Deformation mechanism maps for polycrystalline galena

A deformation mechanism map, depicting the fields of stress and temperature in which modes of plastic flow are dominant (i.e. provide the fastest strain rate) has been calculated for polycrystalline, stoichiometric galena for each of two grain sizes; namely, 10 and 10³ μm. The deformation mechanisms considered were dislocation glide, dislocation creep (i.e. creep involving dislocation climb), Nabarro-Herring creep and Coble creep.During folding and related tectonic deformation in the earth's crust steady-state flow of galena may occur by either dislocation or diffusion creep at very low differential stresses (typically ranging from 100 bars down to 10^?2 bar, or less). The dislocation creep field will be enlarged at the expense of that for diffusion creep, however, if (a) the stress dependence of strain rate for dislocation creep decreases at low stresses and if the grain size is greater than 10 μm, or (b) diffusion creep rates decline at high strains due to the presence of second-phase particles in the grain boundaries. It is probable that dislocation glide will be the dominant deformation mechanism in galena only at low temperatures and fast strain rates and it is unlikely to be the dominant mechanism during folding. Kinking may have some potential as an indicator of these temperatures and strain rates.     

长英质岩石的流变学特征及其影响因素

在总结岩石变形机制与岩石流变学实验进展的基础上,讨论了岩石流变学数据的重复性。虽然高温高压流变学实验积累了大量的数据,但中、上地壳长英质岩石和早期获得的石英集合体的流变实验数据重复性比较差,而近年来发表的石英、长石的流变学实验数据重复性相对较好。虽然利用经验理论模型,根据端元组分可以拟合两相矿物集合体的流变律,但并不能满足定量确定复杂组分和特殊流变性的长英质岩石流变参数的需要。因此,利用长英质岩石流变参数估计大陆地壳流变强度剖面时,即使在相同地温和应变速率条件下,给出的流变曲线、脆-塑性转化带深度也有一定差别,还需要通过大量实验给出更精细的长英质岩石流变学实验数据。根据近年来流变学实验研究的新进展,讨论了在实验室条件下影响长英质岩石流变的各种因素,重点分析了流体、岩石成分、样品粒度和组构对流变的影响。微量结构水对岩石流变有显著的弱化作用,而熔体对流变的影响与熔体含量和分布相关,只有熔体呈薄膜状湿润颗粒边界时,熔体的弱化作用才显著。成分对岩石流变的影响不仅体现在样品的应力指数等流变参数的变化方面,还体现在样品从半脆性变形向塑性变形的转化温度方面。粒度主要影响岩石的变形机制,其中,细粒样品在扩散蠕变域具有应力与粒度线性负相关特性,是理想的应力计,可以用来定量确定韧性剪切带的流变强度;而在位错蠕变域,应力与粒度没有依存关系,这为将实验室条件得出的流变数据外推估计地壳流变提供了重要依据。组构和各向异性是地壳中岩石存在的普遍现象,但关于层状组构对多相矿物组成的岩石流变影响的研究非常少,需要通过新的实验来深入研究。     

Mantle rheology: radial and lateral viscosity variations inferred from microphysical creep laws

Inferences on the rheology of the mantle based on theoretical and experimental rate equations for steady state creep are discussed and compared with results from geophysical models. The radial increase of viscosity by one to three orders of magnitude across the mantle, required by inversion of postglacial rebound and geodynamic data, is confirmed by microphysical models based on the estimation of continuous and discontinuous changes of creep parameters with depth. The upper mantle (viscosity 10²⁰–10²¹ Pa s) is likely to show non-Newtonian rheology (power-law creep) for average grain sizes larger than 0.1 mm as an order of magnitude. Given the variability of both grain size and stress conditions, local regions of linear rheology can be present. The rheology of transition zone and lower mantle (viscosity 10²²–10²⁴ Pa s) cannot be definitely resolved at present. Estimation of creep parameters leads to possible nonlinear or mixed rheology, if grain sizes are not lower than 0.1 mm and flow conditions can be approximated by a constant strain rate of about 10⁻¹⁵ s⁻¹. This conclusion can be modified by different flow conditions (e.g. a decrease in strain rate or constant viscous dissipation). Furthermore, experiments on fine-grained garnetites and perovskite analogues have shown that diffusion creep is predominant at laboratory conditions. However, the pressure dependence of creep in these phases is unknown, and therefore direct extrapolation to lower mantle conditions is necessarily speculative. Lateral variations of viscosity, largest in the upper and lowermost mantle (up to 2–4 orders of magnitude) are predicted by models based on lateral temperature anomalies derived from seismic tomographic models.     

