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The basalts of Réunion Island, Indian Ocean

  • Première Partie Communications Lues Au « International Symposium On Volcanology » (Nouvelle-Zélande, Du 22 Nov. À 3 Déc. 1965)
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Abstract

Réunion consists of two shield volcanoes, Piton des Neiges (3069 m) and Piton de la Fournaise (2631 m). The former is extinct and deeply eroded, so that its internal structure is clearly displayed. The deepest accessible part of the pile is a strongly zeolitised agglomerate (Cirque Agglomerate) made up mainly of olivine-basalt fragments. This is covered by a thick sequence of oceanite and olivine-basalt flows (Oceanite Series), which in turn is overlain by feldsparphyric basalts and lavas of intermediate composition (Differentiated Series). An intricate plexus of intrusions, ranging in composition from picrite to quartz-syenite, is exposed in the core of the volcano. Piton de la Fournaise is still active, and is producing oceanites and olivine-basalts generally similar in character to the Oceanite Series lavas of Piton des Neiges. New chemical data on the « primitive » basalts of both volcanoes are presented, and a brief comparison is made with the Hawaiian tholeiites. It is concluded that the Réunion « primitive » basalts are best described as transitional between tholeiitic and alkaline.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grant Institute of Geology, Edinburgh University, UK

    B. G. J. Upton

  2. Department of Geology, Manchester University, UK

    W. J. Wadsworth

Authors
  1. B. G. J. Upton
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  2. W. J. Wadsworth
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Paper read at the IAV International Symposium on Volcanology (New Zealand), scientific session of Nov. 23rd. 1965.

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Upton, B.G.J., Wadsworth, W.J. The basalts of Réunion Island, Indian Ocean. Bull Volcanol 29, 7–23 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597136

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02597136

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