CONTENTS
Introduction 1
1. The feldspars 4
1.1 The Ab-An system: the plagioclases 6
1.2 The system Or-Ab-An 8
2. Growth, melting, dissolution, chemical zoning and morphology of
feldspars 9
2.1 Growth and dissolution 9
2.2 Growth rate, morphology and undercooling 11
2.3 Melting and dissolution 21
2.4 Dissolution in silicate melts 25
2.5 Melt and fluid inclusions 27
2.6 Considerations on growth and dissolution in magmatic rocks 28
2.7 Chemical zoning 29
3. Morphological and chemical features of Mount Etna plagioclase
textures 33
3.1 Differences between historic and recent plagioclase phenocrysts 39
4. Interpretation of textures 42
4.1 General considerations 42
4.2 A model of magma dynamics in Etnean feeding system 48
5. Plagioclase stability MELTS calculation 52
6. Applications to recent events 55
6.1 General considerations on Mt.Etna geology, feeding system and
eruptive style 55
6.2 2001 eruptive event 59
6.3 Eruptive event of 2002/2003 69
6.4 Eruptive event of 2004/2005 81
6.5 2006 eruptive event 88
7. Discussion 97
7.1 2001 eruptive event 97
7.2 Eruptive event of 2002/2003 100
7.3 2004 Eruptive event 104
7.4 2006 Eruptive event 108
8. Conclusive remarks 110
Bibliography 112
Appendix A In-situ analysis of major elements 129 Appendix B In-situ analysis of trace elements 140
