Prieto-Torrell, C., Albert, H., Aulinas, M. et al. Mush system heterogeneities control magma composition and eruptive style on the Ocean Island of El Hierro, Canary Islands. Contrib Mineral Petrol 180, 32 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-025-02216-6

Abstract

The study of recent eruptions in Ocean Islands (OIs) provides a unique window into the magma dynamics governing their plumbing systems and the mechanisms leading to eruptions. Here we present an integrated approach to unravel the dynamics of magmatic plumbing systems through detailed spatial, petrological, and geochemical characterisation of volcanic products ranging from crystal-rich ankaramitic lavas to trachytic tephras. We focus on the textural and geochemical spatial variations of 42 Holocene subaerial eruptions at the OI of El Hierro (Canary Islands), as well as on their petrogenetic significance for magmatic evolution and plumbing system architecture. Integrating geochemical data within fractional crystallisation modelling and mass balance calculations reveals that ankaramitic and porphyritic lavas with phenocryst modal abundances > 10 vol% result from melt extraction and crystal accumulation. Aphyric to sub-aphyric eruption products and porphyritic lavas with phenocryst modal abundances < 10 vol% usually follow fractional crystallisation trajectories that start at ~ 10 wt% MgO. Periodic extraction of evolved melt from crystal mushes likely led to the occurrence of minor trachytic eruptions, which are difficult to reconcile with simple closed system fractional crystallisation trends. A complex, heterogeneous crustal mush system beneath El Hierro is, in fact, the most reliable scenario to explain the wide range of textures, whole-rock and mineral compositions, and the overall surface distribution of vents and eruptive styles displayed by the Holocene volcanism on the island. Our integrated findings highlight the importance of a combined field, petrological, and geochemical study to decipher plumbing system dynamics of OI magmatism. The results allow us to put forward an updated conceptual model of the current plumbing architecture of El Hierro’s volcanic system during the Holocene.