Activity Report of the Commission on Monogenetic Volcanism to IAVCEI 2011

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Abstract

The term monogenetic as applied to volcanic systems carries with it the concept of eruptions of batches of magma within short timescales. Monogenetic volcanism is commonly expressed as clusters of individual volcanoes forming fields of small cones which are a consequence of dispersed plumbing systems feeding discrete batches of magma to the Earth's surface. Beyond this relatively simple concept there is a wide range of temporal, spatial and compositional variables. This IAVCEI commission on monogenetic volcanism seeks to provide a forum to more clearly define and understand the phenomenon of small scale magmatic systems and their surficial expression as volcano fields. The primary aim of the Commission on Monogenetic Volcanism is to take a leading role to facilitate, coordinate and focus research and research outputs in regards to monogenetic volcanism and to develop a unified model of this type of volcanism.

The diversity of aspects of monogenetic volcanism is huge, and therefore the Commission on Monogenetic Volcanism intends to play a major role in providing an avenue of seemingly distant disciplines for every-day discussions on the style, evolution, magmatic processes, mineral resources, sedimentology, paleontology, and environmental and volcanic hazard aspects of this type of volcanism (just to mention a few major lines of enquiry).

The commission particularly wishes to work on highlighting the complexity of volcanic hazards that monogenetic volcanoes and volcanic fields may pose to the environment. The commission plans to invest energy and time to have this information available for the public, and other end-users. The commission also intends to break the usual unbalanced volcanic hazard view of monogenetic volcanoes, putting them in place among the commonly overrepresented volcanic research on large volume volcanic systems. Volcanic hazards in monogenetic volcanic fields have been studied in many ways during the past decade, however, the volcanic risk these volcanoes pose to the living and non-living environment, including man-made ones, are increasingly due to the population increase in areas where monogenetic volcanoes exist (e.g. Auckland, Managua City, Mexico City). This new aspect of research on monogenetic volcanoes has never been more important than today. The proposed commission would look for links to end-users (e.g. city councils, national disaster management bodies) to provide scientific information and background on potential hazards and risk based on a more detailed understanding of monogenetic volcanism.

This report documents the activity of the IAVCEI CMV since its establishment in 2009 and provide some outline for future activities.

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