Academic literature on the topic 'Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzanie ; volcan)'

The objective of our study is to establish an assessment of four volcanic hazards in a country threatened by the eruption of the OlDoinyo Lengai volcano. The last major eruption dates back to 2007-2008 but stronger activity in 2019 has revived the memory of volcanic threats to the Maasai and Bantu communities and human activities (agro-pastoral and tourism). The methods chosen have had to be adapted to the scarce and incomplete data. The volcanic hazards and their probability of occurrence were analysed on the basis of data available in the scientific literature and were supplemented by two field missions combining geography and hydro-geomorphology. Our study enabled us to map the hazards of ash fall, lava flows, lahars and avalanches of debris. Each hazard was spatialised by being ascribed an intensity. They are sometimes synchronous with the eruption sometimes they occur several months or years after a volcanic eruption. The results are the first step towards developing a volcanic risk management strategy, especially for the pastoral communities living around Lengai and for the growing tourist activities in this area.

AbstractNatrocarbonatite magma, erupted as lava flows in the Tanzanian volcano Oldoinyo Lengai in June and November of 1988, has evolved chemically since its formation. The June and November flows of 1988 display increasing Cl, F, Ba, K, Mg and Mn, concomitantly with Na, Ca and P depletion. Furthermore, the June magma, at the time of eruption, had higher Cl, F, Ba and K contents and lower Ca than the November magma and evolved to higher levels of Cl, F, Ba and K content and lower Ca, Na and P. The mineralogy of the lavas reflects these trends. Crystallization of fluorite and halite–sylvite solid solution, usually as a symplectic intergrowth, occurs when Cl and F concentrations reach the critical value necessary to stabilize both minerals and explains why neither occurs as a phenocryst phase. Natrocarbonatite magma has undergone considerable and rapid magmatic evolution, probably in small and separate magma chambers. Two minerals, nyerereite and gregoryite, have dominated the crystallization history of natrocarbonatite magma, and many lavas are phenocryst-rich. However, because most of the lavas are composed principally of these two minerals, crystal accumulation has not greatly changed their composition and, consequently, we suggest that the bulk composition of the lavas closely approximates that of the parental magma.

AbstractLapilli formed by a Strombolian eruption are associated with the formation of a large lava flow of natrocarbonatite on or about 21–22 July, 2000 at Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, Tanzania. Fresh lapilli consist of vesicular natrocarbonatite similar to that occurring in rapidly quenched lavas. The lapilli were altered at low temperature (<50°C) by degassing to aggregates of sodian sylvite, potassian halite, trona, thermonatrite and a novel F-bearing sodium phosphate-carbonate. The latter is considered to be a new mineral as it has a composition (Na5–4.5PO4(CO3,F,Cl) that is not similar to that of nahpoite (Na2HPO4), dorfmanite [Na2(PO3OH).2H2O] or natrophosphate [Na7(PO4)2F.19H2O]. However, in common with these minerals, it is ephemeral and undergoes rapid decomposition under normal atmospheric conditions. The sodium phosphate-carbonate and associated halide-sodium carbonate assemblages are considered to be a part of a previously unrecognized hyperagpaitic assemblage forming as sublimates at Oldoinyo Lengai.

AbstractSeveral K-Fe sulphide minerals have been described from natrocarbonatite lavas erupted from the Tanzanian volcano Oldoinyo Lengai but uncertainty remains about their exact identity. They do not appear to be any of the established K-Fe sulphides according to Dawsonet al.(1995) and Mitchell (1997). Here, we describe yet another variant which is a Mn- and F-bearing variety of rasvumite. It appears to have formed by reaction of Fe alabandite grains with natrocarbonatite magma and occurs as minute rims on the alabandite. Its formula is: (K0.94Na0.06)(Fe1.91Mn0.13Ca0.01Sr0.01)(S2.06F0.24Cl0.04).

AbstractA peralkaline nephelinite lava ([Na+K]/Al 2.15) from the active carbonatite volcano Oldoinyo Lengai, contains combeite, Ba lamprophyllite, a phase with affinities to delhayelite, CeSrNb perovskite, a CaNa phosphate high in Sr, Ba and K, and peralkaline glass; in addition to Fe-rich nepheline, aegirine-rich clinopyroxene and FeK-rich sodalite. The high alkali concentrations relative to alumina in the bulk rock could not have been achieved by fractionational crystallisation of the known Al-rich phenocryst phases (nepheline and sodalite) and some other process must be invoked.

