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Water distribution in a quartz-hosted embayment from the Mesa Falls Tuff

By Yellowstone Volcano Observatory August 2024 (approx.)
Photomicrograph showing water distribution in a quartz-hosted embayment, with greater concentrations at the embayment mouth. Includes a plot showing that the temperature in which the water circulated must have been about 500 degrees Celsius.
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Detailed Description

(A) Water distribution in a quartz-hosted embayment measured with synchrotron Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Warmer colors indicate higher concentrations of water.  Dashed line shows a transect of water content that is modeled in panel (B) to indicate that the emplacement temperature of the ash flow deposit must have been about 500 °C (930 °F). Figure by Kenneth Befus, University of Texas at Austin.

Sources/Usage

Figure can be used with attribution to Kenneth Befus, University of Texas at Austin.