Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The possible contribution of circumferential fault intrusion to caldera resurgence

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Bulletin of Volcanology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the geological record, the intrusion of substantial amounts of magma into circumferential faults and ring fractures is commonly observed. Finite element modelling is used here to investigate the strain field that may be expected from such intrusive events. Two simple vertical scenarios are explored, one for a caldera with a central block of thickness to diameter ratio of ~1:1 (similar to Rabaul) and one with a ratio much less than 1:1 (similar to the ‘Valles type’). Surface deformation in both cases is similar with central uplift, the development of a moat (or trough) like feature just outside of the intersection of the azimuth of the intruded ring fault and the free surface, and broader scale tumescence at a scale several times larger than the caldera’s radius. The response of the block and sub-caldera magma chamber for the two scenarios, however, is different. The blocks are in effect squeezed; the high aspect ratio one deforms upwards at the surface and downwards at its base, whereas the low aspect ration one experiences up arching (or bending) of the central part of the caldera block. Central uplift still occurs when only a short arc of a ring fracture system or a circumferential fault is intruded. In both models, tumescence in the centre of the caldera from single ring dyke intrusion can only account for decimetres to metres of surface uplift. Repeated intrusions over tens to hundreds of thousands of years, however, may cause incremental up doming of the caldera block leading to larger scale resurgent features. The amount of uplift possible due to squeezing of a high aspect ratio block is limited. It is proposed, however, that where bending of plate-like blocks occur above a decompressible and/or malleable magma body, ring fault intrusion may be a significant contributor to resurgence. In the simple conceptual models shown here, the amount of ring dyke-induced central uplift will be >40–50% of the width of the ring complex. In the geological record the accumulation of intrusions into some ring fractures has led to annular or arcuate plutons of hundreds of meters to several kilometres in thickness. At certain calderas such intrusions may be a control on the marked concentration of uplift within the restricted area defined by the caldera faults. The complex nature of the horizontal displacements associated with the intrusion of ring and arcuate dykes is also explored. Intrusion into ring fracture zones will tend to take place into those sectors of the annular zone which are perpendicular to the least compressive stress vector. This may be a factor in the observed difference for caldera evolution in extensional and compressional areas. The unrest at several modern calderas is tentatively related to circumferential fault intrusion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5 a-d
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8 a
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acocella V, Cifelli F, Funiciello R (2000) Analogue models of collapse calderas and resurgent domes. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 104:81–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Almond DC (1977) The Sabaloka igneous complex, Sudan. Phil Trans Roy Soc London, 287:595–633

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson EM (1937) The dynamics of the formation of cone sheets, ring dykes and cauldron subsidence. Proc R Soc Edinburgh 56:128–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Anon. (1998) QuickField finite element analysis user’s guide. Tera Analysis, pp 148

  • Archbold MJ, McKee CO, Talai B, Mori J, De Saint Ours P (1988) Electronic distance network monitoring during the Rabaul seismicity/deformation crisis of 1983–1985. J Geophys Res 93:12,123–12,136

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey EB, Maufe HB (1960) The geology of Ben Nevis and Glen Coe and the surrounding country. Mem Geol Surv Scotland, pp 307

  • Battagalia M, Roberts C, Segall P (1999) Magma intrusion beneath Long Valley caldera confirmed by temporal changes in gravity. Science 285:2,119–2,122

    Google Scholar 

  • Berrino G, Corrado G, Luongo G, Toro B (1984) Ground deformation and gravity changes accompanying the 1982 Pozzuoli uplift. Bull Volcanol 47:187–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Birch F (1966) Compressibility: Elastic constants. Geol Soc Am Mem 97:97–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Branney MJ (1995) Downsag and extension at calderas: new perspectives on collapse geometries from ice-melt, mining, and volcanic subsidence. Bull Volcanol 57:303–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burov EB, Guillou-Frottier L (1999) Thermomechanical behaviour of large ash flow calderas. J Geophys Res 104:23,081–23,109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castle RO, Estrem JE, Savage JC (1984) Uplift across Long Valley Caldera, California. J Geophys Res 89:11:507–516

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick Jr WW, Dietrich JH (1995) Mechanical modelling of circumferential and radial dike intrusion on Galapagos volcanoes. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 66:37–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen RL (2001) The Quaternary and Pliocene Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. US Geol Surv Prof Paper 729-G

  • Clough CTH, Maufe HB, Bailey, EB (1909) The cauldron subsidence of Glencoe and the associated igneous phenomena. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 65:611–678

    Google Scholar 

  • De Natale G, Zollo A, Del Gaudio C, Ricciardi GP, Martini M (1984) Error analysis in hypocentral locations at Phlegraean Fields. Bull Volcanol 47:209–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Dieterich JH, Decker RW (1975) Finite element modelling of surface deformation associated with volcanism. J Geophys Res 80:29:4,094–4,102

