Discrete magma injections drive the 2021 La Palma eruption.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 37406116.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adg4813 and PMC identifier 10321733.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of the onset, evolution, and end of eruptions and their impact on eruption style is critical in eruption forecasting and emergency management. The composition of erupted liquids is a key piece of the volcano puzzle, but untangling subtle melt variations remains an analytical challenge. Here, we apply rapid, high-resolution matrix geochemical analysis on samples of known eruption date spanning the entire 2021 La Palma eruption. Sr isotope signatures reveal distinct pulses of basanite melt driving the onset, restart, and evolution of the eruption. Elemental variations in matrix and microcrysts track progressive invasion, and draining, of a subcrustal crystal mush. Associated variations in lava flow rate, vent development, seismicity, and SO<sub>2</sub> emission demonstrate that volcanic matrix resolves eruption patterns that could be expected in future basaltic eruptions globally.