A complex system model of volcanic plumbing systems: Integration of physical models and network structures

The objective of this PhD project is to use a multiscale complex system[1] approach to investigate the behavior of magmatic systems that underlay volcanoes. The relationship between the intensity (emitted volume) and frequency of volcanic eruptions follows a power law[2]. The largest eruptions (e.g. Yellowstone, 630,000 BP) are rare but have a global impact, can modify the climate, and potentially wipe out our civilization[3] while small eruptions can still strongly affect local communities (e.g. Soufrière Hills, Montserrat, 1995) and/or have important economic impacts at the continental scale (e.g. Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland, 2010).

The magma that feeds volcanoes is extracted from partially molten rocks and travel through a series of fractures and magma chambers on its way to the surface ([4], Fig. 1). A large part of the magma does not actually reach the Earth’s surface but solidifies en route. The ability of the magma to accumulate in magma chambers and to ascend through fractures and conduits without solidifying strongly depends on the magma flow, while the opening of fractures depends on pressures and country rock strength. While various aspects of volcanic magmatism are well-known, a global understanding of the volcanic system as a whole is still lacking.

The objective of the Ph.D. is to build a global, multiscale model (fig. 2) of a magmatic plumbic system, modeling individual components of the system (magma chambers, dykes) in a way compatible with current scientific knowledge, while also respecting the organization of the system in term of space, temporality, and topology (network structure). The objective of this model is to investigate how the topology of the system (distribution of components in space, Network topology[5]) affects the flow of magma and ultimately the intensity and frequency of volcanic eruptions. The approach will involve two scales…

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For additional information and for applications, please contact Rémy Cazabet (remy.cazabet@univ-lyon1.fr) or Catherine Annen (annen@ig.cas.cz).