Structural superplastic creep and linear viscosity in the earth's mantle

The rheology of dry polycrystalline olivine is examined by adopting a hyperbolic sine flow law (which reduces to a power law below 3 kbars) for high stress behavior, and a model for diffusion accommodated, coherent, grain boundary sliding (structural superplastic creep) for low stress behavior. The model for superplastic creep gives a linear relation between stress and strain rate and is consistent with the behavior of polycrystalline olivine during ductile faulting experiments (Post, 1973). For any given stable grain size, linear superplastic creep is promoted by relatively low stress and temperature. For a 1 -cm grain size and a homologous temperature between 0.6 and 0.8, superplastic creep dominates below transition stresses between 402 and 25 bars, respectively. Transition stresses are higher for smaller grain size and lower temperature. If grain size is stress dependent, superplastic creep is non-linear and dominates above a stress of 300 bars. Below that stress, relatively lower temperatures promote superplastic creep. Grain size may be stabilized by either physical or kinetic inhibition of grain growth, thereby allowing linear superplastic creep in the mantle. Results suggest that superplastic creep can dominate in most of the upper mantle except possibly for the asthenosphere where homologous temperatures are maximal and hyperbolic sine law creep can dominate. Mantle diapirism is at least in part accomplished by superplastic flow above and along the margins of the rising diapir.     

天然麻粒岩高温流变实验研究

本实验在气体介质三轴高温流变仪上,采用怀安瓦窑口麻粒岩,在温度900～1200℃、围压300 MPa、应变速率10~(-4)～10~(-6)/s条件下,开展高温流变实验.实验样品麻粒岩由斜长石(52%)、单斜辉石和斜方辉石(40%)、石英(3%)、磁铁矿和钛铁矿(5%)组成,矿物平均粒度为:斜长石294μm、单斜辉石和斜方辉石282μm、石英97μm、磁铁矿和钛铁矿109μm.利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪分析获得变形后样品的水含量约为0.17±0.05wt%.实验样品的强度随温度升高而降低,随应变速率降低而降低.基于力学数据,采用稳态流变方程,获得实验样品在900～1000℃时的应力指数为8.1～12.9,在1050～1150℃时的应力指数为4.8～5.8,平均值5.2.应力指数随着温度升高而降低.显微结构和成分分析表明,在900℃时麻粒岩出现矿物压扁与定向拉长特征,样品以位错滑移和微破裂变形为主;在950～1000℃时,麻粒岩样品中颗粒边界变得圆滑,表现出位错攀移特征,辉石和磁铁矿边缘出现微量熔体;在1050～1200℃时麻粒岩出现部分熔融,而且随着温度和实验时间(应变)增加,熔体含量增加,熔体结晶出微粒斜长石、辉石和橄榄石,部分辉石通过固体反应生成橄榄石.颗粒边界熔体和矿物反应促进了扩散作用,导致位错攀移和熔体引起的扩散蠕变共同控制了麻粒岩的高温流变.     

花岗岩非稳态流变实验

脆塑性转化带对于研究岩石圈变形、断层强度和变形机制以及强震的孕育和发生具有重要意义.文中采用汶川地震震源区彭灌杂岩中具有代表性的细粒花岗岩样品,在固体压力介质三轴实验系统上开展了高温高压非稳态流变实验研究.实验设计模拟了汶川地震区地壳10～30km深度的实际温度和压力,温度为190～490℃,压力为250～750MPa...     

