*********************************************************************** From: Jacob Bleacher <Jacob.E.Bleacher@xxxxxxxx> *********************************************************************** GSA Topical Session T99: The geology of small volcanic vents and their associated vent fields throughout the Solar System Chairs: Jacob Bleacher (NASA GSFC) Scott Hughes (Idaho State University) Rationale for Topical Session: Volcanic eruptions often produce a range of morphologies between large central constructs and extensive flood deposits. A style of volcanism that is intermediate between these two end members is that of volcanic fields. Volcanic fields are composed of groups of small, often monogenetic, volcanic vents. These fields of small volcanic vents (small-vent fields) include a variety of vent morphologies, such as shields, fissure vents, cinder cones, tuff cones, tuff rings, maar craters, and lava domes. The style of volcanic eruptions responsible for the development of a small-vent field is related to a range of tectonic, volcanic, and environmental settings, and therefore provides insight into the regional geologic history. During the last several decades the acquisition of new remote sensing data as well as field work conducted in previously unstudied regions has provided new insight into small-vent fields on Earth. Similarly, planetary data acquired over the same time period show that small-vent fields are not restricted to the Earth. While the full range of field techniques available for terrestrial studies of small-vent fields are not currently possible on other planetary surfaces, comparative studies based on terrestrial field work can be linked to available, or soon-to-be collected, remotely sensed data as a basis for interpreting the geologic and volcanic history of other planets. A similar session, "Techniques for studying the development of fields of small basaltic vents on Earth and Mars", was held at the 2007 GSA Annual Meeting. Although this session was restricted to small-vent fields on Earth and Mars, much discussion developed beyond the meeting regarding additional terrestrial small-vent fields and fields on other planets. Therefore, a follow-up topical session on the development of small volcanic vents and small-vent fields across the Solar System is proposed to enable cross-communication between researchers who might only work within a specific volcanic field. While much knowledge is gained about planetary surfaces through comparison to analogs on Earth, unique techniques are often developed within planetary geology to take full advantage of the available remote sensing data, which are often the only data available for regional scale studies. Such techniques might also prove useful in studies of less accessible terrestrial fields. A multidisciplinary session of the nature proposed here will benefit both terrestrial and planetary researchers whose goals involve interpreting and understanding basalt generation, eruption, and emplacement. ============================================================== To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message: signoff volcano to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxxx To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to: volcano@xxxxxxxx Please do not send attachments. ==============================================================
