Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

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Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / j vo l g e o r e s

Pre-eruptive physical conditions of El Reventador volcano (Ecuador) inferred from

the petrology of the 2002 and 200405 eruptions
Pablo Samaniego a,b,, Jean-Philippe Eissen b,1, Jean-Luc Le Pennec b, Claude Robin a,b, Minard L. Hall a,
Patricia Mothes a, Deborah Chavrit b, Joseph Cotten c
a
b
c

Instituto Geofsico, Escuela Politcnica Nacional, Ap. 17-01-2759, Quito, Ecuador

IRD, UMR 163, Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, 5 rue Kessler, 63038 ClermontFerrand, France
Universit de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS-UMR 6538, 6 avenue Le Gorgeu, BP 809, 29283 Brest, France

A R T I C L E

I N F O

Article history:
Received 25 January 2007
Accepted 10 March 2008
Available online 19 March 2008
Keywords:
El Reventador
Ecuador
magmatic episodes
recharge
petrology
thermobarometry
degassing

A B S T R A C T
A petrological study of the eruptive products of El Reventador allowed us to infer the magmatic processes
related to the 2002 and 200405 eruptions of this andesitic stratovolcano. On November 3, 2002, El
Reventador experienced a highly explosive event, which was followed by emplacement of two lava ows in
NovemberDecember 2002. Silica contents range from 62 to 58 wt.% SiO2 for the November 3 pyroclastic
deposits to 5856 and 5453 wt.% SiO2 for the successive lava ows. In November 2004 eruptive activity
resumed supplying four new lava ows (5654 wt.% SiO2) between November 2004 and August 2005.
Volatile contents in matrix glasses and glass inclusions from the November 3 pyroclastic deposits allow us to
estimate the total amount of SO2 and HCl released into the atmosphere during the paroxysmal phase (i.e. 80 kT of
SO2 and 280 kT of HCl). Pre-eruptive pressure-temperature conditions of the magmas range from 300 to 150 MPa
and ~1000 C with high water contents (~5 wt.%). We propose the existence of an andesitic magma body located at
~712 km depth that is frequently intruded by more primitive, hydrous magmas from a deeper source. The initial
crystallization of amphibole from the hydrous primitive magma seems typical of El Reventador, as well as the
historically recurrent and regular periods of eruptive activity lasting several years. This eruptive behaviour coupled
with the fractionation and mixing processes inferred from the 2002 and 200405 petrologic data suggest that deep
magmatic recharge at El Reventador is frequent, and is probably responsible for the high frequency of eruptions.
2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Improved understanding of volcanic eruptions is facilitated by the
increasing number of geophysical and geochemical techniques (e.g.
Scarpa and Tilling, 1996) coupled with phenomenological observation
of volcanic activity. These studies can be complemented by conventional petrological methods focused on the mechanisms of magma
differentiation as well as by measurements and inferences of the volatile contents and degassing modalities of ascending magmas. Applied
to magmas erupted sequentially, such tools help to constrain the preeruptive PT conditions and the geometry of the magma plumbing
system. These petrological studies provide an important tool for the
understanding of the dynamics of andesitic magma processes at depth.
El Reventador is a large stratovolcano located 90 km east of Quito in
the eastern subandean zone of Ecuador (Fig.1a), which provides an ideal
laboratory for petrologic analyses of a sequence of eruptive episodes. El
Reventador experienced a large sector collapse around 19,000 yr BP that

Corresponding author. Instituto Geofsico, Escuela Politcnica Nacional, Ap. 17-012759, Quito, Ecuador. fax: +593 2 256 7847.
E-mail address: psamaniego@igepn.edu.ec (P. Samaniego).
1
Deceased.
0377-0273/$ see front matter 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2008.03.004

left a prominent and well-preserved 4 km-wide horseshoe-shaped

caldera (Aguilera et al., 1988). A young, symmetrical, 1 km-high edice
has grown in this amphitheatre and is one of the most active volcanoes
in the Ecuadorian Andes. Based on sporadic historical documentation,
Hall (1980) and Simkin and Siebert (1994) identied at least 16 eruptive
periods since AD 1541. During the 20th century, eruptive episodes were
separated by regular time intervals and often were characterized by
durations of several years (e.g. 1898, 1912, 192629, 1944, 195860, and
197276). All eruptive episodes were moderate in scale (VEI 23), with
strombolian to vulcanian eruptive styles, producing ash falls, smallvolume pyroclastic and debris ows, and blocky lava ows.
Following 26 years of quiescence, El Reventador erupted again in
2002. On November 3, a sub-Plinian eruption occurred without signicant precursory signs (Hall et al., 2004), and was characterized by a
rapid increase in eruption intensity, from complete rest prior to the
night of November 2, to the paroxysmal event in the early morning of
November 3. The 2002 eruption onset was notably stronger (VEI 4)
than the preceding eruptions and was followed by the effusive emplacement of two lava ows within the following month. A pause in
200304 ended with renewed effusive activity in November 2004 and
with a series of lava ows that formed during the following months on
the southeastern anks of the active cone. The activity continued

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

83

Fig. 1. (a) Geodynamical setting of the Ecuadorian volcanic arc (modied from Gutscher et al., 1999). Andes Cordillera is dened by the 2000 m contour. Trench is shown as toothed
line and main volcanoes indicated by open triangles. GSC: Galpagos Spreading Centre; GFZ: Grijalva Fracture Zone. El Reventador volcano (represented by a black triangle) is located
in the eastern border of the Ecuadorian arc. (b) Aerial photo of El Reventador caldera taken by Instituto Geogrco Militar (Quito, Ecuador) in 1983, showing historical lava ows, as
well as the extent of the 2002 pyroclastic ow deposits (PFs) and lava ows (LF1 and LF2) of 2002; (c) and (d) lava ows (LF3, LF4, LF5 & LF6) corresponding to 200405 activity.

mildly explosive in JuneSeptember 2005 coincident with the

termination of signicant lava effusion and nally tapered off and
ended in December 2005. Intermittent effusive activity resumed in
MarchApril 2007 and continues at this time (September 2007). This
new eruptive episode is not addressed in the present study, although
the eruptive styles of the 2007 episode is similar to that of 2005.
Overall, the 2002 and 200405 eruption sequence is characterized
by distinct eruption styles of unequal size and duration (see below), as
well as periods of relative quiet. To gain insights into the root causes of
varied eruption processes at El Reventador, we studied the geochemical
and mineralogical characteristics of the 2002 and 200405 eruptive
products and assessed volatile contents in juvenile matrix glasses and
glass inclusions. The data are presented together with a petrogenetic
model that accounts for the observed magmatic suite and eruption
styles over the 3-yr-long period of activity. Repeated recharge of the
inferred magma reservoir and the signicant role of amphibole in both
the petrogenesis and eruption styles are presented in this model.
2. Chronology of the 2002 and 200405 activity
2.1. The 2002 eruption
At around 02h00 (07h00 GMT) on November 3, the Instituto
Geofsico's National Seismic Network recorded VT and hybrid events
as well as a low-amplitude, almost continuous tremor. At dawn

