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Melt distribution in mantle rocks deformed in shear
Author(s) -
Zimmerman Mark E.,
Zhang Shuqing,
Kohlstedt David L.,
Karato Shunichiro
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl900259
Subject(s) - geology , mantle (geology) , olivine , shear (geology) , anisotropy , basalt , geophysics , seismic anisotropy , petrology , shear wave splitting , mineralogy , seismology , physics , quantum mechanics
Shear experiments on olivine‐basalt aggregates provide compelling evidence that the dynamic distribution of melt is controlled by the magnitude and orientation of the differential stress. Our results suggest that deformed, partially molten upper mantle rocks will have highly anisotropic physical properties including seismic wave velocities and melt permeability. In addition, our results provide a basis for interpreting geophysical observations, such as shear‐wave splitting and for modeling melt migration processes beneath mid‐ocean ridges, specifically focused flow of melt toward the ridge axis.