The East-Mayotte new volcano in the Comoros Archipelago: structure and timing of magmatic phases inferred from seismic reflection data

Abstract

A multichannel seismic reflection profile acquired during the SISMAORE cruise (2021) provides the first in-depth image of the submarine volcanic edifice, named Fani Maore, that formed 50 km east of Mayotte Island (Comoros Archipelago) in 2018–2019. This new edifice sits on a <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>∼</mml:mo> </mml:math> 140 m thick sedimentary layer, which is above a major, volcanic layer up to <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>∼</mml:mo> </mml:math> 1 km thick and extends over 120 km along the profile. This volcanic unit is made of several distinct seismic facies that indicate successive volcanic phases. We interpret this volcanic layer as witnessing the main phase of construction of the Mayotte Island volcanic edifice. A <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>∼</mml:mo> </mml:math> 2.2–2.5 km thick sedimentary unit is present between this volcanic layer and the top of the crust. A complex magmatic feeder system is observed within this unit, composed of saucer-shape sills and seal bypass systems. The deepest tip of this volcanic layer lies below the top-Oligocene seismic horizon, indicating that the volcanism of Mayotte Island likely began around 26.5 Ma, earlier than previously assumed.