DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8332519
title: CatVolc: A new database of geochemical and geochronological data of volcanic-related materials from the Catalan Volcanic Zone (Spain)

description: The Catalan Volcanic Zone (CVZ) (NE Spain) consists of an intraplate alkaline volcanic zone associated with the opening of the Western Mediterranean and the development of the European Rift System. Volcanic activity in the CVZ started in the L’Empordà area (ca. > 12 - 8 Ma), extended to La Selva (7.9 - 1.7 Ma), and finally migrated to the Garrotxa Volcanic Field (< 0.7 - 0.01Ma). Despite the scientific interest in the CVZ since the early 19th century, certain aspects remain poorly constrained. These include a full understanding of the spatial and temporal evolution of the magma plumbing system and ascent mechanisms, as well as the chronology of volcanism across the CVZ. Addressing these unresolved questions requires geochemical, petrological, and geochronological data, which, in the case of the CVZ, are scattered and have never been integrated or analyzed within a unified framework. Here, we present the CatVolc (Catalan Volcanism) database, which compiles available geochemical and geochronological data of volcanic-related materials of the CVZ.  For each sample, the CatVolc database lists general information about the sampling site, sample lithology, whole-rock analyses (including major and trace elements), isotopic ratios, mineral chemistry, and radiometric/thermoluminescence dating information, if available. A preliminary analysis of the information contained in the CatVolc database highlights the critical limitations of the current state of knowledge and allows suggesting potential future directions for volcanic-driven investigations in the CVZ. Additionally, the results obtained validate the CatVolc database as a key tool for comprehending the spatial and temporal evolution of the magmatic system(s) and volcanic activity in the CVZ, particularly in the Garrotxa Volcanic Field. This aspect is critical for advancing in the assessment of the volcanic hazards in the region and for gaining a comprehensive understanding of future volcanic activity.


The current database version consists of three MS Excel files dedicated to primary magmatic rocks (CatVolc_magmatic_rocks.xlsx), xenoliths (CatVolc_xenoliths.xlsx) and radiometric/thermoluminescence dating information (CatVolc_dating.xlsx). Each MS Excel file is structured around a main table (Samples_general_info) containing general information (e.g., location, age, sampling site) of the listed samples, and a certain number of secondary tables.  Secondary tables included in the MS Excel files for magmatic rocks and xenoliths report: (i) whole-rock geochemistry (Major_elements and Trace_elements); (ii) isotopic relations data (Isotopic_relations); and (iii) mineral and volcanic glass chemistry (Amphibole, Feldspar, Felspathoid, Glass, Mica, Olivine, Pyroxene, Oxides, Serpentines and Sulphides). In addition to the Samples_general_info table, the CatVolc_dating.xlsx also includes radiometric/thermoluminescence dating information (Dating). Finally, in all three Excel files, we have incorporated a table with consulted references (References) and a glossary of the acronyms used for the parameters included in the main and secondary tables (Codes). The latter are further described in the following section. Parameters that are self-explanatory and do not require further description are omitted.