Evolution of Volcanism in the Central Antilles Arc from the Miocene to the Present Day

May 5th to 13th 2022

Thomas Sheldrake

Jonathan LEMUS, PhD student, UNIGE

Allan FRIES, PhD student, UNIGE

Oliver HIGGINS, PhD student, UNIGE

Dr. Aurélie GERMA, University of Florida

Dr. Yannis LABEAU, University of the Antilles, Martinique

Dr. Thomas SHELDRAKE, UNIGE

Dr. Anne-Marie LEJEUNE, Observatoire Volcanologique et Sismologique de la Martinique

Martinique is an island located in the Central Antilles. It is an excellent location to introduce students to the wide variety of eruptive activity that has occurred in the Lesser Antilles, both spatially and temporarily. Using the temporal sequence of eruptive activity in the region as a framework for the field trip (see provisional itinerary below), we will visit deposits from underwater effusive eruptions; strombolian, vulcanian, and Plinian explosive eruptions; effusive lava- dome building eruptions; and sector collapses of volcanic edifices. For each of these deposits we will study their physical, chemical and petrological characteristics and discuss the influence of mantle and crustal processes on their genesis. The Central Lesser Antilles is still volcanologically active, and so we will visit the active hydrothermal systems and discuss the implications for volcano monitoring. Mt. Pelée (location of the deadliest volcanic eruption in the 20th century) on the island of Martinique will provide an opportunity to discuss dome- building volcanism, pyroclastic flows, lahars and the unique aspects of managing the hazard and risk associated with dome-building volcanic eruptions, which can last for multiple years. Both Allan Fries and Jonathan Lemus originate from Martinique. This trip would make use of their excellent geological and volcanological knowledge of the Central Antilles whilst they still remain in Switzerland before finishing their PhD's at the end of 2021. Dr. Sheldrake has studied the dome-building volcanism that is the characteristic eruptive activity in the Lesser Antilles. He has also worked on the islands of Montserrat and St. Kitts. Consequently, we have a large geochemical and petrological dataset of eruptive activity covering the Lesser Antilles. We will discuss this with the students so that we can compare regional-scale variations in eruptive activity with the geological deposits that we will discover on the island of Martinique.

Martinique (Lesser Antilles)

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