Shonkin Sag and Square Butte Field Trip


ALKALIC IGNEOUS ROCKS

Discussion of magmas coming from depths of 150 km (100 miles) with magma generation in the asthenosphere and ascent through the lithospheric mantle and crust. Plate tectonic models for flat-slab subduction of the Pacific Farallon plate under Central Montana. The Great Falls Tectonic Zone.


Route: Geyser-Cottonwood Creek-Kingsbury Lake-Geraldine-Haystack Butte-Square Butte-Shonkin Sag

Lava flows and radial dike swarms of the Highwood Mountains. Differentiation in the Shonkin Sag laccolith. Ultramafic fragments of the asthenosphere at Haystack Butte brought up from depths of 150 km. Shonkin Sag - outflow channel of Glacial Lake Great Falls.

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Last Updated December 1, 1998 by David Baker