Magma Flow Rate Research Articles

Banding in the Margins of Basaltic Dykes Indicates Pulsatory Propagation During Emplacement

AbstractBasaltic fissure eruptions, which are the most common type of eruption on Earth, are fed by dykes which mediate magma transport through the crust. Dyke propagation processes are important because they determine the geometry of the transport pathway and the nature of any geophysical signals associated with magma ascent. Here, we investigate small‐scale (mm–cm wide) banding features at the margins of dykes in the Teno Massif (Tenerife, Spain) and the Columbia River Basalt Province (CRBP) (USA). Similar marginal bands have been reported for dykes in numerous localities around the world. Dyke margins record valuable information about propagation because they are the first material to solidify against the host rock at the propagating dyke tip. We find that the marginal bands are defined by cyclic variations in phenocryst concentration and vesicularity, and we infer that these cyclic variations in texture are a product of cyclic variations in magma flow rates and pressures within the dyke tip. This indicates that dyke emplacement occurs in pulses, with propagation repeatedly hindered by the rapid cooling and solidification of magma in the narrow dyke tip. Using a 1D conduction model, we estimate the time taken for each band to cool and solidify, which provides a timescale of several minutes to tens of minutes for the pulses. The occurrence of similar bands in various volcanic settings suggests that pulsatory propagation is a common, if not ubiquitous, process associated with dyke emplacement.

Fracturing and tectonic stress drive ultrarapid magma flow into dikes.

Many examples of exposed giant dike swarms can be found where lateral magma flow has exceeded hundreds of kilometers. We show that massive magma flow into dikes can be established with only modest overpressure in a magma body if a large enough pathway opens at its boundary and gradual buildup of high tensile stress has occurred along the dike pathway prior to the onset of diking. This explains rapid initial magma flow rates, modeled up to about 7400 cubic meters per second into a dike ~15-kilometers long, which propagated under the town of Grindavík, Southwest Iceland, in November 2023. Such high flow rates provide insight into the formation of major dikes and imply a serious hazard potential for high-flow rate intrusions that propagate to the surface and transition into eruptions.

Exploring the link between large earthquakes and magma transport at the onset of the Mayotte volcano-seismic crisis

The archipelago of Comoros was generally considered a moderately seismic region. However, since May 2018, unusual seismicity has been observed off the east coast of Mayotte Island. Following this increase of seismic activity, oceanographic campaigns led to the discovery of a new submarine volcano, indicating that the observed seismicity had a volcanic origin. In this study, we estimate Centroid Moment Tensor (CMT) solutions of M w ≥5 earthquakes of this sequence using 3D Green’s functions and analyze their non-double-couple (non-DC) components. Consistently with previous reports, our results indicate that seismicity migrated upward in May–June 2018 with an increasing number of non-DC events. We show that non-DC components observed in our solutions and previously published catalogs cannot correspond to dike opening or closing as the observed rupture durations suggest unrealistically large magma flow rates. Given that waveforms can be relatively well explained with pure-shear sources, we postulate that non-DC components are most likely artifacts due to unmodeled shallow structural heterogeneities. Most M w ≥5 earthquakes have a strike-slip mechanism consistent with the rupture of pre-existing faults loaded by the regional stress regime and triggered by the increment of stress produced by the upward magma transfer.

Complex decompression and fragmentation of mingled andesite magmas driving multi-phase Plinian eruptions at Mt. Taranaki, New Zealand

