Vertical and lateral propagation of radial dikes inferred from the flow-direction analysis of the radial dike swarm in Komochi Volcano, Central Japan

Dikes with lateral and outward intrusion directions (named L-type dike) and dikes with vertical and upward intrusion directions (V-type dike) are recognized in a radial dike swarm of Komochi Volcano, Japan, by the combined analysis of the preferred orientations of deformed vesicles and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS). Intrusion directions of magmas were examined for 41 dike outcrops. Among them, 19 dikes were classified as L-type dike and 15 dikes were as V-type. The L-type dikes distribute over the area of the dike swarm radiating from the central conduit, which is named Daikokuiwa stock, and the V-type dikes occur mainly in the peripheral portion of the volcano. The L-type dikes are characterized with evolved whole-rock compositions similar to those of rocks consisting of the central conduit, whereas the V-type dikes have less-fractionated composition and are enrich in mafic phenocryst as compared to the L-type dikes. The outward intrusion directions of the L-type dikes and their petrological similarity to the rock of the central conduit indicate that these dikes intruded from the shallow part of the central conduit where the magmas underwent fractional crystallization and degassing. The petrological characteristics of the V-type dikes suggest that the less-fractionated magma intruded directly from a magma chamber, in which mafic phenocryst crystals accumulated. The larger dike thickness and higher magnetic foliation of the V-type dike as compared to the L-type dike indicate higher magmatic overpressure, which was possibly result of the direct connection to the pressurized magma chamber and vertical-growth of the dikes with buoyant magma. Solidification of the central conduit is favorable for the accumulation of internal excess pressure in the magma chamber to break the wall rock. Fissure eruptions independent of the central conduit have occurred in many volcanoes and these fissure eruptions might be fed by the dikes directly propagated from the deeper magma chamber.