Large holocene eruptions of Avacha Volcano, Kamchatka (7250-3700 14C years B.P.)

Abstract

The chronology, dynamics, and parameters of seven large eruptions of Avacha Volcano were reconstructed for its IAv andesitic period 7250-370014C years B.P., which began after a >2000-year period of relative quiescence. Their juvenile (andesitic pyroclastics) and resurgent products are described, and the geological and geomorphological consequences are evaluated. The largest eruption occurred 715014C years B.P. (8-10 km3 of erupted material). The subsequent events occurred 5700 (≥0.34 km3), 5600 (≥0.4 km3), 5500 (>1.34 km3), 5000 (≥0.5 km3), 4500 (>1.1 km3), and 4000 (≥0.6 km3) 14C years B.P. The erupted rocks were dominated by tephra; pyroclastic flows occurred only during the events of 5500 and 5000 years ago. It is believed that most of the eruptions produced acid peaks of varying intensity in the Greenland ice sheet.