Experimental simulations of explosive degassing of magma

Simulations of volcanic explosions reveal that fragmentation is caused by expansion and acceleration of the bubbles in the magma. The bubbles are caused by the pyroclasts and gases in the magma flowing out from the volcano. The simulation utilizes a two model system which produces flow velocities and expansion rates of the bubbles that occur in the original magma. The expansion and acceleration depend on the liberation of CO2 from aqueous phase consisting of CO2, saturated water and concentrated K2CO3.