Seismic Attenuation Anisotropy in the Southernmost Part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand

<p>We investigate the mechanisms of seismic anisotropy and attenuation (1/Q) beneath the southernmost part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) by computing variations in S-wave attenuation factors with the direction of wave polarization. We rotate pairs of horizontal components in steps of 22.5◦ from 0◦ to 67.5◦ and into the radial and transverse directions to search for the optimal separation of the attenuation curves and thereby determine an anisotropy symmetry system. The frequency dependence of Q for the rotated S-waves is estimated by means of the non-parametric generalized inversion technique (GIT) of Castro et al. (1990) using shallow earthquakes (< 40 km depth) recorded by GeoNet within 100 km of Mt. Ruapehu. To analyze the effects on computed attenuation properties of source locations, we divide our dataset into two groups: a “TVZ” group containing earthquakes within the TVZ in a distance range of 5–55 km and a “non-TVZ” group containing earthquakes outside the TVZ in a distance range of 5–50 km. To measure Q, we compute the spectral amplitude decay with distance in terms of empirical functions at 20 separate frequencies in the frequency bands 2–10 Hz and 2– 12 Hz for the TVZ and non-TVZ datasets respectively. We construct homogeneous and two-layer Q models for the TVZ dataset based on characteristic features of the attenuation function, while for outside TVZ we only analyse a homogeneous Q model. The homogeneous Q models obtained for the two datasets indicate that S-waves are more attenuated within the TVZ than outside. The homogeneous Q model for the TVZ dataset reveals that the S-wave is anisotropic at high frequencies ( f > 6 Hz) along N–S/E– W directions with the relation QSE ( f ) = (6.15±1.22) f (1.73±0.12) and QSN ( f ) = (4.14± 1.26) f (2.06±0.14), while the non-TVZ dataset shows a weak frequency dependence of attenuation anisotropy at low frequencies in NE–SW/SE–NW directions giving the power law function QSNE ( f ) = (50.93±1.18) f (0.20±0.10) and QSSE ( f ) = (22.60±1.10) f (0.53±0.06). Here, the uncertainty estimates are 95% confidence intervals. To investigate the variation of attenuation anisotropy with depth within the TVZ, we first calculate Q along propagation paths (< 25 km, which corresponds to a maximum turning point depth of 9 km ) and then using paths of 25–55 km length. Small attenuation anisotropy with low attenuation in the N–S direction for the upper crust of TVZ may be related to heterogenous structure as reported by previous studies. Attenuation anisotropy in the northwest direction yielding lower attenuation inferred for the deeper crust suggests the presence of connected melt aligned with the extension direction of TVZ .</p>

Seismic Attenuation Anisotropy in the Southernmost Part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand

<p>We investigate the mechanisms of seismic anisotropy and attenuation (1/Q) beneath the southernmost part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) by computing variations in S-wave attenuation factors with the direction of wave polarization. We rotate pairs of horizontal components in steps of 22.5◦ from 0◦ to 67.5◦ and into the radial and transverse directions to search for the optimal separation of the attenuation curves and thereby determine an anisotropy symmetry system. The frequency dependence of Q for the rotated S-waves is estimated by means of the non-parametric generalized inversion technique (GIT) of Castro et al. (1990) using shallow earthquakes (< 40 km depth) recorded by GeoNet within 100 km of Mt. Ruapehu. To analyze the effects on computed attenuation properties of source locations, we divide our dataset into two groups: a “TVZ” group containing earthquakes within the TVZ in a distance range of 5–55 km and a “non-TVZ” group containing earthquakes outside the TVZ in a distance range of 5–50 km. To measure Q, we compute the spectral amplitude decay with distance in terms of empirical functions at 20 separate frequencies in the frequency bands 2–10 Hz and 2– 12 Hz for the TVZ and non-TVZ datasets respectively. We construct homogeneous and two-layer Q models for the TVZ dataset based on characteristic features of the attenuation function, while for outside TVZ we only analyse a homogeneous Q model. The homogeneous Q models obtained for the two datasets indicate that S-waves are more attenuated within the TVZ than outside. The homogeneous Q model for the TVZ dataset reveals that the S-wave is anisotropic at high frequencies ( f > 6 Hz) along N–S/E– W directions with the relation QSE ( f ) = (6.15±1.22) f (1.73±0.12) and QSN ( f ) = (4.14± 1.26) f (2.06±0.14), while the non-TVZ dataset shows a weak frequency dependence of attenuation anisotropy at low frequencies in NE–SW/SE–NW directions giving the power law function QSNE ( f ) = (50.93±1.18) f (0.20±0.10) and QSSE ( f ) = (22.60±1.10) f (0.53±0.06). Here, the uncertainty estimates are 95% confidence intervals. To investigate the variation of attenuation anisotropy with depth within the TVZ, we first calculate Q along propagation paths (< 25 km, which corresponds to a maximum turning point depth of 9 km ) and then using paths of 25–55 km length. Small attenuation anisotropy with low attenuation in the N–S direction for the upper crust of TVZ may be related to heterogenous structure as reported by previous studies. Attenuation anisotropy in the northwest direction yielding lower attenuation inferred for the deeper crust suggests the presence of connected melt aligned with the extension direction of TVZ .</p>

