Bimodal volcanism Bimodal volcanism Bimodal volcanism is the eruption of both mafic and felsic lavas from a single volcanic centre with little or no lavas of intermediate composition. This type of volcanism is normally associated with areas of extensional tectonics, particularly rifts. Most occurrences of bimodal volcanism are associated with thinning of the crust and the presence of such rocks in metamorphic sequences has been used to provide evidence for past rifting events. Most examples come from areas of active continental rifting such as the Basin and Range Province. Bimodal volcanism has also been described from areas of transtension, the early phases
Archean felsic volcanic rocks rocks in Archean greenstone belts is between dacite to rhyolite (Table 2). In comparison, the modern felsic volcanic rock average composition (after Archean, <2.5 Ga) is similar to rhyolite, indicating a more felsic shift in felsic volcanism. However, the composition may be biased because of weathering right after deposition or metamorphism during later stages of deformation. In addition, Archean felsic volcanic rocks have high zircon abundance. Incompatible elements, like zirconium, are reluctant to substitute into early-forming crystals. So, they tend to remain in the melt. In strongly fractionated felsic magma, zircon is easily saturated. As a result, zircon is common