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PMEL Publications Abstract

FY 1994

Helium isotopes in some historical lavas from Mount Vesuvius

Graham, D.W., P. Allard, C.R.J. Kilburn, F.J. Spera, and J.E. Lupton

J. Volcanol. Geoth. Res., 58, 359–366, doi: 10.1016/0377-0273(93)90117-A (1993)

He/He ratios in lavas erupted during the last 360 years at Mt. Vesuvius are between 2.2 and 2.7 R (R = atmospheric ratio of 1.39 × 10), and are among the lowest values measured in young volcanic rocks. They are also identical to values measured in summit crater fumaroles sampled during 1987-1991. This agreement indicates that the He/He ratio in the crater fumaroles faithfully tracks the magmatic value. The relatively low and uniform He/He ratio in the lavas reflects either a mantle source enriched in (U + Th)/He, or a mixture of magmatic and crustal components.

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