- 1Department of Earth Science, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- 2Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- 3CNR-IGG, Istitute of Geoscience and Georesource, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
- 4Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Bubble nucleation is a key process in controlling volcanic fragmentation, eruption dynamics, and magma degassing efficiency. Understanding the nanoscale mechanisms of bubble formation is essential for advancing models of eruptive behavior and hazard prediction.
We performed in-situ high-temperature small-angle X-ray scattering (HT-SAXS) experiments to investigate the nucleation and growth of bubbles in a hydrous volcanic glass sample from Tenerife. This study integrated HT-SAXS with low-frequency Raman spectroscopy, DSC-TGA, TEM, high-temperature elastic property measurements, and rheological analyses to analyze porosity evolution and its influence on magma dynamics.
Thermal treatment revealed a significant increase in porosity beyond 700 °C, corresponding to the rapid formation of voids between 50 and 100 nm driven by vapor pressure surpassing the atmospheric threshold. Smaller pore populations (10 nm) exhibited negligible changes, suggesting selective growth mechanisms under HT conditions.
Our findings provide new insights into the nanoscale processes governing bubble nucleation in volcanic glasses, emphasizing their role in porosity development, elastic properties, and the potential impacts on eruptive behavior. This multi-method approach establishes a framework for understanding the interplay between thermal dynamics and volcanic fragmentation.
Contribution of PRIN2022PXHTXM- STONE project, funded by EU - NextGeneration, PNRR-M4C2- CUP: D53D23004840006
How to cite: Cassetta, M., Peterlik, H., Haßler, M., Daldosso, N., and Giordano, D.: Nanoscale evolution of bubbles in volcanic glasses, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-18389, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18389, 2025.