The viscosity of trachytes, and comparison with basalts, phonolites, and rhyolites

Abstract

The viscosity of natural liquids representative of the glassy portion of pumice collected from the deposits of the Campanian Ignimbrite (IGC) and Monte Nuovo (MNV) eruption of Phlegrean Fields has been measured in the temperature range from 1770 K down to the glass transition, and for a dissolved water content range from dry to nearly 4 wt.%. Measurements were performed by a combination of techniques involving concentric cylinder and micropenetration apparatuses, depending on the specific viscosity range. These measurements, together with those made on samples from the Agnano Monte Spina (AMS) eruption of Phlegrean Fields presented in a companion paper, represent the first viscosity determinations for natural trachytic liquids. Liquid viscosities have been parameterized by means of a modified VFT equation that allows the calculation of viscosity as a function of temperature and water content. Calculated viscosities are compared with those pertaining to natural liquids of phonolitic, rhyolitic, and trachybasaltic composition, showing that trachytes are intermediate between rhyolites and phonolites, consistent with the dominant eruptive style associated with the different magma compositions (mainly explosive for rhyolites and trachytes, either explosive or effusive for phonolites, mainly effusive for basalts). Compositional diversity among the analyzed trachytes corresponds to liquid viscosity differences of one to two orders of magnitude, with higher viscosities approaching that of rhyolite at the same temperature–water content conditions. All hydrous natural trachytes and phonolites become indistinguishable when isokom temperatures (i.e., temperatures corresponding to the same viscosity) are plotted versus a compositional parameter given by the molar ratio on an element basis (Si+Al)/(Na+K+H). In contrast, rhyolitic and basaltic liquids display distinct trends, with the more fragile basaltic liquids crossing the curves pertaining to all other compositions.