Vent evolution and lag breccia formation during the Cape Riva eruption of Santorini, Greece.

The 18 500 yr BP Cape Riva (CR) eruption of Santorini vented several km3 or more of magma, generating 4 eruption units, each of which is discussed. The eruption sampled a zoned magma chamber containing rhyodacite overlying andesite, and leaks of these magmas were manifested as the Skaros-Therasia lavas preceding the CR eruption. Plinian and initial ignimbrite stages occurred while the magma chamber was overpressured; subsequent underpressuring, due to magma discharge, caused fracturing of the chamber roof, caldera collapse, and eruption of pyroclastic flows from multiple vents. Activation and widening of new conduits during collapse resulted in the rapid escalation of discharge rate favoring the formation of lag breccias by: 1) promoting erosion of lithic debris at the surface vent; and 2) raising surface exit pressures, thereby resulting in a dramatic increase in the grain size of the ejecta.-from Author