Generation Conditions of Dacite and Rhyodacite via the Crystallization of an Andesitic Magma. Implications for the Plumbing System at Santorini (Greece) and the Origin of Tholeiitic or Calc-alkaline Differentiation Trends in Arc Magmas

Andesitic arc volcanism is the most common type of subduction-related magmatism on Earth. How these melts are generated and under which conditions they evolve towards silica-rich liquids is still a matter of discussion. We have performed crystallization experiments on a representative andesite sample from the Upper Scoriae 1 (USC-1) eruption of Santorini (Greece) with the aim of understanding such processes. Experiments were performed between 1000 and 900 degrees C, in the pressure range 100-400MPa, at fO(2) from QFM (quartz-fayalite-magnetite) to NNO (nickel-nickel oxide) + 1.5, with H2Omelt contents varying from saturation to nominally dry conditions. The results show that the USC-1 andesitic magma was generated at 1000 degrees C and 12-15 km depth (400MPa), migrated to shallower levels (8 km; 200MPa) and intruded into a partially crystallized dacitic magma body. The magma cooled to 975 degrees C and generated the phenocryst assemblage and compositional zonations that characterize the products of this eruption. An injection of basaltic magma problably subsequently triggered the eruption. In addition to providing the pre-eruptive conditions of the USC-1 magma, our experiments also shed light on the generation conditions of silica-rich magmas at Santorini. Experimental of runs performed at fO(2) similar to NNO + 1 (+/- 0.5) closely mimic the compositional evolution of magmas at Santorini whereas those at reduced conditions (QFM) do not. Glasses from runs at 1000-975 degrees C encompass the magma compositions of intermediate-dominated eruptions, whereas those at 950-900 degrees C reproduce the silicic-dominated eruptions. Altogether, the comparison between our experimental results and natural data for major recent eruptions from Santorini shows that different magma reservoirs, located at different levels, were involved during highly energetic events. Our results suggest that fractionation in deep reservoirs may give rise to magma series with a tholeiitic signature whereas at shallow levels calc-alkaline trends are produced.