MICROLITE CHARACTERIZATION OF MAFIC PLINIAN ERUPTIONS AT CHIKURACHKI VOLCANO

The Chicurachki volcano in the Kuril island arc has exhibited mafic plinian eruptions. These eruptions are rare and poorly understood and require further analysis. We are studying these eruptions by observing microlite composition, size, and shape within pumice from two of these mafic plinian eruptions from the Chicurachki volcano. These eruptions are from a documented 1853 eruption and from an ancient eruption. We are comparing this microlite data to that of other mafic plinian eruptions seen at Mt. Etna, and other volcanoes, to find trends in these mafic plinian eruptions. More data is required to make any assumptions about this kind of mafic eruptions . Future work is required to understand what influences the magma during these mafic plinian eruptions and to further correlate microlite characteristics in these eruptions.