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Will subglacial rhyolite eruptions be explosive or intrusive? Some insights from analytical models

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNChapter

Published
Publication date2007
Host publicationPapers from the International Symposium on Earth and Planetary Ice-Volcano Interactions held in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 19-23 June 2006
EditorsGKC Clarke, J Smellie
Place of PublicationCambridge
PublisherInternational Glaciological Society
Pages87-94
Number of pages8
ISBN (print)9780946417407
<mark>Original language</mark>English
EventInternational Symposium on Earth and Planetary Ice-Volcano Interactions - Reykjavik
Duration: 19/06/200623/06/2006

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on Earth and Planetary Ice-Volcano Interactions
CityReykjavik
Period19/06/0623/06/06

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on Earth and Planetary Ice-Volcano Interactions
CityReykjavik
Period19/06/0623/06/06

Abstract

Simple analytical models of subglacial eruptions are presented, which simulate evolving subglacial cavities and volcanic edifices during rhyolitic eruptions beneath temperate glaciers. They shove that the relative sizes of cavity and edifice may strongly influence the eruption mechanisms. Intrusive eruptions will occur if the edifice fills the cavity, with rising magma quenched within the edifice and slow melting of ice. Explosive magma-water interaction may occur if a water- or steam-filled gap develops above the edifice. Meltwater is assumed to drain away continuously, but any gap above the edifice will be filled by meltwater or steam. Ductile roof closure will occur if the glacier weight exceeds the cavity pressure and is modelled here using Nye's law. The results show that the effusion rate is an important control on the eruption style, with explosive eruptions favoured by large effusion rates. The models are used to explain contrasting eruption mechanisms during various Quaternary subglacial rhyolite eruptions at Torfajokull, Iceland. Although the models are simplistic, they are first attempts to unravel the complex feedbacks between subglacial eruption mechanisms and glacier response that can lead to a variety of eruptive scenarios and associated hazards.