Grain-size Distribution of Pyroclastic Rocks:

Granulometric and Stereology Analysis on Determining

the Depositional Process of Pyroclastic Deposits in
Bandung Region
1 1 1
Barry Majeed Hartono , Ahmad Najili , Gilang Enggar Lana
1
Geological Engineering, Faculty of Earth Science and Technology, Bandung Institute of
Technology

Abstract
Grain-size distribution can be used to determine grain transport and depositional mechanism for
pyroclastic deposits. The aim of this paper is to decide the grain transport and depositional
mechanism of pyroclastic deposits on Bandung Region from 10 spots in SW-SE direction of the
craters. The area mainly composed by pyroclastic deposits and lava deposits derived from Mount
Tangkuban Perahu and Mount Sunda eruptions. Mount Tangkuban Perahu is a Tertiary volcano
that was formed after a massive eruption in 0,02 Ma. Eruption phase changing from Mount Sunda
to Mount Tangkuban Perahu affects the depositional mechanism and distribution of pyroclastic
materials. One hundred pyroclastic rocks samples were taken from 10 spots. These samples are
sieved (traditionally) then analysed using granulometric analysis. Stereology analysis is held to
obtain actual 3D volume fraction of clast population from 2D cross-sectional images. Frequency
curves are interpreted from plotting and regression of data. We can infer that there are two
depositional mechanisms in Bandung area from the curves. The grain transport and deposition
mechanism in Bandung Region are pyroclastic surge and pyroclastic fall. This paper concludes
that pyroclastic grain transport and depositional mechanism in Bandung Region can be
determined from grain-size distribution analysis. The authors hope that this paper can support
another recent and further studies about Bandung geological setting.

Keyword: Granulometric analysis, Pyroclastic rocks, Depositional and transport mechanism,

Curug Bugbrug Area, Tangkuban Perahu, Grain-size distribution

1. Introduction eruptive histories have already reconstructed

Tangkuban Perahu volcano is one of the by Kartadinata (2002) and Nasution (2004).
active stratovolcanoes situated in West Java. However, research about depositional
So many researchers have been attracted to processes by granulometric and stereology
conducted research on Tangkuban Perahu analysis of pyroclastic deposits has never
volcano. The research mostly explained only been conducted from Tangkuban Perahu
simple geologic condition of the volcano, pyroclastic.
e.g., Van Bemmelen (1949), Silitonga (1973), Grain size characteristic that obtained from
and Soetoyo and Hadisantoro (1992). The granulometric and stereology analysis
(Maximum size, median diameter, sorting Main focus of this paper is in the Tangkuban
diameter, and shape), can solve these Perahu volcano episodes, especially in
problems (Fisher, 1964; Walker, 1971; Fisher Tangkuban Perahu pyroclastic. Tangkuban
and Schminke, 1984; Lirer and Vinci, 1991; Perahu pyroclastic group also divided into
Walker, 1992; Taddeucci and Palladino, two subgroups: Old Tangkuban Perahu and
2002; Jutzeler et al., 2012). In this paper, we Young Tangkuban Perahu (Kartadinata,
will discuss the grain-size characteristic from 2002; Achmad et al, 2015). One tephra
120 tephra samples and 41 outcrop pictures formation represents one eruptive episode
that taken from 10 spots around Tangkuban and one formation is characterized by
Perahu volcano. These grain-size intercalation of under and overlying paleosols
characteristics will give the information about (Kartadinata, 2002).
depositional process of pyroclastic deposits.
3. Methodology
2. Regional geology The methods that have been performed are
Tangkuban Perahu volcano is related to field observation on the outcrops,
Sunda Volcanic Complex (Sunda caldera), granulometric analysis, and stereology
which consist 3 bodies. Two of them are analysis.
extinct, e.g., Sunda and Burangrang volcano 3.1 Field Observation
and one active volcano, e.g., Tangkuban Descriptive information (sorting, roundness,
Perahu volcano (Kartadinata, 2002; Nasution color, grain-size, and sediment structure),
et al, 2004; Achmad et al, 2015). The coordinate, and outcrop thickness are taken
Quartenary Volcanic Complex activities from 12 outcrops. Tephra samples and
divided into 3 majors episodes: Pre-caldera pictures of the outcrops are also have been
(Pre-sunda volcanics), Syn-caldera (Sunda collected from 5 locations around SW-SE
volcanics), and Post-caldera (Tangkuban direction from Tangkuban Perahu volcano to
Perahu volcanics) (Nasution et al, 2004). Pre- be used in granulometric analysis and
caldera episodes represented by the old stereology analysis (Fig.1).
Batunyusun Andesite (1.1 Ma). Syn-caldera 3.2 Granulometric analysis
episodes represented by Sunda volcanics Granulometric analyses are performed using
which is divided into Sunda andesite (0.56- mechanical siever (traditional siever) for 20
0.205 Ma) and Sunda pyroclastic (0.205-0.18 minutes. This analysis is casted to gain grain-
Ma). Post caldera episodes represented by size characteristic such as maximum size
Tangkuban Perahu volcanics that is divided diameter, median diameter, and sorting
into Tangkuban Perahu Andesites and diameter (Inman, 1952; Visher, 1969;
Tangkuban perahu Pyroclastic (Nasution et Walker, 1971). Frequency curves also can be
al, 2004). plotted from the data obtained from this
 Figure 1. Sampling location in SW-SE direction from the craters