Rheology of the lower mantle

The rheology of the lower mantle of the Earth is examined from the viewpoint of solid state physics. Recent developments in high-pressure research suggest that the lower mantle contains a considerable amount of (Mg, Fe)O with Fe/Mg + Fe = 0.2–0.3. The pressure and temperature dependences of diffusion in (Mg, Fe)O are estimated by the theory of diffusion in ionic solids. Of the materials composing the lower mantle, (Mg, Fe)O may be the “softest”, and therefore the rheology of the lower mantle may be that of (Mg, Fe)O, unless the framework effect is important.Temperatures in the lower mantle are inferred from the depths of phase transitions and the melting temperatures of the core materials. A thermal boundary layer at the base of the mantle is suggested. The physical mechanisms of creep are examined based on a grain size-stress relation and non-Newtonian flow is shown to be the dominant flow mechanism in the Earth's mantle.The effective viscosity for the temperature models, with and without the thermal boundary layer, is calculated for constant stress and constant strain rate (with depth). For constant strain rate, which may be appropriate for discussing the mechanics of descending slabs, the increase in effective viscosity with depth is smaller than for the constant-stress case, which may be appropriate for discussing the flow induced by the surface motion of plates.The relatively small depth gradient of viscosity, for constant strain rate, suggests that the lower mantle could also participate in convection. The effective viscosity increases with depth, however, by at least 10² to 10³ from the top to the bottom of the lower mantle, for a reasonable range of activation volumes and temperatures. There will be a low-viscosity layer at the base of the mantle, in contrast to the high-viscosity layer at the top of the mantle (plates), if a thermal boundary layer is present. The constant Newtonian viscosity inferred from rebound data may be an apparent feature resulting from the difference in deformation mechanisms between isostatic rebound and large-scale flow.     

Influence of natural radioactivity on creep rate

Steady-state creep in the earth's mantle is controlled by the diffusion coefficient and by the distances traveled by defects between sources and sinks. In this paper, we investigate the role played by additional vacancies created by natural radioactivity. According to recent studies, bombardment of solids by energetic particles can act as a perturbation. The resulting strain rate is proportional to the rate of vacancy creation and, contrary to ordinary creep mechanisms, is only weakly dependent on the temperature and the energy necessary to create those vacancies; it is independent of the grain size. The strain rate is of the same order of magnitude as the diffusion mechanism but smaller than the dislocation-climb rate by two to three orders of magnitude. Consequently, the strain rate produced by natural radioactivity does not play a major role in the observed rate of deformation, although it could constitute a lower limit to the creep rate and act as a regulatory mechanism. Furthermore, being less strongly affected by temperature and the vacancy-formation energy than are the other mechanisms, it is also less strongly affected by depth.     

Thermally induced brittle deformation in oceanic lithosphere and the spacing of fracture zones

Brittle deformation of oceanic lithosphere due to thermal stress is explored with a numerical model, with an emphasis on the spacing of fracture zones. Brittle deformation is represented by localized plastic strain within a material having an elasto-visco-plastic rheology with strain softening. We show that crustal thickness, creep strength, and the rule governing plastic flow control the formation of cracks. The spacing of primary crack decreases with crustal thickness as long as it is smaller than a threshold value. Creep strength shifts the threshold such that crust with strong creep strength develops primary cracks regardless of crustal thicknesses, while only a thin crust can have primary cracks if its creep strength is low. For a thin crust, the spacing of primary cracks is inversely proportional to the creep strength, suggesting that creep strength might independently contribute to the degree of brittle deformation. Through finite versus zero dilatation in plastic strain, associated and non-associated flow rule results in nearly vertical and V-shaped cracks, respectively. Changes in the tectonic environment of a ridge system can be reflected in variation in crustal thickness, and thus related to brittle deformation. The fracture zone-free Reykjanes ridge is known to have a uniformly thick crust. The Australian-Antarctic Discordance has multiple fracture zones and thin crust. These syntheses are consistent with enhanced brittle deformation of oceanic lithosphere when the crust is thin and vice versa.     

