Volcanic Mechanisms in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

Abstract

From the Taupo Volcanic Zone nearly 4,000 cubic miles of lava have been erupted, chiefly of rhyolitic composition, including ignimbrites. The eruptive activity has been concentrated in several large centres, believed to be associated with ring complex.es and cauldron subsidences. There is evidence for shallow melting in the crust, and, by drawing an analogy with hydrothermal systems and geyser eruptions, an eruptiv.e sequence of ignimbrites followed by more viscous lava is accounted for. This is similar to sequences observed in other regions of acid volcanism. It is suggested that the volcanic centres are located above localised convection cells. © 1964 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.