Volcanica

Vulnerability of the petroleum sector to volcanic hazards

Zoë Juniper — 2026-05-18

Volcanic eruptions can cause substantial damage and disruption to infrastructure and communities. Contemporary societies typically depend on petroleum infrastructure. Volcanic unrest and eruptions can cause considerable operational and structural challenges for the petroleum sector. The vulnerability of this sector to volcanic hazards is understudied when compared to other potentially dangerous phenomena (e.g. earthquakes). In this paper, we present new volcanic physical vulnerability models for the four key asset classes of the petroleum sector: wells, pipelines, production facilities and storage tanks. The vulnerability models are developed based on a literature review and facilitated expert judgement in the form of workshops with petroleum engineers and volcanic risk experts. These models consider four hazard intensity metrics (burial thickness, static load, dynamic pressure and airborne ash concentration) and are thus applicable to multiple volcanic hazards. We apply these models to pre-existing multi-hazard eruption scenarios for Taranaki Mounga volcano in Aotearoa New Zealand, using an available impact assessment framework to demonstrate their usability in impact and risk modelling. Our impact assessment indicates that a future eruption of Taranaki Mounga volcano could cause widespread impacts to the petroleum sector, which would in turn create a prolonged national emergency due to energy supply shortages for major industries and consumers. These vulnerability models may be applied in other volcanic regions worldwide to inform risk reduction and readiness actions.

Lower crustal magmatic processes and andesite genesis at Shiveluch Volcano

Andrea E. Goltz — 2026-07-02

The silicic melts that eventually erupt at arc volcanoes are produced in the lower crust, yet, the storage conditions of magma in the lower crust have not been the topic of extensive study. In this study, we conduct and analyze hydrous piston cylinder experiments to determine the mid-to-lower magma storage conditions of primitive melt at Shiveluch, an arc volcano located in northern Kamchatka. The near-liquidus assemblage of amphibole and olivine, observed in mafic enclaves, constrains storage of primitive magmas to pressures between 500 MPa and 1 GPa, temperatures from 1000–1100 °C, and high (≥7.2 wt%) H₂O contents. Compositions of glasses in our experiments also show that lower crustal differentiation cannot be the only process involved in the production of andesites at Shiveluch. By comparing synthetic and natural compositions of amphibole we determine that anatexis of the lower crust is also likely to significantly contribute to produce andesitic melts at Shiveluch.

Oxidation state of Mayotte magmatic series

Charles Le Losq — 2026-07-02

Following the 2018–2020 Fani Maoré submarine eruption near Mayotte Island, Indian Ocean, multiple oceanographic expeditions provide unprecedented access to fresh alkaline volcanic glasses spanning basanite to phonolite compositions from the East-Mayotte Volcanic Chain (EMVC). We applied Fe and S K-edge X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) to determine iron and sulfur oxidation states in 13 glass samples, providing the first comprehensive redox characterization of this submarine volcanic system. Fe³⁺/Fe^TOT ratios range from 0.19 to 0.51, while S⁶⁺/S^TOT ratios span 0.02–0.17, with more evolved compositions that tend to show higher oxidation states. Beam damage monitoring revealed significant photo-oxidation effects on sulfur measurements, requiring analysis of initial spectra only. Comparison of redox estimates from multiple independent oxybarometers based on the Fe³⁺/Fe^TOT and S⁶⁺/S^TOT as well as the olivine-spinel-a^melt_SiO2 reveals systematic discrepancies between Fe-based and S-based estimates, likely due to Fe-Ti nanolite contamination along X-ray beam paths. Integration of S⁶⁺/S^TOT measurements with the olivine-spinel-a^melt_SiO2 oxybarometer indicates ΔFMQ = +0.3 ± 0.2 for basanite to tephriphonolite magmas, suggesting slightly more oxidized conditions than previously estimated for EMVC. These results provide essential constraints for thermodynamic modeling of alkaline submarine volcanism and highlight the importance of multi-proxy approaches in determining magmatic redox conditions. The oxidation state is consistent with other regional volcanic systems in the SW Indian Ocean, supporting a moderately oxidized mantle source beneath the Comoros archipelago.

