Hematization in Subaerial Basalts and its Relationship to Post-Emplacement Processes: A Paleomagnetic Study

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The role of hematite in the post-cooling alteration of subaerial basalts is largely unspecified. When hematite is present in a basalt, it is often attributed to deuteric alteration during cooling of a lava without any solid petrographic evidence. The most oxidized portions of flows, the flow tops, are often avoided during paleomagnetic studies. However, important information regarding the different stages of alteration and the role of hematite is available in the direction of the hematite magnetization. This project is to study hematite genesis in subaerial basalts, using paleomagnetism and oxide petrography. The PI will sample basalt piles which have experience varying types of alteration. The ultimate goal is to formulate a conceptual model of post-cooling, oxidation so that petrologists, geochemists and paleomagnetists will have a foundation with which to interpret the presence of hematization.