Immiscibility Process (IMAGE)

KU Leuven

Immiscibility Process

Caption

Schematic representation of the formation of iron ore deposits beneath a volcano. Magma rises towards the surface of the Earth through cracks in the surrounding rock. When the magma cannot continue its upward journey, it pools in a magma chamber (yellow oval). The temperature and pressure in this reservoir make the magma unstable, causing it to split into two separate liquids - one that is rich in silica and one that is very rich in iron. As the iron-rich liquid starts to cool, it forms iron ore deposits (in black).

Credit

© Mark A. Garlick

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