Estimating the kinetics of andesite magma vesiculation and crystallization inside volcanic plumbing systems is key for unraveling andesite Plinian eruption dynamics. The conduit kinetics provide the necessary input data for estimating the magma flow rates driving magma ascent and the fragmentation mechanisms controlling shifts in eruption explosivity and style. This information is crucial for increasing knowledge on expected hazards and for developing realistic eruption scenarios. In this work, we estimate conduit magma vesiculation and crystallization kinetics during the 3300 cal BP Upper Inglewood Plinian eruptive episode of Mount Taranaki, New Zealand. This episode comprised (i) low-intensity, conduit-opening phases of dome-collapse PDCs; (ii) pre-climactic, highly explosive phases of diverse PDCs, of up to violent 18-km-runout lateral blasts; (iii) climactic phases of steady 22-km-high Plinian eruption columns; and (iv) waning phases of column-collapse PDCs. By employing synchrotron microtomography, combined with mineral/glass chemistry and electron-microscopy, we quantified 3D vesicle and crystal size and shape distributions in juvenile pyroclasts over time, and corresponding number densities ranging from 1.1 × 105 to 2.5 × 106 mm−3 for vesicles, and from 8.0 × 104 to 5.1 × 106 mm−3 for crystals. Our results indicate that tapping of chemically alike yet rheologically contrasting magmas over a multi-phase andesite eruptive episode is linked to: (a) mafic magma recharge and differentiation in multiple storage reservoirs at distinct crustal levels, (b) stepwise to rapid magma decompression while mingling, producing variable pre- and syn-eruptive degassing and crystallization, and (c) syn-eruptive changes in melt viscosity, strain rate, localized shear deformation, and conduit geometry. The earliest and least explosive eruptive phases (≈ 2 × 106 kg s−1) were produced at the slowest rates of magma decompression (0.3–0.6 MPa s−1), ascent (0.01–0.02 m s−1) and strain (< 0.002 s−1), driven by volatile diffusion and exsolution. All subsequent pre-climactic and Plinian phases (4 × 107–1 × 108 kg s−1) were produced at either rapid or intermittent rates of magma decompression (2.0–6.0 MPa s−1), ascent (0.06–0.2 m s−1) and strain (> 0.003–0.010 s−1), powered by combined magma volatile supersaturation and delayed disequilibrium degassing, decompression-induced microlite crystallization and rapid heterogeneous vesiculation kinetics, shear deformation and magma mingling. These processes enabled complex fragmentation mechanisms of the rheologically most homogeneous magmas.

Eruption at basaltic calderas forecast by magma flow rate

Eruption at basaltic calderas forecast by magma flow rate

Volcanic tremor associated with the Surtsey eruption of 1963–1967

The formation of the island of Surtsey over 3.5 years, remains one of the best-documented volcanic, island-forming eruptions to date. The basaltic submarine volcanic activity was detected on November 14, 1963, where ocean depth was 130 m prior to the eruption at the southern end of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The eruptions occurred in several phases involving explosive and effusive activity, including the initial submarine phase on November 12–13, 1963. Separate phases of subaerial volcanic activity occurred during November 14, 1963–January 1964, January–April 1964, April 1964–May 1965, May–October 1965, December 1965–August 1966, and August 1966–June 1967. Seismic data quality from this period is inferior compared to that of modern monitoring systems. Four permanent seismic stations were operated in Iceland at the time, whereof only two, located at 115 and 140 km distance, had the sensitivity to record tremor from Surtsey. Nevertheless, the scanned analog seismograms (http://seismis.hi.is/) show that the eruptive activity was accompanied by considerable seismic activity, both earthquakes, and volcanic tremor. Earthquakes were primarily associated with changes in vent location. Both spasmodic and harmonic tremor was identified, both with low (&lt;3 Hz) and higher (3–5 Hz) characteristic frequencies. The results indicate a complicated relationship between tremor and magma flow rate or style of activity. During the explosive eruption, the highest magma flow rates occurred in the first 10–20 days, a period with little observed tremor. The highest tremor is observed in December 1963–March 1964, after the discharge rates had dropped substantially, and on a timescale of hours-to-days, no clear relationship between tremor and eruption style is observed. The same applies to the effusive activity, where no seismic tremor was observed during most of the effusive eruption of Surtungur, despite the fact that magma flow rates were ~3 times higher than during later phases where some tremor was observed. Keywords: Submarine volcanism, eruption precursors, volcanic tremor, precursory tremor, continuous uprush eruptions

Muography as a new complementary tool in monitoring volcanic hazard: implications for early warning systems

Muography uses muons naturally produced in the interactions between cosmic rays and atmosphere for imaging and characterization of density differences and time-sequential changes in solid (e.g. rocks) and liquid (e.g. melts ± dissolved gases) materials in scales from tens of metres to up to a few kilometres. In addition to being useful in discovering the secrets of the pyramids, ore prospecting and surveillance of nuclear sites, muography successfully images the internal structure of volcanoes. Several field campaigns have demonstrated that muography can image density changes relating to magma ascent and descent, magma flow rate, magma degassing, the shape of the magma body, an empty conduit diameter, hydrothermal activity and major fault lines. In addition, muography is applied for long-term volcano monitoring in a few selected volcanoes around the world. We propose using muography in volcano monitoring in conjunction with other existing techniques for predicting volcanic hazards. This approach can provide an early indication of a possible future eruption and potentially the first estimate of its scale by producing direct evidence of magma ascent through its conduit in real time. Knowing these issues as early as possible buy critically important time for those responsible for the local alarm and evacuation protocols.

