Title: Modeling how magma moves underground
Abstract:
In the field of volcanology, a significant hurdle is that observations are limited to the literal surface level during a blink of geologic time, but we are trying to interrogate processes that stretch deep into the earth and into the past. Despite relatively few opportunities to directly observe eruptions, we want to answer questions such as, “How much magma is there? Where will magma reach the surface? When will the next eruption be?” To complement direct observations, volcanologists study volcanic processes using physics-based models, in order to make predictions about the architecture and behavior of real volcanoes. However, model-based predictions are limited by the assumptions used to construct them. My work uses physics-based models of magma on the move, such as in conduits, dikes, or mushes, to better constrain real-world magma systems.
Contact: lblackst@stanford.edu