Icy lava: processes and products of volcano-ice interaction at Ruapehu and Tongariro stratovolcanoes
https://confer.eventsair.com/iavcei2022/icy-lava
Summary: This field trip will provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse Late Pleistocene glaciovolcanic features of the Tongariro National Park (TNP). These iconic mountains that have been shaped by fire and ice provide excellent outcrops for studying the influence of glaciers and meltwater on eruption styles and deposits at andesitic stratovolcanoes. The field trip will consist of 3 full-day hikes to explore the processes and products of lava-ice interaction at Ruapehu (2 days) and subglacial volcanism at Tongariro (1 day). Participants will walk through glacial valleys and over ice-impounded lava flows to get hands-on experience with till, moraines, hyaloclastites, subaqueous tuff breccias, colonnades, and fine-scale cooling fractures in lavas. A wealth of new geological, glaciological and geochronological data for the TNP has given rise to detailed volcano evolution models and paleoclimate reconstructions, making this a unique (and beautiful) location to learn about the life cycles of stratovolcanoes.
Leaders: Rosie Cole (University of Otago), Chris Conway (Geological Survey of Japan), Dougal Townsend (GNS Science), James White (University of Otago)
Duration: pre-conference; 4 days/3 nights (probably 17-20 Jan)
Fitness level: Medium (each day will consist of a ~10-15 km hike over uneven and sometimes steep terrain)
Organized by the VIIC officers, this will be a great opportunity for researchers to get together for discussions about glaciovolcanism in the field.
Save the date, keep an eye out for updates, and hope to see you there!