An experimental lab to study (a) fluids in hydrothermal terrain, and (b) volcano-tectonic processes.

We simulate fluids and solids in two separate but closely related laboratories. First, we have an experimental laboratory for studying gas bubbles in hydrothermal and volcanic systems and an earthquake simulator.

Second, we study the deformation and fracturing of scaled analog volcanoes and their intrusions.

The goal of the Bubble & Volcano Lab is to study the evolution and (in)stability of large volume reservoirs at crustal or mantle depths. By studying how fluid-rock systems behave and change in space and time, in combination with field observations and monitoring, we aim to better understand seismic hazards, hydrogeologic effects, and volcanic eruptions.

The Bubble & Volcano Lab also aims to study deformation and faulting associated with magma chambers, intrusions, and flank instability. In particular, we study the complex interactions of these processes and apply high-resolution computer vision approaches for subpixel analysis.

Bubble Lab: Study of bubble processes in hydrothermal and volcanic terrains

Volcanic processes are often associated with fluid migration and deformation of fluid systems and their interaction with the host rock, including fracturing, fluid-filled fracture growth, and diking. Fluid-rock coupling operates in two directions: On the one hand, changes in the state of fluid-rock systems are thought to promote or inhibit tectonic earthquakes, induce changes in seismicity, and alter volcanic activity; on the other hand, fluid migration, gas release, phase changes, and reservoir assembly are controlled by anthropogenic, tectonic, and volcanic stress changes.

The Bubble Lab with the shaking table (Room H7/120):

The shaking table of the Bubble Lab.
The shaking table of the Bubble Lab. (T. Walter, GFZ)
Computer vision camera in highest quality.
Computer vision camera in highest quality. (T. Walter, GFZ)
Pressure sensors measure changes at the tanks during earthquake simulations.
Pressure sensors measure changes at the tanks during earthquake simulations. (T. Walter, GFZ)
The bubble lab allows recording in transparent and controlled media.
The bubble lab allows recording in transparent and controlled media. (T. Walter, GFZ)
Controlled fluid flux experimental equipment.
Controlled fluid flux experimental equipment. (T. Walter, GFZ)
High speed camera for fast rupture and burst process studies.
High speed camera for fast rupture and burst process studies. (T. Walter, GFZ)
Studying nucleation of bubbles in a tank.
Studying nucleation of bubbles in a tank. (T. Walter, GFZ)
A setup prior recording.
A setup prior recording. (T. Walter, GFZ)
previous slide next slide

We simulate earthquake ground motions with a shaking table by playing real earthquake recordings, track the size and velocity of rising bubbles with a camera system, and quantify transients with a set of pressure sensors. A DAVIS particle image velocimetry system allows us to track particle displacements in fluid materials.

We simulate the extrusion and contraction of volcanic conduits in granular and viscous rheology, mimicking lava dome extrusion, conduit collapse, and retraction. We record the sequence using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques obtained from side and top view cameras.

 

The volcano lab and the volcanotectonic rigs (Room H7/109):

The Volcanotectonic rigs allow extrusion of magma-conduits and dikes in analogue materials.
The Volcanotectonic rigs allow extrusion of magma-conduits and dikes in analogue materials. These are scaled granular and viscous materials. Material science studies prior to experiments are performed before. (T. Walter, GFZ)
Displacement of a spreading volcano.
Displacement of a spreading volcano. (T. Walter, GFZ)
Granular experiments of dome extrusions on asymmetric and buttressed basement. Through PIV systems we monitor deformation and strain (faults) in high resolution.
Granular experiments of dome extrusions on asymmetric and buttressed basement. Through PIV systems we monitor deformation and strain (faults) in high resolution. (T. Walter, GFZ)
previous slide next slide

Selected publications of relevant experimental studies on hydrothermal and volcanic processes:

Namiki, A., Rivalta, E., Woith, H. & Walter, T.R. (2016):
Sloshing of a bubbly magma reservoir as a mechanism of triggered eruptions. 
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2016.03.010.

Rivalta, E., Taisne, B., Bunger, A.P., Katz, R.F. (2014).
A review of mechanical models of dike propagation: Schools of thought, results and future directions.
Tectonophysics, 638, 1-42  

Woith, H.; Barbosa, S.; Gajewski, C.; Steinitz, G.; Piatibratova, O.; Malik, U.; Zschau, J. (2011):
Periodic and transient radon variations at the Tiberias hot spring, Israel during 2000-2005.
Geochemical Journal, 45, 6, 473-482.

Schöpa, A.; Pantaleo, M.; Walter, T. R. (2011):
Scale-dependent location of hydrothermal vents: Stress field models and infrared field observations.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 203, 3-4, 133-145.

Burchardt, S.; Walter, T. R. (2010):
Propagation, linkage, and interaction of caldera ring-faults: comparison between analogue experiments and caldera collapse at Miyakejima, Japan, in 2000.
Bulletin of Volcanology, 72, 3, 297-308.

Rivalta E., 2010.
Evidence that coupling to magma chambers controls the volume history and velocity of laterally propagating intrusions.
J. Geophys. Res., 115, B07203, doi:10.1029/2009JB006922.

Maccaferri F., Bonafede M. and Rivalta E., 2010.
A numerical model of dyke propagation in layered elastic media
Geophys. J. Int., Vol. 180 N. 3, Pag. 1107 - 1123, doi:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04495.x.

Le Corvec, N.; Walter, T. R. (2009):
Volcano spreading and fault interaction influenced by rift-zone intrusions: Insights from analogue experiments analyzed with digital image correlation.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 183, 3-4, 170-182.

Rivalta, E., and Dahm, T., 2006.
Acceleration of buoyancy-driven fractures and magmatic dikes beneath the free surface Geophys. J. Int., vol. 166, Issue 3, Pag. 1424-1439

Möller, P.; Woith, H.; Dulski, P.; Lüders, V.; Erzinger, J.; Kämpf, H.; Pekdeger, A.; Hansen, B. T.; Lodemann, M.; Banks, D. A. (2005):
Main and trace elements in KTB-VB fluid: composition and hints to its origin.
Geofluids, 5, 1, 28-41.

Wang, R.; Woith, H.; Milkereit, C.; Zschau, J. (2004):
Modelling of hydrogeochemical anomalies induced by distant earthquakes.
Geophysical Journal International, 157, 2, 717-726.

Woith, H., Wang, R.J., Milkereit, C., Zschau, J., Maiwald, U. & Pekdeger, A.  (2003):
Heterogeneous response of hydrogeological systems to the Izmit and Duzce (Turkey) earthquakes of 1999
Hydrogeology Journal, 11, 113-121

overview
back to top of main content