DisEqm: quantifying disequilibrium processes in basaltic volcanism
The core aim of the NERC-NSF DisEqm project is to create an empirically-constrained quantitative understanding of disequilibrium processes in basaltic volcanism, and to apply this to address key volcanological problems through a new numerical modelling framework.
Project overview
Basaltic volcanism is the most common form of volcanism in the solar system. On Earth, eruptions can impact global and regional climate, and threaten populations living in their shadow, through a combination of ash, gas and lava emissions. The specific risk to the UK from an Icelandic eruption is recognized as one of the four ‘highest priority risks’ in the National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies. The impact of an eruption is determined by both intensity and style, ranging from explosive and ash-rich (impacting on air-space access and climate) to effusive and gas-rich (affecting climate, public health and crops/livestock locally and distally).
Understanding these eruptive styles, and their evolution in time and space is key to forecasting the impacts of eruptions.
In order to meet this core aim, we bring together a world-leading team to perform experiments using new, ground-breaking synchroton X-ray imaging and rheometric techniques to visualise and quantify crystallisation, degassing and multiphase, HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature) viscosity evolution, revolutionising the fields of experimental petrology and HPHT rheometry. We will perform large scale fluid dynamics simulations to inform and test the 3D numerical modelling, and we will constrain fragmentation and eruption column processes with empirical field studies.
Results will be integrated into a state-of-the-art numerical model, and applied to impact-focussed case studies for Icelandic, US and Italian basaltic eruptions. In conclusion, our project will produce a paradigm shift in our understanding of disequilibrium processes during magma ascent and our capacity for modelling basaltic eruption phenomena, creating a step-change in our ability to forecast and quantify the impacts of basaltic eruptions.
The main aim of the DisEqm project are to improve our understanding of kinetically-limited crystal growth and gas exolsution during ascent of baslatic magma. In order to acheive this aim, we have defined a series of objectives, which describe the methodologies that we will apply in order to advance our scientific understanding of baslatic volcanism and the impact of the DisEqm project
- Develop and apply 4D in-situ X-ray tomography of HPHT experiments to quantify the equlilbrium and disequilibrium crystallisation and degassing behaviour of natural basaltic melt
- Develop new HPHT apparatus for direct rheometry of basaltic melts
- Build scaled analogue models to examine multiphase fluid flow in a fissure system
- Create a tested, physically-based numerical model for disequilibrium ascent and eruption of basaltic magma, starting in 1D and extending to 3D using the OpenFOAM framework
Apply the model to examine questions regarding:
- What allows basaltic systems to produce a wide range of eruption styles and scales?
- What role do disequilibrium processes play in this diversity?
- Why do individual volcanoes exhibit a wide range of eruptive behaviour, often changing style and scale over short timescales?
- What conditions lead to highly explosive basaltic eruptions such as the subplinian Sunset Crater eruption, among others?
- How can we better interpret surface gas composition and flux measurements in terms of subsurface magma dynamics?
In collaboration with the Steering Committee, we will define future scenarios for Icelandic, Italian and continental US eruptions, and run the DisEqm model to produce eruption source parameters for each scenario
- We will encourage the adoption of models arising from DisEqm for use during volcanic crises.
Call for EarthArt Fellowship
Applications are invited for an artist to work with the scientists involved in the NERC-NSF Large Grant on disequilibrium processes in basaltic volcanism http://www.se.manchester.ac.uk/our-research/research-groups/diseqm/. This project involves a consortium of scientists based at Bristol, Durham and Manchester universities and at the particle accelerator ‘Diamond Light Source’ at Harwell.
At Bristol and Durham universities, we are engaged in the development of large apparatus to observe the flow of multiphase (i.e. liquids carrying bubbles and particles) mixtures. The Manchester group along with staff at Harwell are responsible for observations involving x-ray tomography. The artist will be based in the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol and will have full access to our laboratories. They will also visit the other UK-based institutions involved in the consortium. The output of the fellowship will be exhibited at all four institutions.
- This scheme will start in October 2019
- The exhibition will be held in Bristol in March 2020 and exhibition "on tour" to Manchester, Durham and Harwell thereafter
- Budget is £2k including £200 for the artist which covers materials and local travel costs etc and £500 for local costs associated with advertising and putting on the exhibition event etc. We then have another 1k to enable the artist to visit the other institutions and also for the costs associated with touring the exhibition.