Magma flow rates and temporal evolution of the 2012-2014 post-eruptive intrusions at El Hierro, Canary Islands

Magma flow rates and temporal evolution of the 2012-2014 post-eruptive intrusions at El Hierro, Canary Islands

Three-dimensional textural investigation of sulfide mineralisation from the Loolekop carbonatite–phoscorite polyphase intrusion in the Phalaborwa Igneous Complex (South Africa), with implications for ore-forming processes

AbstractCopper-sulfides within carbonatites and phoscorites of the Phalaborwa Igneous Complex, South Africa, have been investigated since the middle of the 20th Century. However, aspects of ore formation have remained unclear. This study examines the mechanisms involved in Cu-sulfide mineralisation by micro-focus X-ray computed tomography as applied to sulfide-rich drill core samples. Several texturally distinct assemblages of magmatic sulfides can be identified, including: (1) &lt;500 μm rounded bornite and chalcopyrite grains disseminated within the gangue; (2) elongated mm-scale assemblages of chalcopyrite and bornite; and (3) mm-to-cm thick chalcopyrite cumulates. Chalcopyrite veins were also observed, as well as late-stage valleriite, documenting late-stage fluid circulation within the pipe, and alteration of magmatic and hydrothermal sulfides along fractures within the gangue, respectively. The results of micro-focus X-ray computed tomography indicate that magmatic sulfides are sub-vertically aligned. Spatial variability of the sulfide assemblages suggests that textural changes within sulfide layers reflect fluctuating magma flow rate during emplacement of carbonatite–phoscorite magmas, through coalescence or breakup of sulfide liquid droplets during ascent. Modal sulfide abundances, especially for disseminated assemblages, differ from one carbonatite–phoscorite layer to another, suggesting a strong control of the mechanical sorting in the formation of Cu-sulfide textures within the Loolekop carbonatite. The alternation of carbonatite and phoscorite within the intrusion suggest that the Loolekop Pipe was emplaced through a series of successive magma pulses, which differentiated into carbonatite and phoscorite by melt immiscibility/progressive fractional crystallisation and pressure drop. Three-dimensional textural analysis represents an effective tool for the characterisation of magma flow and is useful for the understanding of magmatic processes controlling sulfide liquid-bearing phoscorite–carbonatite magmas.

Pervasive Hydrothermal Events Associated with Large Igneous Provinces Documented by the Columbia River Basaltic Province

The degree and extent of crustal hydrothermal alteration related to the eruption of large igneous provinces is poorly known and not easily recognizable in the field. We here report a new δ18O dataset for dikes and lavas from the Columbia River Basalt Group (16–15 Ma) in the western USA, and document that dikes on average are 1–2‰ more depleted in δ18O than basalt flows. We show that this observation is best explained with the involvement of heated meteoric waters during their cooling in the crust. The largest 6–8‰ depletion is found around and inside a 10 m-thick feeder dike that intruded the 125 Ma Wallowa tonalitic batholith. This dike likely operated as a magma conduit for 4–7 years, based on the extent of heating and melting its host rocks. We show that this dike also created a hydrothermal system around its contacts extending up to 100 m into the surrounding bedrock. A model that considers (a) hydrothermal circulation around the dike, (b) magma flow and (c) oxygen isotope exchange rates, suggests that the hydrothermal system operated for ~150 years after the cessation of magma flow. In agreement with a previously published (U-Th)/He thermochronology profile, our model shows that rocks 100 m away from such a dike can be hydrothermally altered. Collectively, our sample set is the first documentation of the widespread hydrothermal alteration of the shallow crust caused by the intrusion of dikes and sills of the Columbia River Basalt Province. It is estimated that heating and hydrothermal alteration of sediments rich in organic matter and carbonates around the dikes and sills releases 18 Gt of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2). Furthermore, hydrothermal δ18O depletion of rocks around dikes covers 500–600 km3, which, when scaled to the total CRB province constitutes 31,000 km3 of low-δ18O rocks. These volumes of crust depleted in δ18O are sufficient to explain the abundant low-δ18O magmas in eastern Oregon and western Idaho. This work also demonstrates that the width and magnitude of δ18O depletion around dikes can identify them as feeders. Given this, we here interpret Paleoproterozoic dikes in Karelia with the world’s lowest δ18O depletions (−27.8‰) as feeders to the coeval large igneous province aged 2.2–2.4 Ga that operated under the Snowball Earth glaciation conditions.

