The origin of the 226Ra-excess during the last cycle of Vesuvius activity was investigated by high-resolution alpha-spectrometry, TIMS and EDXRF. Lavas display high initial 226Ra-excess (500–1000%), similar (230Th/232Th) activity ratios (0.87– 0.91) and most samples show significant 238U-excess. During the period 1631–1944 the initial absolute 226Ra-excess reached the highest values (19–44 dpm g-1) recorded for earth volcanoes. Crystal fractionation and particularly leucite floating did not cause the 226Ra-excess in spite of the high 226Ra activity (21–85 dpm g-1) in leucite. The presence of phlogopite in the mantle source, documented by field and petrological evidences on local mantle-derived xenoliths, rules out that equilibrium partial melting can be responsible for the 226Ra-excess. This primary feature may be explained by a multistage process involving metasomatic mantle fluids (MMFs) flowing through a mantle wedge where U is concentrated as U-accessory minerals deposited along microfractures. Fluids, passing through the mantle wedge, are supplied of 226Ra, 230Th and 234U by alpha-decay recoil of parent nuclides from U-enriched microfractures. This model calculates that the ascent time of fluids through the mantle wedge was ≤ 12 ka. Successively MMFs mixed with mantle-derived melts, giving rise to 226Ra-enriched magmas, which entered the Vesuvius plumbing system less than 7 ka. Crystal fractionation did not affect extensively the initial 226Ra/Ba ratio, which varied in the 1631–1944 period according to a pattern reflecting periodic inputs of 226Ra-enriched magma, variable reservoir volumes and residence times in magmatic chamber(s). The temporal trend of the reservoir volumes, extrapolated to the present time, indicates a volume of magma of ~ 0.021 km3, stored most probably in a shallow chamber.
Voltaggio, M., Branca, M., Tedesco, D., Tuccimei, P., DI PIETRO, L. (2004). 226Ra-excess during the 1631-1944 avtivity period of Mt. Vesuvius (Italy). A model of alpha-recoil enrichment in a metasomatized mantle and implications on the current state of the magmatic system. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, 68, 167-181.
226Ra-excess during the 1631-1944 avtivity period of Mt. Vesuvius (Italy). A model of alpha-recoil enrichment in a metasomatized mantle and implications on the current state of the magmatic system
TUCCIMEI, Paola;
2004-01-01
Abstract
The origin of the 226Ra-excess during the last cycle of Vesuvius activity was investigated by high-resolution alpha-spectrometry, TIMS and EDXRF. Lavas display high initial 226Ra-excess (500–1000%), similar (230Th/232Th) activity ratios (0.87– 0.91) and most samples show significant 238U-excess. During the period 1631–1944 the initial absolute 226Ra-excess reached the highest values (19–44 dpm g-1) recorded for earth volcanoes. Crystal fractionation and particularly leucite floating did not cause the 226Ra-excess in spite of the high 226Ra activity (21–85 dpm g-1) in leucite. The presence of phlogopite in the mantle source, documented by field and petrological evidences on local mantle-derived xenoliths, rules out that equilibrium partial melting can be responsible for the 226Ra-excess. This primary feature may be explained by a multistage process involving metasomatic mantle fluids (MMFs) flowing through a mantle wedge where U is concentrated as U-accessory minerals deposited along microfractures. Fluids, passing through the mantle wedge, are supplied of 226Ra, 230Th and 234U by alpha-decay recoil of parent nuclides from U-enriched microfractures. This model calculates that the ascent time of fluids through the mantle wedge was ≤ 12 ka. Successively MMFs mixed with mantle-derived melts, giving rise to 226Ra-enriched magmas, which entered the Vesuvius plumbing system less than 7 ka. Crystal fractionation did not affect extensively the initial 226Ra/Ba ratio, which varied in the 1631–1944 period according to a pattern reflecting periodic inputs of 226Ra-enriched magma, variable reservoir volumes and residence times in magmatic chamber(s). The temporal trend of the reservoir volumes, extrapolated to the present time, indicates a volume of magma of ~ 0.021 km3, stored most probably in a shallow chamber.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.