Evidence for the formation of silicic lava by pyroclast sintering

Abstract

Silicic lavas can be produced by the sintering of pyroclasts in the volcanic sub-surface, and then advected out of the vent. Here, we provide evidence for this mechanism preserved in the exposed post-glacial remnants of a silicic volcanic conduit at Hrafntinnuhryggur, Krafla volcano, Iceland. We show that the conduit margins are a clast-supported pumice lapilli tuff deposit that grades continuously into dense obsidian and that the obsidian contains cuspate relict clast boundaries and country rock lithic fragments throughout. Transects of H2O concentrations across the conduit show that the magma was degassed to different degrees laterally with systematic spatial variation that is consistent with progressive conduit clogging and final gas pressurisation. Textures in the overlying effusive lavas record the variably sheared and brecciated remnant of the same in-conduit sintering. This record of a silicic conduit system connected to upper eruptive deposits provides support for the ‘cryptic fragmentation model’ for effusive silicic volcanism.