Geology and geochemistry of Amealco Caldera, Qro., Mexico

doi:10.1016/0377-0273(91)90104-8

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

Volume 47, Issues 1–2, July 1991, Pages 105-127

https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-0273(91)90104-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Amealco Caldera, located in the central part of the Mexican Volcanic Belt (MVB), about 130 km NW of Mexico City, is characterized by a quasi-circular, ∼11-km-diameter structure whose southern portion is partly truncated by a regional fault. The caldera was formed (< 5 m.y. ago) due to a voluminous eruption of 65 km³ (eq. magma volume) of ignimbrites which covered an area of ∼1800 km². This was followed by eruption of ∼2 km³ of andesitic and dacitic lava flows from the border of the caldera and emplacement of a total of 8 silicic (rhyolitic) domes (∼8 km³) inside the caldera. Finally, postcaldera volcanism (∼4 km³) consisted of extrusion of andesitic and basaltic andesite lavas and scoriae.

We have analyzed 17 representative rock-samples for their major- and trace-element contents by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and for rare earth elements by high-performance liquid chromatography. All samples were also analyzed for their Sr and Nd isotopic compositions which range as follows: ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.70379–0.70451, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0.51267–0.51278. The chemical and isotopic data are used to constrain the origin and evolution of magmas in the caldera. No combination of altered MORB and overlying sediments from the subducted slab (Cocos plate) can produce the Sr and Nd isotopic compositions observed in rocks from Amealco caldera. Further modelling reveals that the mantle-derived primary magmas in Amealco caldera may have assimilated up to ∼10% of a crustal component during their evolution from basaltic-andesites to dacites, but no further assimilation appears to have taken place during the evolution of the rhyolitic magmas. The structure and genesis of the Amealco caldera are comparable to some other calderas of the MVB.

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¹: Present address: Dept. of Geology, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.

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Geology and geochemistry of Amealco Caldera, Qro., Mexico

Abstract

Chem. Geol.

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res.

J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res.

Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res.

Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Comput. Geosci.

Geothermics

J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res.

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Composición quimica (elementos mayores) de los magmas en el Cinturôn Volcánico Mexicano

La confirmación de una hipótesis de trabajo: una nueva caldera en el centro del Cinturón Volcánico Mexicano

Bol. IIE

Mazahua: una nueva caldera en el Cinturŕon Volcánico Mexicano

Geofis. Int.

Island Arc Basalts

Geochemical constraints of the origin of calc-alkaline and alkaline magmas of the eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Geofis. Int.

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J. Petrol.

Geología y petrologia de los campos volcánicos de Los Azufres (Mich.), Amealco y El Zamorano (Qro.)

Fases volcánica de la Caldera de Amealco

Geomimet

Geología del Volcán Zamorano, Estado de Querétaro

Rev. Inst. Geol. UNAM

Geochemistry of volcanic series of the Los Azufres geothermal field (Mexico)

L' axe néo-volcanique transmexicain—é-tude volcanologique et pétrographique—signification géodynamique

Nd isotopic variations and petrogenetic models

Geophys. Res. Lett.

Relations of andesites, granites, and sandstones to arc-trench tectonics

Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.

Potash-depth (K-h) relations in continental and intraoceanic magmatic arcs

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Andesite volcanism and seismicity along the Pacific

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Petrology and geochemistry of recent lavas in the northern Marianas: Implications for the origin of island arc basalts

Contrib. Mineral. Petrol.

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Contrib. Mineral. Petrol.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the younger volcanic islands of Tonga, S.W. Pacific

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Principles of Isotope Geology

Volcanic and tectonic evolution of Los Azufres caldera and surrounding areas, Central Mexico

Ann. Geophys. Spec. Issue

Eruption rates and compositional trends at Los Humeros volcanic center, Puebla, Mexico

J. Geophys. Res.

Volcanismo riolítico en el Eje Neovolcánico Mexicano

Geofis. Int.

Laboratory Handbook of Petrographic Techniques

Structure of the Melanesian arcs and correlation with distribution of magma types

Tectonophysics

Major and trace element abundances in volcanic rocks of orogenic areas

Geol. Soc. Am. Bull.