New Publication: The interface between magma and Earth's atmosphere

Volcanic Chemistry Schematics

A major fraction of magmatic gas emissions are released into the atmosphere from open vents. The emission processes are characterized by fast turbulent mixing with atmospheric air (within seconds) and associated rapid cooling. Hardly anything is known about the chemical kinetics within this brief mixing and cooling period. In their recent article (https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GC010671), Jonas Kuhn, Nicole Bobrowski, and Ulrich Platt report on model developments and simulations encompassing the chemical kinetics during the first seconds of hot magmatic gases in the atmosphere. First case studies reveal severe deviation to common interpretations and central thermodynamic equilibrium assumptions prevailing in volcanic gas geochemistry.