Journal article
The eruptive history of Turrialba Volcano, Costa Rica, and potential hazards from future eruptions
Special papers (Geological Society of America), Vol.412(412), pp.235-257
2006
DOI: 10.1130/2006.2412(13)
Abstract
Turrialba volcano's high summit elevation and steep slopes, its position upwind of the Central Valley, and its record of explosive eruptions all suggest that it poses a significant threat to Costa Rican population and economy. To better understand the nature and significance of this threat, the geology, stratigraphy, and recent eruptive history of Turrialba were investigated. Outcrops of lava and pyroclastic units from at least 20 eruptions of basalt to dacite are recorded in Turrialba's summit area. The majority of these eruptions preceded a major erosional period that may have involved glaciation and that produced a prominent northeast-facing valley at Turrialba. This period also was apparently marked by a dearth of volcanism. The post-erosional period began with eruptions of massive andesite to dacite lava flows ca. 9300 yr B.P. Five of the six most recent eruptions, including the eruption of 1864-1866 A.D., were small volume (<0.03 km (super 3) ) phreatic and phreatomagmatic explosive eruptions involving basalt and basaltic andesite. The exception was a Plinian eruption of silicic andesite at ca. 1970 yr B.P. with a volume of approximately 0.2 km (super 3) . Turrialba's next eruption will likely be similar to the recent eruptions of basaltic to basaltic andesitic composition, although a larger volume and more destructive eruption of silicic andesite to dacite also is possible.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The eruptive history of Turrialba Volcano, Costa Rica, and potential hazards from future eruptions
- Creators
- Mark K Reagan - Geological Society of AmericaEliecer DuarteGerardo J SotoErick Fernandez
- Contributors
- William I Rose (Editor) - Michigan Technological UniversityGregg J. S Bluth (Editor)Michael J Carr (Editor)John W Ewert (Editor)Lina C Patino (Editor)James W Vallence (Editor)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Special papers (Geological Society of America), Vol.412(412), pp.235-257
- Publisher
- Geological Society of America (GSA)
- DOI
- 10.1130/2006.2412(13)
- ISSN
- 0072-1077
- eISSN
- 2331-219X
- Alternative title
- Volcanic hazards in Central America
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2006
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984229301302771
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