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
Eoarchean geology highly deformed biotite-hornblende tonalitic to granitic orthogneiss. Subordinate mafic amphibolitic and chloritic elliptical enclaves and inclusions are observed in felsic gneisses.Although the rocks are highly deformed and could not reflect the original field relation between rock units, the chemical composition of the rocks showcases how Eoarchean greenstone-TTG be like. Chemical composition in the mafic inclusion suggests the acasta area was possibly a supra-subduction setting. Dominant felsic rocks are composed of highly deformed tonalitic, granodioritic and granitic gneisses. Inclusion of as early as 4.2 billion years old zircon core are observed in the gneisses. Mafic rocks, i.e. subordinate amphibolite and ultra