Field trip C2: Cayambe and Imbabura volcanoes

Second part

Late Pleistocene to Holocene Activity of Imbabura Volcano

Dates: Leaders: January 31th and February 01 th, 2006 Dr. Jean-Luc Le Pennec1, 2 Ing. Gorki Ruiz2

Disclaimer: Some of the information contained within this manual has yet to be published in peer-reviewed journals. If you intend to use ANY of the original material contained here, you must, therefore, contact Jean-Luc Le Pennec at lepennec@ird.fr and Gorki Ruiz and ask for their permission to do so. Your compliance is much appreciated.
1

Institut de Recherche pour le Dveloppement, Whymper 442 y Corua, A. P. 17-12-857, Quito, Ecuador. Instituto Geofsico, Escuela Politcnica Nacional, A. P. 17-01-2759, Quito, Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION The Imbabura volcanic complex, located 60 km North of Quito in the Interandean Valley of Ecuador, comprises a main edifice called Taita Imbabura (Father Imbabura, 4620 m a.s.l.), and a lateral dome complex named Huarmi Imbabura (Imbaburas son, 3920 m a.s.l). Previous studies indicated that the volcano is geologically young (Hall and Beate, 1991), although data on ages or lava compositions are scarce. Additional works have been carried out recently to determine the age of the youngest activity at Imbabura, in order to reassess the hazards posed to nearby urban centers of Ibarra, Atuntaqui and Otavalo. Our recent study of the geology of Imbabura volcano includes a new mapping survey at the 25,000 scale, stratigraphic analysis at 56 sites, petrographic studies of 70 thin sections, as well as 46 new whole rock analysis of samples collected on and around the volcano. In addition, 10 new radiocarbon dates have been obtained on soils and charcoal pieces, and other rock samples are presently in the lab for 39Ar/40Ar age determinations. TWO MAIN CONSTRUCTIONAL STAGES Geological investigations reveal the development of the Imbabura edifice is characterized by two main constructional phases. The old Imbabura I volcano grew during Pleistocene times from 1.8 Ma to >43,000 yr BP (Barberi et al., 1988; Ruiz, 2003). The activity of Imbabura I consists of six stratigraphic units mainly composed of overlapping andesitic flows, whose accumulation have formed 1,000 mthick lava successions. These lavas have SiO2 contents between 54 and 63 weight %, and bear plagioclase and one or two pyroxenes as phenocrysts, and occasional olivine as microlites. This first edifice collapsed to the northwest sometime before 43,000 yr BP, producing a large debris avalanche that traveled 16 km to the Northwest. The area and volume of the deposits are estimated at 160 km2 and 1,6 km3, respectively. This major event defines the end of the Imbabura I volcano.

The young Imbabura II stratocone grew from late Pleistocene to early Holocene times. Significant magmatic episodes that occurred at Taita Imbabura are 14C dated between 30,000 and 7-8,000 yr BP. During this period the volcano witnessed the emplacement of largevolume lava domes (dacites with 64 silica %), which collapsed chiefly to the North and East, producing block-rich pyroclastic flow activity. Superposition of the deposits on the Eastern flank of the volcano led to the formation of a large apron of pyroclastic debris, whose morphology is still well preserved in present-day topography. A major explosive event 14C dated at 25,000 yr BP resulted from the unstable emplacement of a dacitic cryptodome in the southwestern flank of the main edifice. The intrusion triggered a flank failure with emplacement of a debris avalanche. The accompanying directed explosion devastated an area of about 90 km2 to the southwest of the volcano and on the northeastern flank of Mojanda volcano. The explosion left a 3.5-km-wide crater, in which several dacite extrusions have accumulated to form the Huarmi Imbabura dome complex. Few ages obtained on soils and organic material of cores drilled in San Pablo Lake (Athen, 2000) suggest that the latest phases of activity have taken place in early Holocene times, between 10,000 and 8,000 yr BP or perhaps less. Andesitic lavas (57-62 % SiO2) traveled 4-6 km on the Southern flank of the volcano. Plagioclase, two pyroxenes and amphibole are found as phenocrysts in the mineralogy of these lavas. The morphology of the flows suggests a relatively recent emplacement (very late Pleistocene or Holocene ?) but the age remains unknown. From the last few millennia up to the historical period, mudflows and debris flows have occurred on the flanks of the volcano. A small collapse also occurred in AD 1971 on the northwestern flank of the Huarmi dome complex. CONCLUSION Results obtained recently at Imbabura volcano suggest that the latest phases of activity have taken place in early Holocene times. Therefore, this volcano should not be considered as an extinct one and a future reawakening cannot be ruled out. A new hazard map has been designed to inform the authorities in charge of the security of the 250,000 inhabitants living in the vicinity of the Imbabura volcanic complex. In addition, new seismic stations are being deployed near the edifice along with a GPS network so as to ensure a basic surveillance of the volcano. References
Athens, J. S., 1999. Volcanism and archeology in the northern highlands of Ecuador. In: Mothes, P. (Ed.). Actividad volcnica y pueblos precolombinos en el Ecuador. Editions Abya-Yala, Quito, 157-189. Barberi, F., M. Coltelli, G. Ferrara, F. Innocenti, J.M. Navarro et R. Santacroce, 1988. Plio-Quaternary volcanism in Ecuador. Geol. Mag., 125: 1-14. Ruiz, G.A., 2003. Estudio Geovolcanolgico del complejo volcnico Imbabura. Proyecto indito previo a la obtencin del ttulo de ingeniero gelogo, Escuela de Ingeniera, Escuela Politcnica Nacional, 317 pp. Hall M.L. et B. Beate, 1991, EL volcanismo Plio-Cuaternario en los Andes del Ecuador, In: Mothes, P., Paisaje volcnico de la Sierra Ecuatoriana Estudios de Geografa, 4: 5-17. Ruiz A.G., J.-L. Le Pennec, M.L. Hall et P. Samaniego, 2005. Mapa de los peligros volcnicos potenciales del complejo volcnico Imbabura. (Esc. 1/50.000). Edit. IGM-IG/EPN-IRD.