Olivine flow mechanisms at 8 GPa

The mechanisms responsible for high-temperature olivine deformation are investigated at a pressure of 8 GPa and temperatures up to 1780 K. San Carlos olivine specimens of different average grain sizes (0.5 and 5 μm) were deformed simultaneously between hard-alumina pistons during relaxation experiments. These experiments are carried out in a multi-anvil high-pressure apparatus coupled with synchrotron X-ray radiation. The different grain-size specimens experienced identical P-T-stress condition at any given time. A new method for measuring strains and strain rates (≥10⁻⁶ s⁻¹) of specimens at high pressure is documented. This method uses time-resolved in situ X-ray imaging and an image-analysis computation. The microstructures of run products, recovered after being quenched at different temperatures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We find that high-temperature olivine flow is grain-size insensitive at 8 GPa, which suggests that dislocation creep dominates olivine deformation at high pressure. This result is confirmed by the TEM investigation of our deformed specimens in which we find evidences of the activation of olivine dislocation slip systems. Specimen microstructures are consistent with dynamic recrystallization as an assisting process in olivine deformation during the high-pressure experiments. Extrapolation of our results to the low stress level and large grain size expected in the mantle suggests that dislocation creep assisted by dynamic recrystallization may also dominate natural olivine deformation in the upper mantle.     

A viscoelastic shear zone model of compressional and extensional plate boundaries

A model is proposed describing the mechanical evolution of a shear zone along compressional and extensional plate boundaries, subject to constant strain rate. The shear zones are assumed as viscoelastic with Maxwell rheology and with elastic and rheological parameters depending on temperature and petrology. Stress and strain are computed as functions of time and depth. For both kinds of boundaries the model reproduces the existence of a shallow seismogenic zone, characterized by a stress concentration. The thickness of the seismogenic layer is evaluated considering the variations of shear stress and frictional strength on faults embedded in the shear zone. Assuming that a fault dislocation takes place, the brittle-ductile transition is assumed to occur at the depth at which the time derivative of total shear stress changes from positive to negative values. The effects of different strain rates and geothermal gradients on the depth of the brittle-ductile transition are studied. The model predictions are consistent with values inferred from seismicity data of different boundary zones.     

中下地壳温度压力条件下岩石半脆性蠕变的实验研究

本文着重介绍了在中下地壳温度、压力条件下进行的几种岩石半脆性蠕变的实验研究结果。通过对这些岩石的蠕变曲线、蠕变类型、蠕变速度和时间、蠕变应变的关系、稳态蠕变速度-流动应力和蠕变破坏特征的观测、分析,阐述了地壳岩石半脆性蠕变的基本规律,并在温度、围压-流动应力座标系中给出了岩石半脆性蠕变的分区     

