Miocene-Quaternary volcanism in the Carpathians and its environmental impacts

The Neogene plate-tectonic evolution of the Carpathian-Pannonian region led to
large-scale volcanism that is unparalleled in Europe. In recent years, detailed
volcanological, K-Ar and Ar-Ar geochronological, and juvenile glass geochemical
studies have significantly refined our knowledge regarding specific eruptions. Scenarios for
colossal (VEI 7) Middle- and Late-Miocene eruptions were identified in the northern part of the Pannonian Basin; these events had profound impacts on the environment, which was characterized by a transition zone between land and sea (Central Paratethys). While these eruptions, occurring between 20 and 10 Ma, were driven by crustal extension and mantle differentiation, volcanism resulting from inward-directed subduction—primarily along the Carpathian Arc—was also present from ca. 16 Ma onwards, from Miocene to Quaternary times. The youngest phase of the subduction-related volcanism took place at the Ciomadul (Csomád) volcano in Romania; its eruptions (explosive activity, lahars, etc.) occurred within the last 30,000 years and influenced the everyday life of early humans
already present in the area.

• AushangUBT-Karatson_20261125.pdf