Exploding rocks

M. J. McGuinness, A. C. Fowler, B. Scheu, W. T. Lee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This modelling is motivated by recent experimental work, in which a vertical column of rock under large pressure is suddenly depressurised, so that it explodes, in a sequence of horizontal fractures that forms from the top down. The resulting blocks are lifted off and ejected. This experiment provides a framework for understanding the way in which catastrophic explosion can occur, and is motivated by the corresponding phenomenon of magmatic explosion during Vulcanian eruptions. We summarise a theoretical model built to describe these results, and show that it is capable of describing both the primary sequence of fracturing, and the secondary intra-block fracturing.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNumerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics - International Conference on Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics 2009, ICNAAM-2009
Pages1442-1445
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
EventInternational Conference on Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics 2009, ICNAAM-2009 - Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Duration: 18 Sep 200922 Sep 2009

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1168
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics 2009, ICNAAM-2009
Country/TerritoryGreece
CityRethymno, Crete
Period18/09/0922/09/09

Keywords

  • Fracturing
  • Magma fragmentation
  • Mathematical modelling
  • Theoretical model
  • Vulcanian eruptions

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