(05h3006h00), inhabitants in the area witnessed a steam column

rising above the crater, signalling the onset of a new eruption. The
height of the column and its ash content increased considerably
during the next few hours, reaching 1617 km asl (above sea level) at
09h12, after a 45 min-long paroxysmal phase. The plume drifted to the
west towards the Interandean valley, depositing a layer of ash with a
bulk uncompacted volume estimated at ~ 3 108 m3 (Le Pennec et al.,
2003). At least ve pyroclastic ows swept the caldera oor and two
reached the Quijos River ~ 9 km eastward (Fig. 1b). Lithic-rich deposits,
520 m thick, bearing vesiculated bombs were emplaced over a 12
13 km2 area and correspond to a bulk volume of ~46 107 m3 (Hall
et al., 2004). The overall tephra volume ranks the eruption at VEI 4,
making it the most explosive event during historical times at El
Reventador and in Ecuador in more than a century. Phenomenological
observations and geological investigations point to a strong phreatomagmatic interaction in the eruption process (Hall et al., 2004). This is
evidenced by (1) a high degree of magma fragmentation leading to
ne-grained ash-fall deposits, (2) the presence of angular fragments of
basement rocks and older lavas commonly incorporated as xenoclasts
in the bombs, and (3) large amounts of vapour seen in the eruption
column. The summit crater was signicantly enlarged during the
eruption (~ 40 106 m3, Hall et al., 2004) and notches opened in the
crater's northern and southern margins. Explosive activity progressively waned after the paroxysmal phase and ceased a few hours later.
On November 6 the rst blocky lava ow (LF1) spilled out of the

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P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

3. Petrology of the 2002 and 200405 eruptive products

for 10 samples from the 200405 lava ows (Samaniego et al., 2006).
The silica content of the entire 2002 and 200405 magmatic series
ranges from 53.5 to 62.1 wt.% normalized to an anhydrous basis
(Table 1). Most pyroclastic products of the paroxysmal phase display
homogeneous compositions (57.859.1 wt.% SiO2), however scarce,
rounded to subangular, light-coloured magmatic enclaves found in
bombs bear more siliceous compositions (61.562.1 wt.% SiO2). The
2002 lava compositions show a wider silica range, decreasing from
58.356.5 for LF1 to 54.653.5 wt.% for LF2. In the 200405 lava ow
sequence the silica content also decreases from 56.455.4 for LF3, and
LF4 to 54.8 for LF5 and 53.8 wt.% for a ballistic block contemporaneous
to LF6 (Fig. 2a). The magmatic suite plots near the limit between
medium- and high-K in the basic andesite to andesite elds of Gill
(1981) (Fig. 2b).
Major oxides (except Na2O and K2O) as well as Ni, Cr, and V are
negatively correlated with silica content, although some scattering is
shown for Al2O3, and P2O5. Large-Ion Lithophile Elements (LILE), High
Field Strength Elements (HFSE), and Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE)
are positively correlated to silica content (Fig. 3). Conversely, Sr, Y, and
Middle and Heavy Rare Earth Elements (MREE and HREE) show a
slight decrease with increasing silica content or no correlation at all.
Apart from Sr, HREE and Y, most elements from the 2002 to 200405
rocks dene a single trend in the variations diagrams (Fig. 3).

3.1. Whole-rock geochemistry

3.2. Mineral compositions

Whole-rock major and trace element concentrations were obtained for 38 samples of the 2002 pyroclastic deposits and lavas and

The 2002 rocks are porphyritic (~ 2530 vol.% phenocrysts in pyroclastic blocks and ~ 40 vol.% in lava ows) with a mineral assemblage

southern notch and moved down the cone over the pyroclastic ow
deposits (Fig. 1b). Two weeks later, a second lava (LF2) issued from a
lateral vent located at 2600 m asl on the southeastern ank of the cone
~ 1 km distant from the main crater (Fig. 1b). LF2 bears abundant
gabbroic xenoliths. Hall et al. (2004) estimated the overall volume of
both lava ows at 3.6 107 m3.
2.2. The 200405 eruption
Gas and vapour were continuously released by El Reventador from
early 2003 to mid-2004. In August 2004, new seismic swarms and
increasing thermal anomalies within the crater preceded a second
eruptive episode (Johnson et al., 2006; Ramon et al., 2006, Troncoso
et al., 2006). A third lava (LF3) lled the crater and poured out of the
southern notch in NovemberDecember 2004, locally overriding LF1
(Fig. 1c). LF4 lava lobes descended 4.5 km down the cone during
MarchApril 2005. Two months later, from June to July 2005, LF5
accumulated on top of LF4 (Fig. 1d), lava ow effusion tapered, and the
eruptive activity evolved to strombolianvulcanian styles in August
September 2005. At least one small additional lava (LF6) owed 1 km
down the southern ank of the cone in August 2005.

Table 1
Selected whole rock major and trace elements of the 2002 and 200405 eruptions of El Reventador volcano. Major element (wt.%) and trace element (ppm) analyses were performed
at the Universit de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest (France) by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), see Cotten et al. (1995), except Rb determined by
ame atomic emission spectroscopy. Relative standard deviation is ca.1% for SiO2 and 2% for the other major elements except for low values (b0.5% oxide). For trace elements, relative
standard deviation is ca. 5% except for Er (ca. 20%). Total iron as Fe2O3
Year

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

2002

2004

2004

2005

2005

2005

Unit

PFs

PFs

PFs

PFs

LF1

LF1

LF1

LF2

LF2

LF3

LF3

LF4

LF5

LF6

Sample

REV 15BP

REV 15BG

REV 15F

REV 16A

REV 20

REV 19

REV 47

REV 31B

REV 54

REV 42A

REV 50

REV 49

REV 58

REV 62

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
Fe2O3
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
P2O5
LOI
Total
Sc
V
Cr
Co
Ni
Rb
Sr
Y
Zr
Nb
Ba
La
Ce
Nd
Sm
Eu
Gd
Dy
Er
Yb
Th

61.25
0.61
17.2
5.88
0.11
2.35
5.15
4.35
2.43
0.33
0.29
99.95
8.3
110
16
16
15
65.5
820
13
160
9
1390
32
59
26
4.6
1.25
3.4
2.2
1.15
1.14
6.7

58.6
0.74
17.55
6.7
0.11
2.97
6.07
4.47
2.14
0.38
0.06
99.79
10.8
136
24
19
19
54
910
14
154
9.2
1210
32
60
28
5
1.4
3.8
2.5
1.2
1.2
5.65

59.1
0.72
17.6
6.6
0.11
2.89
6.08
4.38
2.16
0.38
0.01
100.01
10.3
132
19.5
19
18.5
54
915
13.8
159
8.9
1250
31.5
60
27.5
5.15
1.37
3.6
2.4
1.15
1.14
5.95