断层脆塑性转化带的强度与变形机制及其流体和应变速率的影响

野外、实验和地震数据表明:浅部地壳的变形以脆性破裂为主,深部地壳的变形以晶体塑性流动为主.在这种认识的基础上,提出了地壳变形的2种机制模型,即发生脆性变形的上部地壳强度基于Byerlee摩擦定律以及发生塑性变形的下部地壳强度基于幂次蠕变定律.而位于其间的脆塑性转化带的深度与浅源地震深度的下限具有很好的一致性.然而,二元结构的流变模型局限性在于其力学模型过于简单,往往过高估计了脆塑性转化带的强度.问题的根源在于对脆塑性转化带的变形机制的研究已有很多,但没有定量的力学方程来描述脆塑性转化带强度;而且以往对断层脆塑性转化带的研究主要集中在温度引起的脆塑性转化方面,对因应变速率和流体对脆塑性转化的影响方面的研究也比较薄弱.对断层带内矿物变形机制研究表明,某些断层带脆塑性转化发生在相同深度(温度和压力)内,发生脆塑性转化的原因是应变速率的变化,而这种变化被认为与地震周期的同震、震后-间震期蠕变有关,这种变化得到了主震-余震深度分布变化的证实.对断层流体特征分析表明,断层带内可能存在高压流体,这种高压流体会随断裂带的破裂及愈合而周期性变化,在地震孕育及循环中起着关键性作用.高压流体的形成(裂隙愈合)有多种机理,其中,压溶是断层带裂隙愈合的主导机制之一.研究在水作用下的压溶,可以对传统的摩擦-流变二元地壳强度结构及其断层强度进行补充与修正.通过以上分析,认为有必要通过野外变形样品和高温高压实验,深入研究应变速率及流体压力对断层脆塑性转化的影响,同时,通过实验建立压溶蠕变的方程,近似地估计脆塑性转化带的强度.     

Shear localisation in upper mantle peridotites

Upper mantle peridotite bodies at the earth's surface contain relict structures and microstructures which provide direct information on the role and the mechanisms of shear localisation in the upper mantle. Deformation which occurred at high temperatures (T>950±50°C) is relatively homogeneous within domains ranging in scale from a few kilometres to a few tens of kilometres. Below 950±50°C strain is localised into centimetre to several hundred metre wide shear zones which commonly contain hydrated mylonitic peridotites. The microstructures developed in the peridotites suggest there is a correlation between the occurrence of shear localisation and the occurrence of strain softening and brittle deformation processes. The most important strain softening processes are inferred to be structural and reaction induced softening. Structural softening processes include dynamic recrystallisation and strain-induced transitions from dislocation creep to some form of grain-size-sensitive (GSS) creep. Reaction induced softening is related to the formation of fine grained polyphase reaction products which deform by GSS creep and the formation of weak sheet silicates such as phlogopite, chlorite, talc and antigorite. From experimental studies these softening processes and brittle deformation processes are inferred to occur mainly at temperatures less than about 910±160°C. This temperature range is inferred to be a significant rheological transition in the upper mantle. Below 910±160°C deformation during orogenesis may be accommodated by an anastomosing network of hydrated mylonitic shear zones with a distinct, perhaps weak, rheology. At higher temperatures strain is accommodated in much wider deformation zones.On the scale of the lithosphere the degree of localisation may be different to that determined at the scale of the periodotite massif. An anastomosing network of hundred metre wide mylonitic shear zones forming 0.05–0.3 by volume fraction of the mantle lithosphere atT<950°C could accommodate inhomogeneous or homogeneous bulk deformation depending on the spatial distribution and ordering of the mylonite zones. The higher temperature deformation at deeper levels in the mantle could be markedly inhomogeneous being concentrated in shear zones with widths in the range of 2–20 km, alternatively these zones may widen significantly during deformation, resulting in a decrease in the degree of localisation with increasing bulk strain.     

用高温高压岩石蠕变实验解释岩石圈流变时存在的若干问题的讨论

由于实验条件和实际地质条件的差别,在实验温压条件下得出的变形机制。流动律和微观组构不等同于岩石圈相同温压条件下的变形机制、流动律和微观组构。因此,用高温高压蠕变实验结果直接外推解释岩石圈流变时存在若干问题。只有把实验条件、变形机制、微观组构作为一个有机的整体。去理解和认识岩石圈流变特性,才不至于产生太大的偏差。     

δ objects as a gauge for stress sensitivity of strain rate in mylonites

Our understanding of the flow properties of deforming rocks in the Earth's lithosphere is mainly based on theoretical work and on the extrapolation of high-strain-rate experimental data to the low strain rates of rock deformation in nature. The geometry of structures in naturally deformed rocks can be an additional source of information on the rheology of the lithosphere. Flow experiments show that the geometry of a mantle of recrystallised material around a rigid object can be used to distinguish between a linear or power-law relation of differential stress and strain rate in strongly deformed rocks such as mylonites. This means that it is possible to use geometrical patterns in deformed rocks to constrain aspects of the rheology and to check the applicability of theoretical models and the extrapolation of laboratory data on creep in rocks to nature.     

