Abstract
A possible volcanic origin has been suggested for the micrometre-sized spherules that have been discovered in polar snows or ice-cores1–5, and in the stratosphere6,7. However, although such particles, especially when black and magnetic, have been identified among the tephra deposits of some volcanoes3,8–12, their volcanic emission has never been directly observed. Here we describe micro-spherules intercepted in the plume of Mount Etna, Sicily, during moderate recurring volcanic activity. Their study, using analytical transmission and scanning electron microscopy (ATEM and ASEM) demonstrates the simultaneous presence in the plume of glassy silicate microspherules of various chemical compositions (47–98% SiO2).
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fredriksson, K. & Martin, L. R. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 27, 245–248 (1963).
Wright, F. W. & Langway, C. C. J. geophys. Res. 68, 19, 5575–5587 (1963).
Hodge, P. W. & Wright, F. W. J. geophys. Res. 69, 12, 2449–2454 (1964).
Hodge, P. W., Wright, F. W. & Langway, C. C. J. geophys. Res. 69, 2919–2931 (1964).
King, E. A. & Wagstaff, J. Antarct. J. U.S. 15, 78–79 (1980).
MacKinnon, I. D. R. et al. J. geophys. Res. 87, A413–A421 (1982).
Clanton, U. S. et al. Cosmic Dust Catalog, Vol.3, 1 (Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, 1982).
Wright, F. W. & Hodge, P. W. Ann N. Y. Acad. Sci. 119, 1, 1–361 (1964).
Wright, F. W. & Hodge, P. W. J. geophys. Res. 70, 16 3889–3898 (1965).
Heiken, G. & Wohletz, K. Volcanic Ash, University of California Press, Berkeley (1985).
Heiken, G. & Lofgren, G. Bull. geol. Soc. Amer. 82, 1045–1050 (1971).
Baker, G. Miner. Mag. 36, 1012–1023 (1967).
Sébastien, P., Gaudichet, A. et al. J. microsc. spectrosc. Electron. 5, 83–97 (1980).
Gaudichet, A. J. Phys. C2 45, Suppl. 2, 789–792 (1984).
Lefèvre, R. et al. C.r. hebd. Séanc Acad. Sci., Paris 301, 1433–1438 (1985).
Cliff, G. & Lorimer, G. W. J. Microsc. 103, 203–207 (1975).
Buat-Ménard, P. & Arnold, M. Geophys. Res. Lett. 5, 4, 245–248 (1978).
Faivre-Pierret, R. et al. Bull. volc. 43, 473–485 (1980).
Roy, W. R. et al. Illinois State Geol Surv. Environ. Geol. Not. 96, 1–69 (1981).
Ramsden, A. R. & Shibaoka, M. Atmos. Envir. 16, 9, 2191–2206 (1982).
Reid, A. M. et al. Eos 54, 606–607 (1973).
Heiken, G. H. et al. Geochim. cosmochim. Acta 38, 1703–1718 (1977).
Heiken, G. H. & McKay, D. S. Proc. 8th Lunar Sci. Conf. 3243–3255 (1977).
Wohletz, K. M. & McQueen, R. G. Geology 12, 591–594 (1984).
Wohletz, K. M. J. Volcan. geotherm. Res. 17, 31–63 (1983).
Cristofolini, R. & Romano, R. Mem. Soc. geol It. 23, 99–115 (1982).
Clocchiatti, R. et al. Bull PIRPSEV, CNRS, Paris 104, 1–8 (1985).
Clocchiatti, R. & Metrich, N. Bull. PIRPSEV, CNRS, Paris 92, 1–13 (1984).
Trichet, J. & Sella, C. C.r. hebd Seanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 267, 1084–1086 (1968).
Kullerud, G. & Yoder, H. S. Jr Yb Carnegie Instn Wash. 63, 218–222 (1964).
Deuser, W. G. et al. Nature 305, 210–218 (1983).
Hulett, L. D. Jr et al. Science 210, 1356–1358 (1980).
McGetchin, T. R. & Head, J. W. Science 180, 68–70 (1973).
McGetchin, T. R. et al. J. geophys. Res. 79, 3257–3272 (1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lefèvre, R., Gaudichet, A. & Billon-Galland, M. Silicate microspherules intercepted in the plume of Etna volcano. Nature 322, 817–820 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/322817a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/322817a0
This article is cited by
-
Recovery of hydrothermal wustite-magnetite spherules from the Central Indian Ridge, Indian Ocean
Scientific Reports (2022)
-
Geochemistry of aerodynamically distorted Australasian microtektites: Implications for ejecta on Mars and Venus
Journal of Earth System Science (2021)
-
Enigma of ferruginous inclusions in Permian evaporites
Arabian Journal of Geosciences (2020)
-
Solid sulfur spherules near fumaroles of Hakone volcano, Japan
International Journal of Earth Sciences (2019)
-
Silica-metal spherules in ignimbrites of southern Primorye, Russia
Journal of Earth Science (2011)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.