Control of Vent Geometry on the Fluid Dynamics of Volcanic Plumes: Insights From Numerical Simulations

AbstractWe present three‐dimensional numerical simulations of eruption clouds from circular to linear fissure vents to investigate the control of vent shape on the height and stability of volcanic plumes during large explosive eruptions. Our results show that clouds ejected from circular or low‐aspect‐ratio (nearly square‐like) fissure vents can be associated with radially suspended flow (RSF) at the top of the jet region, whereas those emitted from narrow‐fissure vents are not. Non‐RSF plumes are more stable than those associated with RSF because the highly concentrated parts of the ejected mixture are easily dissipated and mixed with air near the vent. Plume height in the RSF regime decreases while that in the non‐RSF regime increases with increasing aspect ratio, even for a fixed magma flow rate. These observations suggest that the efficiency of air entrainment is influenced by the vent shape, which in turn controls the dynamics of eruption plumes.

Magma Flow Rates and Temporal Evolution of the 2012–2014 Post‐Eruptive Intrusions at El Hierro, Canary Islands

AbstractThe 2011–2014 volcanic activity at El Hierro (Canary Islands) was characterized by a 5‐month long submarine eruption as well as a series of magmatic intrusions occurring between 5 months and 2 years after the eruption, as revealed by seismic swarms and ground deformation. We study the temporal evolution of the six post‐eruptive magmatic intrusions, using Global Navigation Satellite System and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar observations complemented with relocated earthquakes. Magma volumes and magma supply rates are determined from inversion of the geodetic data using a Bayesian approach. The intrusions last between ~3 and 20 days and are inferred to be sill‐like, thin compared with their lateral extent and emplaced in the ~13–16 km depth range. Initial magma flow rates of ~300 m3/s decay exponentially with time. The two largest intrusions occurred in June–July 2012 and March–April 2013. During each of these events, magma migrated laterally, and &gt;120 ×106 m3 of magma was intruded beneath the island. The shortest events, &lt;1 week‐long, intruded ~(24hyphen;44) ×106 m3 of magma beneath the volcano. We suggest that all intrusions originated from an overpressure in a deep magma body located beneath the center of El Hierro. The crust/mantle boundary and the previous intrusion that fed the 2011–2012 submarine eruption may have discouraged the ascent of the post‐eruptive intrusions to the surface and forced them to migrate laterally away from the island as sill‐like sources.

Estilos eruptivos asociados al volcanismo monogenético máfico de la región de Pasto Ventura, Puna Austral, Argentina

One of the most outstanding features of the Southern Puna is the occurrence of a widespread monogenetic mafic volcanism during Neogene-Quaternary. Despite a number of published papers focusing on the petrogenesis of this back-arc volcanism, works aimed on its physical volcanology are scarce. This paper presents the characterization of the monogenetic mafic volcanism in the Pasto Ventura region, located in the southeast edge of the Southern Puna. The results show that in the Pasto Ventura region there is a low density of small-volume eruptive centers aligned with regional tectonic structures and a significant variability in eruptive styles (effusive, strombolian, hawaiian, violent strombolian and phreatomagmatic) and typology of volcanic structures (domes, scoria cones, maars and tuff rings). The first of these features is explained by a limited magma flow rate from the deep source and the use of favorable tectonic structures (oriented obliquely to the regional maximum compression direction) for the ascent of small volumes of magma through the upper crust. The variability of eruptive styles responds to the complex interaction of different endogenous and exogenous factors. The occurrence of effusive or explosive eruptions depends on the differences in magma ascent rates including periods of stagnation in the upper crust, which in turn control the efficiency of degassing and ultimately the occurrence of fragmentation. On the other hand, the more humid local climatic conditions (~150 mm/year), which are related to the geographical position of the Pasto Ventura region in the eastern edge of the Puna, favor the occurrence of phreatomagmatic activity. Phreatomagmatic activity also varies according to the topography, substrate typology and depth at which water-magma interaction occurs.

The Influence of Non-Newtonian Properties of Magma on Flow in a Volcanic Conduit

Magma flow in a volcanic conduit is traditionally described within one-dimensional or quasi-one-dimensional models taking into account the dependence of the viscosity on the crystal concentration. The velocity profile is assumed to be parabolic, and the parameters are averaged across the conduit. The results of calculations based on the quasi-two-dimensional model are compared with those for the one-dimensional model. It is shown that the velocity profile differs significantly from parabolic and that the magma flow rate depends on the pressure at the magma chamber.