Growth at the limits: comparing trace metal limitation of a freshwater cyanobacterium (Dolichospermum lemmermannii) and a freshwater diatom (Fragilaria crotonensis)

Freshwater phytoplankton blooms are increasing in prevalence and there are conflicting views on whether trace metals limit growth of key species and thus bloom formation. The Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, was formed by multiple eruptions of a super-volcano which emitted rhyolitic tephra leaving lakes depleted in trace metals. This provides an opportunity to test the potential of trace metal limitation on freshwater phytoplankton growth under nanomolar concentrations. Growth responses of two algal species isolated from Lake Taupō, Dolichospermum lemmermannii (cyanobacteria) and Fragilaria crotonensis (diatom), to six biologically important trace metals (manganese, iron, zinc, cobalt, copper and molybdenum) were examined in culture experiments. These were conducted at three trace metal concentrations: (1) ambient, (2) two-times ambient, and (3) ten-times ambient concentrations in Lake Taupō. Elevated concentrations of iron significantly increased growth rates and maximum cell densities in D. lemmermannii, whereas no significant concentration dependence was observed for other trace metals. Fragilaria crotonensis showed no significant growth response to elevated concentrations of trace metals. These results highlight the importance of iron as a growth limiting nutrient for cyanobacteria and indicate that even small (twofold) increases in Fe concentrations could enhance cyanobacteria growth rates in Lake Taupō, potentially causing cyanobacterial blooms.

Seismic Anisotropy at the Rotokawa and Ngatamariki Geothermal Fields in the Taupo Volcanic Zone

<p>In order to investigate the cracks/fractures in the geothermal fields of Rotokawa and Ngatamariki, we measure seismic anisotropy across both fields and interpret the results in the context of stress aligned microcracks. Cracks aligned perpendicular to the direction of maximum horizontal stress close and their fluid is forced into cracks aligned with maximum horizontal stress (SHmax). Seismic anisotropy is the directional dependence of a seismic wave's velocity and provides a measure of crack orientation and density. To measure seismic anisotropy we conduct shear wave splitting measurements on 52,000 station-earthquake pairs across both Rotokawa and Ngatamariki from earthquakes recorded during 2015. Both fields are the subject of other geophysical and geological studies. Thus they are excellent subjects for studying seismic anisotropy. We cluster our measurements by their station-event path and fit the parameters from these clusters to those from theoretical crack planes. We also apply 2-D tomography to shear wave splitting time delays (𝛿t) and spatial averaging to shear wave splitting fast polarisations (∅). In addition, we compare time delays with P-wave to S-wave velocity ratios (νP / vS). Local measurements of stress within Rotokawa and regional measures of stress within the Taupo Volcanic Zone provide a comparison for the shear wave splitting measurements. We measure ∅ which agrees with the NE-SW regional direction of SHmax across Ngatamariki and parts of Rotokawa. Within Rotokawa, we observe a rotation of ∅ away from NE-SW toward N-S that agrees with borehole measurements of direction of SHmax of 023° and 030°. Spatial averaging of ∅ reveals mean orientations close to the strike of nearby active faults. The theoretical crack planes, that fit best to the shear wave splitting measurements, correspond to aligned cracks striking 045° outside of both fields, 035° within Ngatamariki, and 035° through to 0° within Rotokawa. The average percent anisotropy for the full dataset, approximately 4%, is close to the upper bound for an intact rock. Delay time tomography shows regions of higher delay time per kilometre of path length (s=km) within both fields and possibly associated with the production field fault in Rotokawa. vP =vS shows a wide range of normally distributed values, from 1.1 through to 2.4 with a mean of 1.6, indicating a mixture of gas filled and saturated cracks. A positive correlation between delay time per kilometre (𝛿tpkm) and νP /νS indicates that the majority of the cracks are saturated.</p>

Towards the production of tikitericin: A novel peptide from Thermogemmatispora strain T81

