Stratigraphic constraints for explosive activity in the past 100 ka at Etna Volcano, Italy

Abstract

The pyroclastic deposits of Etna have been correlated over the whole volcanic edifice for the first time, allowing the construction of a continuous record of tephra-producing events, which extends from approximately 100 ka to the Present. In this interval, five main periods of explosive activity have been identified: (a)~100-ka strombolian to subplinian activity; (b) 80-to 100-ka plinian benmoreitic activity; (c) 16-to 80-ka strombolian to subplinian from basaltic to mugearitic activity; (d) 15.5-to 15-ka plinian benmoreitic activity accompanying the caldera-forming eruptions of the Ellittico Volcano; and (e) the most recent 13-ka basaltic explosive activity of strombolian and subplinian type of the present edifice that also includes the 122-B.C. plinian eruption. This study results in a semi-quantitative and in some cases quantitative definition of the intensity and chronology of the explosive activity at Etna. Moreover, this work gives a new significance to the volcanic hazards of Etna, a volcano generally considered to be the site of gentle effusive eruptions.

Climate forcing of volcano lateral collapse: evidence from Mount Etna, Sicily

“…More recently, Calvari et al (2004) reiterate the link with the Ellittico centre, proposing the formation of an initial Valle del Bove owing to lateral collapse 'about 10 000 years ago' of the prehistoric Ellittico eruptive centre, with subsequent enlargement occurring through episodes of minor collapse. A date of 5.340 ± 0.060 ka BP (Coltelli et al 2000) for an overlying scoria layer provides an upper limit to the age of the Milo Lahar sequence, which is reasonably explained in terms of the downslope reworking of stürtzstrom debris in the millennia immediately following Valle del Bove formation (Calvari et al 2004).…”

Geological evolution of Mount Etna volcano (Italy) from earliest products until the first central volcanism (between 500 and 100 ka ago) inferred from geochronological and stratigraphic data

“…In the fourth phase, named Stratovolcano (SV), about 60 ka the definitive stabilization of the plumbing system in the Etna region occurred and led to the construction of the large Ellittico volcano which forms the bulk of the present edifice. Ellittico activity ended about 15 ka after four caldera-forming Plinian eruptions (Coltelli et al 2000). Finally, during the last 15 ka persistent volcanic activity formed the Mongibello Fig.…”

Tephrostratigraphic studies on a sediment core from Lake Prespa in the Balkans

“…The benmoreitic composition and the Na-affinity (Na 2 O K 2 O) of tephra PT0915-11 is a typical chemical imprint of the volcanic activity of Mount Etna, which is the only known source of Na-alkaline volcanism during the Late Quaternary in the Mediterranean region (e.g., Cristofolini and Romano, 1982;Coltelli et al, 2000;Branca et al, 2004). Although the geochemical correlation of PT0915-11 to the few described Etnean distal tephra deposits (e.g., Keller et al, 1978;Paterne et al, 1988Paterne et al, , 2008Wulf et al, 2004;Wagner et al, 2008;Sulpizio et al, 2009;) is obvious, its stratigraphic position between Y-6 and the ESR-dated shell layer (73 570 ± 7740 yr; Table 1) does not allow a chronological correlation with known distal deposits (Fig.…”

“…Proximal deposits of Mount Etna can be divided into five stratigraphic units (from bottom to top Unit A-E; Coltelli et al, 2000;Del Carlo et al, 2004), with age determinations derived from radiocarbon dating of included charcoals and palaeosols (Kieffer, 1970;Guest et al, 1984;Chester et al, 1987;Coltelli et al, 2000) or from K/Ar dating of interbedded lavaflows (Gillot et al, 1994). Overall, Unit A describes the oldest pyroclastic unit (> 100 ka) with basaltic to hawaiitic composition.…”