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
Geology of Wisconsin and metavolcanics formed first, followed by granites more than 2.7 billion years ago. The rock record contains an uncertain age gap with younger 2.3 billion year old Proterozoic quartzofeldspathic and migmatite gneiss, with amphibolite and biotite schist. Around 1.9 billion years ago, mafic, intermediate and felsic rocks, in some cases with subordinate metasedimentary rocks, began to form and metamorphosed, reaching greenschist and amphibolite grade on the sequence of metamorphic facies. The Ironwood and Riverton Iron formations are recognized from aerial magnetic surveys. Metamorphosed argillite, quartzite, greywacke conglomerate and marble with small areas of interbedded metavolcaic rocks make up the Tyler