Time scales and length scales in magma flow pathways and the origin of magmatic Ni–Cu–PGE ore deposits

Ore forming processes involve the redistribution of heat, mass and momentum by a wide range of processes operating at different time and length scales. The fastest process at any given length scale tends to be the dominant control. Applying this principle to the array of physical processes that operate within magma flow pathways leads to some key insights into the origins of magmatic Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide ore deposits. A high proportion of mineralised systems, including those in the super-giant Noril'sk-Talnakh camp, are formed in small conduit intrusions where assimilation of country rock has played a major role. Evidence of this process is reflected in the common association of sulfides with vari-textured contaminated host rocks containing xenoliths in varying stages of assimilation. Direct incorporation of S-bearing country rock xenoliths is likely to be the dominant mechanism for generating sulfide liquids in this setting. However, the processes of melting or dissolving these xenoliths is relatively slow compared with magma flow rates and, depending on xenolith lithology and the composition of the carrier magma, slow compared with settling and accumulation rates. Chemical equilibration between sulfide droplets and silicate magma is slower still, as is the process of dissolving sulfide liquid into initially undersaturated silicate magmas. Much of the transport and deposition of sulfide in the carrier magmas may occur while sulfide is still incorporated in the xenoliths, accounting for the common association of magmatic sulfide-matrix ore breccias and contaminated “taxitic” host rocks. Effective upgrading of so-formed sulfide liquids would require repetitive recycling by processes such as re-entrainment, back flow or gravity flow operating over the lifetime of the magma transport system as a whole. In contrast to mafic-hosted systems, komatiite-hosted ores only rarely show an association with externally-derived xenoliths, an observation which is partially due to the predominant formation of ores in lava flows rather than deep-seated intrusions, but also to the much shorter timescales of key component systems in hotter, less viscous magmas. Nonetheless, multiple cycles of deposition and entrainment are necessary to account for the metal contents of komatiite-hosted sulfides. More generally, the time and length scale approach introduced here may be of value in understanding other igneous processes as well as non-magmatic mineral systems.

Magma chamber formation by magma intrusion into the Earth’s crust

The main mechanism of transport of magma in the Earth's crust is the formation of cracks (dikes), through which the melt moves toward the surface under the action of buoyancy forces and tectonic stresses. Due to the structural features of the crust or external field stresses, dikes often do not reach the surface, but penetrate the localized region in which the rocks melt, leading to the formation of magmatic chambers, whose dimensions can exceed thousands of cubic kilometers. In this article, a model based on the solution of the heat equation is presented. The model takes into account the actual melting diagrams of magma and rocks and makes it possible to investigate the process of formation of a magma chamber during the intrusion of dikes with a given flow rate. The displacement of rocks during the introduction of magma is described by an analytical solution of the problem of a plane crack located in an infinite plane under the influence of internal pressure. It is shown that, in the case of magmatic fluxes typical of island arc volcanoes, magma chambers are formed over hundreds of years from the beginning of magma intrusion. The influence of the magma flow rate, the size of the dikes and their orientation on the volume of the formed magma chamber and its shape was investigated. It is shown that, for random orientation of the dikes, spherical chambers are formed, while horizontal or vertical intrusion leads to the formation of chambers of elliptical shapes. The size of the chamber significantly exceeds the area of dike intrusion due to the displacement of magma and rocks of the crust, their warming up and melting. For large times, the boundary of the chamber remains sharp.

Long-term monitoring of SO2 quiescent degassing from Nyiragongo’s lava lake

The activity of open-vent volcanoes with an active lava-lake, such as Nyiragongo, is characterized by persistent degassing, thus continuous monitoring of the rate, volume and fate of their gas emissions is of great importance to understand their geophysical state and their potential impact. We report results of SO2 emission measurements from Nyiragongo conducted between 2004 and 2012 with a network of ground-based scanning-DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) remote sensors. The mean SO2 emission rate is found to be 13 ± 9 kg s−1, similar to that observed in 1959. Daily emission rate has a distribution close to log-normal and presents large inter-day variability, reflecting the dynamics of percolation of magma batches of heterogeneous size distribution and changes in the effective permeability of the lava lake. The degassed S content is found to be between 1000 and 2000 ppm from these measurements and the reported magma flow rates sustaining the lava lake. The inter-annual trend and plume height statistics indicate stability of a quiescently degassing lava lake during the period of study.

