Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2009
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Geological Sciences
Committee Chair
Dr. Wendy A. Bohrson, Geological Sciences
Second Committee Member
Dr. Jeff Lee, Department of Geological Sciences
Third Committee Member
Dr. Audrey D. Huerta, Director Science Honors Research Program
Abstract
Mt. Rainier is an active composite volcano located in the Cascade volcanic arc, ~90km southeast of Seattle, Washington. Based on a compilation of data representing basaltic andesites through dacites, thermodynamic simulations have been run to constrain the mechanisms of formation of the typical liquid line of descent. Using a variety of parental magmas and iterating through parameters such as water content, pressure, and oxygen fugacity, the best fit models suggest magmas are stored at shallow levels and have initial water contents of~ 1-2.0 wt. % and oxygen fugacity of ~QFM+ 1 to +2. One lava flow, classified as a spessartite, is anomalous when compared to the typical Rainier lavas. Thermodynamic models are not able to reproduce spessartite signatures and electron microprobe data on phenocryst populations indicate assimilation was important. Further work is required to determine the origin of the spessartite.
Recommended Citation
Scott, Sean Ross, "Processes Controlling Magma Chamber Evolution Beneath Mt. Rainier, Washington" (2009). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 112.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/undergrad_hontheses/112
Comments
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