Quantum magmatism: Magmatic compositional gaps generated by melt-crystal dynamics

Research Article| August 01, 2010 Quantum magmatism: Magmatic compositional gaps generated by melt-crystal dynamics Josef Dufek; Josef Dufek 1School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Olivier Bachmann Olivier Bachmann 2Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Box 351310, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Josef Dufek 1School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA Olivier Bachmann 2Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Box 351310, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 02 Nov 2009 Revision Received: 23 Feb 2010 Accepted: 28 Feb 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2010 Geological Society of America Geology (2010) 38 (8): 687–690. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30831.1 Article history Received: 02 Nov 2009 Revision Received: 23 Feb 2010 Accepted: 28 Feb 2010 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Josef Dufek, Olivier Bachmann; Quantum magmatism: Magmatic compositional gaps generated by melt-crystal dynamics. Geology 2010;; 38 (8): 687–690. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30831.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Compositional gaps are common in volcanic series worldwide. The pervasive generation of compositional gaps influences the mechanical and thermal properties of the crust, and holds clues on how our planet differentiates. We have explored potential mechanisms to generate these gaps using numerical simulations coupling crystallization kinetics and multiphase fluid dynamics of magma reservoirs. We show that gaps are inherent to crystal fractionation for all compositions, as crystal-liquid separation takes place most efficiently within a crystallinity window of ∼50–70 vol% crystals. The probability of melt extraction from a crystal residue in a cooling magma chamber is highest in this crystallinity window due to (1) enhanced melt segregation in the absence of chamber-wide convection, (2) buffering by latent heat of crystallization, and (3) diminished chamber-wall thermal gradients. This mechanical control of igneous distillation is likely to have played a dominant role in the formation of the compositionally layered Earth's crust by allowing multiple and overlapping intrusive episodes of relatively discrete or quantized composition that become more silicic upward. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.