Experiments

Abstract

Physical modelling allows for the study of new processes and the evaluation of variables in complex flows which cannot be accessed by theory and numerical models. Physical modelling also allows us to validate theoretical results, analyse different details of a phenomenon and test a variety of environmental and extreme conditions. This is particularly relevant in the study of magmatic processes. This chapter reports on the applicability of experiments in the context of magma mixing. We review the state of the art and illustrate in detail one of the most advanced experimental setups, the chaotic magma mixing apparatus, available today to face the complex challenge to understand magma mixing processes and their impact upon our knowledge of magmatic systems.