Hydrovolcanism is a type of volcanism where magma and water interact either explosively
or non-explosively. The less frequently used term, hydromagmatism, includes all the
processes responsible for magma and water interaction in a magmatic system. Hydrovolcanism
is commonly used as a synonym for phreatomagmatism. However, in recent years phreatomagmatism
appears more in association with volcanic eruptions that occur in shallow subaqueous
or terrestrial settings and commonly involves molten fuel-coolant interaction (MFCI)
driven processes. Here a revised and reviewed classification scheme is suggested on
the basis of the geo-environment in which the magma-water interaction takes place
and the explosivity plus mode of energy transfer required to generate kinetic energy
to produce pyroclasts. Over the past decade researchers have focused on the role hydrovolcanism/phreatomagmatism
plays in the formation of maar craters, the evolution of diatremes and the signatures
of magma-water interaction in the geological record. In the past five years, lithofacies-characterization
is the most common approach to studying hydrovolcanism. By far mafic monogenetic volcanic
fields generated the greatest number of research results. Significant knowledge gaps
are identified, especially in developing tools to identify the textural signatures
hydrovolcanism leave behind on eruptive products and exploring the role of hydrovolcanism
in the growth of intermediate and silicic small volume volcanoes.
