Abstract
The Katmai volcanic cluster in Alaska hosts eight volcanoes, most of which are presently active, including Novarupta, whose eruption in 1912 is considered as the largest in the World during the 20th and 21st centuries. We present a new seismic tomographic model for the upper crust beneath the Katmai Group calculated with the use of ∼173,000 arrival times of the P and S waves from ∼11,000 local earthquakes. The resulting distribution of the Vp/Vs ratio reveals a common deep magma source for the entire system below the depth of 5 km centered in the area of Katmai Pass. The tomographic model also demonstrates interconnections of this source with most of the active volcanoes of the group. Based on this model, we propose a possible mechanism for the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The high-Vp/Vs anomaly beneath Novarupta at depths below 5 km may represent a trace of intrusion of low-density volatile-rich rhyolite magma that was made additionally buoyant by vesiculation. This hypothesis is supported by our petrological analysis showing that amphibole is a stable phase in 1912 rhyolite, which require a deeper source than previously suggested. This ascent was accompanied by draining of denser andesite and dacite magmas from under Mount Katmai, which caused the Katmai edifice to collapse. A shallow anomaly of low Vp/Vs ratio right below Novarupta may trace the conduit filled with pumice-type highly porous rocks remained after the eruption.
•We present a 3D tomographic model of Vp, Vs and Vp/Vs ratio of the Katmai group of volcanoes based on local seismicity data•At larger depths below the center of the group, we reveal an anomaly of high Vp/Vs representing a single magma conduit.•Above 5 km depth, this anomaly is spread to several branches directing to active volcanoes of the group.•The tomography and petrology consistently reveal the existence of deep sources of rhyolites of the 1912 Novarupta eruption.