High pressure melts receive attention at workshop

The physical behavior of natural silicate liquids influences a variety of geodynamic processes including subduction, the generation and chemical evolution of mantle plumes, and the physics of volcanic eruptions. Since most of these processes occur at high pressures, they remain relatively inaccessible to direct observation. Researchers met at a workshop recently to discuss current and future directions of research in natural silicate liquids. At the meeting, sponsored by the Center for High Pressure Research, attendees raised the questions that are necessary to link melt structure research to the physical and thermodynamic properties of silicate liquids that dictate natural igneous processes.