Stable Isotope (& delta;O-18, & delta;D) Composition of Magmatic Fluids Exsolved from an Active Alkaline Magma Chamber-The Case of the AD 79 Magma Chamber of Vesuvius

This work documents, for the first time, the calculated oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition of the brines exsolved from the peripheral margin of the active magma alkaline chamber that fed the AD 79 (Pompei) eruption of Vesuvius. The exsolved hydrosaline fluids had a constant & delta;O-18 composition and a variable & delta;D composition, showing a general lowering of & delta;D at nearly constant & delta;O-18 content. We argue that the progressive fluid exsolution at the upper peripheral parts of the AD 79 magma chamber may explain this isotopic path. The modeling of the evolution of the hydrogen isotope composition of water remaining dissolved in the melt, and of the exsolved fluid as a consequence of progressive degassing, would favor multiple fluid-release events from the magmatic reservoir. A schematic model on the pulsed accumulation and release of fluids at the top of the magmatic reservoir prior to the eruption is thus proposed. The assessment of the stable isotope composition of the fluids exsolved from the AD 79 magma chamber of Vesuvius may be particularly relevant for the geochemical surveillance of the volcano as it may help to interpret the isotopic composition of fumarolic gases and its variations.

Automated summary

This study provides the first calculated values of oxygen and hydrogen isotope composition of the brines from the peripheral margin of the active magma chamber that fed the AD 79 eruption of Vesuvius. The exsolved fluids showed a constant δ^18O composition and variable δD composition, with a general decrease in δD while δ^18O remained nearly constant. The progressive fluid exsolution at the upper peripheral parts of the magma chamber may explain this isotopic path. The evaluation of the stable isotope composition of the fluids exsolved from the AD 79 magma chamber is crucial for the monitoring and interpretation of the volcano's geochemical activity.