<p>The utilisation of natural products for treatment of human ailments has been rooted in various cultures for centuries. Extraction of natural products has been essential for the discovery of new drugs and inspiration for synthetic analogues. Since the success of penicillin, microbial natural products have been of interest. Genome mining of Thermogemmatisporastrain T81, a thermophile from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, found the potential for the production of novel ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Previous work showed that T81 exhibited antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of extremophillic bacteria. Although the three thiopeptides encoded forin the genome of T81 have not been found, the lanthipeptide tikitericin has recently been isolated and described. Unfortunately tikitericin is produced in low quantities by T81 andbioactivity data has not yet been obtained. Because of its potential antimicrobial activity, different routes to produce it are of interest. The aim of this project wasto synthesisetikitericin by solid phase peptide synthesis. MS imaging was also utilised to search for the presence of tikitericin as an antimicrobial agent in situ.</p>

Novel peptide natural products from the NZ thermophilic microorganism Thermogemmatispora strain T81

<p><b>Genome mining of the newly described Thermogemmatispora strain T81, a thermophile from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, NZ, revealed the potential to produce novel ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptide natural products. Previous work established that strain T81 exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide range of extremophilic bacteria. This thesis describes the mass spectrometry-guided screening of strain T81, and the subsequent isolation and structure elucidation of a novel lanthipeptide, tikitericin (32).</b></p> <p>Tikitericin is a class II lanthipeptide which bears no sequence homology to known lanthipeptides. Comprised of 35 amino acids, the three-dimensional structure of tikitericin is conformationally restricted by four macrocyclic structures formed by the non-proteinogenic residues methyllanthionine and lanthionine. The amino acid sequence, predicted through bioinformatic analysis, was confirmed by chemical degradation experiments and subsequent tandem mass spectrometry. Characterisation of tikitericin’s ring topology was performed by tandem mass spectrometry and stereochemical configuration of the (methyl)lanthionine residues was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.</p>

