RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Vesicles in thick komatiite lava flows, Kambalda, Western Australia
JF Journal of the Geological Society
JO Journal of the Geological Society
FD Geological Society of London
SP 11
OP 14
DO 10.1144/jgs.157.1.11
VO 157
IS 1
A1 BERESFORD, S. W.
A1 CAS, R. A. F.
A1 LAMBERT, D. D.
A1 STONE, W. E.
YR 2000
UL http://jgs.lyellcollection.org/content/157/1/11.abstract
AB Traditionally, vesicles have been considered to be rare in komatiites, however, field studies at Kambalda, Western Australia, and critical literature examination suggest that vesicle presence and content in komatiites are grossly underestimated. At Kambalda, vesicles are observed in significant amounts (up to 30%) in internal horizons within komatiite lavas. The vesicular horizons are inferred to represent bubbles frozen in place below the upper crust, during multiple episodes of flow through of bubble‐rich lava. We conclude that vesicle and crystal distribution are compatible with many komatiites being emplaced under laminar flow conditions, analogous to models for basalt lava emplacement.Scientific editing by Nick Rogers.