The relation between Penghu volcanic eruption and extreme weather during mid-miocene climate optimum

Abstract

The volcanic eruption at Penghu Islands during the Mid Miocene Climate Optimum (MMCO) has been studied to analyze the correlation between the two events. The volcanic eruption was prominent during the Mid to Late Miocene at the Penghu Islands, relevant to a prolonged opening rifting event at the South China Basin. Two major rocks, alkali basalt, and tholeiite, were identified across the islets with four and two phases of lava flows respectively. The areal extents of the lava phases and their individual eruption volume were evaluated by establishing a simple correlation with the Columbia River Basalt Group, depending on their similarities of the eruption time and lava properties. The current project found that 90% of the major eruption happened in the time frame intercepting with the event of MMCO, the apparent time relation between the two events has been proved.