analysis (Visher, 1969; Lirier and Vinci, a new method that can be used to obtain
1991). The phi diameters pan (Φ) that we actual 3D volume fractions of clast
used for granulometric analysis range from - populations from 2D cross-sectional images
2.252 to 4.258. Granulometric analyses was (Jutzeler et al, 2012; Moreno et al 2015).
done only in 10 tephra samples with Basically, the concept of this analysis is the
assumption that one tephra sample in one fragments in the image are being segmented
facies association represent one process of from its matrix by its color (Jutzeler et al,
deposition (Visher, 1969; Walker, 1971; 2012; Moreno et al 2015). The image
Wohletz et al, 1995; Aiuppa et al, 1999). segmentation process is done using
3.3 Stereology analysis OPTGRAN-CS software. ROSIWAL
Granulometric analyses have a lot of software is used to process (gridding) the
problems for example for polycomponent segmented image into a histogram.
deposit (different minerals have greatly
4. Results and Discussion
diffrent size distribution), rain flushing
The results from the field observation are
effects, or even mechanical abrasion from the
shown in Table 1. Pyroclastic rocks in
siever (Walker, 1971). This problem can be
location 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 medium to well
solved by stereology analysis. This analysis is
 Table 1. Main depositional features, interpretation, and bibliography-references of the deposits investigated from 8
outcrops in 6 different locations.

sorted, ungraded, and consist scoria granulometric and stereology analysis can be
fragments. These characteristics indicate that done because all of the samples are derived
the pyroclastic deposits in these locations are from primary process (ejected directly from
pyroclastic fall deposits (Cas and Wright, the vent) that can be observed from its
1987; Mcphie, 1993; Taddeucci and subrounded-angular textures (Cas and
Palladino, 2002; Walker and James, 2002; Wright, 1987; Mcphie, 1993; Walker and
Nichols, 2009). In another case, pyroclastic James, 2002; Nichols, 2009).
rocks in location 2 are poor sorted, and have a The granulometric results can be seen in
characteristic like Bouma sequence. These Table 2. From the histogram (figure 2), all of
indicate that the pyroclastic deposits in this the samples are generating polymodal
location 2 are pyroclastic surge deposits (Cas diagram that suitable for pyroclastic deposits
and Wright, 1987; Mcphie, 1993; Aiuppa, because pyroclastic deposits frequently show
1999; Palladino and Simei, 2001; Walker and bimodal or polymodal grainsize distribution
James, 2002; Nichols, 2009). The (Lirer and Vinci, 1991). Another
Table 2. Granulometric results in percent weight (wt%). The Phi diameter intervals have a range from -2.252 to 4.250.
The Phi median, Phi Mean, Phi deviation, and Phi skewness are derived from Inman (1952) measurement.
characteristic from the histogram are there is
a large block on -2.252 value because the
maximum mesh opening in the laboratory is
only -2.252. Pyroclastic deposits from sample
1-01, 1-03, 1-04, 3-01, 6-01, 6-02, and 7-01
are positively skewed (see figure 2). The
histograms also match with Lirer and Vinci
(1991) histogram for fallout deposits (figure
5) except for sample 1-03 and 1-04 because
the histogram doesn’t match with the
observation. Sample 1-02, 3-02, and 7-02 are
negatively skewed (see figure 2). The
histogram matched to the Lirer and Vinci
(1991) model (figure 5) and suggests that
these samples derived from pyroclastic surge.
In the other hand, field observation suggests
that these samples are derived
pyroclastic fall.
Stereology result can be seen in Table 3. The
result also plotted into histogram (figure 3)
and matched with Lirer and Vinci (1991)
model. Histogram from sample 1-01, 1-02, 3-
01, 3-02, 5-02, and 6-01 are positively
skewed that suggests that those locations are
derived from pyroclastic fall (Lirer and Vinci,
1991). Histogram from sample 1-03 and 1-04
are negatively skewed This suggests that
those locations are derived from pyroclastic
surge (Lirer and Vinci, 1991). The stereology
results are match with granulometric result
except for location 1-04, 5-01, and 7-01
because stereology differentiated the clast by
its color that solved the polycomponent
problem (Walker, 1971) and the welding
problem (Jutzeler et al., 2012, Moreno et al,
2015). Contour diagram are casted to validate
i stereology result with granulometric result
(Walker, 1971; Fisher and Schmincke, 1984).
Median phi diameter and Phi sorting diameter
are plotted to contour diagram (figure 4). It
from can be inferred that granulometric analysis
and stereology analysis are valid because the
diagram suggest that tephra samples taken
from pyroclastic deposits are mainly derived
from pyroclastic fall (Walker, 1971; Fisher
and Schmincke, 1984).
.
 Table 2. Granulometric results in percent weight (wt%). The Phi diameter intervals have a range from -2.252 to
4.250. The Phi median, Phi Mean, Phi deviation, and Phi skewness are derived from Inman (1952) measurement.

Figure 2. Histogram plotted from granulometric result. Weight percent and Phi diameter are plotted. This histogram
later fitted into Lirer and Vinci model (1991)
Figure 3. Histogram plotted stereology result. Weight percent and Phi diameter are plotted. This histogram later fitted into
Lirer andFigure
Vinci 4.
model (1991)
Table 3. Stereology results in percent weight (wt%).Table
The Phi
3.. diameter intervals have a range from -6 to 5. The Phi
median, Phi Mean, Phi deviation, and Phi skewness are derived from Inman (1952) measurement

Figure 4. Contour plot modified from Walker (1971). The red line represent fall deposits, blue line represents fall
deposits, and green line represents surge deposits. Median diameter and Sorting derived from Inman (1952)
measurement. (a) Contour plot from stereology analysis, (b) Contour plot from granulometric analysis.
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