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Pyroclastic flow deposits in the Adrano area of Mount Etna, Sicily

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

A. M. Duncan
A. M. Duncan*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University College, London, WC1E 6BT
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Summary

Activity on Etna is predominantly effusive with eruption of lavas of Hawaiitic composition. However, near Adrano some pyroclastic flow deposits outcrop among prehistoric lavas. The chemistry of the pumiceous fragments in these pyroclastic flows suggests they were erupted from magma of benmoreitic composition. This represents some of the most evolved and differentiated magma that has been produced by Etna. The presence of these deposits indicates that in the past Etna has displayed much more explosive activity than has been observed in historic times.

Type
Research Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 113 , Issue 4 , July 1976 , pp. 357 - 363
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

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