Advancement in Understanding Volcanic Processes by 4D Synchrotron X-ray Computed Microtomography Imaging of Rock Textures

Abstract:

X-ray computed microtomography (µCT) is the only high-resolution, non-destructive technique that allows visualization and processing of geomaterials directly in three-dimensions. This, together with the development of more and more sophisticated imaging techniques, have generated in the last ten years a widespread application of this methodology in Earth Sciences, from structural geology to palaeontology to igneous petrology to volcanology. Here, I will describe how X-ray µCT has contributed to advance our knowledge of volcanic processes and eruption dynamics and illustrate the first, preliminary results from 4D (space+time) X-ray microtomographic experiments of magma kinetics in basaltic systems.