Monogenetic volcanic field

A monogenetic volcanic field is a volcanic field of small, scattered volcanic vents. These volcanic fields, containing numerous monogenetic volcanoes, are noted for having only one short eruptive event at each volcano, as opposed to regular volcanoes that have several eruptions from the same vent over a long period in their history. Monogenetic fields occur only where the magma supply to the volcano is low or where vents are not close enough or large enough to develop plumbing systems for continuous feeding of magma. Monogenetic volcanoes such as Parícutin in Mexico are typically cinder cones.

Monogenetic volcanic fields can provide snapshots of the underlying region beneath the surface, and may be useful in studying the generation of magma and the composition of the mantle since the single eruption produced would match that of the chamber from which it erupted.

Examples of monogenetic volcanic fields:

• Auckland volcanic field, underlying much of the city of Auckland, New Zealand and its suburbs
• Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field, east-central British Columbia, Canada.
• Honolulu Volcanic Series, Hawaii, United States
• Parícutin, Michoacán, Mexico
• El Jorullo, Mexico
• Vulkan Eifel, Germany
• Chaîne des Puys, France
• Carrán-Los Venados, Chile
• North and north-eastern area of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

See also

• Polygenetic volcanic field