Abstract Studies involving the magnetic susceptibility (MS) of rocks are becoming increasingly frequent in geological surveys, mainly in those with petrogenetic approaches and in mineral prospecting. Portable devices have become a good alternative for data acquisition because of their practicality and low cost when compared to laboratory analyses. To assess the efficiency of data acquisition with such devices, 291 soil samples were measured with a Terra Plus KT-5 portable device in the field and with a double frequency Bartington MS2B sensor, with mass correction, in the laboratory. The data obtained allowed the characterization of four distinct populations, ranging from high to very low MS values. Statistical analysis showed good correlation between measurements with mass correction in the laboratory and those made with portable devices, resulting in a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.98. All samples obtained in the field and laboratory were utilized in this correlation. The populations identified by both means are in agreement, with subtle discrepancies, thereby demonstrating the efficiency of portable equipment for acquisition of MS data in geological studies.

Abstract The nature of the extensive silicic units of the Paraná Igneous Province is still heavily debated. The silicic rocks that outcrop in the Palmas plateau (Southwestern Parana State) show aphyric texture and TiO2 < 0.86%, being classified as Palmas-type rhyolites. Physical volcanology criteria are used here to constrain their origin. Textural and structural variations are observed in these rocks, resulting in the description of nine lithofacies: pitchstone; banded vitreous rhyolite; aphanitic rhyolite; rhyolite with planar disjunctions; massive rhyolite; compositionally banded rhyolite; amygdaloid rhyolite, rhyolite with quartz levels, and altered rhyolite. Folded compositional banding associated with volcanic conduits, well-defined lobes and basal autobreccias attest to an effusive origin for most lithofacies. They occur as domes or extensive tabular bodies, fed by volcanic conduits. For both domes and tabular units, the faciological sequence involves (from bottom to top): altered rhyolite; aphanitic rhyolite or rhyolite with tightly-spaced planar disjunctions; monotonous rhyolite with decimetric-spaced planar disjunctions; and top portions with fast cooling features. Only banded vitreous rhyolite differs due to the presence of shards and gas-escape pipes, aspects that imply in a pyroclastic nature. Therefore, a secondary pyroclastic flow created by lava collapse is suggested as its origin, although further studies are required.