Volcanology of the A154n Kimberlite at Diavik: Implications for Eruption Dynamics

Eruptions of kimberlite volcanoes are a poorly-understood phenomena, as there have been no historical eruptions of kimberlite, and primary deposits and edifices of kimberlite volcanoes are rarely preserved. In particular, the styles of explosion, magma fragmentation, and primary deposition of kimberlite remain unclear. This thesis comprises field and laboratory study of five kimberlite deposits within the A154N kimberlite volcano at Diavik, NWT, Canada. These studies provide critical descriptive and semi-quantitative data on the geometries, component variations, and relative age relationships of deposits. These data are used to associate volcanic deposits with kimberlite eruption processes. Finally, these volcanic processes are shown to have direct implications for the distribution of diamonds within kimberlite pipes.