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Nature of the magma conduit under the east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

  • Chapter 3: Magma Genesis In Mid-ocean Ridge And Continental Intra-Plate
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Abstract

From a combination of results of gravity, magnetic and seismic refraction surveys, the dike complex under the east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii was found to extend for 110 km from the summit area of the volcano to a point 60 km at sea beyond the eastern tip of the island. Near the summit the complex is 20 km wide, and at about 40 km distance from the summit, the complex narrows to 12 km wide. The main body of the dike complex is 2.3 km deep, but some parts are as shallow as 1 km.

From extrapolation of temperature data of a deep well and from analysis of magnetic data, it was inferred that temperature of the dike complex is above the Curic point of 540°C. The internal part of the complex can approach the melting point of 1060°C.

The dike complex was formed by numerous excursions of magma from the holding reservoir under the volcano summit. The theory of forceful intrusion of magma into rift zones accounts for the magma excursions and migration of the passageways.

Gravity and seismic velocity data indicate that density of the material left in the dike complex is 3.1 g/cm3. In the light of recent density determinations of Hawaiian rocks under high pressure and temperature, it is concluded that during Hawaiian volcanic activity, less dense components of the parent magma crupt through surface vents while the more dense components remain trapped below. Samples of the dense material from the dike complex are required before we can have a complete picture of the parent magma of Hawaiian volcanoes.

The dike complex is the source of thermal energy for a commercial quality geothermal reservoir that was found by drilling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, University of Hawaii, 96822, Honolulu, Hawaii

    A. S. Furumoto

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Furumoto, A.S. Nature of the magma conduit under the east rift zone of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii. Bull Volcanol 41, 435–453 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597376

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