Conflicting models for the formation of the Odessa Craters
Faculty Mentor
Chad Pritchard
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Geosciences
Abstract
Unique features in the Roza Member of the Columbia River Basalt (CRB) has been described by multiple styles of formation. The main unifying feature of the different explanations is that they are associated with pahoehoe emplacement (lava flow textures) of the CRBs and then exposed by Pleistocene megafloods. The posters described the different methods of emplacement and tries to focus on the simplest approach, which is normally tumuli. The craters are generally circular, but can be elongated. Some models described tilted basaltic columns away from the center of the crater by diking, but may be tilted as part of emplacement. Many models rely on palagonite at the center of the structure, which is not generally found at the outcrops, however, glass and palagonite can be found in larger (tilted) tilted vesicles, or flow contacts. Some craters also have un-tilted cores, suggesting that the central flow auto-intruded. Distribution of the craters seems to mimic lava flow paths and tumuli breakout structures, providing a simpler model than sag flow out or other phreatomagmatic-dependent models of formation.
Recommended Citation
Hastings, Brittni AC, "Conflicting models for the formation of the Odessa Craters" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 42.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p1_2024/42
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Conflicting models for the formation of the Odessa Craters
PUB NCR
Unique features in the Roza Member of the Columbia River Basalt (CRB) has been described by multiple styles of formation. The main unifying feature of the different explanations is that they are associated with pahoehoe emplacement (lava flow textures) of the CRBs and then exposed by Pleistocene megafloods. The posters described the different methods of emplacement and tries to focus on the simplest approach, which is normally tumuli. The craters are generally circular, but can be elongated. Some models described tilted basaltic columns away from the center of the crater by diking, but may be tilted as part of emplacement. Many models rely on palagonite at the center of the structure, which is not generally found at the outcrops, however, glass and palagonite can be found in larger (tilted) tilted vesicles, or flow contacts. Some craters also have un-tilted cores, suggesting that the central flow auto-intruded. Distribution of the craters seems to mimic lava flow paths and tumuli breakout structures, providing a simpler model than sag flow out or other phreatomagmatic-dependent models of formation.
