Superheated magma may power towering lava fountains
Researchers from The University of Manchester have discovered that 'superheating' in magma can dissolve crystals, significantly altering the dynamics of volcanic eruptions. This process helps explain why similar volcanoes can produce vastly different eruption styles, such as lava fountains versus slower flows.
Why it matters
Understanding the microscopic behavior of magma improves volcanic hazard assessment and our fundamental knowledge of geological processes.
Scientists have identified a heat-driven process inside magma that could help explain why volcanoes with similar characteristics sometimes erupt in very different ways.
An international research team led by The University of Manchester analyzed magma from the 2021 Tajogaite eruption on La Palma, Spain. The scientists found that "superheating," which occurs when magma becomes hotter than the temperature at which crystals remain stable, can postpone crystal formation as the magma moves toward the surface.
The study, published in Nature Communications , found that intense heat can dissolve tiny existing crystals that normally act as "seeds" for the growth of new crystals.
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