Objective Volcanic explosions can have devastating effects on their surrounding area and communtiies, so it is important to improve our understanding of the controls on how energetic volcanic explosions are and the interpretation of the seismic signals that they generate. Volcanic explosions are driven by ascent and depressurisation of magma, which result in the exsolution of large volumes of gas. If the gas cannot escape through permeable pathways, pressure in the magma will build up, resulting in fragmentation and explosion of the magma. Recent work by the host has identified the influence of permeability, pressure, and magma properties on whether and how the magma will fragment. They have also developed methods to assess the energy used to fragment the magma from the size distribution of the fragments. In this project, the fellow will extend this work by conducting fragmentation experiments on natural and synthetic melts with a range of physical properties at a range of temperatures and pressures. The fragment size distribution will be analysed in order to calculate the energy partitioning between fragmentation of magma and ejection and propulsion of the fragments. This will be compared between different magmas in different states. During these experiments acoustic emissions, which are laboratory scale earthquakes, will be recorded. These can be scaled for comparison with seismic events recorded during volcanic explosions. Changes in the size and characteristics of these acoustic emissions with explosion energy, magma state and energy partitioning will be analysed. These results will inform the interpretation of seismic events associated with volcanic explosions, revealing links between the nature of explosion earthquakes and the potential impact of the volcanic explosion. This will be the first time an energy partitioning analysis has been done on natural and synthetic magmas above and below the glass transition temperature and the first time that acoustic emissions have Fields of science natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologyseismologyengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnatural sciencesphysical sciencesacoustics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN EU contribution € 160 996,91 Address GESCHWISTER SCHOLL PLATZ 1 80539 Muenchen Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Donald Bruce Dingwell (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
