Morphometric Analysis of Magmatic Enclaves: a Tool for Understanding Magma Vesiculation and Ascent

The extent of deformation of magmatic enclaves that occur in different portions of the Khaggiar endogenous lava dome (Island of Pantelleria, Italy) has been quantified using two morphometric techniques: thin-plate splines and fractals. Deformation of enclaves decreases from the outer portions of the dome to the more internal portions, defining two exponential trends. The amount and distribution of vesicles have also been quantified using image analysis of digital images obtained by a scanning electron microscope. The variation of deformation of enclaves correlates with the variation of their vesicle content, suggesting that deformation and vesiculation are related. We envisaged a continuous feedback system between vesiculation of enclaves and radial forces exerted by the surrounding host magma during the growth of the dome. These relationships are used as dynamic markers to infer the eruptive style of the endogenous dome. In particular, it is suggested that the variation of vesicularity of enclaves is related to the pressure exerted by magma on the extrusion vent. This resulted in enclaves being more vesicular and more deformed in the outer portions of the dome that emplaced first and at lower pressure, and less vesicular and less deformed in the more internal portions that emplaced later and at higher pressure. We interpret the occurrence of the two trends in the variation of deformation and porosity as related to two main eruptive pulses of dome growth.