Lake San Pablo and Imbabura volcanic complex as seen from the west : Huarmi Imbabura domes in the center, main Taita Imbabura (dark summit) and Cubilche volcano on the right. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF STOPS

DAY 1: NORTH AND EAST SIDES OF IMBABURA VOLCANO

Stop 1.1. Las Tolas quarry This site offers a view of the north side of Imbabura and Cubilche volcanoes (Fig. 1.1), as well as of other volcanoes of the Western Cordillera (Cotacachi, Huanguillaro). The poorly known andesitic Cubilche volcano collapsed to the North at an unknown date, covering the Ibarra area with debris avalanche deposits. The Imbabura volcano comprises the Taita Imbabura main center and the lateral dome complex called Huarmi Imbabura. This complex is not observable from the Las Tolas area. The Tahuando River cuts several avalanche deposits as well as some Cangahua layers. The quarry exposes a debris avalanche deposit that we correlate to the collapse of the Cubilche volcano, based on new geochemical evidences.

Figure 1.1. A painting by Troya (end of the XIX century) showing the city of Ibarra and the north side of Imbabura volcano. The snowcapped Cotacachi volcano appears on the right.

Stop 1.2. Eastern flank of Imbabura

A thick apron of block-and-ash flow deposits covers the eastern flank of Imbabura volcano. The deposits consist of massive, coarse-grained breccias with many angular to sub-rounded dacitic blocks. Radiocarbon datings of soils interbedded with some block-and-ash flow layers in the Yanahuaycu ravine indicate that the most recent pyroclastic events are younger than 8,000 yr BP. Also, notable debris flows in the area took place around 2000-3000 yr BP. An andesitic lava with well-preserved levees rests upon the eastern side of Imbabura. The abrupt eastern termination of the levees coincides with the trace of the Cubilche caldera scar. It is inferred that the lower part of the andesite lava was incorporated in the avalanche of the northern side of Cubilche volcano. This indicates that the Imbabura volcano was largely constructed when the Cubilche edifice collapsed. The age of the flank failure event at Cubilche remains unknown. The scar of the Cubilche caldera is well conserved in the landscape. Stop 1.3. Surge deposits in Rumipamba ravine Block-and-ash flow deposits accumulated on the eastern side of the volcano are locally associated with surge layers. We will examine an example exposed in the upper part of the Rumipamba gully (Fig. 1.3).

Figure 1.3. A complex pyroclastic succession crops out in the Rumipamba ravine.

Stop 1.4. San Luis quarry The quarry exposes the proximal-median facies of the dacitic pyroclastic flow deposits. An age of about 14,000 14C yr BP has been obtained on a charcoal collected in nearby deposits at

El Naranjo locality, indicating that the eruption took place at the end of the Late Glacial Maximum. Stop 1.5. Arcngel viewpoint The site offers a spectacular view of Imbabura and Cubilche volcanoes, with Ibarra city constructed upon debris avalanche deposits. Other volcanoes of the western Cordillera appear in the distance (Cotacachi, Huanguillaro). From this site one can appreciate the steep-sided flanks of El Artezon secondary summit. An intrusion or a strong earthquake could trigger the failure of this flank, leading to the formation of a debris avalanche toward Ibarra and Caranqui cities.

