More about the Big Idea

1. Related Sciences:
   • The main science related to this Big Idea is clearly fluid mechanics. It may be used to compute better models for example.
   • Chemistry and more specifically “bubbles chemistry” to clarify how the form and their impact on such multi-phase fluid.
   • Physics and “general mechanics” may help in understanding how the plumbing system responds to stresses created by pressurized fluids.
2. Weaknesses of the Big Idea:
   • Its wideness is a kind of weakness. Indeed, as you can see throughout the website, a lot of different models have been created, each show different but nonetheless in a quite good agreement results. These numerous model are due to the fact that it is really difficult or even impossible to compute a model that includes all parameters (such as: temperature-dependent viscosity, and volatiles-dependent viscosity)
   • A lot of different science are required to understand all parameters that make the unsteady state of magma flowing. (e.g. chemistry for bubbles, physics and fluid mechanics for magma movements, etc)
   • Models often use a simplistic geometry for the plumbing system (the reservoir and a straight conduit) and then apply mechanics to it. Reality is most difficult and may involves a lot more complexity in the models.
3. Compelling aspects:
   • As discussed just above, models are lot more simplistic than reality. This is due to the fact that today technology is not powerful enough to allow the computing of all parameters.
   • We may also do not know some parameters because we do not have the tools to “see” them. For instance, what is the exact geometry of the feeding system.