The present chemical structure of the Earth and other terrestrial bodies is the result of segregation of material phases into chemically distinct but interacting layers. Magma formed in the mantle percolates upward and is delivered to the crust. Shortly after accretion, iron sank inward to form the core. Within magma chambers and at the boundaries of the outer core, crystalline mushy layers may form, leaving distinct chemical and structural signatures. Two-phase flows are also frequent at the Earth's surface, as gas and liquid interact with rocks, ice and magmas.

The dynamics of these processes are typically modeled using two-phase flow theory, in which a continuum composed of two interpenetrating, immiscible fluids of different viscosities react dynamically to stresses within and between phases. Thermal, mechanical and chemical interactions between phases lead to complex, nonlinear behavior.

Two-phase models can be used to explain observed features of the Earth and planets and can provide insight into processes occurring at depths inaccessible to direct observation. For this session, we encourage contributions concerning applications of two-phase flow theory to hydrothermal, cryospheric, magmatic, and core dynamics. We welcome discussion of theoretical and computational advances, as well as comparison of model results with observations.

Confirmed presenters:

Yasuko Takei (Division of Mechanics, Earthquake Research Institute, Tokyo). Yasuko has made important contributions to the theory of two-phase flow in partially molten aggregates, particularly in deriving expressions for anisotropic viscosity. She has also conducted laboratory experiments on partially molten rock analogues to better constrain grain-scale interactions of melt and solid.

Jerome Neufeld (Institute for Theoretical Geophysics, University of Cambridge, UK). Jerome has studied the dynamics of mushy layers, melting of icicles, and sequestration of CO2 in his recent work, which combines equal parts theory and experiment. http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/jneufeld/