GEOCHEMISTRY OF VESUVIUS VOLCANICS DURING 1631-1944 PERIOD

Major- and trace-element systematics of the magmas erupted during the recent activity of Vesuvius (1631-1944) show that composition ranges are narrow and identical in each activity cycle except for the 1631 eruption which emitted also more differentiated products. These rocks are the most basic magmas erupted in Vesuvius. The high K and incompatible-element contents of these products are characteristic of the whole Roman-Campanian Province. Lavas and tephra of the 1906 and 1944 eruptions are highly porphyric. Geochemical modelling shows that these products are mechanical mixing of a slightly differentiated melt and various proportions of phenocrysts. Except ratios of highly incompatible trace elements (Th/La, Th/Ta, Th/Ba), no chemical characteristics of primary and differentiated melts can be simply inferred from bulk erupted products. An inverse method for calculating melt and mineral compositions is presented. Calculated weigth fractions are consistent with measured modal compositions. A model of crystal differential accumulation controlled by relative phase densities and eruption rates is proposed.