Deformation and Fracture of a Silicate Melt Around Tg: Implications to Dynamics of Volcanic Eruptions

The mechanical properties of magma around the glass transition temperature have not been characterized yet, though this subject is considered to be important in dynamics of volcanic eruptions. In this paper, we present an experimental investigation of stress-strain relation of synthetic magma at various temperatures and strain rates. The material behaves as an elastic solid at low temperature and/or high strain rate, and as a viscous fluid at high temperature and/or low strain rate. In the transition, it reveals work-hardening response. Although the work-hardening nature has not been reported for noncrystalline magma, it is important in constructing a mathematical model to represent the flow-to-fracture transition of magma, namely the transition of eruptions from effusive to explosive styles.