Embayments in explosive, silicic eruptions : a textural, numerical, and experimental assessment.

I explore the occurrence and formation of embayments in quartz using textural, experimental, and numerical techniques. Embayments are pockets of melt partially trapped inside of volcanic crystals. During eruption these pockets of melt quench to glass. The concentration of water within embayment glass is the foundation for a powerful new technique in volcanology that is thought to record how quickly the magma ascended during an eruption. My goal was to determine how accurately embayments record changes in the magma during ascent. Using a high-pressure, high-temperature system, I performed decompression experiments on natural and synthetic embayments to test their ability to record magmatic conditions. Experimental work is thus far unsuccessful but highlights best practices for researchers going forward. My work on rhyolitic eruptions shows that embayments are common across eruptions. The range in embayment shapes and textures preserves a record of three separate timescales: diffusion speedometry, emptying, and faceting.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Ruefer, Anna Cameron, 1997-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Befus, Kenneth S.

• Embayments.
• Rhyolite.
• Ascent rate.
• Experimental petrology.
• Volcanology.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/11597

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/11597