Dendritic crystallization in hydrous basaltic magmas controls magma mobility within the Earth's crust.

The majority of basaltic magmas stall in the Earth's crust as a result of the rheological evolution caused by crystallization during transport. However, the relationships between crystallinity, rheology and eruptibility remain uncertain because it is difficult to observe dynamic magma crystallization in real time. Here, we present in-situ 4D data for crystal growth kinetics and the textural evolution of pyroxene during crystallization of trachybasaltic magmas in high-temperature experiments under water-saturated conditions at crustal pressures. We observe dendritic growth of pyroxene on initially euhedral cores, and a surprisingly rapid increase in crystal fraction and aspect ratio at undercooling ≥30 °C. Rapid dendritic crystallization favours a rheological transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian behaviour within minutes. We use a numerical model to quantify the impact of rapid dendritic crystallization on basaltic dike propagation, and demonstrate its dramatic effect on magma mobility and eruptibility. Our results provide insights into the processes that control whether intrusions lead to eruption or not.

In situ observation of nanolite growth in volcanic melt: A driving force for explosive eruptions.

Although gas exsolution is a major driving force behind explosive volcanic eruptions, viscosity is critical in controlling the escape of bubbles and switching between explosive and effusive behavior. Temperature and composition control melt viscosity, but crystallization above a critical volume (>30 volume %) can lock up the magma, triggering an explosion. Here, we present an alternative to this well-established paradigm by showing how an unexpectedly small volume of nano-sized crystals can cause a disproportionate increase in magma viscosity. Our in situ observations on a basaltic melt, rheological measurements in an analog system, and modeling demonstrate how just a few volume % of nanolites results in a marked increase in viscosity above the critical value needed for explosive fragmentation, even for a low-viscosity melt. Images of nanolites from low-viscosity explosive eruptions and an experimentally produced basaltic pumice show syn-eruptive growth, possibly nucleating a high bubble number density.

SEM studies of the morphology and chemistry of polar ice.

Determining the microphysical location of impurities in natural ice from the polar regions is necessary for understanding the physical properties of ice and for assuring the integrity of ice core records. SEM, using a cold stage and X-ray microanalytical techniques, has proved to be the most powerful method so far for undertaking such work. Methods are adapted from those used to study frozen hydrated biological material. Sublimation within the cryo-chamber is often needed in order to concentrate impurities onto a plane, but this can lead to artifacts that must be recognized. Over 100 samples from different depths and sites in Greenland and Antarctica have been examined. Typical physical features, including air bubbles, clathrate hydrates of air, and dust particles are identified. The dust is found preferentially at grain boundaries in some samples; by pinning the boundaries, it can slow grain growth. Of the soluble material, chloride seems to be found most frequently in the ice lattice. Other impurities are found at grain boundaries, and only when the bulk concentration exceeds a threshold, at triple junctions. These findings give new insights into processes determining the physical properties of ice samples and of ice sheets, and new impetus for theoretical studies of the energetics that lead to this distribution.