Previous examples under the Bristol "EarthArt" scheme could be seen here.
2019 |
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Mechanisms of ash generation at basaltic volcanoes: the case of Mount Etna, Italy Polacci, M., Andronico, D., Vitturi, M. D. M., Taddeucci, J. & Cristaldi, A., 9 Jul 2019, (Accepted/In press) In : Frontiers in Earth Science : Volcanology. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
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Experimental observations of bubbling regimes at in-line multi-orifice bubblers Capponi, A. and Llewellin, E.W., May 2019, In : International Journal of Multiphase Flow Research output: Contribution to journal > Article |
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Insights into geological processes with CO2 remote sensing – A review of technology and applications Queißer, M., Burton, M. & Kazahaya, R., Jan 2019, In : Earth-Science Reviews. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
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Arzilli, F., Morgavi, D., Petrelli, M., Polacci, M., Burton, M., Di Genova, D., Spina, L., La Spina, G., Hartley, M. E., Romero, J. E., Fellowes, J., Diaz-alvarado, J. & Perugini, D., 2019, In : Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
2018 |
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X-ray phase-contrast imaging with engineered porous materials over 50 keV Wang, H., Cai, B., Pankhurst M. J., Zhou T., Kashyap, Y., Atwood, R.C., Le Gall, N., Lee, P.D., Drakopoulosa, M., Sawhney, K., July 2018, In : Journal of Synchrotron Radiation Research output: Contribution to journal > Article |
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Spatter matters – distinguishing primary (eruptive) and secondary (non-eruptive) spatter deposits Jones, T. J., Houghton, B. F., Llewellin, E. W., Parcheta, C. E., Höltgen, L., June 2018, In : Scientific Reports Research output: Contribution to journal > Article |
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Magmatic densities control erupted volumes in Icelandic volcanic systems Hartley, M. & Maclennan, J., 4 Apr 2018, In : Frontiers in Earth Science. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
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Crystallisation in basaltic magmas revealed via in situ 4D synchrotron X-ray microtomography Polacci, M., Arzilli, F., La Spina, G., Le Gall, N., Cai, B., Hartley, M., Di Genova, D., Vo, N. T., Nonni, S., Atwood, R. C., Llewellin, E. W., Lee, P. & Burton, M. R., 2018, In : Scientific Reports. 8, 8377. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
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Pardini, F., Burton, M., Arzilli, F., La Spina, G. & Polacci, M., 2018, In : Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
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Romero, J. E., Vera, F., Polacci, M., Morgavi, D., Arzilli, F., Ayaz Alam, M., Bustillos, J., Guevara, A., Johnson, J. B., Palma, J. L., Burton, M., Cuenca, E. & Keller, W., 2018, In : Frontiers in Earth Science. 6, p. 98 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
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Pankhurst, M.J., Fowler, R., Courtois, L., Nonni, S., Zuddas F., Atwood, R.C., Davis, G.R. , Lee, P.D. , January 2018, In : SoftwareX Research output: Contribution to journal > Article |
2017 |
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Proximal lava drainage controls on basaltic fissure eruption dynamics Jones, T.J., Llewellin, E.W., Houghton, B.F., Brown, R.J., Vye-Brown, C., November 2017, In : Bulletin of Volcanology Research output: Contribution to journal > Article |
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La Spina, G., Polacci, M., Burton, M. & de'Michieli Vitturi, M., 2017, In : Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article |
2016 |
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Role of syn-eruptive plagioclase disequilibrium crystallization in basaltic magma ascent dynamics La Spina, G., Burton, M., de'Michieli Vitturi, M. & Arzilli, F., 12 Dec 2016, In : Nature Communications. 7, 13402, p. 1-10 10 p., 13402. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13402 |
Presentations |
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Tracing magma degassing using experimental approaches. Le Gall N., Pichavant M., Burton M.R., Lee P.D. 12 Dec 2016 Goldschmidt August 2018, Boston, USA (invited). |
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Non equilibrium degassing of ascending basalt. Le Gall N., Pichavant M., Burton M.R., Lee P.D. January 2018, The University of Oxford, UK (invited). |
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The role of sulfides in controlling volcanic SO2 emissions from Icelandic eruptions: a textural approach Hartley M., Liu E., Edmonds M., Arzilli F., Polacci M., Bell S., Le Gall N., Ilyinskaya E., Burton M.R., Drakopoulos M., Vo N IAVCEI August 2017, Portland, USA. |
