A. G. Gurbanov1, O. A. Bogatikov1, I. V. Melekestsev2, P. W. Lipman3, J. B. Lowenstern3, D. R. Miller3, and A. Ya. Dokuchaev1
1Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry (IGEM),
Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
2Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry, Far East Division, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski, Russia
3Geological Survey USA, Menlo Park, CA94024, USA
14 km along the edge of outer escarpment
with a total
area of ~230 km2 ). The Elbrus Volcano is located in its southern part.
The mass ejecta of rhyodacitic and rhyolitic pyroclastics and the formation of
the tuff and ignimbrite coves are related to the caldera formation. Time of the
caldera origin, according U-Pb (SHRIMP) dating on zircon from fiamme of ignimbrites
is between 689
30-722
15 Ka. Based on comprehensive investigation
of
the rocks of the Elbrus volcanic center, including K-Ar,
39Ar/40Ar and EPR
dating of rock-forming quartz, we identified in its evolution precaldera, caldera
and
postcaldera cycles. Two last cycles were subdivided into early and late stages.