Descrizione del progetto
Una comprensione rivoluzionaria sulle dinamiche non lineari in scala nanometrica del magma
La dinamica del magma, che comprende il «degassamento», svolge un ruolo critico nel trasporto di questa massa. Il degassamento, ovvero la formazione di bolle di gas ricche d’acqua dal magma, è la forza trainante delle eruzioni vulcaniche esplosive. I cristalli nel magma, compresi i piccolissimi cristalli di dimensioni nanometriche chiamati nanoliti, alterano la dinamica del magma. Questo fenomeno poco conosciuto potrebbe essere un modulatore primario delle eruzioni esplosive. Il progetto NANOVOLC, finanziato dal CER, sperimenterà l’osservazione in situ della formazione di nanoliti, che può avvenire in pochi secondi, per scoprire il loro ruolo nelle esplosioni vulcaniche. Gli studi osservazionali saranno accompagnati dallo sviluppo di un apparato sperimentale senza precedenti e di un modello numerico supportato dall’intelligenza artificiale dei processi vulcanici dinamici non lineari.
Obiettivo
Volcanism is virtually ubiquitous in space and time across the universe. Its explosive expression impacts planetary evolution, life and history on Earth. The brittle – molecular – failure of magma is central to trigger explosive eruptions and yet, its occurrence is elusive to us.
The mechanistic understanding of magma dynamics, combined with monitoring activities, form the basis for forecasting eruptions. This is central for modelling the impact on volcanic eruptions and determining the risk scenario in populated areas and along flight routes. A lack of understanding of magma failure thus hampers our ability to study the local and global impact of volcanism. It is only in the last years that nanosized crystals (nanolites) have been exponentially identified in products of explosive eruptions. Pioneering experiments and in situ observations of magmas dynamics, I showed that nanolite formation can occur within seconds and has the potential to set the conditions for brittle magma fragmentation. It is time to observe in situ, under volcanic conditions the formation of nanolites and unravel their role in triggering explosive eruptions. This cutting-edge approach requires interdisciplinary research combined with technological advances. Through NANOVOLC, I will integrate earth sciences with materials science and artificial intelligence to lift the veil on the process of nanolite formation and its role in magma failure. I will deliver a numerical model of magma ascent and eruption to forecast and quantify the impacts of explosive eruptions. To this end, I will i) perform in situ observations of nanolite formation in magmas, ii) build a unique magma fragmentation apparatus that will push the experimental boundaries explored so far, and iii) use artificial intelligence to support numerical model of non-linear volcanic processes. Beyond volcanology, NANOVOLC will provide fundamental understanding of nanocrystal formation in technical glasses, relevant to glass-ceramic industry.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC - Support for frontier research (ERC)Istituzione ospitante
00185 Roma
Italia