Solid-Liquid Phase Transition As a Mechanism of Volcano Eruption

TL;DR

This paper proposes a mechanism where solid-liquid phase transitions within the Earth's crust induce elastic stresses in magma chambers, leading to eruptions, and provides a theoretical framework supported by observational data.

Contribution

It introduces a new model linking phase transition-induced elastic stresses to volcano eruptions, with a method to estimate magma chamber size from measurable parameters.

Findings

Magma chamber elastic energy can reach 10^17 J per km^3.

The model's magma flow rate aligns with observed data.

Vibration analysis supports the phase transition eruption mechanism.

Abstract

This paper considers the formation of the magma volcano chamber and its eruption due to melting of the matter within the earth crust because of heating caused by plastic deformation occurring during tectonic movement. The expansion of matter in the magma chamber which takes place during its heating, leads to elastic stresses in the solid shell surrounding the magma chamber. The elastic energy of such stresses can be as high as 10^17 J per 1 km3 of the melt. The magma flow rate has been assessed according to available data, which agrees well with the observation data. The mechanism of low-frequency vibrations produced by the magma chamber is discussed. The vibrations result from the excess elastic energy formed during melting at the eruption steady stage. The suggested radiation theory allows evaluating the size of the magma chamber according to parameters that can be measured. The obtained theoretical evaluation of the magma chamber size is supported by the available observation data.