In situ quantification of crystallisation kinetics of plagioclase and clinopyroxene in basaltic magma: Implications for lava flow

Crystallisation is a complex process that significantly affects the rheology of magma, and thus flow dynamics during volcanic eruption. For example, evolution crystal fraction, size shape has strong impact on surface crust formation lava flow, accessing such information essential for accurate modelling dynamics. To investigate role crystallisation kinetics behaviour, we performed real-time, in situ synchrotron X-ray microtomography, studying influence temperature-time paths nucleation growth clinopyroxene plagioclase an oxidised, nominally anhydrous basaltic magma. experiments were at atmospheric pressure air temperatures from 1250 °C to 1100 °C, using bespoke high-temperature resistance furnace. Depending cooling regime (single step versus continuous), two different phases (either or plagioclase) produced, quantified their both global individual 3D texture analyses. The textural charges suggests suppression due changes melt composition with increasing undercooling time. Using existing viscosity models, inferred effect crystals our crystal-bearing samples trace rheological behaviour emplacement. We observe under continuous cooling, onsets pāhoehoe-‘a‘ā transition non-Newtonian occur within shorter time frame. With varying temperature time, also either reproduced approached phenocryst abundances compositions Etna used as starting material, demonstrating real-time tomography ideal approach unravel final solidification history lavas. This imaging technology indeed potential provide input into models hence ability forecast hazards.