Abstract
The evolution and crystallization of igneous complexes has received much attention from petrologists1–3 and more recently from physicists4–10. Current models emphasize the role of compositional effects. We present here a different viewpoint. Because compositional effects are due to crystallization, they depend on the thermal structure and regime of cold boundary layers in convecting magma chambers, particularly of the bottom layer where the thickest rock sequences form. We have studied purely thermal convection in a large aspect ratio magma chamber which is cooled through both its upper and lower boundaries. We made laboratory fluid dynamical experiments in turbulent and transient conditions and show that a stagnant layer develops at the bottom, isolated from the convective part of the chamber. The essential features of this layer are that it is not affected by mixing and that a significant thermal gradient is maintained across it. These imply peculiar crystallization conditions.
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Jaupart, C., Brandeis, G. & Allègre, C. Stagnant layers at the bottom of convecting magma chambers. Nature 308, 535–538 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308535a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/308535a0
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