AbstractA unique hybrid natrocarbonatite, collected from the new ash cone of the volcano Oldoinyo Lengai. Tanzania in July 2008, consists of phenocrysts of nyerereite and gregoryite together with xenocrysts of clinopyroxene, nepheline and Ti-andradite set in a groundmass of cuspidine, sodalite, ferroan manganoan monticellite, K-Fe sulphide and manganoan titanian magnetite and gregoryite. The xenocrysts were not in equilibrium with the melt which formed their current host, as clinopyroxenes and Ti-andradite are mantled by cuspidine, and nepheline by sodalite and phlogopite—potassian kinoshitalite solid solutions. A microxenolith of ijolite exhibits similar reaction phenomena. The minerals of the xenocryst suite have similar compositions to plutonic ijolites found at Oldoinyo Lengai, and are thus considered to be derived by the fragmentation of such material in a previously contaminated natrocarbonatite melt. The latter, which has cuspidine, sodalite and monticellite as primary liquidus phases, is considered to have been formed by the complete assimilation of ijolitic material in a natrocarbonatite magma at depth in the volcano conduit. The occurrence of trace amounts of cuspidine, Fe-Mn-monticellite, K-Fe sulphide and Mn-Ti-spinel in recently erupted natrocarbonatites is ascribed to similar, but less extensive, assimilation of silicate material prior to their eruption.

AbstractIn 1962 Dawson described a calcite carbonatite (specimen BD83) from the Tanzanian volcano Oldoinyo Lengai as a sövite, thus implying that at an earlier stage in its evolution this volcano had crystallized magmatic calciocarbonatites as well as the highly alkalic natrocarbonatite lava that has been erupted in more recent times. This proposition is difficult to reconcile with the currently fashionable hypothesis whereby the natrocarbonatite lava separated immiscibly from a type of nephelinite magma, most recently thought to be a wollastonite nephelinite. In 1993 Dawson sought to discredit the magmatic origin of this sövite specimen by arguing that it was derived from natrocarbonatite lava through extreme alteration (calcitization) in which process the original nyerereite was replaced by calcite in near-perfect pseudomorphs. We suggest that the arguments advanced in support of this concept are unconvincing and that the specimen is exactly what it was originally described as, namely a magmatic sövite in which the calcite crystallized from a magma rather than having replaced nyerereite. We do not seek to discredit the liquid immiscibility hypothesis but do believe that whatever process is responsible for the Oldoinyo Lengai natrocarbonatites and silicate rocks must also allow for the crystallization of calciocarbonatite.

AbstractPorphyritic natrocarbonatite lavas erupted from the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania) on 17 October 1995 and 15–19 December 1995 differ from previously studied lavas in that they preserve textures indicative of groundmass carbonate-carbonate immiscibility. The immiscible fractions are considered to involve: a Na-K-Ca-CO2-Cl-rich, F-bearing fluid crystallizing gregoryite, sodian sylvite, potassium neighborite as well as a complex Ba-rich carbonate; and a Na-rich, Cl-poor carbonate liquid approximating to a nyerereite-gregoryite cotectic composition. Compositional data are given for potassium neighborite, this mineral being the first recognized occurrence of a fluorine-based perovskite group mineral in a magmatic environment. New compositional data are also given for a previously recognized potassium iron sulphide which indicate that this phase is probably a solid solution between the ternary sulphides, KFe3S4, K2Fe3S4, and KFe2S3. Textural and paragenetic data are interpreted to suggest that these recent lavas are more evolved than previously investigated Oldoinyo Lengai lavas and that natrocarbonatite is a highly evolved rather than a primitive magma.

