Experimental Petrology Laboratory
In order to understand and interpret geophysical petrological and degassing behaviour during volcanic eruptions it is necessary to have a quantitative understanding of pre-eruptive 'steady-state' storage conditions (P, T, XH2O). This is done via experimental phase equilibria where naturally occurring mineral, glass and volatile compositions are compared with those found in experiments done under carefully controlled conditions.
Our laboratory is equipped with two rapid-quench cold seal units housed in a large steel chamber that was once used for experiments pressurised to 1000MPa. Our cold seals typically run at pressures up to 200MPa, usually just fine for trying to understand volcanic behaviour!
Under construction at the moment is a TZM apparatus. This will extend our experimental capabilites to temperatures around 1200oC, enhancing our reportoire of experiments!
Updated 30 June 2004 - Rosie Cullington