Linking crystal shape and dynamic undercooling: a new framework for inferring magmatic crystallization histories.

ABSTRACT: Magmas contain crystals exhibiting diverse shapes and sizes, yet the relationship between crystal shape (specifically aspect ratio) and undercooling ([Formula: see text]), the driving force for crystallization, remains poorly constrained. Crystal shape should correlate with undercooling because undercooling governs the growth regime (interface-controlled versus diffusion-controlled) and thus the resulting crystal form. Prior experiments confirm that large nominal undercoolings drive transitions from polyhedral to hopper, skeletal, or dendritic forms. Large undercoolings reflect rapid decompression or cooling, differing from slower cooling rates typical of magmatic intrusions and storage systems. In such slowly cooled environments, crystals remain polyhedral, exhibiting subtle shape variati

SUBMITTER: Lindoo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12669325 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature