For over a century, it has been assumed that magma is primarily stored in the Earth’s crust in large holes termed ‘magma chambers’. However, geophysical data have failed to image large, liquid-filled magma chambers even beneath active volcanoes, and geochemical and petrological data suggest that many magmas are stored in cool ‘mush reservoirs’ (closely packed crystals with melt present in the pore-space) until shortly before eruption.
The NORMS group uses numerical modelling to understand how chemical evolution occurs in these crustal mush reservoirs and how melt can rapidly accumulate prior to eruption. The models are constrained by geophysical, geochemical and petrological data from modern and ancient igneous systems. We collaborate closely with other academic institutions through, for example, membership of the (From Arc Magma to Ore Bodies) project. Our research is also closely linked with the and the Geophysics group at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Pictured far left, Prof. Sir Steve Sparks (Bristol) leads a field trip on the island of Rum, Scotland, studying an ancient magma reservoir now exposed at the surface.
Left, magma in the active Kilauea volcano on Hawaii, pictured from the air.
Selected references
Sparks RSJ, Blundy JD, Cashman K, et al., 2022, , BULLETIN OF VOLCANOLOGY, Vol: 84, ISSN: 0258-8900
Edmonds M, Cashman KV, Holness M, et al., 2019, , PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES, Vol: 377, ISSN: 1364-503X
Sparks RSJ, Annen C, Blundy JD, et al., 2019, , PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY A-MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES, Vol: 377, ISSN: 1364-503X
Jackson MD, Blundy J, Sparks RSJ, 2018, , Nature, Vol: 564, Pages: 405-409+, ISSN: 0028-0836
Solano JMS, Jackson MD, Sparks RSJ, et al., 2014, , American Journal of Science, Vol: 314, Pages: 895-939, ISSN: 0002-9599
Solano JMS, Jackson MD, Sparks RSJ, et al., 2012, , Journal of Petrology, Vol: 53, Pages: 1999-2026, ISSN: 1460-2415
Getsinger A, Rushmer T, Jackson MD, et al., 2009, , JOURNAL OF PETROLOGY, Vol: 50, Pages: 1935-1954, ISSN: 0022-3530
Rushmer T, Jackson MD, 2006, , TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH-EARTH SCIENCES, Vol: 97, Pages: 325-336, ISSN: 0263-5933
Jackson MD, Gallagher K, Petford N, , 2005, Towards a coupled physical and chemical model for tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite magma formation, Lithos, Vol: 79, Pages: 43-60
Jackson MD, Cheadle MJ, Atherton MP, 2003, , JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH, Vol: 108, ISSN: 2169-9313