Textural Characterization of Microlites in Rhyolitic Obsidian: Implications for Crystallization, Eruptive Time Scales, and Degassing in the Inyo Volcanic Chain, Eastern California

Author

Celestine N. Mercer, Oberlin College

Degree Year

2002

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Geology

Abstract

Magmatic degassing affects eruptive processes and eruptive product textures, e.g. groundmass crystallinity. Detailed textural analysis of glassy volcanic products that erupted both explosively and effusively from the Inyo volcanic chain do not show significant differences in microlite number density. Textural analysis also supports the suggestion that microlite formation in glassy volcanic products is directly related to early volatile loss from the system. Temporal constraints for the eruption are estimated and a relative sequence for the eruption of the domes is proposed.

Notes

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Repository Citation

Mercer, Celestine N., "Textural Characterization of Microlites in Rhyolitic Obsidian: Implications for Crystallization, Eruptive Time Scales, and Degassing in the Inyo Volcanic Chain, Eastern California" (2002). Honors Papers. 28.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/honors/28