Intrusion of basalt into frozen sediments and generation of Coherent-Margined Volcaniclastic Dikes (CMVDs)

Coherent-Margined Volcaniclastic Dikes (CMVDs) are described for the first time from Askja (Dyngjufjِll), Iceland. These dikes display continuous, coherent glassy margins 5 cm thick and have a variety of clastic interiors comprising vitric tephra, pillow and pillow-fragment bearing lapilli tuffs. CMVDs are interpreted to form when basaltic dikes interact with subglacial ice-cemented volcaniclastic sediments. Formation requires chilling of dike margins, drainage of the dike interior and flooding of the cavity by meltwater, followed by non-explosive mingling of magma, clastics and water. Evidence for ice-cementation includes minimal interaction with the host (< 3 mm peperite), local pillowed dike margins and the preservation of continuous glassy coherent margins along the edge of a drained dike cavity. CMVDs should be present at other volcanic centers with ice-cemented sediments, including the Martian cryosphere.