Large-scale mass-wasting processes following the 232 CE Hatepe Eruption of Taupo Volcano, New Zealand - Sedimentary features and dispersal of reworked Taupo Ignimbrite in the Ongarue River valley

The 232 CE Hatepe Eruption of Taupo Volcano, New Zealand (also referred to as Taupo Eruption), was one of the most violent and complex silicic eruptions worldwide in the last 5,000 years. The pyroclastic sequence was subdivided into 7 distinct stratigraphic units that reflect diverse eruption mechanisms with pumice fallout unit 5 (Taupo Plinian) and unit 6 (Taupo Ignimbrite) contributing the largest volumes, an estimated 5.8 km³ and 12.1 km³ DRE respectively. The non-welded Taupo Ignimbrite was emplaced by a highly energetic flow over a near-circular area of 20,000 km² around the vent, reaching distances of 80±10 km. It consists of an irregular basal layer and a thicker pumice-dominated main unit containing varying proportions of pumice clasts, vitric ash and dense components, overlain by a thin co-ignimbrite ash bed. The main ignimbrite unit shows two distinct facies, a landscape-mantling veneer deposit that gradually decreases from 10 m proximal thickness to 15-30 cm distally and a more voluminous, up to 70-m thick valley-ponded ignimbrite that filled depressions and smoothed out the landscape.

The sudden influx of vast volumes of loose pyroclastic material choked the drainage systems around the volcano, resulting in a large-scale geomorphic and sedimentary response. While previous work focused on major river catchments north to southeast of the volcano, we aim at characterising and quantifying landscape adjustment and remobilisation processes to the west, using stratigraphic, sedimentologic and geomorphic field studies of the volcaniclastic sequences along the Ongarue and Whanganui River valleys. Our working hypothesis involves a four-stage landscape response model based on previously described mass-wasting processes in the aftermath of large explosive eruptions: 1) large-scale remobilisation of ignimbrite veneer material from sloping surfaces by series of debris and hyperconcentrated flows, emplacing lahar deposits across the ignimbrite dispersal area and beyond, 2) cutting of steep channels into valley-ponded ignimbrite and resedimentation as lahar deposits downstream, 3) gradual widening of channels leading to establishment of an active channel with adjacent floodplains as sediment yields decrease and the landscape restabilises, represented by normal stream flow and flood deposits in the ignimbrite dispersal area and a shift from lahar to fluvial- dominated sequences downstream, and 4) return to pre-eruption sediment yields resulting in further downward incision to the original bedrock channel bed and prevailing fluvial sedimentation processes with remnants of primary and reworked deposits preserved as terraces along the valley walls.

Here we present initial results on the stratigraphy of the volcaniclastic sequence and the sedimentary characteristics and dispersal of the identified lithofacies associations, which range from debris-flow and hyperconcentrated-flow to pumiceous fluvial deposits. Tempo-spatial variations in deposit characteristics are due to differences in source material, flow type, and nature of the source area and depositional environment.