The Quaternary history of effusive volcanism of the Nevado de Toluca area, Central Mexico. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torres-Orozco, R.; Arce, J.L.; Layer, P.W.; Benowitz, J.A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 79(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Nevado de toluca -- 40Ar/39Ar geochronology -- Effusive volcanism -- Lava flows -- Lava domes -- Monogenetic volcanism; Geology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Geology -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Geology -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Géologie -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Antarctica; Caribbean Area; Latin America; Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2017.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: Andesite and dacite lava flows and domes, and intermediate-mafic cones from the Nevado de Toluca area were classified into five groups using field data and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronology constraints. Thirty-four lava units of diverse mineralogy and whole-rock major-element geochemistry, distributed between the groups, were identified. These effusive products were produced between ∼1.5 and ∼0.05 Ma, indicating a mid-Pleistocene older-age for Nevado de Toluca volcano, coexisting with explosive products that suggest a complex history for this volcano. A ∼0.96 Ma pyroclastic deposit attests for the co-existence of effusive and explosive episodes in the mid-Pleistocene history. Nevado de Toluca initiated as a composite volcano with multiple vents until ∼1.0 Ma, when the activity began to centralize in an area close to the present-day crater. The modern main edifice reached its maximum height at ca. 50 ka after bulky, spiny domes erupted in the current summit of the crater. Distribution and geochemical behavior in major elements of lavas indicate a co-magmatic relationship between different andesite and dacite domes and flows, although unrelated to the magmatism of the monogenetic volcanism. Mafic-intermediate magma likely replenished the system at Nevado de Toluca since ca. ∼1.0 Ma and contributed to the eruption of new domes, cones, as well as effusive-explosive activity. Altogether, field and laboratory data suggest that a large volume of magma was ejected around 1 Ma in and around the Nevado de Toluca. Highlights: We constructed a new map for the Nevado de Toluca volcano. Effusive and explosive volcanism have occurred since 1.5 Ma. We identified 5 stages of evolution of Nevado de Toluca. The sNevado de Toluca summit is younger tan 50 kyr.