Hydrothermal Explosion Craters in Yellowstone National Park

Muffler, L. J. Patrick; White, Donald E.; Truesdell, A.H.

doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[723:heciyn]2.0.co;2

Cited by 123 publications

(79 citation statements)

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“…) according to which phreatic breccia pipes formed at shallow levels in volcanic environments and geothermal fields. Phreatic breccia structures ubiquitously occur in the upper levels of hydrothermal systems, towards their discharge zone (Muffler et al, 1971;Nairn & Wiradiradja, 1980;Baker et al, 1986) where the physical conditions lead to hydraulic fracturing and hydrothermal/phreatic brecciation (Hedenquist & Henley, 1985). The common depth of formation is 200-300 m, seldom 500 m and only exceptionally 1,000 m (Sillitoe, 1985).…”

Section: Environment / Depth Of Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…350 m (Hedenquist & Henley, 1985), or 500 m (Sillitoe, 1985). Muffler et al (1971) mentioned an unusual example, those of a hydrothermal crater from Yellowstone National Park (USA), with a diameter exceeding 1,200 m.…”

Section: Dimensionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most important alteration is the silicification, which is usually very well developed (Muffler et al, 1971;Sillitoe, 1985). Beside the widespread silicification, other common alteration assemblages are: potassium silicate, phyllic, argillic (intermediate and advanced), and propylitic.…”

Section: Alterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These surface breccia deposits are composed of angular rock fragments that accurately reflect the lithology of the area affected by phreatic brecciation (Muffler et al, 1971). Clast dimensions are generally small (centimeters -decimeters), but sometimes may rise up to 2-3 m (Nairn & Wiradiradja, 1980).…”

Section: Surface Connection / Extracraterial Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clast dimensions are generally small (centimeters -decimeters), but sometimes may rise up to 2-3 m (Nairn & Wiradiradja, 1980). Within extracraterial deposits, no juvenile clasts occur (Muffler et al, 1971;Nairn & Wiradiradja, 1980;Sillitoe et al, 1984;Baker et al, 1986). The rock fragments could be held together by a rough matrix composed of angular rock fragments, or by a clay minerals hydrothermal cement.…”

Section: Surface Connection / Extracraterial Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrothermal breccia pipe structures: general features and genetic criteria - II Phreatic breccia

Tămaş¹,

Milési²

2003

Studia UBB Geologia

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ABSTRACT. Phreatic and phreatomagmatic breccias are the two end-member styles of hydromagmatic breccias. A previous contribution deals with phreatomagmatic breccias with an emphasis on their general features and those genetic criteria that allow an accurate and rapid recognition.Phreatic breccias are presented here. Their general features, i.e. environment/ depth of formation, general form/geometry, dimensions, contacts with the host rocks, fragments, matrix, alteration, mineralization, surface connection, fluidization and facies changes were examined. Furthermore, genetic criteria, very useful in phreatic breccia recognition are summarized.

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Section: Environment / Depth Of Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Dimensionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Alterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Surface Connection / Extracraterial Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Surface Connection / Extracraterial Formationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrothermal breccia pipe structures: general features and genetic criteria - II Phreatic breccia

Tămaş¹,

Milési²

2003

Studia UBB Geologia

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Dynamics of the Yellowstone hydrothermal system

2014

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The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field is characterized by extensive seismicity, episodes of uplift and subsidence, and a hydrothermal system that comprises more than 10,000 thermal features, including geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, thermal springs, and hydrothermal explosion craters. The diverse chemical and isotopic compositions of waters and gases derive from mantle, crustal, and meteoric sources and extensive water-gas-rock interaction at variable pressures and temperatures. The thermal features are host to all domains of life that utilize diverse inorganic sources of energy for metabolism. The unique and exceptional features of the hydrothermal system have attracted numerous researchers to Yellowstone beginning with the Washburn and Hayden expeditions in the 1870s. Since a seminal review published a quarter of a century ago, research in many fields has greatly advanced our understanding of the many coupled processes operating in and on the hydrothermal system. Specific advances include more refined geophysical images of the magmatic system, better constraints on the time scale of magmatic processes, characterization of fluid sources and water-rock interactions, quantitative estimates of heat and magmatic volatile fluxes, discovering and quantifying the role of thermophile microorganisms in the geochemical cycle, defining the chronology of hydrothermal explosions and their relation to glacial cycles, defining possible links between hydrothermal activity, deformation, and seismicity; quantifying geyser dynamics; and the discovery of extensive hydrothermal activity in Yellowstone Lake. Discussion of these many advances forms the basis of this review."This whole region was, in comparatively modern geologic times, the scene of the most wonderful volcanic activity of any portion of our country. The hot springs and the geysers represent the late stages-the vents or escape pipes-of these remarkable volcanic manifestations of the internal forces. All these springs are adorned with decorations more beautiful than human art ever conceived, and which have required thousands of years for the cunning hand of nature to form" [Hayden, 1883, p. 70]. Ferdinand V. Hayden led the 1871 geological survey of northwestern Wyoming, leading to the establishment of Yellowstone as the first U.S. National Park in 1872.

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Experimental investigations on the explosivity of steam‐driven eruptions: A case study of Solfatara volcano (Campi Flegrei)

et al. 2016

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Steam‐driven eruptions, both phreatic and hydrothermal, expel exclusively fragments of non‐juvenile rocks disintegrated by the expansion of water as liquid or gas phase. As their violence is related to the magnitude of the decompression work that can be performed by fluid expansion, these eruptions may occur with variable degrees of explosivity. In this study we investigate the influence of liquid fraction and rock petrophysical properties on the steam‐driven explosive energy. A series of fine‐grained heterogeneous tuffs from the Campi Flegrei caldera were investigated for their petrophysical properties. The rapid depressurization of various amounts of liquid water within the rock pore space can yield highly variable fragmentation and ejection behaviors for the investigated tuffs. Our results suggest that the pore liquid fraction controls the stored explosive energy with an increasing liquid fraction within the pore space increasing the explosive energy. Overall, the energy released by steam flashing can be estimated to be 1 order of magnitude higher than for simple (Argon) gas expansion and may produce a higher amount of fine material even under partially saturated conditions. The energy surplus in the presence of steam flashing leads to a faster fragmentation with respect to gas expansion and to higher ejection velocities imparted to the fragmented particles. Moreover, weak and low permeability rocks yield a maximum fine fraction. Using experiments to unravel the energetics of steam‐driven eruptions has yielded estimates for several parameters controlling their explosivity. These findings should be considered for both modeling and evaluation of the hazards associated with steam‐driven eruptions.

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Hydrothermal Explosion Craters in Yellowstone National Park

Cited by 123 publications

References 0 publications

Hydrothermal breccia pipe structures: general features and genetic criteria - II Phreatic breccia

Hydrothermal breccia pipe structures: general features and genetic criteria - II Phreatic breccia

Dynamics of the Yellowstone hydrothermal system

Experimental investigations on the explosivity of steam‐driven eruptions: A case study of Solfatara volcano (Campi Flegrei)

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