The Subvolcanic Units of the Late Paleozoic Halle Volcanic Complex, Germany: Geometry, Internal Textures and Emplacement Mode

Abstract

The Late Paleozoic Halle Volcanic ComplexHalle Volcanic Complex formed in the Saale basin, a NE-SW-trending intermountain depositional system located in the Variscan orogen in Central Europe. Apart from minor lava flows and pyroclastic deposits, the HVC is dominated by a c. 300 km³ rhyolitic laccolith complex. The individual porphyritic rhyolite units display aspect ratios between 0.04 and 0.07. They initially emplaced at different levels of the Saale basin fill. As a consequence, the units are separated by tilted host sediments. Precursory to the emplacement of the rhyolitic laccoliths, a small-volume intermediate sill complex formed at the northern margin of the HVC. This chapter summarizes knowledge on the geometry, composition, internal textures, age, and host rock deformation of the HVC subvolcanic units.