Properties of Rhyolite Magma

Barbara Nash

University of Utah

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This page first made public: Jun 5, 2008

Summary

The purpose of the exercise is to acquaint igneous petrology students with properties of silicic magmas, and to emphasize the effect of water content on viscosity of silicic magmas. Students have to determine the dimensions of a Quaternary rhyolite flow from a topographic map, employ a mineral thermometer to establish magma temperature, calculate density of the magma from its chemical composition, and use the Jeffreys equation relating flow velocity and viscosity.

Volcanology, Igneous Processes, Geology | College Lower (13-14), College Upper (15-16)

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Context

Audience

This activity would be used in an undergraduate (sophomore or junior level) required course in petrology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

Students should have an understanding of basic petrology and mathematics.

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a stand-alone exercise.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

The goal of the exercise is to acquaint igneous petrology students with properties of silicic magmas, and to emphasize the effect of water content on viscosity of silicic magmas.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

This activity involves the analysis of data and mathematical computation.

Other skills goals for this activity

This activity may involve group work.

Description of the activity/assignment

Students have to determine the dimensions of a Quaternary rhyolite flow from a topographic map, employ a mineral thermometer to establish magma temperature, calculate density of the magma from its chemical composition, and use the Jeffreys equation relating flow velocity and viscosity.