Archean felsic volcanic rocks often causes pyroclastic flow (hot, dense gas with volcanic fragments) instead of fluid lava flow. However, if the rhyolitic lava is still molten during eruption, it can behave and flow like fluid flow. Felsic lava flow and lava dome are the two common types of underwater deposits formed by Archean felsic volcanic rocks (Fig. 4). Documented Archean lava structures are distinctive from post-Archean felsic lava because underwater eruptions are so rare in post-Archean. The dacitic or rhyolitic lava flows are quenched right after the eruption. When water is in touch with the flow, the lava quickly cools down. Finally, The
Archean felsic volcanic rocks Archean felsic volcanic rocks Archean felsic volcanic rocks are felsic volcanic rocks that were formed in the Archean Eon (4 to 2.5 billion years ago). The term "felsic" means that the rocks have silica content of 62–78%. Given that the Earth formed at ~4.5 billion year ago, Archean felsic volcanic rocks provide clues on the Earth's first volcanic activities on the Earth's surface started 500 million years after the Earth's formation. As the Archean Earth was two or three time hotter than the present, formation of felsic volcanic rocks may differ from the modern plate tectonics. Archean felsic volcanic rocks