58.6
0.75
17.65
6.92
0.12
2.98
6.15
4.48
2.09
0.37
0.05
100.06
10.7
144
26
21
25
51.8
890
14
155
9
1230
31.5
59
26.5
5.1
1.39
3.9
2.5
1.25
1.19
5.65

58
0.76
17.6
6.93
0.12
3.2
6.35
4.4
2.02
0.37
0.11
99.64
11.6
142
30
20
22
50.5
878
14.7
152
8.5
1160
30.5
58
28
5.2
1.43
4.2
2.75
1.45
1.28
5.5

56.3
0.83
17.7
7.5
0.13
3.73
6.82
4.39
1.83
0.37
0.13
99.47
13.5
158
40
23
28
42.5
902
15.4
143
8.4
1050
30.5
58
28.5
5
1.51
4.1
2.75
1.5
1.36
4.9

57.3
0.76
17.7
7.07
0.12
3.37
6.39
4.38
2.01
0.36
0.09
99.37
12
143
30
20
23
46
870
14.5
147
8.7
1120
30
59
27
5.05
1.43
4
2.75
1.35
1.3
5.45

54.6
0.9
17.72
8.24
0.14
4.63
7.6
4.16
1.6
0.36
0.16
99.79
16.2
179
69
25
40
34
902
16
131
8.3
910
28
55
28
5.4
1.46
4.4
2.95
1.5
1.37
4.45

53.4
0.95
17.42
8.76
0.14
5.26
7.82
4.04
1.53
0.41
0.09
99.64
18
196
99
29
57
31
890
16.3
129
8.3
855
28
52
27
5.2
1.48
4.3
2.95
1.5
1.37
4

56.2
0.85
17.74
7.53
0.13
3.89
7
4.39
1.75
0.4
0.24
99.64
13.5
159
46
24
35
37
958
14
144
8.4
1072
30
56
28
1.9
1.45
4.05
2.65
1.3
1.18
4.6

55.2
0.89
17.92
7.82
0.13
4.13
7.04
4.46
1.74
0.4
0.21
99.52
14
166
52
24
37
35.5
968
14
138
8.3
990
28
56
23
5.4
1.48
3.9
2.65
1.25
1.16
4.3

55.25
0.88
18.1
7.67
0.12
4.04
7.1
4.49
1.73
0.39
0.22
99.55
13.5
165
50
24
35
34.5
985
14
136
8.4
1000
28
55
26.5
5.1
1.51
4.2
2.65
1.3
1.16
4.3

54.9
0.95
17.6
8.2
0.13
4.3
7.4
4.28
1.66
0.39
0.07
99.74
14.5
184
62
27
42
32.5
935
14.3
134
8
960
29
54
28
5
1.48
4.2
2.7
1.4
1.2
4.15

53.8
0.98
17.7
8.68
0.13
4.84
7.7
4.2
1.58
0.39
0.33
99.67
15.5
195
69
30
50
31.5
944
14.5
128
7.8
880
28
52.5
28
5.1
1.51
4.2
2.75
1.4
1.16
3.85

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

Fig. 2. (a) Time versus wt.% SiO2 diagram for historic and recent rocks of El Reventador
volcano. Inset shows the progressive diminution in silica content during 2002 and
200405 eruptions. (b) K2O versus SiO2 classication diagram ( Gill, 1981) for 2002 and
200405 eruptive products as well as for historical lava ows (1912, 1944, 1972, 1973
and 1976). Inc signies basic xenoliths in pyroclastic bombs. See text for abbreviations
signicance.

composed of Pl + Cpx + Opx + Amph + Mag with scarce olivine. The

200405 lavas are also highly porphyritic (4050 vol.%) with Pl + Cpx +
Ol + Mag Amph Opx. In these rocks, olivine is common while orthopyroxene is scarce. Amphibole is not abundant in the 200405 lavas as
compared to the 2002 products, and all crystals exhibit reaction rims
and disequilibrium features. Groundmass texture is mostly glassy in
2002 juvenile bombs and intersertal or cryptocrystalline in subsequent lavas. The gabbroic xenoliths found in LF2 show almost the
same mineral assemblage, Pl + Cpx + Ol + Mag Opx Amph, pointing to
a cumulate origin. In general, phenocryst from both eruptive episodes
share similar compositions (Fig. 4).
Plagioclase is the most abundant phenocryst phase (520 vol.%).
Crystals are generally euhedral and show a wide compositional range
from An89 to An37 (Fig. 4a and b; Table 2). High-Na and -K compositions (An2734, Or610) were obtained in some phenocryst cores. Most
phenocrysts are normally zoned in the 2002 pyroclastic products (e.g.
An7746), although dusty Ca-rich concentric zones and cores (up to
An8088), as well as reverse (e.g. An4864) or oscillatory zonings are
commonly observed. Microlites from 2002 pyroclastic products show
restricted compositions (An4260). The compositional range of the
plagioclase phenocrysts is similar in the pyroclastic products and LF1,
but narrows in LF2 (An5937). All plagioclase phenocrysts in the 2004
05 lavas are normally zoned and bear similar compositional ranges
(e.g. An6743).