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4D crystallisation in basaltic magmas Polacci M., Arzilli F., Le Gall N., La Spina G., Cai B., Hartley M., Di Genova D., Vo N., Nonni S., Llewellin E.W., Atwood R.C., Lee P.D. and Burton M.R. IAVCEI August 2017, Portland, USA. |
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Illuminating magma shearing processes via synchrotron imaging. Lavallée Y., Cai B., Coats R., Kendrick J.E., von Aulock F., Wallace P.A., Le Gall N., Godinho J., Dobson K., Atwood R.C., Holness M., Lee P.D. EGU April 2017, Vienna, Austria (invited). |
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Degassing of basaltic magma: decompression experiments and implications for interpreting the textures of volcanic rocks. Le Gall N., Pichavant M., Cai B., Lee P.D., Burton M.R. EGU April 2017, Vienna, Austria (invited). |
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Posters |
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Rapid growth of plagioclase: implications for basaltic Plinian eruption Arzilli F. Polacci, M., La Spina, G., Le Gall, N., Cai, B., Hartley, M., Di Genova, D., Vo, N., Bamber, E., Nonni, S., Atwood, R.C., Llewellin, E., Lee P.D., Burton, M. EGU April 2018, Vienna, Austria. |
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Development of a rig for the in situ synchrotron X-ray imaging of the nucleation and growth of bubbles and crystals in basaltic magmas. Le Gall N., Cai B., Arzilli F., Atwood R.C., Marussi S., Nonni S., Rockett P., Brooker R., Lee P.D. EUROMAT September 2017, Thessaloniki, Greece. |
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Time-resolved synchrotron tomography of basaltic magmas: successes and challenges Le Gall N., Arzilli F., Cai B., Atwood R.C., Rockett P., Nonni S., Marussi S., Brooker R., Polacci M., Burton M.R., Lee P.D. IAVCEI August 2017, Portland, USA |
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A history of vesicles and crystals in volcanic rocks in 3 and 4 dimensions Polacci M. EGU April 2017, Vienna, Austria |
Group members login: please click here
Name |
Institute |
Department |
Role and Personal Profile |
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Fabio Arzilli |
University of Manchester |
EES |
PDRA working on Petrological experiments, 3D reconstructions and HPHT apparatus development |
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Richard Brooker |
University of Bristol |
School of Earth Sciences |
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Mike Burton |
University of Manchester |
EES |
Project coordinator and leading eruption scenario impact assessments |
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Biao Cai |
University of Manchester |
Materials/Harwell |
PDRA working on 4D X-ray experiments |
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Antonio Capponi |
Durham University |
Dept. Earth Sciences |
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Amanda Clarke |
Arizona State University |
SESE |
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Danilo Di Genova |
University of Bristol |
School of Earth Sciences |
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Margaret Hartley |
University of Manchester |
EES |
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Giuseppe La Spina |
University of Manchester |
EES |
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Nolwenn Le Gall |
University College London |
Dept. Mechanicla Engineering |
PDRA working on 4D X-ray experiments and petrology |
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Peter Lee |
University College London |
Dept. Mechanical Engineering |
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Ed Llewellin |
Durham University |
Dept. Earth Sciences |
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John Maclennan |
University of Cambridge |
Dept. Earth Sciences |
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Heidy Mader |
University of Bristol |
School of Earth Sciences |
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Margherita Polacci |
University of Manchester |
EES |
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Kurt Roggensack |
Arizona State University |
SESE |
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Sara Nonni |
University of Manchester |
Materials/Harwell |
PDRA working on 4D x-ray experiments |
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Peter Rockett |
University of Oxford |
Engineering |
Consultant on 4D x-ray experimental rig design |
The Steering Committee has the purpose of oversight of the DisEqm project, guaranteeing that the focus remains clear on the main impact-focused goals of the project from start to finish.
It's members represent key stakeholders in European and US Volcanology.
Name |
Affiliation |
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| Sara Barsotti | Icelandic Metereological Office |
| Mattia de'Michieli Vitturi | Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Pisa Italy |
| Hans Schwaiger | Alaska Vocano Observatory |
| Daniela Ehgartner | Anton Paar |
| Thor Thordarson | University of Iceland |
| Claire Witham | UK Met Office |
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