Hundreds of millions of people around the globe are at risk from volcanic eruptions. New laboratory experiments have recently helped us to understand how non-Newtonian magma propagates inside dikes. This understanding would improve our capacity to forecast forthcoming eruptive events. This study was led by Janine Kavanagh and her research team. They focus on the significance of learning how the conditions like temperature and pressure affect magma’s conduct.
Magma’s complex composition, which includes crystals and gas bubbles, plays a part in its classification as a non-Newtonian fluid. This indicates that its viscosity is non-constant under stress conditions, in particular shear thinning, i.e., lowering under shear is a shift known as shear thinning. This is in stark opposition to Newtonian fluids (such as water), which have a constant viscosity no matter how much stress you apply.
Understanding Non-Newtonian Behavior
The research team conducted a series of experiments comparing the behaviors of two non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluids—hydroxyethyl cellulose and xanthan gum—with that of water. Hydroxyethyl cellulose, a typical thickener used in many cosmetics. Xanthan gum, a commonly used food additive, exhibited interesting flow patterns when stressed.
These experiments showed that magma, just like these liquids, does not behave as we had assumed in the majority of models. Historically, geoscientists have treated magma as a Newtonian fluid. This perspective misses the more complicated flow dynamics that happen in an eruption.
The results suggest that magma becomes less viscous under higher levels of stress. This important perspective calls on scientists to rethink their current models. To do this, they must consider the distinct influences and features of non-Newtonian fluid dynamics. These technologies would help us better predict when a volcano is ready to erupt, saving lives in vulnerable communities.
Implications for Eruption Predictions
The improved capability to more accurately forecast a volcanos wake can mean everything to the millions of people dwelling in high-risk areas. By improving our understanding of how magma moves inside dikes, scientists can create more accurate models that might one day predict eruptions. The 2021 eruption at Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall gives a taste of what even a modestly hazardous volcano can unleash on urban settings. Better forecasting means less risk and more protection for communities.
Kavanagh’s research has been published in AGU Advances, and further details can be accessed via DOI: 10.1029/2024AV001495. The joint collaboration highlights the necessity of cross-disciplinary efforts in addressing intricate geological occurrences.
Volcanic activity may seem like a far flung concern but is often quite the urgent matter for many areas. This study highlights the importance of further experimental consideration of magma’s complex physical behaviors. Finding out what it does under different conditions to be able to monitor it and develop the best emergency response procedures for it is key.
Future Directions in Volcanology
The implications of this research reach further than just short-term eruptions forecasts. In sharpening models of magma dynamics, scientists can better investigate other elements of volcanology, such as styles of eruption and hazards they may pose. Understanding how these changes affect disaster preparedness and response strategies will, of course, save more lives and reduce the associated economic impacts.
Scientists are still working hard to understand the intricacies of magma movement. They go so far as to insist that additional studies should be conducted on its non-Newtonian behavior. The combination of laboratory experiments and field observations will be key in improving the scientific understanding of volcanic systems.