Research: Magma Degassing and Volcanic Processes

My research interests are focused on volatiles in magmas, eruption dynamics, volcanic hazards and the links between volcanism and climate. I am interested in how volatiles affect the phase equilibria of magmas, the degassing processes that shape volcanic eruptions, the volatile mass budgets of both modern and ancient volcanism on Earth and how volcanism can be measured and understood through volcano monitoring as part of the NERC Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET+).

Degassing and eruption processes at arc volcanoes  I look at the geochemical and petrological evidence for volatile degassing processes at Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat. I have been involved in the development of novel methodologies to measure and monitor volcanic gases (FTIR, DOAS, Multigas). I have used melt inclusions and glass compositions to evaluate volatile budgets. I am currently involved in projects looking at the geochemistry of the hydrothermal system and its impact on gas emissions and eruptive phenomena; quantifying the carbon dioxide budget using volcanic gases and melt inclusions; vesicle distributions and morphologies in mafic enclaves; and petrological evidence from phenocrysts to reconstruct degassing (NE/I016694/1).

The volatile budget of large (and small) basaltic eruptions We are using volatile element and isotopic studies of melt inclusions and whole rocks, to assess the volatile budget for magmas erupted as part of large igneous provinces, including volatiles derived from sediments as well as from the melts themselves.  We are working on a detailed study of the volatile budget of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, to assess the relative effects of mantle vs crustal control on volatile budget and degassing regime, and how the total volatile content of the magma controls eruption style. We have active NERC-funded projects studying the volatile budget of the Laki eruption (NE/I012508/1) and of the Siberian Traps Igneous Province (NE/H012648/1).

Earth observation methods to monitor volcanoes from space we use satellite-based observations of SO2 clouds, hotspots and ash to assess eruption output and hazards, degassing regime and arc-scale geochemical budgets. I have recently (July 2011) been awarded an Isaac Newton Trust Grant in collaboration with M. Herzog (Geography Dept) and the Insituto Geofisico (Ecuador) to fund a project that will use an atmospheric chemistry modelling approach (REMOTE) to simulate the processing of volcanic sulphur dioxide, with which we aim to reconcile ground- and satellite-based measurements.

Recent Publications

Wallace, PJ and M Edmonds, 2011. The Sulfur Budget in Magmas: Evidence from Melt Inclusions, Submarine Glasses, and Volcanic Gas Emissions. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry; 73, 1, 215-246, doi: 10.2138/rmg.2011.73.8

Johnston, FKB., AV Turchyn, M Edmonds, 2011. Decarbonation Efficiency in Subduction Zones: Implications for the Closure of the Tethys and warm Cretaceous climates. Earth Plan. Sci. Lett. 303, 143–152

Edmonds, M, A Aiuppa, M Humphreys, R Moretti, G Giudice, RS Martin, RA Herd, T Christopher, 2010. Excess volatiles supplied by mingling of mafic magma at an andesite arc volcano. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., doi:10.1029/2009GC002781

Humphreys, MCS, M Edmonds, T Christopher, V Hards, 2010. Magma hybridisation and diffusive exchange recorded in heterogeneous glasses from Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat. Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, doi:10.1029/2009GL041926
 
Christopher, T, M Edmonds, MCS Humphreys, RA Herd, 2010. Volcanic gas emissions from Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat 1995–2009, with implications for mafic magma supply and degassing. Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, doi:10.1029/2009GL041325.

 

Older Publications by Dr Marie Edmonds


Publications: 2006-Present

Last updated on 15-Aug-11 10:00