Calderas – a selective introduction
What is a caldera? A caldera is a surface depression formed by draining a subsurface magma reservoir Once a magma chamber has drained sufficiently, its roof can no longer be supported, so it collapses into the reservoir Draining of the reservoir can occur by subsurface intrusion (basaltic systems) or by explosive venting (silicic systems) The structural rim and topographic rim of a caldera are different Calderas are filled with breccia and pyroclastic rocks The caldera floor can be coherent or broken up into many pieces Lipman 1997 BV
Smith and Bailey’s caldera cycle
Caldera-related magma reservoirs How are they sustained? What is their physical nature and rheology? How do they evolve over time? National Park Service
Triggers and causes of caldera eruptions Changes in the physical state of the magma Replenishment Overpressure Role of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids
Styles of caldera collapse Effects upon intracaldera ignimbrite and cooling Role of regional structures Lipman 1997 BV
Links between subsidence processes and magma chamber processes Mixing and stirring of magma Single blocks vs. multiple blocks Temporally increasing magma diversity Intensification of eruptions Kennedy et al 2008 Nature Geosci
Calderas at stratovolcanoes Crater Lake Pinatubo
Basaltic calderas Miyakejima 2000 Sandbox experiments - Roche et al 2000 JGR
Miyakejima 2000 degassing caldera formation complete Kazahaya et al Geology
Restless silicic calderas Long Valley Yellowstone Rabaul Campi Flegrei Role of regional structure Calderas as pull-apart basins USGS
Resurgence and associated activity Styles Mechanisms Timing of collapse and resurgence Hydrothermal systems Ore deposits Smith and Bailey 1968
Global impact of caldera-related super-eruptions Atmosphere Land surface Sea surface Vegetation