The generation and migration of fluids and melts within the Earth has a major influence on the evolution of this planet, from deep interior to subsurface levels. Understanding and determining the physical, chemical and structural properties of fluids/melts is crucial in quantifying mass fluxes of major and trace elements and also of volatiles. There is a complex interplay between atomic scale structures and physical, chemical and kinetic properties of fluid and melt phases, which controls the macro-scale behaviour of the system and also the chemical evolution during their migration and interaction with the surrounding rocks. Such interplay dictates the petrologic evolution of magmas and is responsible for the observed geochemical patterns of volatile release and trace element abundances. Furthermore advances in our understanding of fluids and melts is essential in finding answers on current hot topics such as ore formation, climate change, mass extinctions and the question how unique is the Earth as a planetary body within the universe.
This session aims to bring together a broad range of topics on research deciphering the chemical, physical and structural properties of fluids and melts by lab experiments or observations on natural rocks. In particular a link to globally relevant and/or large-scale processes is encouraged.