The origin of Mauna Loa's Nnole Hills: Evidence of rift zone reorganization
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| Authors: | Zurek, J; Williams-Jones, G; Trusdell, F; Martin, S |
| Year: | 2015 |
| Journal: | Geophysical Research Letters 42: 8358-8366 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | The origin of Mauna Loa's Nnole Hills: Evidence of rift zone reorganization |
| Abstract: | In order to identify the origin of Mauna Loa volcano's Nnole Hills, Bouguer gravity was used to delineate density contrasts within the edifice. Our survey identified two residual anomalies beneath the Southwest Rift Zone (SWRZ) and the Nnole Hills. The Nnole Hills anomaly is elongated, striking northeast, and in inversions both anomalies merge at approximately -7 km above sea level. The positive anomaly, modeled as a rock volume of similar to 1200 km(3) beneath the Nnole Hills, is associated with old eruptive vents. Based on the geologic and geophysical data, we propose that the gravity anomaly under the Nnole Hills records an early SWRZ orientation, now abandoned due to geologically rapid rift-zone reorganization. Catastrophic submarine landslides from Mauna Loa's western flank are the most likely cause for the concurrent abandonment of the Nnole Hills section of the SWRZ. Rift zone reorganization induced by mass wasting is likely more common than currently recognized. |
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