85

Clinopyroxene occurs up to 5 vol.% in samples of both eruptive

episodes and exhibits diopsidic to augitic compositions. Euhedral and
subhedral phenocrysts have Mg#, which vary from 84 to 73, with
normal (e.g., Mg# 8275) or slightly reversed (e.g., Mg# 7478)
zonation (Table 2), where Mg# = 100Mg/(Mg + Fet) in mol% and Fet is
total iron as Fe2+. In a Mg# versus Al2O3 plot (Fig. 4c and d), the
dominant clinopyroxene population (Mg# 7379; 16 wt.% Al2O3)
shows a crude negative correlation. However, a second group is represented by high Mg# (7984) and high-Al (36 wt.% Al2O3) and
corresponds to some phenocryst cores analysed in the 2002 and
200405 products.
Orthopyroxene is an accessory mineral in the basaltic andesite LF2,
as well as in those of the 200405 effusive phase. This contrasts with
the siliceous andesites of the 2002 pyroclastic deposits and the rst
LF1 lava ow where it is more abundant (24 vol.%). In these rocks,
it occurs as euhedral enstatite phenocrysts (En6672, Mg# 7076,
Table 2) with slight normal or reverse zonings (23% Mg# variation).
Amphibole is widespread in the 2002 products (4 vol.%), but rare
in 200405 lavas and consists of magnesiumhastingsite and scarce
tschermakite phenocrysts (Leake et al., 1997; Table 2). Most phenocrysts exhibit euhedral habits, but reaction rims are also common. This
mineral was also observed surrounding clinopyroxene and olivine
crystals. Two amphibole alteration types are identied here and are
similar to those of many other calc-alkaline suites. The dominant type
consists of reaction rims composed of Opx + Cpx + Pl + Mag (gabbroictype alteration). The other is widespread in the 2002 lavas and results
from replacement of amphibole by cryptocrystalline aggregates of Fe
Ti oxides and pyroxenes (opacite or black-type alteration).
Variations in aluminium content (1014 wt.% Al2O3) allow us to
distinguish two amphibole populations. Amphibole compositions in
the 2002 pyroclastic rocks cover the whole compositional range, while
only Al-rich crystals are found in the 2002 lavas (Fig. 4e and f). It is
worth noting that the compositions of amphibole overgrowths on Cpx
and Ol phenocrysts correspond to a low-Al group. All amphibole
crystals in 200405 lavas exhibit reaction rims and correspond to both
high- and low-Al compositions.
Olivine is an accessory phase in the 2002 pyroclastic products
(b1 vol.%). It has subhedral to anhedral forms with common disequilibrium features (reabsorbed crystals and reaction rims) and narrow compositional ranges (Fo7181, Table 2). In the subsequent 2002
lavas, olivine (12 vol.%) shows a larger compositional range and most
crystals are normally zoned (Fo8767). In the 200405 lavas, olivine
crystals (34 vol.%) are widespread and have similar compositions
(e.g. Fo8166) with frequent normal zoning.
FeTi oxides appear as microphenocrysts and microlites (b12 vol.%),
as well as inclusions in pyroxene, amphibole and plagioclase phenocrysts. They correspond to magnetite and Ti-magnetite (514 wt.% TiO2
Table 2), but scarce exsolved ilmenite bands (~40 wt.% TiO2) were also
found in magnetite phenocrysts.
3.3. Composition of matrix glasses and glass inclusions
Major elements and the S, Cl, and F contents of matrix glasses (68
analyses) and glass inclusions in plagioclase (40), clinopyroxene (32),
orthopyroxene (14), and olivine (5) from the 2002 pyroclastic blocks
have been measured at Blaise Pascal University (ClermontFerrand,
France) using a CAMECA SX100 microprobe. All matrix glasses yielded
homogeneous dacitic compositions (64.8 0.9 wt.% SiO2, Table 3),
similar to those obtained for the glass inclusions in plagioclase (66.2
2.0 wt.% SiO2), clinopyroxene (66.2 1.0 wt.% SiO2), and orthopyroxene
(65.4 1.0 wt.% SiO2). Less siliceous compositions have been obtained
for inclusions from olivine (63.0 1.4 wt.% SiO2) and some plagioclase
crystals (57.8 2.3 wt.% SiO2). In contrast, matrix glasses in the lightcoloured enclaves are rhyolitic (72.0 1.2 wt.% SiO2). The water
contents estimated by the difference method (Devine et al., 1984)
are 12 wt.% in matrix glasses and 16 wt.% in glass inclusions.

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P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

Fig. 3. Variation diagrams for selected major and trace elements for El Reventador eruptive products.

As the composition of the glass inclusions is similar to that of the

matrix glass, these inclusions likely represent the magmatic liquid
during the last evolutionary stages, prior to the eruptive episode. As
such, the difference in volatile contents between glass inclusions and
matrix glass can be used as an important degassing indicator during
the eruption. The matrix glasses contains 116 66 ppm S, 1522
395 ppm Cl, and 449 153 ppm F (Table 3). In contrast, in the dacitic
glass inclusions, S ranges from 180 to 300 ppm, Cl from 2800 to

3000 ppm, and F from 400 to 800 ppm (Table 3). Moreover, several
andesitic inclusions analysed in olivine and plagioclase point to a
much more volatile-rich liquid with 500600 ppm S, 31003200 ppm
Cl and 5501600 ppm F. The sulphur content in glass inclusions is as
expected for andesitic magmas (b1000 ppm), whereas the chlorine
and uorine contents of glass inclusions in the El Reventador magma
are high. Commonly, andesitic magmas contain b2000 ppm Cl and
b500 ppm F (Wallace, 2005; Oppenheimer, 2003). The low S and Cl

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

87

Fig. 4. Chemical composition of minerals of El Reventador eruptive products. Plagioclase composition plotted as An (mol%) versus Or (mol%) for (a) 2002 and (b) 200405.
Clinopyroxene composition plotted as Mg# versus Al2O3 wt.% for (c) 2002 and (d) 200405. Amphibole composition plotted as Mg# versus Al2O3 wt.% for (e) 2002 and (f) 200405.

concentrations of the matrix (compared with glass inclusions) indicate that both elements degassed together with water during the
paroxysmal phase of the eruption. In contrast, F concentrations in
both matrix glasses and inclusions are similar.
4. Discussion
4.1. SO2 and HCl released during the 2002 eruption
The analysed glass inclusions do not show evidence of degassing,
fracturing or secondary mineral crystallization. Nevertheless, minor
differences in the major element concentrations between matrix
glasses and glass inclusions, -especially a minor SiO2 enrichment in
the glass inclusions as compared to the matrix glass-, can be explained
by post-entrapment crystallization, as suggested in some cases by a 1
2 m-thick overgrowth of the host mineral. This also explains why
plagioclase glass inclusions are more Al2O3, CaO and Na2O-poor relative to the groundmass, as well as pyroxene inclusions are MgO, CaO
and FeO-poor relative to the groundmass. We estimated the relevance
of post-entrapment crystallization by adding an amount of the host
mineral to the initial melt with a composition similar to that of the
groundmass (cf. Saito et al., 2005). Our tests yield a maximum of
10 vol.% of plagioclase and 5 vol.% pyroxene overgrowth. This process

may partly explain the compositional evolution in the glass inclusions,

but fails to account for the cause of large water and volatile differences
observed between matrix and inclusion glasses.
The measured S and Cl contents in matrix and glass inclusions can
be used to estimate the amount of volatiles released to the atmosphere during the paroxysmal eruption. In the case of total S emissions, the relative concentrations of SO2 and H2S in the exsolved
volatile phase is controlled by temperature, pressure, fugacities of O2
and H2O, and initial gas content of the melt. It is known that H2S
usually prevails over SO2 in deep pre-eruptive magma bodies with
reducing conditions, whereas SO2 is the dominant species in oxidized
magmas (Wallace, 2001). In addition, the relative proportion of these
two species changes towards a predominance of SO2 during magma
ascent (Burgisser and Scaillet, 2007). In the case of El Reventador
volcano, the Cl-rich signature measured in glass inclusions and matrix
glasses suggests that low-pressure interaction with the hydrothermal
systems is not an important process, given the high solubility of HCl in
hydrothermal water. This suggests that the volatiles released during
the paroxysm seem to have been transported quickly from the reservoir. On the other hand, the presence of sulphide globules as
inclusions in FeTi oxides, as well as the composition of these oxides
(see below), point to moderately oxidizing conditions. This evidence implies that H2S concentrations are relatively inconsequential,

