• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.87-109
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• 2024

Two kinds of basaltic outcrop consisting of vesicular gas-pipe and the host massive basalt were observed in the Taeheung-ri area of Namwon-eup, Jeju Island. This is clear evidence of the magmatic differentiation of lava flows after an eruption. Although the petrographic study revealed that both parts contained the same mineral phases such as olivine, clinopyroxene, and plagioclases with accessory alkaline feldspar, and titanite, their contents and compositions are more evolved in the vesicular gas-pipe. Its anorthite and wollastonite contents in plagioclase and clinopyroxene, respectively, are lower than those of the host massive basalt. The whole-rock XRF analysis indicates that vesicular gas-pipe had lower MgO content and higher CaO, Al₂O₃, P₂O₅, Fe₂O₃, Na₂O, TiO₂, SiO₂, and K₂O contents than those of the host massive basalt. Both parts of basalt are classified as tholeiite in the TAS diagram, but the former is plotted in a more differentiated area with higher SiO₂ content than the latter. Large ion lithophile elements are enriched in both types of basalt, but the enrichment is more conspicuous in the former. Rare earth elements are more abundant n porous gas-pipe than in the host massive basalt. In particualr light rare earth elements are highly enriched in both types of basalt ralative to those of chondrite, indicating typical ocean island basalts (OIBs). These findings indicate that the magma differentiation possibly occurred after an eruption, which can be explained by the gas-driven filter-pressing.