A fossil hydrothermal system within the Wahianoa Formation, Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand

Abstract:

Andesitic composite volcanoes can have hydrothermal systems over their lifespan. Hydrothermally altered rock can further exert influence on magma degassing, eruption styles and mass flow initiation. This study investigates the type and extent of hydrothermal alteration within the Wahianoa Formation (160-80 ky) of Ruapehu volcano in New Zealand by integrating field observations, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS), Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) reflectance spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), sulphur isotope systematics and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), thermodynamic modelling and airborne geophysics.

Ruapehu shows a diverse suite of weathering and hydrothermal alteration minerals formed in relation to the present and fossil hydrothermal systems. Wahianoa Formation is one of the oldest formations, showing remarkable diversity of hydrothermal alteration that has never been studied before. The distal rock has only supergene alteration with abundant goethite, hematite and phyllosilicate mineral associations, while the hydrothermally altered rock are rich in phyllosilicates, Fe-oxides, pyrite, jarosite, alunite, gypsum anhydrite, and native sulphur. The latter is interpreted to be formed under intermediate and advanced argillic alteration conditions (>150°C and low pH).

In contrast, the some of the exposed outcrops within the upper Wahianoa valley show distinct mineralogy, that is rich in quartz, pyrite, illite(-chlorite) and tourmaline, indicating a transition from the advanced argillic conditions toward more phyllic alteration type (>220°C and more neutral pH). Our results indicate a complex hydrothermal system developed within the Wahianoa Formation between 150-80 ky, providing a great example to study vertical and lateral mineralogical changes. A new model has been proposed to integrate hydrothermal alteration history into Mt Ruapehu’s evolution that can better depict ongoing alteration processes and triggers for flank instability and volcanic hazards associated with hydrothermal systems.