Plagioclase
Year
Unit
Sample

Clinopyroxene

2002
PFs
REV16A

2002
PFs
REV16A

2002
2002
2002
PFs
PFs
LF1
REV16A REV16A REV20

2002
LF1
REV20

2002
LF2
REV31B

2002
LF2
REV31B

2004
2004
2005
LF3
LF3
LF6
REV42A REV42A REV62

2005
LF6
REV62

47.89
0.02
31.92
0.55

0.01
16.08
2.5
0.14
99.13
77.43

56.31
0.03
26.31
0.62

0.04
9.53
5.83
0.45
99.13
46.23

55.83
0,00
27.31
0.38

0.03
9.93
5.82
0.31
99.67
47.67

51.94
0.03
30.1
0.44
0.04
0.02
13.43
3.97
0.214
100.19
64.38

51.72
0,00
30.23
0.551
0.02
0.05
13.98
3.66
0.19
100.39
67.16

56.2
0.043
27.05
0.6
0.03
0.041
9.639
5.96
0.44
100.04
46.01

55.25
0.03
27.98
0.26
0.02
0.01
10.52
5.61
0.35
100.11
49.89

58.28
0,00
26.27
0.32

0.02
8.74
6.9
0.44
100.99
40.21

50.96
0.06
30.81
0.4

0.01
14,00
3.72
0.21
100.18
66.73

57.92
0.05
26.84
0.55

0.09
8.96
6.35
0.51
101.27
42.53

48.17
0.04
31.68
0.54

0.08
15.66
2.56
0.11
98.85
76.67

52.83
0.07
28.33
0.63

0.06
11.77
4.69
0.29
98.66
57.16

Clinopyroxene
2004
LF3
REV42A
R

2005
LF4
REV56
C

2005
LF4
REV56
R

2005
LF6
REV62
C

2005
LF6
REV62
R

Year
Unit
Sample

2002
PFs
REV15B2
C

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
Mg#
En%

51.00
0.74
2.67
8.11

14.68
20.9
0.45
0,00
98.56
76.3
42.85

51.75
0.44
2.12
8.26

15.06
21.2
0.41
0.01
99.24
76.49
43.14

52.15
0.54
2.16
7.97

16.02
20.45
0.28
0,00
99.56
78.16
45.52

52.48
0.44
1.61
8.55

16.44
19.42
0.38
0.01
99.32
77.41
46.71

50.89
0.99
3.05
8.86

15.75
19.69
0.42
0.01
99.65
75.96
45.14

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
Mg#
En%

54.81
0.24
0.63
16.64
0.68
26.67
1.35
0.01
0,00
101.04
74.09
71.39

Amphibole

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
Mg#

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
Mg#
En%

41.27
2.89
13.5
9.02
0.11
15.53
12.02
2.93
0.59
98.32
75.42

2004
LF3
REV42A
C
44.68
2.49
10.87
12.2

13.45
11.41
2.41
0.68
98.24
66.27

2005
LF4
REV56
C

2005
LF6
REV62
C

42.88
2.44
13.35
10.56
0.13
12.67
10.87
2.3
0.82
96.04
68.14

42.82
4.09
10.63
10.99
0.19
14.6
11.27
2.53
0.66
97.82
70.32

2002
LF2
REV31B

2002
LF2
REV31B

2002
2002
2004
LF2
LF2
LF3
REV31B REV31B REV42A

49.38
1.14
4.64
8.85
0.3
14.48
20.96
0.45
0,00
100.23
74.49
41.77

52.53
0.45
1.79
8.14
0.34
16.5
20.67
0.36
0,00
100.82
78.29
45.68

51.68
0.46
2.84
6.24
0.25
15.95
21.94
0.34
0,00
100.11
81.95
45.09

51.22
0.55
2.15
9.01
0.33
15.3
20.95
0.4
0,00
99.93
75.16
42.97

51.43
0.76
3.72
6.59
0.1
14.95
22.78
0.37
0,00
101.1
80.16
42.6

51.1
0.88
3.21
8,00
0.19
14.82
21.71
0.39
0.01
100.31
76.79
42.31

51.64
0.52
2.32
8.37
0.26
15.28
20.98
0.45
0,00
99.8
76.5
43.41

R
48.67
1.37
5.11
8.39
0.25
13.75
21.91
0.47
0.01
99.95
74.51
40.02

C
51.39
0.51
3.48
5.98

15.42
21.56
0.29
0,00
98.65
82.13
45,00

Amphibole
2002
PFs
REV15B2
R

2002
LF1
REV19
C

2002
LF1
REV19
R

2004
2004
LF3
LF3
REV42A REV42A
C
R

2005
LF4
REV49
C

2005
LF4
REV49
R

Year
Unit
Sample

2002
PFs
REV15B2
C

2002
PFs
REV15B2
R

2002
PFs
REV16A
C

2002
PFs
REV16A
R

2002
LF1
REV19
C

2002
LF1
REV19
R

2002
LF2
REV31B
C

54.33
0.26
1.02
17.41
0.59
26.57
1.29
0.04
0.04
101.57
73.13
70.64

54.36
0.17
0.74
16.81
0.65
26.45
1.38
0,00
0,00
100.59
73.72
71.03

53.91
0.13
0.4
17.72
0.71
22.91
2.27
0.01
0,00
98.06
69.75
65.69

53.99
0.32
1.56
15.33

26.4
1.38
0.04
0,00
99.06
75.45
73.36

53.88
0.26
1.44
16.17

26.4
1.32
0.03
0.01
99.52
74.43
72.5

53.58
0.28
1.67
16.86

26,00
1.34
0.02
0,00
99.76
73.33
71.4

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
Mg#

42.96
3.85
9.96
12.7
0.18
13.8
11.19
2.56
0.82
98.07
65.96

42.98
3.64
9.96
12.51
0.22
13.87
11.01
2.83
0.83
97.91
66.41

41.22
2.86
13.45
9.63
0.05
14.97
11.99
2.8
0.6
97.68
73.48

41.95
2.58
13.25
10.04
0.1
14.78
11.85
2.78
0.53
98.15
72.4

41.94
2.39
13.01
10.43
0.17
15.24
11.43
2.68
0.72
98.15
72.26

41.44
2.03
12.74
12.64
0.24
13.39
11.33
2.46
0.63
96.94
65.37

41.9
2.75
13.36
8.98
0.08
15.52
11.91
2.84
0.46
97.94
75.5

54.21
0.22
0.86
14.75

26.47
1.51
0.06
0.03
98.12
76.17
73.88

Olivine
2002
LF2
REV31B
R

2002
PFs
REV16F

Orthopyroxene

Year
Unit
Sample

Year
Unit
Sample

Year
2002
2002
2002
Unit
PFs
PFs
PFs
Sample REV15E REV15E REV16F

Magnetite

year
2002
Unit
PFs
Sample REV16A
C

2002
PFs
REV16A
C

2002
LF1
REV20
C

2002
LF1
REV20
R

2002
LF2
REV31B
C

2004
2005
LF3
LF4
REV42A REV49
C
C

2005
LF4
