Title Physical volcanology and geological relationships of the Jurassic Ferrar large igneous province, Antarctica
Author Elliot, D.H.; Fleming, T.H.
Author Affil Elliot, D.H., Ohio State University, Department of Geological Sciences, Columbus, OH. Other: University of Otago, New Zealand; Southern Connecticut State University
Source Physical volcanology of large igneous provinces, edited by I.P. Skilling and J.D.L. White. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 172(1-2), p.20-37, . Publisher: Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands. ISSN: 0377- 0273
Publication Date May 10, 2008
Notes In English. 110 refs. GeoRef Acc. No: 284725
Index Terms Antarctica--Dufek Intrusion; Antarctica; basalt flows; basalts; climate; diabase; dikes; Dufek Intrusion; eruptions; Exposure Hill Formation; facies; Ferrar Dolerite; Ferrar Group; flood basalts; igneous rocks; intrusions; Jurassic; Kirkpatrick Basalt; large igneous provinces; Mawson Formation; Mesozoic; paleohydrology; Pensacola Mountains; phreatomagmatism; plutonic rocks; Prebble Formation; pyroclastics; rift zones; sills; Transantarctic Mountains; vents; volcanic rocks
Abstract The Ferrar Large Igneous Province forms a linear belt for 3500 km along the Transantarctic Mountains, and as a geochemical province extends into southeastern Australasia. The principal components of the Ferrar are: intrusive-- Ferrar Dolerite sills and dikes, and Dufek intrusion; pyroclastic--the Prebble, Mawson and Exposure Hill Formations; effusive--the Kirkpatrick Basalt. In terms of the three dimensional architecture of the Ferrar, a range of "facies" can be recognized in each of the principal components. The Ferrar province was initiated with a major episode of phreatomagmatism leading to formation of tephra cones and associated deposits, and near-surface vent structures. Activity switched to predominantly quiet effusion of alternating thick flood basalt flows and thin pahoehoe lobes and flows. Intrusive bodies were emplaced early, given the occurrence of dolerite clasts in tuff-breccias, but most sills were probably intruded after accumulation of extrusive rocks. Pre-existing rift structures played a major role in controlling the transport and distribution of the Ferrar magmas and the apparent centers of extrusive activity. The associated paleohydrology controlled the eruption styles.
URL http://hdl.handle.net/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2006.02.016
Publication Type journal article
Record ID 84166