Double‐diffusive convection in magma chambers: Single or multiple layers?

Abstract

An approximate set of equations applicable to double‐diffusive convection in magma chambers has been solved in the steady state for a range of geologically relevant parameters. No evidence for the steady state existence of layered convection for conditions appropriate to magma chambers has been found. At large ratios of the thermal to chemical diffusivity (Lewis number, Le) the heat transport is independent of the Lewis number and equal to that found for thermal convection in a single component fluid. The vertical upward transport of light component varies directly with both the Rayleigh and Lewis numbers (Nu c ∼ Ra 0.23 Le 0.37 ).