REV49
R

2005
LF6
REV62
C

2005
LF6
REV62
R

Year
Unit
Sample

2002
PFs
REV15B2
C

2002
2002
PFs
LF1
REV15B2 REV19
C
C

2004
LF3
REV50
C

2005
LF4
REV49
C

2005
LF6
REV62
C

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
Fo

39.12
0,00
0.02
17.72
0.19
43.35
0.14
0,00
0.03
100.76
81.3

41.06
0,00
0,00
12.89
0.22
47.45
0.17
0,00
0.01
102.12
86.8

37.56
0,00
0.01
27.79
0.67
34.5
0.12
0.02
0.01
100.72
68.9

38.31
0,00
0.01
25.61
0.52
37.18
0.21
0.02
0,00
101.91
72.1

39.04
0.03
0,00
18.29

41.08
0.1
0.01
0.01
98.63
80

38.54
0.01
0,00
22.35

38.08
0.12
0.01
0.01
99.11
75.2

39.25
0.01
0.04
18.19

42.42
0.12
0,00
0.02
100.05
80.6

37.48
0.02
0,00
26.45

35.11
0.13
0.03
0,00
99.21
70.3

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total

0.08
8.4
3.22
79.51
0.4
3.06
0.05
0,00
0.02
94.84

0.05
13.63
2.63
76.52
0.52
2.71
0,00
0.05
0,00
96.27

0.09
9.74
3.37
77.32

3.39
0.03
0.01
0.01
93.94

0.07
11.05
3.25
77.29

3.17
0,00
0.01
0,00
94.85

0.09
14.17
2.45
73.74

2.95
0.12
0.02
0.01
93.55

37.83
0,00
0.01
26.58
0.65
35.94
0.1
0.04
0,00
101.2
70.7

39.28
0,00
0.03
18.29

42.38
0.11
0,00
0,00
100.09
80.5

0.13
12.24
3.92
76.3
0.43
2.88
0.03
0.02
0,00
96.18

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
Total
An%

88

Table 2
Selected analyses of phenocryst (in wt.%) for El Reventador lavas. Mineral composition were analyzed at Universit Blaise Pascal (ClermontFerrand, France) using a CAMECA SX100 microprobe. The operating conditions were 15 kV
accelerating voltage, 15 nA beam current and 10 s counting time

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

89

Table 3
Major element (wt.%) and volatile contents (ppm) with standard deviation of Matrix Glasses (MG) and Glass Inclusions (GI) from the 2002 El Reventador eruption. Analyses have been
carried out using a CAMECA SX 100 microprobe (Universit Blaise Pascal, ClermontFerrand, France). The operating conditions were 5 um beam size, 15 kV accelerating voltage, 8 nA
beam current and 10 s counting time for Si, Ti, Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, Na and K; and 15 kV accelerating voltage, 50 nA beam current, and between 50 and 100 s counting time for Mn, P, Cr, Ni, F,
Cl and S. Volatile limit of detection are 400 ppm for F, and 20 ppm for S and Cl. number of analyses for major/volatile elements
MG of PFs

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
FeO
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
P2O5
Total
S
Cl
F

MG in enclaves

MG of LF1

GI in Pl

GI in Cpx

GI in Opx

GI in Ol

GI in Pl2

54/33

14/11

10/6

33

32

14

64.82
0.75
16.56
4.16
0.1
1.42
3.46
4.69
3.47
0.32
99.75
116
1522
449

0.88
0.11
0.49
0.58
0.03
0.36
0.43
0.5
0.3
0.05

72.04
0.56
14.41
2.22
0.06
0.45
1.52
4.05
4.37
0.12
99.78
40
1448
549

1.2
0.22
0.56
0.06
0.02
0.18
0.37
0.33
0.17
0.06

68,00
0.61
17.01
2.09
0.05
0.23
2.63
5.29
3.88
0.11
99.85
26
1517
398

3.02
0.22
2.2
0.62
0.03
0.31
1.31
1.22
1.04
0.05

66.23
0.74
15.31
3.49
0.1
1.09
2.15
3.13
3.24
0.37
95.86
181
2862
427

2.02
0.25
1.42
0.9
0.03
0.5
0.81
0.71
0.62
0.25

66.23
0.65
16.59
3.39
0.09
0.55
1.94
4.36
4.03
0.25
98.1
206
2765
461

1.01
0.24
0.79
0.53
0.02
0.2
0.4
0.76
0.24
0.1
1.15
86
545
204

65.35
0.75
16.9
3.11
0.09
0.47
2.64
4.25
3.66
0.23
97.46
293
2962
814

0.96
0.14
0.67
0.65
0.02
0.24
0.4
0.49
0.26
0.07
1.37
106
1182
315

62.99
0.51
17.86
3.4
0.08
1.9
3.77
4.07
3.63
0.45
98.66
601
3149
549

1.41
0.03
0.52
1.12
0.02
1.15
0.22
0.75
0.3
0.1

57.77
1.55
13.73
9.14
0.17
3.32
1.81
2.52
4.16
0.9
95.06
565
3147
1615

2.26
0.35
1.97
2.8
0.04
1.05
0.48
1.55
1.03
0.33

66
395
153

20
201
170

13
492
279

allowing us to assume that measured S is mobilized mostly as SO2. We

estimate the amount of the volatiles (SO2 and HCl) released to the
atmosphere during the paroxysmal phase of the eruption following
the methodology proposed by Self et al. (2004):
E m Mv 1  WXLS CINC  CMTX =100

70
1095
223

104
149
72

221
1652
722

these features and the change in the eruptive style point to the injection of mac magma in 200405. For comparison, lavas erupted in
1912, 1944, 1972, 1974 and 1976 have similar, although somewhat
narrower, silica ranges (5558 wt.% SiO2) and their mineralogy is
similar to that of the 200405 lavas (Pl + Cpx + Opx + Ol + Mag Amph).

