Hawaiite
“The islands' signature dark lava”
Hawaiite is a fine-grained, moderately alkaline volcanic rock intermediate between basalt and mugearite. It's one of the key rock types in the alkaline lava series erupted by ocean island volcanoes, particularly abundant in the later shield-building stages of Hawaiian volcanoes.
plagioclase (labradorite-andesine), olivine, augite, magnetite, ilmenite
Hawaiian Islands (USA), Edinburgh (Scotland), Canary Islands, Réunion, Samoa, Easter Island
5.5-6
Arthur's Seat, the iconic volcanic hill overlooking Edinburgh, Scotland, is made partly of hawaiite — connecting this ancient Scottish landmark to the volcanic processes of modern Hawaii.
Test Your Knowledge
How does the link between Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh and Hawaiian volcanism demonstrate a geological concept?
Photo Attribution
Title: Reunion geologie hawaiite Mare a Vieille Place dsc09326.jpg
Author: Unknown
License: CC BY 2.0 fr
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