalt, andesite and rhyolite are all primary magmas in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Their possible origins, and the origins of Taupo Zone dacites are discussed.</p>

Some Aspects of Western Taranaki Geology and Pedology

<p>The North Island of New Zealand is the southern end of an island arc structure which stretches 3000 km northwards to Samoa. It comprises the Hikurangi Trench to the east of the North Island (Houtz, et.al. 1967), a central negative gravity anomaly (Robertson and Reilly 1958) and two volcanic zones to the west of the gravity anomaly (Cole 1967). The volcanic zones comprise the Ohakune-White Island zone of calc-alkaline volcanoes and a western zone of more alkaline volcanoes from Northland to Taranaki. The Taranaki volcanoes are principally high potash low magnesia hornblende-andesites (Hatherton 1968a) which extend 25 km south from New Plymouth to Mt. Egmont. Volcanological investigations on the Taranaki andesites have previously been limited to petrological, geomorphic and Recent tree-ring dating studies. The following work involves detailed studies on the tephrochronology, lahar stratigraphy, weathering and soil formation in western Taranaki together with a detailed interpretation of Quaternary volcanic and climatic events.</p>

Some Aspects of Western Taranaki Geology and Pedology

<p>The North Island of New Zealand is the southern end of an island arc structure which stretches 3000 km northwards to Samoa. It comprises the Hikurangi Trench to the east of the North Island (Houtz, et.al. 1967), a central negative gravity anomaly (Robertson and Reilly 1958) and two volcanic zones to the west of the gravity anomaly (Cole 1967). The volcanic zones comprise the Ohakune-White Island zone of calc-alkaline volcanoes and a western zone of more alkaline volcanoes from Northland to Taranaki. The Taranaki volcanoes are principally high potash low magnesia hornblende-andesites (Hatherton 1968a) which extend 25 km south from New Plymouth to Mt. Egmont. Volcanological investigations on the Taranaki andesites have previously been limited to petrological, geomorphic and Recent tree-ring dating studies. The following work involves detailed studies on the tephrochronology, lahar stratigraphy, weathering and soil formation in western Taranaki together with a detailed interpretation of Quaternary volcanic and climatic events.</p>