Geocheminar fall-2021

Despite significant advancements in understanding crustal melt transport, determining the shallow magmatic architecture at any given volcanic system remains a significant challenge with geophysical and geochemical methods alone. In particular, it is very difficult to assess the state of magma reservoirs (mush vs molten magma reservoirs) due to spatial resolution limitations. In this talk, I will present a complementary approach using a set of magma dynamics models - mechanical models for magma reservoirs, conduits, and porous mushes - to constrain the magmatic architecture of volcanic systems using surface observations such as ground deformation, effusion rate history, and volcanic gas fluxes. To illustrate the utility of this approach, I will summarize the results of a couple of case studies - eruptions of some of the largest volcanic events in Earth history (continental flood basalts) and the largest historical submarine eruption (Mayotte 2018-2021 eruption). The magma dynamics framework allows us to robustly constrain the presence of a single vs multiple magma reservoirs and the presence of deep crustal mushes feeding the surface eruptions. I will discuss some implications of these results with regards to erupted magma geochemistry and how combining geochemistry with magma dynamics models can provide important constraints on magmatic architecture.