Ruapehu and Tongariro stratovolcanoes: a review of current understanding
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Date
2021-05-02
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of GNS Science Ltd
Rights
© 2021 Crown Copyright in the Commonwealth of New Zealand. GNS Science Ltd
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Abstract
Ruapehu (150 km3 cone, 150 km3 ring-plain) and Tongariro (90 km3 cone, 60 km3 ring-plain) are iconic stratovolcanoes, formed since ∼230 and ∼350 ka, respectively, in the southern Taupo Volcanic Zone and Taupo Rift. These volcanoes rest on Mesozoic metasedimentary basement with local intervening Miocene sediments. Both volcanoes have complex growth histories, closely linked to the presence or absence of glacial ice that controlled the distribution and preservation of lavas. Ruapehu cone-building vents are focused into a short NNE-separated pair, whereas Tongariro vents are more widely distributed along that trend, the differences reflecting local rifting rates and faulting intensities. Both volcanoes have erupted basaltic andesite to dacite (53–66 wt.% silica), but mostly plagioclase-two pyroxene andesites from storage zones at 5–10 km depth. Erupted compositions contain evidence for magma mixing and interaction with basement rocks. Each volcano has an independent magmatic system and a growth history related to long-term (>104 years) cycles of mantle-derived magma supply, unrelated to glacial/interglacial cycles. Historic eruptions at both volcanoes are compositionally diverse, reflecting small, dispersed magma sources. Both volcanoes often show signs of volcanic unrest and have erupted with a wide range of styles and associated hazards, most recently in 2007 (Ruapehu) and 2012 (Tongariro).
Description
Keywords
Stratovolcano, Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, eruption, andesite, magma system, lahar, sector collapse, structure, faulting
Citation
Leonard GS, Cole RP, Christenson BW, Conway CE, Cronin SJ, Gamble JA, Hurst T, Kennedy BM, Miller CA, Procter JN, Pure LR, Townsend DB, White JDL, Wilson CJN. (2021). Ruapehu and Tongariro stratovolcanoes: a review of current understanding. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. 64. 2-3. (pp. 389-420).