The volcanic and magmatic evolution of Tongariro volcano, New Zealand

<p>Detailed mapping studies of Quaternary stratovolcanoes provide critical frameworks for examining the long-term evolution of magmatic systems and volcanic behaviour. For stratovolcanoes that have experienced glaciation, edifice-forming products also act as climate-proxies from which ice thicknesses can be inferred at specific points in time. One such volcano is Tongariro, which is located in the southern Taupō Volcanic Zone of New Zealand’s North Island. This study presents the results of new detailed mapping, geochronological and geochemical investigations on edifice-forming materials to reconstruct Tongariro’s volcanic and magmatic history which address the following questions: (1) Does ice coverage on stratovolcanoes influence eruptive rates and behaviour (or record completeness)? (2) What is the relationship between magmatism, its expression (i.e. volcanism) and external but related processes such as tectonics? (3) How are intermediate-composition magmas assembled and what controls their diversity? (4) What are the relative proportions of mantle-derived and crust-derived materials in intermediate composition arc magmas? (5) Do genetic relationships exist between andesite and rhyolite magmas in arc settings? Samples from 250 new field localities in under-examined areas of Tongariro were analysed for major oxide, trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions. Analyses were performed on whole-rock, groundmass and xenolith samples. The stratigraphic framework for these geochemical data was established from field observations and 29 new 40Ar/39Ar age determinations, which were synthesised with volume estimates and petrographic observations for all Tongariro map units. Mapping results divide Tongariro into 36 distinct map units (at their greatest level of subdivision) which were organised into formations and constituent members. New 40Ar/39Ar age determinations reveal continuous eruptive activity at Tongariro from at least 230 ka to present, including during glacial periods. This adds to the discovery of an inlier of old basaltic-andesite (512 ± 59 ka) on Tongariro’s NW sector that has an unclear source vent. Hornblende-phyric andesite boulders, mapped into the Tupuna Formation (new), yield the oldest 40Ar/39Ar age determination (304 ± 11 ka) for materials confidently attributed to Tongariro. Tupuna Formation andesites are correlated with Turakina Formation debris flows that were deposited between 349 to 309 ka in the Wanganui Basin, ~100 km south of Tongariro, which indicates that Ruapehu did not exist at this time, at least not in its current form. Tongariro has a total edifice volume of ~90 km3, 19 km3 of which is represented by exposed mapped units. The total ringplain volume immediately adjacent to Tongariro contains ~60 km3 of material. The volume of exposed glacial deposits are no more than 1 km3. During periods of major ice coverage, edifice-building rates on Tongariro were only 17-21 % of edifice-building rates during warmer climatic periods. Because shifts in edifice-building rates do not coincide with changes in erupted compositions, differences in edifice-building rates reflect a preservation bias. Materials erupted during glacial periods were emplaced onto ice masses and conveyed to the ringplain as debris, which explains reduced preservation rates at these times. MgO concentrations in Tongariro stratigraphic units with ages between 230 and 0 ka display successive and irregular cyclicity that occurs over ~10-70 kyr intervals, which reflect episodes of enhanced mafic magma replenishment. During these cycles, more rapid (≤10 kyr) increases in MgO concentrations to ≥5-9 wt% are followed by gradual declines to ~2-5 wt%, with maxima at ~230, ~160, ~117, ~88, ~56, ~35, ~17.5 ka and during the Holocene. Contemporaneous variations in Tongariro and Ruapehu magma compositions (e.g. MgO, Rb/Sr, Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios) for the 200-0 ka period coincide with reported zircon growth model-ages in Taupō magmas. This contemporaneity reflects regional tectonic processes that have externally regulated and synchronised the timings of elevated mafic replenishment episodes versus periods of prolonged crustal residence at each of these volcanoes. Isotopic Sr-Nd-Pb data from metasedimentary xenoliths, groundmass separates and whole-rock samples indicate that two or three separate metasedimentary terranes (in the upper 15 km of the crust) were assimilated into Tongariro magmas. These are the Kaweka terrane and the Waipapa or Pahau terranes (or both). Subhorizontal juxtapositioning of these terranes is indicated by the coexistence of multiple terranes in the same eruptive units. Paired whole-rock and groundmass (interstitial melt) samples have effectively equal Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios for the complete range of Tongariro compositions. Despite intra-crystal isotopic heterogeneities that are likely widespread, the new data show that crystal fractionation and assimilation occur in approximately equal balance for essentially all Tongariro eruptives. Assimilated country rock accounts for 22-31 wt% of the average Tongariro magma. Initial evolution from a Kakuki basalt-type to a Tongariro Te Rongo Member basaltic-andesite reflects the addition of 17 % assimilated metasedimentary basement with a mass assimilation rate/mass crystal fractionation rate ratio—a.k.a. ‘r value’ of 1.8-3.5. Subsequent evolution from a Te Rongo Member basaltic-andesite to other Tongariro eruptive compositions represents 5-14 % more assimilated crust (r values of ~0.1-1.0). Magma evolution from high (>1) to lower (0.1-1.0) r values can explain the dearth of andesitic melt inclusions in (bulk) andesite magmas observed globally. High relative assimilation rates characterise rapid evolution from basalt to basaltic-andesite bulk compositions which contain andesitic interstitial melts. Thus, andesitic melt inclusions have a reduced chance of being preserved in crystals which can explain their low representation in global datasets.</p>

Novel peptide natural products from the NZ thermophilic microorganism Thermogemmatispora strain T81

<p><b>Genome mining of the newly described Thermogemmatispora strain T81, a thermophile from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, NZ, revealed the potential to produce novel ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptide natural products. Previous work established that strain T81 exhibits antimicrobial activity against a wide range of extremophilic bacteria. This thesis describes the mass spectrometry-guided screening of strain T81, and the subsequent isolation and structure elucidation of a novel lanthipeptide, tikitericin (32).</b></p> <p>Tikitericin is a class II lanthipeptide which bears no sequence homology to known lanthipeptides. Comprised of 35 amino acids, the three-dimensional structure of tikitericin is conformationally restricted by four macrocyclic structures formed by the non-proteinogenic residues methyllanthionine and lanthionine. The amino acid sequence, predicted through bioinformatic analysis, was confirmed by chemical degradation experiments and subsequent tandem mass spectrometry. Characterisation of tikitericin’s ring topology was performed by tandem mass spectrometry and stereochemical configuration of the (methyl)lanthionine residues was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.</p>

