Mechanical shear forces can trigger gas bubble formation in magmas
Models that inform how magma moves and volcanic eruptions unfold may need an update, according to a new study. It reports that gas bubbles in magmas can form through the mechanical forces of shear as magmas flow and deform– a new physical mechanism for magma bubble nucleation that challenges conventional degassing models. The formation of gas bubbles within magma – also known as nucleation – is a fundamental process that shapes how volcanic eruptions unfold. The timing and rate at which these bubbles appear and expand influences key magma features, including its buoyancy, viscosity, and explosive potential. Understanding nucleation is therefore vital for ...