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Abstract Crystal‐hosted melt embayments and melt inclusions partially record magmatic processes at depth, but it is not always obvious how to interpret this record. One impediment is our incomplete understanding of how embayments and melt inclusions form. In this study, we investigate the formation mechanism of embayments and melt inclusions during quartz growth to quantify the relationship between the compositions of the entrapped and average melt. We study the growth of embayments and inclusions through direct numerical simulations that couple the growth of a crystal surface with the evolution of the concentrations of incompatible components in the surrounding melt. We find that H₂O is more enriched in the interior of defects on crystal surface compared to the exterior. The resultant lower disequilibrium in the defect interior causes lower growth rate than in the exterior, elongating the defect into an embayment. If crystal growth stops, the composition in the embayment equilibrates with the average melt within days to months. If crystal growth continues until the embayment neck closes, a melt inclusion forms. The melt entrapped by both embayments and melt inclusions is enriched in incompatible components, such as H₂O and CO₂. In addition to inclusion size, the enrichment of incompatible components in melt inclusions also depends on component diffusivity and the crystal growth regime. High‐diffusivity components like H₂O have similar enrichment levels in all scenarios, while lower‐diffusivity components like CO₂are more enriched in melt inclusions with smaller sizes or formed in continuous crystal growth. 

Many volcanoes emit a significant portion of the gas they transport to the atmosphere during continual passive degassing rather than during eruptions. To maintain a high gas and thermal flux without erupting magma, the flow field in the volcanic conduit must be approximately balanced with gas-rich, buoyant magma ascending and degassed, heavy magma descending. In vertical conduits, this exchange flow takes the form of core–annular flow, where the gas-rich magma forms a core enclosed by an annulus of degassed magma. The flow dynamics of core–annular flow have been studied extensively in fluid dynamics, but mostly for constant material properties. Our study aims to advance our understanding of how core–annular flow responds to volatile exsolution – a simple, yet ubiquitous disruption in volcanic conduits, which alters both the density and the viscosity of the core fluid. By deriving an evolution equation for the core–annular interface based on a generalized exchange-flow condition using a lubrication approximation, we find that the response of the system to volatile exsolution depends on the conduit flow regime. The same nucleation event can lead to a flow adjustment only in the upper, only in the lower or in both portions of the volcanic conduit. Our results emphasize that the thermodynamic evolution of magma properties and volcanic conduit flow are intricately linked, which may help understand the observed variability of eruptive behaviour at persistently degassing volcanoes. 

Earth's surface materials constitute the basis for life and natural resources. Most of these materials can be catergorized as soft matter, yet a general physical understanding of the ground beneath our feet is still lacking. Here we provide some perspectives. 

Abstract Exposure to climate hazards is increasing, and the experiences of frontline communities warrant meaningful and urgent attention towards how to mitigate, manage, and adapt to hazards. We report results from a community-engaged pilot (November 2021–June 2022) ofN= 30 participants in four frontline communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. The study region is an area where low-income, non-English-speaking residents are inequitably exposed and vulnerable to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and other climate hazards. Building from a yearslong partnership of researchers, community organizations, and community members, we report the feasibility of a project piloting (1) instruments to monitor indoor air quality, temperature, and participant sleep health, and (2) interventions to improve indoor air quality and support protective behaviors. Data collection included experience-based survey data (via in-person administered surveys and a smartphone application) and interviews about heat and air quality, as well as data from an air monitoring protocol. Results cover the prevalence of hazard exposure and protective actions among participants. We discuss throughout methods for conducting and evaluating a community-engaged pilot, particularly by using a community ambassador program. Implications include the feasibility of community-engaged research projects, including discussion of resources required to accomplish this work. 

Abstract Rapid ice loss is facilitated by sliding over beds consisting of reworked sediments and erosional products, commonly referred to as till. The dynamic interplay between ice and till reshapes the bed, creating landforms preserved from past glaciations. Leveraging the imprint left by past glaciations as constraints for projecting future deglaciation is hindered by our incomplete understanding of evolving basal slip. Here, we develop a continuum model of water-saturated, cohesive till to quantify the interplay between meltwater percolation and till mobilization that governs changes in the depth of basal slip under fast-moving ice. Our model explains the puzzling variability of observed slip depths by relating localized till deformation to perturbations in pore-water pressure. It demonstrates that variable slip depth is an inherent property of the ice-meltwater-till system, which could help understand why some paleo-landforms like grounding-zone wedges appear to have formed quickly relative to current till-transport rates.