Planning next experiments

Every single experiment starts with a plan. Although many experiments have been lead in the “fragmentation lab” of theEarth Sciences Department of LMU Munich, each one has its own specifications, and requires to design and build newpieces.

In our case, we want to study how the quantity of ash particles reklates with number of flashes observed. In this scope, weneed several autoclaves (the piece where you put the particles to pressurize them) with various capacities. So, wedesigned 3 experimental setups, each of them mad of 6 different pieces, with a special care to the sealing and theresistance of the different pieces to high pressure.

Great for you

Experimental Volcanology

Study volcanism in Munich? There are four experimental volcanoes to study the phenomena of explosive volcanism at the department. The laboratories of experimental volcanism at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich provide unique opportunities to study the physics of mechanisms that are beyond direct access. Experiments are designed to analyze the behavior of magma under conditions as close to nature as possible. Here experiments meet physical volcanism and numerical modeling. International projects and cooperation are the basis of our success.

The equipment at the FragLab comprises

  • 4 high temperature shock tubes
  • 2 internally heated high pressure autoclaves
  • 1 laser particle sizer (Coulter Beckmann)
  • 1 He pycnometry (Micromeritics)
  • 1 Nitrogen sorption (Micromeritics)
  • 1 vacuum furnace
  • 1 vacuum rotation extraction, video equipment
  • 1 high speed video system

Our research

  • Mechanisms of magma fragmentation
  • Speed of magma fragmentation
  • Fragmentation energy
  • Influence of permeability

Volcanoes under examination

  • Mt. St. Helens, Augustine (USA)
  • Krakatau, Kelut, Merapi (Indonesia)
  • Unzen (Japan)
  • Shiveluch, Bezymiany (Russia)
  • Etna, Vesuv, Stromboly, Campi Flegrei (Italy)
  • Colima (Mexico)
  • Santorini (Greece)