Petrology and Geochemistry of the Kula Volcanic Field, Western Turkey

Small-scale monogenetic volcanic systems are the most widespread type of volcanism we experience on Earth and occur in a range of different tectonic settings, including intraplate, extensional, and subduction-related plate tectonics. Formed by a single surface eruption where small batches of magma erupt effusively and explosively, these features present a range of characteristics, including eruption frequency, volume, and duration, which can be linked to local and regional tectonic regimes. This volcanism is represented by tens to hundreds of associated volcanic vents where lava can unexpectedly penetrate the crust, with a new vent forming in an unknown location. Monogenetic volcanic fields (MVFs) are incredibly important to study, as each vent represents the pathway for magma to the upper mantle. These structures however are incredibly understudied and poorly constrained in terms of volcanic eruptive histories, and questions about the origin, longevity, and spatial distribution of vents are subject to uncertainty.

A wonderful example of where this can be investigated is the Kula Volcanic Province (KVP) in Anatolia, Western Turkey, exhibiting three periods of Quaternary basaltic volcanism between 2 Ma and 10 Ka. The three periods, namely the Burgaz, Elekçitepe, and DivlitTepe have been identified as silica-undersaturated alkaline volcanism exhibited as cinder cones, parasitic cones, spatter cones, lava flows, lava tunnels and maars. Turkey is situated in one of the most seismically active regions of the world, with Western Turkey one of the most spectacular regions of widespread active continental extension. The Kula volcanics are Na-dominant in character whereas other older volcanic rocks of Western Anatolia are generally definitive K-dominant rocks, representing a unique example of volcanism, and a rationale to investigate the significant geochemical signatures.

Within this study, we present new petrological and geochemical data (XRF, XRD, SEM) between magma products from the different eruptive periods, and provide an inclusive textural, chemical, and elemental investigation evaluating magma chamber dynamics, as well as exploring the temporal and spatial variations of the 80+ volcanic cones.  In addition to this, we plan to further use core and rim analysis of the main mineral phases to identify compositional variations of major (EPMA) and trace (LA-ICP-MS) elements which will be used to develop geochemical diagrams showing the relationships between specific elements and infer any geochemical processes that may have occurred.

This work aims to contribute to understanding future volcanic scenarios for intraplate volcanism which can be applied to other comparable tectonic environments and is a fundamental rationale for understanding magma chamber processes such as magma generation, magma evolution, crystallisation pathway, and likely tectonic environment.