Identifying Distinct Pre‐Eruptive Composition‐H2O‐Time Trends Using Plagioclase

Abstract

Abstract Macrocrysts (large crystals) in magmas offer a premier record of pre‐eruptive magma storage conditions encoded in their chemistry and texture. Careful study of macrocryst zoning can deconvolve the conditions of crystal growth and the relative time a magma spends in a given physical‐chemical state prior to eruption. Importantly, identifying discrete macrocryst zones requires consideration of both chemistry and texture simultaneously. Here, we employ a novel image segmentation approach to characterize zoning from 2D chemical maps of plagioclase macrocrysts. We apply the method to 15 volcanic eruptions, across three stratigraphic sections, to track statistical differences in crystal zoning through relative time at an arc volcano (Mount Liamuiga, Saint Kitts). Plagioclase from the 15 eruptions are described by 7 unique textural‐chemical zoning populations, which we term “zoning groups,” each of which has a unique An# fingerprint. Two of the studied stratigraphic sections overwhelmingly record low‐An# zoning groups (ZGs), whereas the other section records mostly high‐An# ZGs, suggestive of two distinct storage conditions. Using observations from equilibrium experiments relevant to Saint Kitts bulk magma compositions, we show that differences in melt H2O are the primary drivers of the An# variability. Negative whole rock K2O versus predicted H2O trends are suggestive of ubiquitous H2O‐saturated conditions throughout the middle and upper crust, with a correlation between H2O‐saturated storage pressure (Psat) and eruptive dynamics; magmas stored in the upper‐crust (0.48 ± 0.28–1.08 ± 0.45 kbar) produce larger‐volume, pumice‐rich eruptions compared to magmas stored in the middle crust (3.29 ± 0.87–3.88 ± 1.05 kbar) which generally produce smaller‐volume, centimeter to decimeter‐thick fall deposits.

Keywords

• segmentation
• hygrometry
• water‐saturated
• arc
• Saint Kitts
• Lesser Antilles