Geochemical Study of Fumarolic Condensates from Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Abstract

Results of a geochemical study based on 20 samples of condensates obtained between late December 1987 and early January 1989 at five fumarole sites on or near the summit of Kilauea Volcano, island of Hawaii, are presented. Fumarole chemistry may be explicable in terms of the currently accepted model of Kilauea and its mechanisms of magma replenishment and storage, degassing, and eruptive activity; it may have potential for forecasting eruptions. Fumaroles emit magmatic and recycled gases and aerosols that enter into Earth's exchangeable reservoirs and which have a potentially harmful impact on health and the environment through release of toxic materials and creation of precipitation and vog of acidic character. Condensates from fumaroles were analyzed by neutron activation/gamma-ray spectroscopy. Concentrations of 28 elements are tabulated and statistically analyzed. Seven elements (As, Ba, K, Sc, Se, V, and W) were in concentrations less than their detection limits; 10 elements (Br, Cr, Cu, Eu, Fe, Hf, Mg, Sb, Sr, and Ti) were below their detection limits in 75% or more of the samples; and II elements (AI, Ca, Cl, Co, I, La, Mn, Na, S, V, and Zn) exhibited significant variation. Individual fumaroles with distinctive ratios of elements and a high degree of correlation between element pairs are identified.