Flood Basalts: Eruption Mechanisms and Atmospheric Impact

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The objective in this study is to investigate the modes of emplacement of lava flows in the giant Tertiary-age flood basalt province of the Columbia River plateau. Also planned is research that should enable an estimate to be made of the amount of degassing that occurred during the extrusion of one or two selected large lava flows. In addition to gaining new insights into flood basalt volcanism, knowledge of discharge rates, eruptive styles, and volatile budgets of the magmas will be crucial to assessing the environmental impacts of this end-member style of volcanic activity. The PIs are testing methods of diagnosing flow surface morphologies, vesicle distribution patterns, and internal flow structures of the lavas. They also will be making parallel studies on the characteristics of vent structures and feeder dikes to gain additional information on discharge rates.