where E is the SO2 or HCl emission in kg, MV corresponds to the mass

of erupted magma in kg, WXLS represents the mass fraction of crystals
in the magma, and CINC CMTX is the difference (in wt.%) between the
average volatile concentrations of the glass inclusions (the preeruptive magma) and the matrix (the degassed magma). The factor m
accounts for the difference between the molecular weights of SO2 or
HCl, and S or Cl. We obtain ~ 80 kT SO2 and ~280 kT HCl for the
paroxysmal phase of the 2002 eruption. This estimate is based upon
the total erupted mass of tephra and lavas in 2002 (MV = 3.1 1011 kg),
the mass fraction of crystals (WXLS = 0.35, assuming a modal abundance of ~30 vol.% and appropriate magma and crystal densities), the
average abundance of volatiles in glass inclusions (0.0227 wt.% S and
0.2863 wt.% Cl, Table 3), and the matrix glasses of lava ows
(0.0026 wt.% S and 0.1517 wt.% Cl). Considering S and Cl measured
in the volatile-rich glass inclusions (0.0583 wt.% S and 0.3148 wt.% Cl,
Table 3), the bulk mass of volatiles released into the atmosphere
during the entire 2002 eruption amounts to 225 kT SO2 and 340 kT
HCl. Our SO2 release estimates are consistent with those derived from
Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer satellite data (TOMS), which
yielded values of 100 kT SO2 for the paroxysmal phase and 300 kT SO2
for the entire 2002 episode (Carn et al., 2008-this issue). The notable
HCl release relative to that of SO2 is probably related to the Cl-rich
signature of El Reventador magmas.
4.2. Magmatic episodes
Although the silica contents in the 2002 eruptive products
decrease from 6258 wt.% in pyroclastic deposits to 5856 wt.% in
LF1 and 5453 wt.% in LF2, the mineral assemblage Pl + Cpx + Opx +
Amph + Mag Ol remains unchanged. As in the 2002 lavas, the 2004
05 samples show decreasing silica contents from 56 to 54 wt.%. For
similar silica content, the 200405 lavas are slightly enriched in Sr,
and depleted in HREE and Y compared to the 2002 eruptive products
(Fig. 3). Higher trace element ratios (e.g. La/Yb, Dy/Yb, Sr/Y, Fig. 5) are
noted in the 200405 lava compositions. This compositional difference coincides with a shift to the Pl + Cpx + Ol + Mag Amph Opx
mineral assemblage. In these lavas, amphibole was not in equilibrium
with the liquid, while plagioclase, clinopyroxene and olivine crystals
are euhedral and normally zoned, suggesting equilibrium. Altogether,

Fig. 5. Trace elements ratios versus a differentiation index. (a) La/Yb, (b) Dy/Yb, and
(c) Sr/Y versus Rb. The schematic insets in La/Yb and Dy/Yb versus Rb diagrams show
expected fractionation effects for an amphibole-bearing cumulate and a gabbroic
cumulate (composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine).

90

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

Fig. 6. (a) Pseudo-ternary projection from PL into the plane OL-CPX-QZ (Sisson and Grove, 1993). (b) Pseudo-ternary projection from OL into the plane CPX-PL-QZ. Continuous line
represents liquids saturated with olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase under 0.2 GPa and water-saturated conditions. Dashed line represents a reaction boundary along which
olivine and liquid react to form amphibole.

4.3. Phase equilibrium constraints on pre-eruptive PT conditions

Experimental work on hydrous andesitic magmas have shown that
a stable assemblage of Pl + Cpx + Amph + Mag is attained under limited
PTH2O conditions (100300 MPa, ~1000 C, and N5 wt.% H2O;
Moore and Carmichael, 1998; Pichavant et al., 2002; Grove et al.,
2003). We investigated the phase relations by comparing bulk-rock
compositions with the experimentally-determined phase stability in
the system OlCpxPlQz at 200 MPa and water-saturated conditions
(Sisson and Grove, 1993). A plot of 2002 and 200405 whole-rock data
in the pseudo-ternary diagrams reveals a trend that crosses the multiple saturation boundary, where olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase coexist (Fig. 6a). Instead, the El Reventador trend plots on the
boundary along which olivine and liquids react to form amphibole
(Fig. 6b). The observations of amphibole rims around olivine and/or
clinopyroxene crystals (cf. Grove et al., 2003) and the high water
contents of glass inclusions (up to 6 wt.%) provide further support to
this process. Taking into account these observations, thermobarometers were applied in order to constrain the PT conditions.
The composition of co-existing ortho- and clinopyroxene has been
used to estimate equilibrium temperatures using the QUILF program,
which assesses the oxides and silica equilibria in the reaction Quartz +
Ulvspinel = ILmenite + Fayalite (Andersen et al., 1993). Conditions for
application of this method include euhedral phenocrysts, similar Mg#,
homogeneous composition, and parallel tie-lines in the pyroxene
tetrahedron. Calculated temperatures range from 1000 to 1040 C
2743 C for 2002 pyroclastic bombs and 1015 to 1025 C 3458 for
lavas. Since the QUILF formulation is not sensitive to pressure change
(only 5 C difference for a change of 100 MPa), we xed the pressure at
300 MPa (see below). The lack of ilmenite phenocrysts precludes the
use of coexisting FeTi oxides thermometer. However, the existence of
some ilmenite exsolution bands in magnetite phenocrysts permits the
estimation of temperature and fO2 using the QUILF program, which
yields temperature values in the range 776846 C 2846 and fO2
from 11.3 to 13.9 0.5.
The Al-in-hornblende geobarometer (Johnson and Rutherford,
1989) is widely used to estimate the total pressure in the pre-eruptive
magma storage region. This geobarometer assumes that the aluminium content of the amphibole is proportional to the total pressure in
particular conditions specied by a mineral assemblage comprised of

plagioclase, sanidine, amphibole, biotite, quartz, sphene, and magnetite/ilmenite. However, if quartz is absent in the equilibrium assemblage, the geobarometer yields anomalously high pressures (Johnson

Fig. 7. Fractional crystallization models for El Reventador magmas illustrated by (a) La/
Yb and (b) Sr/Y versus Ni diagrams. Mineralogical composition of cumulate is estimated
by mass-balance. M1: Fractional crystallisation model with a cumulate composed of
55%Pl + 22%Cpx + 17%Ol + 6%Mag. M2: Fractional crystallisation model with a cumulate
composed of 51%Pl + 27%Amph + 11%Cpx + 5%Ol + 6%Mag. Partition coefcients used for
these models are given in Martin (1987). Marks in model represent 10% of
crystallization. B: Primitive basaltic magma.

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

and Rutherford, 1989). On the other hand, for magmas crystallizing at

temperatures above those of the experimental calibration (740
780 C), the formulation needs adjustments (Anderson and Smith,
1995). Assuming that amphibole rims crystallized shortly before the
end of the crystallization sequence, we set the temperature at 850 C.
The geobarometer yields an average pressure of 250 80 MPa for the
2002 and 200405 eruptive products. Given that the mineral assemblage and geochemical compositions of our samples do not match the
original formulation of the geobarometer, these estimates correspond
to maximum values. The results of Al-in-hornblende geobarometry
are in agreement with water saturation pressure in glass inclusions
estimated using VolatileCalc 1.1 software (Newman and Lowenstern,
2002). For a rhyolitic melt at 850 C and 5 wt.% H2O, the saturation
pressure varies from 150 to 230 MPa (depending on the CO2 content of
the magma).
In summary, phase equilibrium constraints for hydrous andesitic
magmas and thermo-barometric estimates for the El Reventador
mineral assemblage point to pre-eruptive pressure-temperature conditions ranging from 170 to 330 MPa, ~ 1050 to 850 C, and a high
water content of the magmas (~ 5 wt.%). Assuming a bulk rock density
for crustal rocks of 2600 kg/m3, the last crystallization phases (i.e.
amphibole crystallization) occurred at a depth of between 6.5 and
12.5 km.
4.4. Petrogenesis of the 2002 and 200405 magmatic suite
4.4.1. Magma mixing
Several disequilibrium features suggest that a mixing process
followed the injection of a mac magma. The evidence is based upon
wide plagioclase composition ranges, reverse and oscillatory zonings