Volcaniclastic deposit failure as a source of pyroclastic density currents during the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius

Jacopo Natale — 2026-08-24

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are among the most lethal volcanic phenomena and are mainly generated by column collapse, lateral blasts, or dome failure. An additional but still poorly constrained hazard is represented by PDCs produced by the collapse of hot volcaniclastic deposits. Here we investigate deposit-derived (dd) PDCs emplaced during the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius (Italy). We integrate historical literature, contemporary written and photographic sources, and new field observations with a reconstruction of the pre-eruptive topography based on vintage aerial photographs and digital elevation models. Our results show that the pre-eruptive crater geometry exerted a primary control on deposit accumulation, failure mechanisms, and runout behaviour. Volume–area relationships indicate that failure mechanisms broadly consistent with translational, near-planar collapse. Individual dd-PDCs reached volumes of up to ~3×10⁶ m³ and runout distances of ~1–1.5 km, ranking among the largest PDCs associated with sustained lava fountaining and highlighting an underestimated hazard capable of affecting areas up to 2 km from the vent.

Pit crater formation and caldera subsidence at Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (Chile) documented with satellite, drone, and field observations

Alonzo Olitt — 2026-07-02

Pit craters are observed throughout the solar system, but are rarely seen forming. Here we document pit crater formation and characteristics following the 2011–2012 Cordón Caulle rhyolitic eruption using satellite and drone data with field observations. Syn-eruptive shallow intrusion (laccolith) uplift and subsequent subsidence at Cordón Caulle are found to be responsible for the creation of faults and fractures as well as at least 349 collapse pits. At Puyehue volcano, we measure nearly 35 m of subsidence within the 2.5 km wide summit caldera from 2016–2024 using digital elevation models leading to ring fractures and pit craters forming inside the caldera. Some pit craters may form from melting snow buried by tephra deposited during 2011–2012. This study offers a unique example of near real-time pit crater formation and evolution, which may be applied to better understanding these processes on Earth and other planetary bodies.

Relating glassy rind thicknesses to ambient air temperatures at the Lost Jim flow field in the Imuruk Lake volcanic field, Alaska

Erika Rader — 2026-05-18

The Lost Jim flow field, in the Imuruk Lake volcanic field, Alaska, extends west ~34 km from a single vent, crossing subarctic tundra and currently touches several lakes and streams. The weighted mean of five 36Cl cosmogenic exposure ages from the Lost Jim pāhoehoe flow is 7.73 ± 0.37 ka, indicating this eruption occurred substantially after the eruption of the underlying Camille flow, which was emplaced at 39.7 ± 1.3 ka. Paleoclimate records indicate the period when the Lost Jim flow field was emplaced was after deglaciation, and the climate was similar to today. We propose that the emplacement of lava in these cold subarctic conditions can lead to faster cooling of the lava surface compared to lava emplaced in warmer locations such as mid- latitude cold deserts. Glass abundance in the outermost rinds at the Lost Jim flow field was on average 74 % with 6.4 mm thick rims, compared to 60 % with 2.9 mm rims for cold mid-latitude desert samples. We interpret increased glass content as a proxy for rapid cooling likely occurring partly during winter. Glassiness values varied less across vent, margin, and mid-flow locations when compared to the mid-latitude flows suggesting the Lost Jim flow field was broadly impacted by the subarctic climate as opposed to responding to local microclimates. Our results indicate that lava glassiness may be a useful environmental indicator of cooler (in this case subarctic) conditions.

Plumbing system dynamics during the 2024 paroxysmal sequence at the Voragine crater of Mt. Etna volcano as revealed by the olivine crystal cargo

Massimiliano Cardone — 2026-07-02

The sequence of six paroxysmal eruptions that occurred between July and August 2024 at Mt. Etna’s Voragine crater has been investigated in order to constrain the plumbing system dynamics. Whole-rock and glass major-element analyses have been integrated with a detailed petrological study of erupted products, focusing on olivine major-element compositions to track magma storage and transfer dynamics leading to the eruptions. Olivine chemistry and thermodynamic modeling indicate an intermediate reservoir at ∼2.7 km b.s.l. as the main magma storage region. Fe–Mg diffusion chronometry on zoned olivines constrains magma transfer timescales, suggesting mafic recharge from depths of 6–8 km b.s.l. over 3—4 months, followed by progressive replacement of magmas occupying the shallower levels 1—3 weeks before the onset of Strombolian activity in mid-June. Compared to the last lava fountain activity at Voragine in 2015–2016 and the long-lasting sequence at South East Crater in 2020—2022, the 2024 magmas underwent slower transfer from depth and longer residence at intermediate storage levels, suggesting important modifications in the working modes of the current plumbing system.