X-rays provide insights into volcanic processes

Experiments investigate processes inside volcanic materials that determine whether a volcano will erupt violently or mildly. In the experiments, an international team of scientists used a laser-based heating system to heat small pieces of volcanic material similarly to conditions present at the beginning of a volcanic eruption. They used X-rays from the Swiss Light Source (SLS) at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) to observe, in real time, what happens to the rock as it goes from the solid to the molten state. A determining factor to the type of eruption that occurs is how fast gas bubbles form inside the material. These studies indicate that the type of eruption taking place may be established as early as the first few seconds of bubble growth. Volcanic eruptions can vary from common, small eruptions that have little impact on humans and the environment to less common, large eruptions that have the potential to destroy a civilization. Although there are several factors that trigger volcanic eruptions, the release of trapped water and gases from molten rock is very important.