91

in plagioclase and clinopyroxene, resorption surfaces, and phenocrysts

not in equilibrium with the matrix. Additionally, some minerals, such
as Ca-rich plagioclase, Al-rich clinopyroxene, and olivine have not
been reproduced in experimental studies in andesitic magmas (cf.
Moore and Carmichael, 1998; Pichavant et al., 2002). These compositions may be attributed to phenocrysts crystallized in a different
magma.
Two different mixing mechanisms are generally invoked to explain
these disequilibrium features including: (1) a physical mixing of
magmas of contrasted composition, temperature and physical properties, and (2) the recharge of a magmatic reservoir by mac magma,
producing temperature increase and thermal convection (Couch et al.,
2001). This latter mechanism is known as self-mixing or thermal
mixing. The lack of textural banding and mac enclaves in El Reventador rocks does not favour the physical mixing scenario involving
magmas of contrasting compositions. But, for magmas with similar
compositions, the petrological identication of magma mixing will be
difcult and this process cannot be completely ruled out. However, the
disequilibrium features observed in minerals point to a mac recharge
into an evolved magma reservoir, favouring the self-mixing
mechanism.
4.4.2. Fractional crystallization
The whole-rock geochemical trends of the 2002 and 200405
rocks (Figs. 2 and 3), the good correlations in the variation diagrams
(Fig. 3), and the occurrence of normally-zoned minerals support a
petrogenesis dominantly controlled by fractional crystallization
processes. In particular, trace element trends point to olivine and/or
clinopyroxene fractionations (Ni and Cr decrease with differentiation),
and to plagioclase fractionation (Sr decrease). Low MREE and HREE

Fig. 8. Sketch model for the magmatic system below El Reventador volcano, depicting (a) recovery interval following the 1976 eruption; (b) time period prior to the 2002 eruption;
(c) period immediately prior to the 2002 eruption; and (d) the 200405 eruptive episode. Vertical dimension and reservoir size are not drawn to scale. The colour gradation in the
reservoir reect their chemical zonation. Dotted line represents the avalanche scar.

92

P. Samaniego et al. / Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 176 (2008) 8293

concentrations point to amphibole fractionation. Because amphibole

preferentially incorporates MREE over HREE, the amphibole role is
illustrated by a La/Yb increase, and a decrease in Dy/Yb during differentiation (Fig. 5). In contrast, fractionation of a gabbroic assemblage
(Pl + Cpx + Ol) has no inuence on REE patterns.
The above geochemical and mineralogical constraints allow us to
test a fractional crystallization model based on major element massbalance calculations. The calculated modal compositions of the cumulate and the degree of fractionation are subsequently used in trace
element modelling (Rayleigh-type fractional crystallization). In Fig. 7,
La/Yb and Sr/Y have been plotted against Ni to illustrate this model.
From hypothetical hydrous basalts (B in Fig. 7) to basic andesite
compositions, the differentiation is dominantly controlled by fractionation of Pl + Cpx + Ol + Mag (gabbroic assemblage). The fractionation
of this cumulate (M1 in Fig. 7) may account for the compositional
diversity of LF2 lavas as well as many other historical lava ows. The
transition from the 2002 andesites to basic andesites is consistent
with a model in which an amphibole-bearing cumulate fractionates.
Importantly, a crystal fractionation model fails to explain the
petrological relation between the 2002 eruptive products and 2004
05 lavas. These lava compositions may have resulted from early
fractionation of amphibole that probably occurred in a deep reservoir
or during the ascent of hydrous mac magmas.
5. Concluding remarks: characteristics of the magma
plumbing system
Field observations and petrological studies of the 2002 and 2004
05 eruptions of El Reventador highlight the existence of two volcanic
and magmatic episodes. The 2002 episode started with an explosive
phase removing an andesitic magma reservoir, which was then followed by effusive activity releasing andesites and basaltic andesites
lavas. In contrast, during the mostly effusive 200405 episode, only
basaltic andesitic lava ows were emplaced.
Mass balance calculations based upon microprobe analyses of
matrix glasses from pyroclastic bombs and glass inclusions trapped
inside phenocrysts suggest that ~ 80 kT of SO2 and 280 kT of HCl were
degassed during the paroxysmal phase of the eruption. The highly
explosive character of this eruption is explained by elevated water
(and other volatile species) content of the pre-eruptive magma. A
closed-system degassing regime is also consistent with the rapid
increase in eruption intensity and corresponding magnitude of the
initial explosive onset (VEI 4). Phreatomagmatism probably played an
additional role in enhancing the explosivity, as suggested by phenomenological and geological observations.
Both the 2002 and 200405 magmatic episodes were largely controlled by a two-step fractional crystallization process. The magmatic
evolution, from basalts to basic andesites was mainly controlled by
fractionation of Pl + Cpx + Ol + Mag. This was followed by Ol and/or Cpx
reaction with the magma to produce amphibole, whose subsequent
fractionation produced more evolved magmas.
We synthesize a dynamic model of the El Reventador magmatic
system based upon petrological data. Prior to the 2002 eruption, an
andesitic magma body existed below the volcano at a depth of
about 10 km (Fig. 8a). It was disturbed by the recharge of volatilerich basic magma ascending from a deeper reservoir (Fig. 8b). The
arrival of this hydrous basic magma induced amphibole crystallization as well as strong convection in the shallow reservoir
(Fig. 8c). A second, incipiently-crystallized magma batch ascended
later from a deep reservoir to produce the 200405 lavas (Fig. 8d).
The magmatic recharges related to the 2002 and 200405 eruptions, and the fact that historical eruptions of El Reventador have
occurred in clusters of ~ 4 years, similar to the 2002 and 200405
activity, suggest that this mechanism is common at this volcano
and leads to the high frequency of its eruptions. On the other hand,
the crystallization of amphibole at an early stage of differentiation

represents a distinctive and unique aspect of El Reventador volcano, compared to the other volcanoes of Ecuador, where amphibole only occurs in more evolved siliceous andesites and dacites,
such as in Cotopaxi (Hall and Mothes, 2007), Tungurahua (Hall
et al., 1999) or Sangay (Monzier et al., 1999). We propose that the
early amphibole crystallization is related to the volatile-rich signature of primitive El Reventador magmas.
Acknowledgments
This work was nancially supported by the Instituto Geofsico of
the Escuela Politcnica Nacional (IG-EPN) of Quito (Ecuador) and the
French Institut de Recherche pour le Dveloppement (IRD) in the
framework of a cooperative agreement.
We thank J.-L. Devidal for help with the acquisition of microprobe
data and D. Andrade, D. Barba and J. Johnson for providing samples
from the 2005 eruptions. D. Andrade also provide a previous version
of the Fig. 1. Constructive reviews of two anonymous reviewers helped
to improve the manuscript.
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