Application of rock creep experiment in calculating the viscoelastic parameters of earth medium

The viscosity of earth medium can explain many geophysical phenomena. The uplifting velocity of Ti- betan Plateau may be caused by extrusion of the low viscosity channel in middle and lower crust[1]. The post-deformation after earthquake also relates to the rheology of earth medium[2]. The aftershock sequence is considered a process of strain release after stress dropped[3]. There are two kinds of models in the study of rheological character of crustal medium, elastoplas- only when the forced…     

中国大陆及邻区岩石圈三维流变结构

依据地震波速得到的上地幔温度和气象台站记录的地表温度为约束,结合地表热流和热导率观测数据,利用有限元方法计算了中国大陆及邻区岩石圈三维热结构.基于此温度结果和GPS观测得到的应变率数据,以滑动摩擦、脆性破裂和蠕变三种强度机制为约束,计算得到了中国大陆及邻区岩石圈三维流变结构.结果显示:弱强度和低等效黏滞性系数的下地壳在中国大陆及邻区普遍存在,并且下地壳的流变强度和等效黏滞性系数比上地壳和岩石圈地幔一般要低1~2个数量级;中国大陆范围内青藏高原存在着厚度最大、强度最低的下地壳;青藏高原的岩石圈强度和等效黏滞性系数比华北、华南和印度板块的都要低;岩石圈流变结构的横向分布特征与重力梯度带和地形过渡带比较一致.     

Strain localisation in bimineralic rocks: Experimental deformation of synthetic calcite–anhydrite aggregates

Deformation of synthetic calcite–anhydrite aggregates to large shear strains (up to γ = 12.4 at 600 °C, 300 MPa confining pressure and a constant angular displacement rate corresponding to a shear strain rate of 10^− 3 s^− 1) resulted in the first experimental observation of strain localisation from initially homogeneous rocks. In contrast to experiments on pure calcite and anhydrite, which deformed homogeneously to large strains (γ ≥ 5), all experiments on calcite–anhydrite mixtures resulted in heterogeneous deformation at γ > 1 and the formation of narrow localised bands in the microstructures at γ > 4. In these bands, the amount of strain is at least twice as large as in the rest of the sample and individual grains of the same phase cluster and align, thereby forming microstructural layering similar to planar fabrics in natural mylonites. A switch in deformation mechanism in anhydrite from dislocation creep to diffusion creep and/or grain boundary sliding occurs simultaneously with strain localisation. It is concluded that deformation-induced heterogeneous phase distributions cause local strength differences initiating strain localisation in the calcite–anhydrite mixtures. The study suggests that the presence of two phases in combination with a change in deformation mechanism may be responsible for strain localisation in natural poly-mineralic mylonites.     

钙钛矿的高温塑性：下地幔的流变性

重点介绍了近年来国际地球物理学界在钙钛矿高温塑性研究领域内取得的进展。依据高温高压实验岩石学和矿物物理测试结果，科学家们提出硅酸盐钙钛矿是下地幔最主要的矿物相。采用相似材料理论和高温高压实验技术，在过去几年里对钙钛矿的高温塑性变形进行了深入细致的实验研究，就钙钛矿的高温塑性强度，流变机制和塑性各向异性等进行了探讨，这些开创性的研究特别强调了钙钛矿晶体结构相变和高温塑性的关系，并对应用矿物的晶体结构－－塑性系统相关性外推未知矿物流变强度的可能性作了探讨。作为一个直接的应用，这些研究成果被广泛的用来讨论有关的下地幔地球动力学问题，特别是下地幔的流动强度，流动机制和流动弱化。