Rare Earth Elements Vapor Transport By Fumaroles in the Post Caldera Complex of Weh Island Submarine Volcano, Aceh Province Northern Sumatra

• Main Authors: Hananto Kurnio, Ediar Usman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Marine Geological Institute of Indonesia 2017-02-01
• Series: Bulletin of the Marine Geology
• Subjects: REE; vapor transport; fumaroles; Weh Island; Aceh
• Online Access: http://ejournal.mgi.esdm.go.id/index.php/bomg/article/view/317

Research found out that fumaroles and solfataras are rare earth element (REE) vapor transport agents in Weh Island submarine volcano – Aceh. Shallow high resolution single channel seismic was used to map the distribution of seafloor fumaroles surrounding the submarine volcano. Samples of REE depositions were taken from Jaboi geothermal field, and mineralization zone at Pria Laot coast; as well as seafloor surrounding active fumaroles by divers.  Rare earth elements (REE) were analysed using ICP – MS (inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry) with detection limits ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 ppm (part per million). The central part of Weh submarine volcano is the most active REE deposition. This area is build by normal faults and grabens oriented north – south of open character which acted as channel for hydrothermal fluids reaching seafloor surface. Some REE abundances such as La, Ce, Pr, and Nd due to its location in the central of hydrothermal activity. This proximity explains such abundances of this andesitic component sample of agglomerate.