Pj. Baxter et al., Cristobalite in volcanic ash of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, British West Indies, SCIENCE, 283(5405), 1999, pp. 1142-1145
Crystalline silica (mostly cristobalite) was produced by vapor-phase crysta
llization and devitrification in the andesite Lava dome of the Soufriere Hi
lls volcano, Montserrat. The sub-10-micrometer fraction of ash generated by
pyroclastic flows formed by Lava dome collapse contains 10 to 24 weight pe
rcent crystalline silica, an enrichment of 2 to 5 relative to the magma cau
sed by selective crushing of the groundmass. The sub-10-micrometer fraction
of ash generated by explosive eruptions has much lower contents (3 to 6 pe
rcent) of crystalline silica. High Levels of cristobalite in respirable ash
raise concerns about adverse health effects of Long-term human exposure to
ash from lava dome eruptions.