Abstract
Large (150 km3) magma bodies that contribute to
caldera-forming eruptions in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand have
shown evidence for crystallization and storage on the order of decades
to centuries prior to eruption. We compare various conductive and
convective heat extraction models to determine which is more likely to
enable the heat loss required for short magma storage. We conclude that
purely conductive models only account for heat loss on millennial or
longer timescales. We also show that convective hydrothermal systems
with heat output of 1000 MW in magnitude are required for decadal heat
extraction from a large, contiguous magma body; yet, heat output similar
to present day conditions would be suitable for cooling magma
distributed as a patchwork of smaller magma bodies. This study shows the
potential connection with heat flow at the surface and the presence of a
magma body, providing future directions for monitoring restless
calderas.