lavakorrused

Lavakorrused are stratified units of volcanic rocks formed by the emplacement and solidification of successive lava flows. Each lavakorrus represents a discrete eruption event in which lava erupted onto the surface, spread and cooled, creating a crust that supported subsequent flows. Over time, multiple flows stack into a sequence of lavakorrused that records the eruptive history of a volcano or volcanic province.

Textures and features commonly observed in lavakorrused include flow branding or banding, vesicular horizons where gas bubbles were trapped, and amygdaloidal textures where cavities were filled by minerals. Many lavakorrused show columnar jointing in the cooling crust, especially in thick, rapidly cooled flows. When flows are deposited underwater or in subaqueous environments, pillow lavas may form, and glassy margins or hyaloclastite fragments can occur at the interfaces between flows.

Distribution and significance: Lavakorrused occur in many basaltic provinces worldwide, from flood basalts to shield-volcano sequences. They are important for reconstructing eruption histories, eruption rates, and paleogeography of volcanic systems. Variations in thickness, chemistry, and mineralogy between flows enable correlation within a province and help reveal magma evolution over time.

Dating and study: Geochronology such as Ar-Ar or K-Ar dating of basaltic lava flows, together with stratigraphic correlations and geochemical analyses, enables the construction of timelines for volcanic events. Studies of lavakorrused enhance understanding of volcanic processes, magma supply, and the environmental impact of eruptions.