Volatile and trace element composition of melt inclusions from the Lower Bandelier Tuff: implications for magma chamber processes and eruptive style

The Lower Bandelier Tuff, erupted from the Valles Caldera at 1.51 Ma, is composed of a Plinian tephra and associated ignimbrite. Based on ion and electron microprobe analyses of melt inclusions (MI) in quartz, sanidine, and pyroxene phenocrysts, a strong volatile gradient was present in the upper portion of the magma chamber. The observed volatile gradient may have influenced the eruption dynamics of the magma, initially causing discrete layers of magma to be removed when the gradient was large, followed by chaotic eruption of the bulk of the ignimbrite when the gradient was small. -from Authors