La particularité de l’Oldoinyo Lengai à émettre des laves natrocarbonatitiques fait de ce volcan un laboratoire naturel pour l’étude de la genèse de ces magmas. De nouvelles mesures isotopiques en hélium nous ont permis de constater que la signature des fumerolles est constante depuis 1988 malgré le changement morphologique considérable du cratère sommital lors de la dernière éruption subplinienne de 2007-2008. L’alternance des éruptions explosives et effusives n’engendre donc aucune modification majeure dans l’organisation du système hydrothermal qui est par conséquent profondément enraciné. Les xénolites cogénétiques qui ont été émis lors de l’éruption de 2007-2008 permettent d’étudier directement les processus magmatiques qui se déroulent dans la chambre magmatique active. La comparaison des signatures isotopiques des gaz rares (hélium) de la chambre magmatique et des volcans silicatés de la région d’Arusha montre que les deux types de magmatisme ont une source analogue identifiée comme un manteau lithosphérique subcontinental préalablement métasomatisé par des fluides asthénosphériques. De plus, ces signatures isotopiques confirment l’absence de contaminations crustale lors de la remontée du magma entre le manteau source et la surface. Une description pétrographique de détail couplée à une approche thermobarométrique, ainsi qu’à la détermination des modèles de solubilité des volatils dans les liquides phonolitiques, nous a permis d’identifier l’évolution du liquide dans la chambre magmatique et ses paramètres de stockage. Les résultats nous révèlent que le magma injecté en 2007 a une composition phonolitique et des teneurs élevées en volatils (3.2 wt.% de H2O et 1.4 wt.% de CO2) ainsi qu’une température d'environ 1060° C. Ce magma évolue ensuite dans la chambre magmatique crustale se trouvant à 11.5±3.5 km de profondeur jusqu’à atteindre une composition de néphélinite et une température de 880°C. Pendant sa différenciation, le magma silicaté s’enrichit en calcium, sodium, magnésium et fer alors que sa concentration en silice, potassium et aluminium décroit. Ces résultats concordent avec les précédents relatifs à cette éruption, ou aux produits volcaniques plus anciens émis tout au long de la vie du volcan. Cette similarité suggère qu’aucun changement majeur n’ait eu lieu dans l’organisation de la plomberie du volcan Oldoinyo Lengai au cours de son évolution. Les mesures en éléments traces (REE, HFSE et LILE) dans les minéraux cristallisés lors de cette séquence de différenciation, et les inclusions magmatiques associées montrent un enrichissement pouvant atteindre de 100 à 1000 fois la composition du manteau primitif. Une étude expérimentale préliminaire s’appuyant sur la composition du liquide de recharge (phonolite) et les conditions (P, T) identifiées pour la chambre magmatique nous a permis de reproduire l'immiscibilité entre un liquide silicaté et carbonatitique, processus à l’origine de la formation des carbonatites de l’Oldoinyo Lengai. La poursuite de ces travaux expérimentaux permettra de mieux contraindre la genèse des magmas carbonatitiques et ainsi comprendre les processus en jeux dans l’enrichissement en éléments traces des magmas carbonatitiques<br>The uniqueness of Oldoinyo Lengai to emit natrocarbonatite lavas makes this volcano a natural laboratory to study the genesis of these magmas. New helium isotopic data permit to assert that the signature of the fumaroles has been constant since 1988 despite the radical morphological change of the summit crater after the last sub-Plinian eruption in 2007-2008. The alternation of the effusive and explosive eruptions does not cause major modifications in the hydrothermal system architecture, which is inferred to be deeply rooted. Cognate xenoliths that were emitted during the eruption in 2007-2008 represent a unique opportunity to document the igneous processes occurring within the active magma chamber. The comparison between the noble gas (helium) isotopic compositions of the active magma chamber and those of the other silicate volcanoes of the Arusha region indicates that both types of magmatism have similar sources, identified as being a typical sub-continental lithospheric mantle, which was previously metasomatized by asthenospheric fluids. Moreover, these isotopic signatures confirm that no crustal contamination has occurred during the magma ascent from the mantle to the surface. Detailed petrographic descriptions coupled to a thermo-barometric approach, and to the determination of volatile solubility models for a phonolite composition, allow us to identify the melt evolution at magma chamber conditions and the storage parameters. These results indicate that the magma injected in 2007 has a phonolitic composition and contains a high amount of volatiles (3.2 wt.% H2O and 1.4 wt.% CO2) as well as a temperature around 1060° C. This magma subsequently evolved in the crustal magma chamber located at 11.5 ± 3.5 km depth until reaching a nephelinite composition and a temperature of 880°C. During the differentiation in the magma chamber, the silicate magma is enriched in calcium, sodium, magnesium and iron, whereas the content of silicate, potassium and aluminum decreases. Our results support previous studies related to this eruption, and are similar to the historical products emitted during the whole volcano history, permitting the suggestion that no major modification in the plumbing system has occurred during the Oldoinyo Lengai evolution. The trace elements (REE, LILE and HFSE) measured in the minerals and melt inclusions reveal a concentration reaching 100 to 1000 times the primitive mantle composition. A preliminary experimental study based on the recharge melt composition (phonolite) and identified magma chamber conditions (P, T) permits to reproduce the immiscibility between silicate and carbonatite liquids, key processes at the origin of the Oldoinyo Lengai carbonatites. The continuation of this experimental study will lead to a better comprehension of the carbonatite genesis, thus improving our understanding of the processes that are responsible for the enrichment in trace elements

The eruption of xenolithic material during large explosive eruptions, at any volcano, supply vital samples of the sub-surface lithologies upon which it is built, which in turn provides an indication of the evolution of the volcanic complex, in particular the volcanic conduit, magma storage zones and crustal / mantle lithologies. This is particularly important at alkaline-carbonatite complexes which are known to have “exotic” chemistries and also cause extensive zones of alteration through fenitisation processes. As the only active carbonatite volcano on Earth and also the unusual nature of Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania, it is an excellent study site to better understand the generation and chemical influence of carbonate-rich melts and fluids from source to surface. This study has attempted to better constrain the sub-volcanic environment, the source of the carbon within the material and the processes which lead to the formation of such unique rocks. Using geochemistry, isotopic studies and fluid inclusions, this thesis highlights the importance of fluid circulation within the volcanic system, both at the surface but also within the sub-volcanic mantle, leading to metasomatised material rich in carbon and alkali elements from which natrocarbonatite and potentially kimberlitic material could be derived. Almost all of the geochemical evidence and composition of fluid inclusions trapped within fenitised aureoles indicates a mantle derivation of carbonatitic material with isotopic signatures typical of the pre-defined “mantle-box”. The nature of the fluids is also investigated using trace element modelling and argued to be both carbonatitic and siliceous in origin, which have been circulating within the mantle beneath the Gregory Rift since before the establishment of Oldoinyo Lengai. These themes of research are discussed in terms of the genesis of natrocarbonatite, focussing upon the notion that it may be an evolutionary feature of Oldoinyo Lengai rather than a constant eruptive product.