The Meseta de Somuncura forms the largest basaltic plateau (20 000 km2) of southern Argentina (extra‐Andean domain). Most of these tholeiitic to alkaline rocks were extruded at ˜ 25 Ma (late Oligocene). The absence of rifting–thinning processes, plume activity, or slab‐window phenomena leaves only one major possibility for the generation of Somuncura: asthenospheric (‘OIB‐like’) corner flow leading to a transient thermal anomaly above the subducting plate. It is suggested herein that the intake of hot asthenosphere was forced into a favourable topography (concave‐up) of the subducting plate, when a major plate reorganization event (Farallon to Nazca) was taking place in late Oligocene to early Miocene time. The fast and vigorous intake of asthenosphere would have been induced by slab roll‐back, leading to decoupling of the subducting plate. The Somuncura volcanic episode can be regarded as a marker of the passage from the extremely oblique subduction of Farallon, to the birth of the Nazca plate and roughly perpendicular convergence between South America and Nazca.

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Submarine volcanic eruptions are frequent and important events, yet they are rarely observed.Here we relate bathymetric and hydroacoustic images from the 2011 to 2012 El Hierro eruption with surface observations and deposits imaged and sampled by ROV. As a result of the shallow submarine eruption, a new volcano named Tagoro grew from 375 to 89 m depth. The eruption consisted of two main phases of edifice construction intercalated with collapse events. Hydroacoustic images show that the eruptions ranged from explosive to effusive with variable plume types and resulting deposits, even over short time intervals. At the base of the edifice, ROV observations show large accumulations of lava balloons changing in size and type downslope, coinciding with the area where floating lava balloon fallout was observed. Peaks in eruption intensity during explosive phases generated vigorous bubbling at the surface, extensive ash, vesicular lapilli and formed high-density currents, which together with periods of edifice gravitational collapse, produced extensive deep volcaniclastic aprons. Secondary cones developed in the last stages and show evidence for effusive activity with lava ponds and lava flows that cover deposits of stacked lava balloons. Chaotic masses of heterometric boulders around the summit of the principal cone are related to progressive sealing of the vent with decreasing or variable magma supply. Hornitos represent the final eruptive activity with hydrothermal alteration and bacterial mats at the summit. Our study documents the distinct evolution of a submarine volcano and highlights the range of deposit types that may form and be rapidly destroyed in such eruptions.Plain Language Summary Today and through most of geological history, the greatest number and volume of volcanic eruptions on Earth have occurred underwater. However, in comparison to subaerial eruption, little is known about submarine eruptive processes as they are dangerous to cruise it over, especially during explosive phases. This work shows the results of a study carried out during the eruption of the submarine volcano occurred during 2011-2012 1 km offshore El Hierro Island, Canary Islands, Spain. The submarine volcano emitted periodically large bubbles of gas, ashes, and giant steamed lava balloons that floated in the sea surface before sinking. These products identified later after the eruption using a submersible vehicle forming huge accumulations of lava balloons on the seafloor. More quiet periods erupted toothpaste lava from secondary cones which formed stalactite-like formations. Massive accumulation of blocks on the summit evidence intermittent violent explosions occurred when the cooling of lava progressively close the vent accumulating gas that finally exploded. The final stage of this submarine eruption consisted in the formation of chimneys by liquid-like lavas mixed with hydrothermal fluids forming 5-10 m tall ''hornitos'' structures at the summit of the volcano at 89 m depth but without emerging as it was expected.

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