Digital Elevation Models and Time-Lapse Imagery from Analogue Experiments on the Interaction between Magma Injection and Rainfall-Driven Surface Processes

This dataset documents a series of analogue experiments designed to investigate the coupled evolution of magma-driven surface uplift and rainfall-driven geomorphic processes. Seven controlled laboratory experiments were conducted, each combining shallow intrusion of a magma analogue with imposed rainfall of varying intensity, in order to systematically explore the role of surface processes under different forcing conditions. The experimental setup consists of a rigid Plexiglas container filled with a water-saturated granular mixture formulated to reproduce brittle crustal behaviour under wet conditions. Magmatic intrusion was simulated by injecting a fixed volume (360 cm³) of low-viscosity polyglycerine through a basal inlet at three distinct injection rates, while surface processes were imposed using an overhead rainfall system delivering three different rainfall intensities. Topographic evolution during each experiment was monitored using a structured-light laser scanner (Artec Leo). For every model run, six Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were generated at synchronised stages corresponding to 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the injected volume, yielding a total of 42 DEMs. Raw scans were processed through a triangulated irregular network (TIN) meshing workflow and subsequently rasterised to GeoTIFF format without additional post-processing, in order to preserve the original topographic signal. In parallel, time-lapse photographic documentation was acquired throughout each experiment using a digital camera, providing a complementary visual record of dome growth, surface incision and sediment redistribution. The dataset is organised into two main components: (i) high-resolution topographic datasets (DEMs) and (ii) time-indexed photographic sequences, both linked to the temporal evolution of each experiment. Quality control procedures include scanner calibration prior to acquisition, verification of mesh consistency and raster resolution, and a closed-system experimental design ensuring mass conservation. All data are distributed in their original formats and accompanied by detailed documentation describing experimental procedures, data processing workflows, and file organisation, enabling reproducibility and reuse in quantitative analyses of coupled magmatic and surface processes. This publication results from work conducted under the transnational access/national open access action at University Roma Tre, Laboratory of Experimental Tectonics (LET) supported by WP3 ILGE - MEET project, PNRR - EU Next Generation Europe program, MUR grant number D53C22001400005.

The samples in this dataset correspond to the topographic surfaces generated during the analogue experiments. No physical geological samples were produced, and therefore no International Geo Sample Numbers (IGSNs) apply. Instead, each “sample” represents a digital acquisition of the model surface at a specific injection step. Topography was recorded using an Artec Leo structured-light 3D scanner. After each increment of injected analogue magma (corresponding to six discrete stages from 0% to 100% of the total injected volume), the evolving surface was scanned. Each scan was processed using the Artec Studio workflow to generate a triangulated irregular network (TIN), which was subsequently converted into a raster Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in GeoTIFF format. These DEMs represent the primary samples of this dataset. In parallel, time-lapse photographs were obtained using a Canon EOS 200D digital camera. Images were collected every two minutes for all models, except for the Ri 21.2 experiment, where images were acquired every ten minutes due to the longer duration of the run. Photographs were used to visually document erosion, sediment transport and dome growth, and are included here as secondary data. All DEMs and photographs retain their original resolution and were not altered beyond standard meshing and rasterisation steps required to convert the raw scanner output into usable elevation grids.

Topographic data were acquired using an Artec Leo structured-light laser scanner. The instrument performs real-time 3D reconstruction using a built-in projector–sensor system with an accuracy of up to 0.1 mm and 3D resolution of approximately 0.2–0.5 mm. Before each scanning session, the scanner was calibrated following the manufacturer’s internal calibration protocol to ensure consistent alignment and measurement stability. For every experiment, scans were carried out at six successive stages corresponding to 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the total injected analogue magma volume. Each scan covers the entire model surface, with overlapping passes to minimise occlusions and improve point-cloud completeness. Time-lapse images were obtained using a Canon EOS 200D DSLR camera equipped with a fixed focal-length lens. Photographs were taken at regular time intervals throughout each experiment: every 2 minutes for six of the seven models; every 10 minutes for the model with Ri 21.2 (due to the experiment’s longer duration). Images were saved in JPEG format at full camera resolution. No post-processing beyond file renaming and chronological ordering was applied.