Origin and deformation of high porosity bands in the Takanoobane Rhyolite lava of Aso volcano, Japan

In rhyolite lavas, the high porosity bands are often developed. They potentially act as pathways for gas movement to the lava surface. Since explosive activities of lavas are generally considered to be controlled by degassing system, understanding the origin and deformation process of the high porosity bands is important to assessing volcanic hazards. The Takanoobane rhyolite lava in the middle of Kyushu Island in SW Japan is effused at 51 ± 5 ka. The volume, flow length, and thickness are 0.14 km3, > 2 km, and about 90 m, respectively. The central crystalline part of the lava is characterized by the light-colored bands defined by the high porosity zone (HPZ). On the basis of geological and petrographical studies, we revealed that the HPZ was primary formed by ductile–brittle tearing of the lava (known as cavitation). According to the AMS results, the HPZs were subsequently stretched and flattened laterally during the concentric spreading of the lava. This deformation process could stretch the HPZ not only radially but also laterally. This effective stretching developed the HPZ into pervasive thin bands. Since the HPZs act as degassing pathways to the lava surface, the pervasive HPZ bands may play a role in providing volcanic gasses to void spaces created in surface fold hinges of rhyolite lavas. Thus, this degassing system may promote explosive activity of the lava surface.