Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
07:58
Data Processing Methods for 3D Seismic Imaging of Subsurface Volcanoes: Applications to the Tarim Flood Basalt
Published on: August 7, 2017
New geochemical insights into volcanic degassing
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK. medm06@esc.cam.ac.uk
Summary
Magma degassing controls volcanic eruption style, impacting millions. New methods reveal gas-melt segregation depth, crucial for predicting explosive versus effusive eruptions.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Volcanology
Background:
- Magma degassing is critical for determining volcanic eruption style (explosive vs. effusive).
- Accurate measurement of volatile species in volcanic gases and erupted products has advanced.
- Understanding gas-melt segregation depth is key to predicting eruption style but has been challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and future directions in geochemical studies of volcanic degassing.
- To illustrate how new insights are changing the understanding and classification of volcanic eruptions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing advanced spectroscopic techniques (infrared) for high-temporal-resolution gas composition analysis.
- Employing microanalytical geochemical investigations of erupted products.
- Analyzing transitions between explosive and effusive activity in basaltic, intermediate, and silicic eruptions.
Main Results:
- New constraints on the depth of gas generation and segregation from magma.
- Recognition of deep-derived gas fluxing buffering shallow melt volatiles.
- Observation of gas flow in conduit wall shear zones as a primary gas loss mechanism in explosive eruptions.
Conclusions:
- Improved understanding of gas-melt segregation processes at various volcanic systems.
- New insights are refining the classification and prediction of volcanic eruption styles.
- Advanced analytical techniques are crucial for unraveling complex degassing dynamics.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Volatilization
Volatilization gravimetry is an analytical technique that measures the mass lost due to the volatilization of the substance. This technique is used to estimate the amount of volatile material in a sample. To perform this method, heat a known amount of the sample to a high temperature in a crucible or other suitable vessel. The volatile substance in the sample evaporates, and the vapor is completely expelled from the crucible either by heating the sample or bubbling a stream of inert gas through...
01:27Microbes and Climate Change
Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...
01:20Sulfur Assimilation
Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to become...
01:22The Sulfur Cycle
Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...
01:29Microbes and the Sulfur Cycle
Sulfur is a vital element in Earth's biogeochemical systems. It transitions through various inorganic states, including sulfate (SO₄²⁻), elemental sulfur (S⁰), and sulfide (S²⁻). Abiotic and biological mechanisms across oxic and anoxic environments intricately mediate these transformations. Sulfate, the most oxidized form of sulfur, is predominantly stored in rocks, marine sediments, and oceanic waters, acting as a long-term reservoir in the global sulfur cycle.In oxic environments,...
00:49Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents
In gravimetry, the precipitant is chosen carefully to obtain a pure solid that can be easily filtered. Common inorganic precipitants can be used to determine several cations and anions. In some cases, the formation of the same precipitate can be used to determine the cation and the anion. For example, the reaction of barium and chromate ions to give barium chromate is used to determine both barium and chromate. However, precipitates such as hydroxides, oxalates, and metal ammonium phosphates...