  • DuBray EA, Pallister JS (1991) An ash flow caldera in cross section: ongoing field and geochemical studies of the Mid-Tertiary Turkey Creek caldera, Chiricahua Mountains, SE Arizona. J Geophys Res 96:13,435–13,457

    Google Scholar 

  • Dzurisin D, Wicks Jr C, Thatcher W (1999) Renewed uplift at the Yellowstone Caldera measured by levelling surveys and satellite radar interferometry. Bull Volcanol 61:349–355

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich CJ, Mahood, GA (1984) Reverse zoning in the resurgent intrusions of Grizzly Peak Cauldron, Sawatch Range, Colorado. Geo Soc Am Bull 95:779–787

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich CJ, Smith RP, DeWitt ED, McKee EH (1991) Structural, eruptive, and intrusive evolution of the Grizzly Peak caldera, Sawatach Range, Colorado. Geol Soc of Am Bull 103:1,160–1,177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gudmundsson A (1998) Formation and development of normal-fault calderas and the initiation of large explosive eruptions. Bull Volcanol 60:160–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillou-Frottier L, Burov EB, Milesi J-P (2000) Genetic links between ash-flow calderas and associated ore deposits as revealed by large-scale thermo-mechanical modelling. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 102:339–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hildreth W, Christiansen RL, O’Neil JR (1984) Oxygen isotopic study of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field. J Geophys Res 89:8,339–8,369

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill DP, Ellsworth WL, Johnston MJS, Langbein JO, Oppenheimer DH, Pitt AM, Reasenberg PA, Sorey ML, McNutt SR (1990) The 1989 earthquake swarm beneath Mammoth Mountain, California: an initial look at the 4 May through 30 September activity. Bull Seis Soc Am 80:2:325–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellinek AM, DePaolo DJ (2003) A model for the origin of large silicic magma chambers: precursors of caldera-forming eruptions. Bull Volcanol 65:363–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson SE, Schmidt KL, Tate MC (2002) Ring complexes in the Peninsular Range Batholith, Mexico and the USA: magma plumbing systems in the middle and upper crust. Lithos 61:187–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Landau LD, Lifshitz EM (1975) Theory of elasticity. Course of theoretical physics. Vol 7 Pergamon Press, 165 pp

  • Langbein J, Dzurisin D, Marshall G, Stein R, Rundle J (1995) Shallow and peripheral volcanic sources of inflation revealed by modelling two-colour geodimeter and levelling data from Long Valley caldera, California, 1988–1992. J Geophys Res 100:12,487–12,495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipman PW (1984) The roots of ash flow calderas in Western North America: Windows into the tops of granite batholiths. J Geophys Res 89:8,801–8,841

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald GA (1972) Volcanoes. Prentice Hall, pp 388

  • Marsh BD (1984) On the mechanics of caldera resurgence. J Geophys Res 89:8,245–8,251

    Google Scholar 

  • Marti J, Ablay GJ, Redshaw LT, Sparks SJ (1994) Experimental studies of collapse calderas. J Geol Soc London 151:919–929

    Google Scholar 

  • McCall GJH, Bristow CM (1965) An introductory account of Suswa volcano, Kenya. Bull Volcanol 28:333–367

    Google Scholar 

  • McGuire WJ, Saunders SJ (1992) Recent earth movements at active volcanoes — a review. Quaternary Proceedings 3, Quaternary Research Associates, Cambridge 33–46

  • Melosh HJ, Williams Jr CA (1989) Mechanics of graben formation in crustal rocks: a finite element analysis. J Geophys Res 94:13,961–13,973

    Google Scholar 

  • Mogi K (1958) Relations between the eruptions of various volcanoes and the deformations of the ground surfaces around them. Bull Earthq Res Inst, Tokyo Univ 36:99–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori J, McKee C (1987) Outward-dipping ring fault structure at Rabaul caldera as shown by earthquake locations. Science 235:193–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Nairn IA, McKee CO, Talai B, Wood CP (1995) Geology and eruptive history of the Rabaul Caldera area, Papua New Guinea. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 69:183–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newhall CG, Dzurisin D (1988) Historical unrest at large calderas of the World. US Geol Surv Bull 1,855

  • Newman AV, Dixon TH, Ofoegbu GI, Dixon JE (2001) Geodetic and seismic constraints on recent activity at Long Valley Caldera, California: evidence for viscoelastic rheology. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 105:183–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielson DL, Hulen JB (1984) Internal geology and evolution of the Redondo Dome, Valles Caldera, New Mexico. J Geophys Res 89:8,695–8,712

