Shallow magmatic reservoirs have been identified at many volcanoes worldwide. However, questions still remain regarding their size, dynamics and longevity. The Reyðarártindur Pluton exposed in Southeast Iceland provides a superb example to investigate the above questions. Here, we use field mapping, sampling, geochemistry, 3D pluton shape modelling and a numerical thermal model to reconstruct the assembly and eruptive history of the shallow magma body.

In 3D, the c. 2.5 km3 pluton has a castle-like shape characterised by flat roof segments that are vertically offset along steep faults. The exposed pluton is constructed largely of a single rock unit, the Main Granite (69.9 to 77.6 wt.% SiO2). Two additional units occur only as enclaves: the Granite Enclaves (67.4 to 70.2 wt.% SiO2), and the Quartz Monzonite Enclaves (61.8 to 67.3 wt.% SiO2). However, geochemistry clearly indicates that the units are related and hence were likely derived from the same source reservoir. 

In two locations, the pluton roof displays depressions associated with large dykes. Within these two dykes the rock is partially to wholly tuffisitic, and geochemical compositions range from quartz monzonite to granite. We interpret these dykes as eruption-feeding conduits from the pluton. Additionally, we speculate that the mingling of magmatic units with compositional ranges from quartz monzonite to granite within the conduits indicates that injection of new magma into the reservoir triggered eruption. 

Rapid pluton construction is indicated by ductile contacts between units in the pluton and a thermal model calculates the top 75 m would have rheologically locked up within 1000 years. Hence, we argue that the pluton was a short-lived part of the wider magmatic system that fed the associated volcano, and that timeframes from emplacement to eruption were limited to 1000 years.

Rhodes, E. Barker, A. K. Burchardt, S. et al. (2021). Rapid assembly and eruption of a shallow silicic magma reservoir, Reyðarártindur Pluton, Southeast Iceland. G-Cubed. DOI: 10.1029/2021GC009999