Ignimbrite flare-ups and their drivers: A New Zealand perspective

Based on a comparison between New Zealand and other documented examples worldwide, we propose three ignimbrite flare-up categories based on their longevity and intensity. Most ignimbrite flare-ups last 106 to 107 years (categories 2 and 1, respectively), erupt magma volumes exceeding 104 km3 and are interpreted to be driven from depth by high mantle flux (i.e. magmatic flare-ups). Here, we draw attention to a new, much shorter timescale flare-up (104 to 105 years; category 3) as exemplified by the ~ 350 to ~ 280 TVZ example. Using the erupted volumes for several documented flare-ups at the three category timescales, we calculate a mantle input based on published silicic intrusive:extrusive ratios and isotopically derived ratios for basaltic input. Our results show that category 3 ignimbrite flare-up eruption rates typically exceed 10 km3 kyr− 1, have multiple caldera-forming eruptions, and are defined by mantle input rates that can be sustained through the duration of the ignimbrite flare-up and are at least an order of magnitude above the longer timescale category 1 and 2 ignimbrite flare-ups. For the TVZ, such high ignimbrite productivity over just tens of thousands of years, is related to an efficient feedback loop between high mantle flux and accelerated rifting that together are responsible for a remarkably thin and extended continental crust. We argue, that despite its unique nature relative to other continental arcs, there may be important magmatic-tectonic feedbacks that can be gleaned from the highly resolved record of caldera and ignimbrite volcanism in the TVZ, and applied to studying short timescale ignimbrite flare-ups elsewhere.