We are pleased to announce a Petrology Lunch with Dr Amelia Bain & Dr Richard Brooker on the topic of: Using crystal textures and decompression experiments to constrain magmatic histories.
Abstract
We will discuss our current preoccupations around using crystal textures as records of shallow ascent processes at arc volcanoes of the eastern Caribbean, as part of the Ex-X project (Expecting the UneXpected: understanding 'dangerous' volcanic transitions). This large interdisciplinary project, led by Prof Jenni Barclay, seeks to deliver a step change in how we understand and anticipate the dynamic drivers for dangerous eruptive transitions, with the aim of reducing uncertainty during volcanic crises. To build understanding of damaging events such as the 1902 eruption of La Soufrière St Vincent, we are beginning to characterise crystal textures and how they change through the eruption sequence. These insights will ultimately inform a 1D coupled volcanic conduit and eruption plume model capable of capturing unsteady processes, which is in development by Ex-X colleagues. We will introduce the project, review some available methodologies for inferring timescales of volcanic processes from crystal textures, associated issues and promising recent developments, then discuss experimental approaches such as a suite of decompression experiments that Richard will lead.