Award Date

1-1-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geoscience

First Committee Member

Terry L. Spell

Number of Pages

192

Abstract

Rhyolites erupted at 526--80 ka north of Yellowstone Caldera may record the most recent migration of the Yellowstone melting anomaly, yet their relation to the magma system that produced caldera-forming eruptions at 2.1, 1.3, and 0.64 Ma was previously unclear. New petrographic, geochronology, and geochemical data show that 10 of 12 rhyolites define a spatially (Norris-Mammoth corridor), temporally (326--80 ka), and chemically related group derived from a single magma system independent of the caldera-related magma system. These data are consistent with the establishment of a magma system of substantial longevity (>200 ka) and long magma residence times (up to ∼100 ka). This system is characterized by significant early magma mingling events followed by chemical evolution consistent with fractional crystallization, and subsequent rejuvenation of residual crystal mush. Silicic magmatism beneath the Norris-Mammoth corridor may represent the onset of a new volcanic cycle, which identifies this area as a potential location of future caldera-forming eruptions at Yellowstone.

Keywords

Caldera; Evidence; Evolving; Extracaldera; Field; Magma; North; Petrogenesis; Rhyolites; Silicic; System; Volcanic; Yellowstone

Controlled Subject

Geochemistry; Geology

File Format

pdf

File Size

5201.92 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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