lopolith

lopolith
/lop"euh lith/, n. Geol.
a mass of igneous rock similar to a laccolith but concave downward rather than upward.
[1915-20; < Gk lop(ós) shell, husk + -o- -O- + -LITH]

* * *

      igneous intrusion associated with a structural basin, with contacts that are parallel to the bedding of the enclosing rocks. In an ideal example, the enclosing sediments above and below the lopolith dip inward from all sides toward the centre, so that the lopolith is concave upward. Lopoliths, which can be several miles to several hundred miles in diameter, with thicknesses up to several thousand feet, are some of the largest igneous intrusions known. Many large ones are composed dominantly of basic rocks; a classic example is the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa, which is composed of both granite and basic rocks. Many other lopoliths are either composite or differentiated. The feeder of a lopolith is assumed to be relatively small and probably is centrally located; it may connect the lopolith with a larger magma chamber at greater depth.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lopolith — A lopolith is a large igneous intrusion which is lenticular in shape with a depressed central region. Lopoliths are generally concordant with the intruded strata with dike or funnel shaped feeder bodies below the body. The term was first defined… …   Wikipedia

  • Lopolith — Ein Lopolith ist ein Pluton, der Gesteinskörper mit einer zentralen, schüsselförmigen Vertiefung ausbildet. Die Intrusion ist im Wesentlichen konkordant zu den umgebenden Schichten. Die Aufstiegswege des magmatischen Materials sind entweder… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • lopolith — noun a) a mass of volcanic or igneous rock found within strata which has spilled downward into underlaying strata and forms depressed regions. b) mass similar to laccolith but concave down …   Wiktionary

  • Lopolith — Lopolịth   [zu griechisch lopós »Rest«, »Rückstand« und líthos »Stein«] der, s oder en/ e(n), Geologie: schüssel bis trichterförmiger Tiefengesteinskörper (Plutone); z. B. der Buschveld Komplex …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Lopolith — Lo|po|lith [auch ... lit] der; Gen. s u. en, Plur. e[n] <zu gr. lopós »Rückstand, Hülse« u. ↑...lith> schüssel bis trichterförmiger Tiefengesteinskörper (Geol.) …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • lopolith — complex laccolith with a centrally sunken base Stones and Rocks …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • lopolith — [ lɒpə(ʊ)lɪθ] noun Geology a large saucer shaped intrusion of igneous rock. Origin early 20th cent.: from Gk lopas basin + lith …   English new terms dictionary

  • lopolith — lop·o·lith …   English syllables

  • lopolith — n. Geol. a large saucer shaped intrusion of igneous rock. Etymology: Gk lopas basin + LITH …   Useful english dictionary

  • Beaver-Bay-Komplex — Das schattierte Reliefbild zeigt den Duluth Komplex, der sich bogenförmig von Duluth zum Pigeon Point zieht und dabei die Mesabi Range und die Gunflint Range unterbricht Der Duluth Komplex, der damit verbundene Beaver Bay Komplex (der oft als… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”