Internal and external forcing of submarine diatremes: a case study of a Miocene volcanic field in Sicily

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Ulrich Schmincke (†)
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2005 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5453141

The relative roles of internal and external forcing of volcanic eruptions will be reconstructed based on a case study of submarine volcanic explosion pipes (diatremes) in the Iblean Mountains (Sicily). The system approach followed integrates stratigraphic, structural, paleontological and petrological/geochemical methods. We also interpret the diatreme evolution in a broad geodynamic context focusing on the relationship between magma generation and surface emplacement prior to the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Specific questions include: How large was the relative influence of external (unlimited supply of seawater, carbonate mud) and internal (CÜ2 and SCVrich magmas) forcing during the multi-stage evolution of diatremes: magma ascent, explosive eruption and diatreme formation? How did the contrasting water depths of eruptions and diatreme emplacement control magma fragmentation mechanisms? Did regional, volcano-isostatic and/or eustatic sea-level changes or other short-term and/or long-term tectonic processes and events influence or trigger partial melting, rise of extremely low volumes of magma and surface eruptions?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants