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On synchronous supereruptions
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  • Alejandro Cisneros de León,
  • Tushar Mittal,
  • Shanaka L. de Silva,
  • Stephen Self,
  • Axel K. Schmitt,
  • Steffen Kutterolf
Alejandro Cisneros de León
Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Tushar Mittal
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Shanaka L. de Silva
Oregon State University, Oregon State University
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Stephen Self
University of California, University of California
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Axel K. Schmitt
Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University
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Steffen Kutterolf
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research
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Abstract

Two recent supereruptions (magnitude (M) scale ≥ 8), the Young Toba Tuff (YTT), Sumatra, and the Los Chocoyos (LCY), Guatemala, are found to be statistically synchronous at ca. 74 ka and near antipodal. Such planetwide synchroneity of supereruptions is shown to be statistically non-random implying a causal link. We propose that the seismic energy release from the YTT supereruption may have initiated eruption from the contemporaneous “perched” LCY magma system. This near-equatorial supereruption “double-whammy” may be the more compelling source of the significant environmental impacts often attributed to a singular YTT eruption.
08 Apr 2022Published in Frontiers in Earth Science volume 10. 10.3389/feart.2022.827252