The volcanic and magmatic evolution of Tongariro volcano, New Zealand

<p>Detailed mapping studies of Quaternary stratovolcanoes provide critical frameworks for examining the long-term evolution of magmatic systems and volcanic behaviour. For stratovolcanoes that have experienced glaciation, edifice-forming products also act as climate-proxies from which ice thicknesses can be inferred at specific points in time. One such volcano is Tongariro, which is located in the southern Taupō Volcanic Zone of New Zealand’s North Island. This study presents the results of new detailed mapping, geochronological and geochemical investigations on edifice-forming materials to reconstruct Tongariro’s volcanic and magmatic history which address the following questions: (1) Does ice coverage on stratovolcanoes influence eruptive rates and behaviour (or record completeness)? (2) What is the relationship between magmatism, its expression (i.e. volcanism) and external but related processes such as tectonics? (3) How are intermediate-composition magmas assembled and what controls their diversity? (4) What are the relative proportions of mantle-derived and crust-derived materials in intermediate composition arc magmas? (5) Do genetic relationships exist between andesite and rhyolite magmas in arc settings? Samples from 250 new field localities in under-examined areas of Tongariro were analysed for major oxide, trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions. Analyses were performed on whole-rock, groundmass and xenolith samples. The stratigraphic framework for these geochemical data was established from field observations and 29 new 40Ar/39Ar age determinations, which were synthesised with volume estimates and petrographic observations for all Tongariro map units. Mapping results divide Tongariro into 36 distinct map units (at their greatest level of subdivision) which were organised into formations and constituent members. New 40Ar/39Ar age determinations reveal continuous eruptive activity at Tongariro from at least 230 ka to present, including during glacial periods. This adds to the discovery of an inlier of old basaltic-andesite (512 ± 59 ka) on Tongariro’s NW sector that has an unclear source vent. Hornblende-phyric andesite boulders, mapped into the Tupuna Formation (new), yield the oldest 40Ar/39Ar age determination (304 ± 11 ka) for materials confidently attributed to Tongariro. Tupuna Formation andesites are correlated with Turakina Formation debris flows that were deposited between 349 to 309 ka in the Wanganui Basin, ~100 km south of Tongariro, which indicates that Ruapehu did not exist at this time, at least not in its current form. Tongariro has a total edifice volume of ~90 km3, 19 km3 of which is represented by exposed mapped units. The total ringplain volume immediately adjacent to Tongariro contains ~60 km3 of material. The volume of exposed glacial deposits are no more than 1 km3. During periods of major ice coverage, edifice-building rates on Tongariro were only 17-21 % of edifice-building rates during warmer climatic periods. Because shifts in edifice-building rates do not coincide with changes in erupted compositions, differences in edifice-building rates reflect a preservation bias. Materials erupted during glacial periods were emplaced onto ice masses and conveyed to the ringplain as debris, which explains reduced preservation rates at these times. MgO concentrations in Tongariro stratigraphic units with ages between 230 and 0 ka display successive and irregular cyclicity that occurs over ~10-70 kyr intervals, which reflect episodes of enhanced mafic magma replenishment. During these cycles, more rapid (≤10 kyr) increases in MgO concentrations to ≥5-9 wt% are followed by gradual declines to ~2-5 wt%, with maxima at ~230, ~160, ~117, ~88, ~56, ~35, ~17.5 ka and during the Holocene. Contemporaneous variations in Tongariro and Ruapehu magma compositions (e.g. MgO, Rb/Sr, Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios) for the 200-0 ka period coincide with reported zircon growth model-ages in Taupō magmas. This contemporaneity reflects regional tectonic processes that have externally regulated and synchronised the timings of elevated mafic replenishment episodes versus periods of prolonged crustal residence at each of these volcanoes. Isotopic Sr-Nd-Pb data from metasedimentary xenoliths, groundmass separates and whole-rock samples indicate that two or three separate metasedimentary terranes (in the upper 15 km of the crust) were assimilated into Tongariro magmas. These are the Kaweka terrane and the Waipapa or Pahau terranes (or both). Subhorizontal juxtapositioning of these terranes is indicated by the coexistence of multiple terranes in the same eruptive units. Paired whole-rock and groundmass (interstitial melt) samples have effectively equal Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios for the complete range of Tongariro compositions. Despite intra-crystal isotopic heterogeneities that are likely widespread, the new data show that crystal fractionation and assimilation occur in approximately equal balance for essentially all Tongariro eruptives. Assimilated country rock accounts for 22-31 wt% of the average Tongariro magma. Initial evolution from a Kakuki basalt-type to a Tongariro Te Rongo Member basaltic-andesite reflects the addition of 17 % assimilated metasedimentary basement with a mass assimilation rate/mass crystal fractionation rate ratio—a.k.a. ‘r value’ of 1.8-3.5. Subsequent evolution from a Te Rongo Member basaltic-andesite to other Tongariro eruptive compositions represents 5-14 % more assimilated crust (r values of ~0.1-1.0). Magma evolution from high (>1) to lower (0.1-1.0) r values can explain the dearth of andesitic melt inclusions in (bulk) andesite magmas observed globally. High relative assimilation rates characterise rapid evolution from basalt to basaltic-andesite bulk compositions which contain andesitic interstitial melts. Thus, andesitic melt inclusions have a reduced chance of being preserved in crystals which can explain their low representation in global datasets.</p>