Physical properties of magma

􀁮 Definition of magma

􀁯 What are physical properties?

􀁯 Magmatic temperatures

􀁯 Magma: densities
temperature
composition
􀁯 How can we calculate magma density?
􀁯 magma viscosity
temperature
composition
􀁯 flow rates using viscosity
􀁯
WHAT IS MAGMA
􀁮 Molten material that cools to form igneous rock
􀁮 Usually a solution of O and Si with smaller amounts of Al,
Ca, Mg, Fe, Na and K and trace elements.
􀁮 silicate melt ± crystals ± bubbles
􀁮 some magmas are solutions of carbonates, sulphides or
ironoxides

What happens when magma cools

Slow cooling
􀁮 main components organise into crystalline structures (the rock
forming minerals)
􀁮 minor and trace components form accessory minerals
Fast cooling
􀁮 crystalline phases do not form
􀁮 result is a glass (supercooled liquid)
WWhhaatt
What are physical properties

Density

Viscosity

Heat capacity

Thermal conductivity

Compressibility

Thermal expansion

Surface tension

To understand the formation, transport and crystallisation of magma we

need to know the main properties and how to use them to calculate various
other parameters.
Magma Temperatures

Measure in quiet flow - optical pyrometer

Magma Temperatures

Better by experiment:
Determine temperature where melting begins
Determine order in which crystals form or dissolve
Determine temperature of complete melting

IMPORTANT:
Magmas are complex solutions so they do not have a single
melting temperature - they melt over a range of
temperatures.

Magmas can be heated above the

temperature at which they are completely
melted - in this case they are
SUPERHEATED

Magmas can be cooled quickly (quenched) to temperatures below the

liquidus so that no crystals are formed and an amorphous material with no
long range order is formed - a SUPERCOOLED liquid
What are common magmatic temperatures