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelton JR, Smith RB (1982) Contemporary vertical surface displacements in Yellowstone National Park. J Geophys Res 87:2,745–2,761

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollard DD, Delany PT, Duffield WA, Endo ET, Okamura AT (1983) Surface deformation in volcanic rift zones. Tectonophysics 94:541–584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priest SS, Sass JH, Ellswoth B, Farrar CD, Sorey ML, Hill DP, Bailey R, Jacobson RD, Finger JT, McConnell VS, Zoback M (1998) Scientific drilling in Long Valley, California — what will we learn? USGS fact sheet 077–98

  • Roche O, Druitt TH, Merle O (2000) Experimental study of caldera formation. J Geophys Res 105:395–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosi M, Sbrana S (1987) Phlegrean Fields. CNR: Quaderni de “la ricerca scientifica”, Monografie Finali 114, vol. 9

  • Rubin A, Pollard DD (1988) Dike-induced faulting in rift zones of Iceland and Afar. Geology 16:413–417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin A (1992) Dike-induced faulting and graben subsidence in volcanic rift zones. J Geophys Res 97:1,839–1,858

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubin A (1995) Getting granite dikes out of the source region. J Geophys Res 100:5,911–5,929

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders CO (1984) Location and configuration of magma bodies beneath Long Valley, California, determined from anomalous earthquake signals. J Geophys Res 89:8,287–8,302

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders SJ (2001) The shallow plumbing system of Rabaul caldera: a partially intruded ring fault? Bull Volcanol 63:406–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage JC (1988) Principal component analysis of geodetically measured deformation in Long Valley Caldera, eastern California, 1983–1987. J Geophys Res 93:13,297–13,305

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage JC, Cockerham RS (1984) Earthquake swarm in Long Valley, California, January 1983: Evidence for dike inflation. J Geophys Res 89:8315–8324

    Google Scholar 

  • Savage JC, Cockerham RS, Estrem JE (1987) Deformation near the Long Valley Caldera, Eastern California, 1982–1986. J Geophys Res 92:2,721–2,746

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith RB, Shuey RT, Freidline RO, Otis RM, Alley LB (1974) Yellowstone hot spot: new magnetic and seismic evidence. Geology 2:451–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith RL, Bailey RA, Ross CS (1961) Structural evolution of the Valles Caldera, New Mexico, and its bearing on the emplacement of ring dikes. US Geol Surv Prof Paper 424-D, 145–149

  • Smith RL, Bailey RA (1968) Resurgent cauldrons. Geol Soc Am Mem 116:613–662

    Google Scholar 

  • Sparks RSJ (1988) Petrology and geochemistry of the Loch Ba ring-dyke, Mull (NW Scotland): an example of the extreme differentiation of tholeiitic magmas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 100:446–461

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stix J, Kennedy B, Hannington M, Gibson H, Fiske R, Mueller W, Franklin J (2003) Caldera-forming processes and the origin of submarine volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. Geology 31:375–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tibaldi A, Vezzoli L (1998) The space problem of caldera resurgence: an example from Ischia, Italy. Geol Rundsch 87:53–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troll VR, Walter TR, Schmincke H-U (2002) Cyclic caldera collapse: Piston or piecemeal subsidence? Field and experimental evidence. Geology 30:135–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker GPL (1984) Downsag calderas, ring faults, caldera sizes and incremental caldera growth. J Geophys Res 89:8,407–8,416

    Google Scholar 

  • Walter TR, Troll VR (2001) Formation of caldera periphery faults: an experimental study. Bull Volcanol 63:191–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams H (1941) Calderas and their origin. University of California Publications in Geological Sciences 25, 6:239–346

  • Yang XM, Davis PM (1986) Deformation due to a rectangular tension crack in an elastic half-space. Bull Seismol Soc Am 76:865–881

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Many people have encouraged and added to the development of these ideas, notably S Day, M Poland, E Endo, RW Johnson, CO McKee and B Talia (even if they did not necessarily agree with the detail!). Positive actions and comments from J Marso and D Dzurisin were also welcomed. J Stix, B Kennedy and V Troll provided useful reviews. Thanks also to V. Podnos of QuickField. H. Davis edited an early draft. Permission to publish was given by the Secretary of the PNG Dept. of Mining, and by Ima Itikarai (Officer in Charge, RVO).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rabaul Volcano Observatory, PO Box 386, E.N.B.P., Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

    S. J. Saunders

Authors
  1. S. J. Saunders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. J. Saunders.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: J. Stix

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Saunders, S.J. The possible contribution of circumferential fault intrusion to caldera resurgence. Bull Volcanol 67, 57–71 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-004-0360-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-004-0360-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation