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 are distributed only in the preserved Archean greenstone belts, where deformed sequences of volcanic-sedimentary rocks are common. Felsic volcanic rocks are rare in the early Earth and only contribute to less 20% of rocks in the Archean greenstone belts worldwide. Nonetheless, mafic volcanic rocks (such as basalt and komatiite, silicate content <52%) occupy about 50% in the greenstone belts. Thus, felsic volcanic rocks are rare members in the Archean terranes. Archean felsic volcanic activities commonly occur in submarine environments. The composition of Archean felsic volcanic rocks are equivalent to a spectrum between dacite and rhyolite. They can be distinguished by