An expanded model and application of the combined effect of crystal-size distribution and crystal shape on the relative viscosity of magmas

• Published in: Journal of volcanology and geothermal research Vol. 357; pp. 128 - 133
• Main Authors: Klein, Johannes, Mueller, Sebastian P., Helo, Christoph, Schweitzer, Silja, Gurioli, Lucia, Castro, Jonathan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-05-2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Crystal shape; Crystal size distribution; Earth Sciences; Magma rheology; Sciences of the Universe; Volcanology; Crystal shape; Magma rheology; Crystal size distribution
• ISSN: 0377-0273; 1872-6097
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2018.04.018

This study examines the combined effect of crystal-size distributions (CSD) and crystal shape on the rheology of vesicle free magmatic suspensions and provides the first practical application of an empirical model to estimate the relative effect of crystal content and CSD's on the viscosity of magma directly from textural image analysis of natural rock samples in the form of a user-friendly texture-rheology spreadsheet calculator. We extend and apply established relationships between the maximum packing fraction ϕm of a crystal bearing suspension and both its rheological properties and the polydispersity γ of a CSD. By using analogue rotational rheometric experiments with glass fibres and glass flakes in silicone oil acting as magma equivalent, this study also provides new insights in the relationship between ϕm and the aspect ratio rp of suspended particles.