Bayesian estimation of magma supply, storage, and eruption rates using a multiphysical volcano model: Kīlauea Volcano, 2000–2012

Estimating rates of magma supply to the world's volcanoes remains one of the most fundamental aims of volcanology. Yet, supply rates can be difficult to estimate even at well-monitored volcanoes, in part because observations are noisy and are usually considered independently rather than as part of a holistic system. In this work we demonstrate a technique for probabilistically estimating time-variable rates of magma supply to a volcano through probabilistic constraint on storage and eruption rates. This approach utilizes Bayesian joint inversion of diverse datasets using predictions from a multiphysical volcano model, and independent prior information derived from previous geophysical, geochemical, and geological studies. The solution to the inverse problem takes the form of a probability density function which takes into account uncertainties in observations and prior information, and which we sample using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Applying the technique to Kīlauea Volcano, we develop a model which relates magma flow rates with deformation of the volcano's surface, sulfur dioxide emission rates, lava flow field volumes, and composition of the volcano's basaltic magma. This model accounts for effects and processes mostly neglected in previous supply rate estimates at Kīlauea, including magma compressibility, loss of sulfur to the hydrothermal system, and potential magma storage in the volcano's deep rift zones. We jointly invert data and prior information to estimate rates of supply, storage, and eruption during three recent quasi-steady-state periods at the volcano. Results shed new light on the time-variability of magma supply to Kīlauea, which we find to have increased by 35–100% between 2001 and 2006 (from 0.11–0.17 to 0.18–0.28 km 3 /yr), before subsequently decreasing to 0.08–0.12 km 3 /yr by 2012. Changes in supply rate directly impact hazard at the volcano, and were largely responsible for an increase in eruption rate of 60–150% between 2001 and 2006, and subsequent decline by as much as 60% by 2012. We also demonstrate the occurrence of temporal changes in the proportion of Kīlauea's magma supply that is stored versus erupted, with the supply “surge” in 2006 associated with increased accumulation of magma at the summit. Finally, we are able to place some constraints on sulfur concentrations in Kīlauea magma and the scrubbing of sulfur by the volcano's hydrothermal system. Multiphysical, Bayesian constraint on magma flow rates may be used to monitor evolving volcanic hazard not just at Kīlauea but at other volcanoes around the world. • A model of Kilauea Volcano is developed which predicts diverse observations. • Bayes' Theorem relates model, data, and independent prior information. • Probabilistic rates of magma supply, storage, and eruption are resolved. • Kilauea's magma supply has waxed and waned from 2000 to 2012. • Changes in supply control, in part, eruptive hazard at the volcano.

Jointing around magmatic dikes as a precursor to the development of volcanic plugs

Basaltic volcanic eruptions typically initiate as fissures fed by dikes. In some cases, eruptions become localized through discrete vents, until the flow is sustained through a single vent underlain by a volcanic plug, at which point, the eruption is capable of delivering much greater volumes of magma to the surface. Existing theories to explain flow localization focus on the relationship between non-uniform dike thickness and variations in magma flow rates. Here, we propose a mechanism for conduit widening that precedes flow localization, and we present geologic evidence from an Oligocene-aged dike-plug system at Ship Rock, New Mexico. We use techniques of structure from motion to map 621 joints in the sedimentary rock adjacent to the intrusions and find that these joints are part of a systematic set oriented perpendicular to the dikes and localized to within a meter of the dike contacts. This joint set, along with a set of dike-parallel joints and the bedding planes, divides the strata into rectangular blocks that subsequently are entrained in the flowing magma to widen the dikes. Using field and lab data and a stress analysis, we show that the dike-perpendicular joints are intimately associated with the emplacement of magma and thermal pressurization of pore fluids in the host rock. This fracturing process is a precursor to entrainment of the host rock and sustained flow through discrete vents.

Radiographic visualization of magma dynamics in an erupting volcano

Radiographic imaging of magma dynamics in a volcanic conduit provides detailed information about ascent and descent of magma, the magma flow rate, the conduit diameter and inflation and deflation of magma due to volatile expansion and release. Here we report the first radiographic observation of the ascent and descent of magma along a conduit utilizing atmospheric (cosmic ray) muons (muography) with dynamic radiographic imaging. Time sequential radiographic images show that the top of the magma column ascends right beneath the crater floor through which the eruption column was observed. In addition to the visualization of this magma inflation, we report a sequence of images that show magma descending. We further propose that the monitoring of temporal variations in the gas volume fraction of magma as well as its position in a conduit can be used to support existing eruption prediction procedures.