Stop 1.6. San Antonio area The city of San Antonio sits upon pyroclastic flow, lahar and mudflow deposits accumulated in a depressed area, which probably corresponds to a small graben formed during the construction of the Imbabura II volcano. The western border of the graben is made up of avalanche deposits associated to the major flank failure event of Imbabura I in Pleistocene times. The avalanche deposit is exposed in a gully on the western edge of the graben. We will examine some directional criteria that allowed us inferring the flow direction at that site (imbrication of large lava clasts and sheared mega-block structures). A fallout tephra layer, whose source is not clearly identified, locally covers the debris avalanche deposit. The facies of the block-and-ash flow deposits exposed on the eastern side of the ravine is similar to that observed in the Tahuando River gorge, on the eastern foot of the volcano. We propose that they were both emplaced at the beginning of the dacitic phase dated at 30,000 14 C yr BP. Stop 1.7. Ilumn area, la Merced quarry Many small rounded hills characterize the morphology of the area surrounding Ilumn village. These hills are similar in size and shape to hummocks. However, some superficial excavations (road cuts etc) indicated that their upper part is exclusively composed of Cangahua material. The quarry carved near La Merced exposes the deep part of a hill, revealing the main avalanche deposit of Imbabura I volcano below the Cangahua layers. Dacitic pyroclastic flow deposits of Fuya Fuya volcano rest upon the eroded Imbabura avalanche breccias at Peguche. They were dated at 43,000 14C yr BP.

Figure. View from a plane of the summit of Imbabura volcano showing the eroded crater of the Taita dome complex. The Rumipamba valley appears on the left and the San Pablo lake is seen behind the Huarmi dome complex. Photo courtesy of P. Ramn, IG-EPN. DAY 2: SOUTH AND WEST SIDES OF IMBABURA VOLCANO

Stop 2.1. Patabaran-yanayacu ravine This small ravine exposes a thick pyroclastic flow deposit, a Cangahua sequence interbedded with lenses of tephra fall layers, and an avalanche deposit correlated to the collapse of the Imbabura I edifice. The lower pyroclastic flow deposit is probably associated with Imbabura I activity. It seems that the volcano experienced many dome collapse events in the past, and that the products of this activity are preserved only at few localities on the feet of the volcano. Stop 2.2. Mirador del Lago (Southern side of Imbabura volcano, San Pablo lake) This site offers a splendid view of the San Pablo Lake, as well as of Imbabura, Cubilche and Cusn volcanoes. Cusn is an old, deeply dissected volcano of Pleistocene age. Erosion has opened a large valley to the north of the volcano, isolating the inner dense core of the edifice from the layered flanks, which are mostly composed of andesitic lava flows. The Imbabura complex appears as a large stratovolcano with two main summits (Fig. 2.2): Taita Imbabura (4621 m a.s.l.) and Huarmi Imbabura (3850 m a.s.l.). Thick, 4-6 km-long andesitic lava flows with fresh-looking surface morphologies (levees, ogives) are observed on the upper southeastern flank of the volcano.

Figure 2.2: The Imbabura volcanic complex as seen from the southwest. The Huarmi Imbabura edifice is a group of dacitic domes aligned on a southwest-northeast fault system. The dome complex grew in a large crater formed during a major explosive event, about 25,000 14C yr ago. Geological investigation reveals that the southwestern flank of the main Taita Imbabura volcanic center was intruded by a dacitic magma batch that led to the destabilization of the flank. As a consequence, a debris avalanche was emplaced and a powerful directed blast devastated the area. The blast spread over a surface of 90 km2 with run up elevations of almost 1,000 m on the northeastern flanks of Mojanda volcano. Stop 2.3.- El Araque hummock and Huarmi Imbabura domes El Araque is a hummock left to the southwest by the collapse of the main Imbabura edifice. We will examine the petrological diversity of the lavas incorporated in the avalanche. Similar petrographical facies are found in xenolithic elements of the blast layer. The Huarmi Imbabura domes grew progressively in the large crater carved into the flank the main edifice. The age of some soils accumulated upon the dacitic debris of the younger dome suggests that the activity ended at the very base of the Holocene. A small flank failure occurred in 1971, leading to the formation of a large apron of debris on the northwestern foot of the dome complex (Fig. 2.3). The area is now heavily populated.

Figure 2.3. The dark Taita summit in the center-left and the Huarmi Imbabura dome complex to the right. The scar of AD 1971 landslide is clearly seen on the domes northern flank. Stop 2.4.- Blast deposits near the Panamerican highway Many road cuts near the Panamerican Highway expose the deposits of the major 25,000 yr BP blast event. We will take a look at the sedimentological characteristics (thickness, grain size, sorting etc.) and other interesting features of the deposits (prismatically-jointed blocks, fracturing beneath the blast layer etc.). Discussions on emplacement mechanism are invited. Stop 2.5.- Cotacachi volcano and Cuicocha crater The aim of this last stop is to visit the young Cuicocha lake. The crater formed on the southern foot of Cotacachi volcano during a powerful eruption 14C dated between 2700 and 3200 yr BP. The dacitic products were emplaced as pyroclastic flows and tephra falls. The flows mantled the topography around the vent with tens of meters of ignimbrite-like material. The tephra fall layer associated with the event is a valuable stratigraphic maker horizon in the area. Later, several domes grew up in the crater of this poorly known volcano (Fig. 2.5).

Figure 2.5. The Cuicocha Lake with the lava domes extruded near the center of the crater.

Map of sites visited during field trip C2