Science & Environment

Why volcanic crystals are black boxes for tracking magma's journey to the Earth's surface

Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories · Published

Why volcanic crystals are black boxes for tracking magma's journey to the Earth's surface
Source: Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories

When we think of a volcanic eruption, rivers of glowing lava or giant columns of ash come to mind. But beneath Earth's surface, a more complex story is unfolding. Magma deep within volcanoes is more than molten rock. It is a thick mixture of melted rock and solid mineral crystals

When we think of a volcanic eruption, rivers of glowing lava or giant columns of ash come to mind. But beneath Earth's surface, a more complex story is unfolding. Magma deep within volcanoes is more than molten rock.

It is a thick mixture of melted rock and solid mineral crystals known as "magma mush". To picture it, imagine a semi-frozen granita: a slushy blend of solid ice crystals suspended in sweet liquid syrup.

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Science & Environment

Earth is tearing apart beneath the Pacific Northwest

Scientists have captured a subduction zone off Vancouver Island in the process of tearing itself apart, revealing that these massive tectonic systems may die piece by piece rather than all at once. The discovery could help explain ancient plate fragments, volcanic activity, and h

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