Numerical modelling of magma dynamics coupled to tectonic deformation of lithosphere and crust
Numerical modelling of magma dynamics coupled to tectonic deformation of lithosphere and crust
Many unresolved questions in geodynamics revolve around the physical behaviour of the two-phase system of a silicate melt percolating through and interacting with a tectonically deforming host rock. Well-accepted equations exist to describe the physics of such systems and several previous studies have successfully implemented various forms of these equations in numerical models. To date, most such models of magma dynamics have focused on mantle flow problems and therefore employed viscous creep rheologies suitable to describe the deformation properties of mantle rock under high temperatures and pressures. However, the use of such rheologies is not appropriate to model melt extraction above the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary, where the mode of deformation of the host rock transitions from ductile viscous to brittle elasto-plastic. Here, we introduce a novel approach to numerically model magma dynamics, focusing on the conceptual study of melt extraction from an asthenospheric source of partial melt through the overlying lithosphere and crust. To this end, we introduce an adapted set of two-phase flow equations, coupled to a visco-elasto-plastic rheology for both shear and compaction deformation of the host rock in interaction with the melt phase. We describe in detail how to implement this physical model into a finite-element code, and then proceed to evaluate the functionality and potential of this methodology using a series of conceptual model setups, which demonstrate the modes of melt extraction occurring around the rheological transition from ductile to brittle host rocks. The models suggest that three principal regimes of melt extraction emerge: viscous diapirism, viscoplastic decompaction channels and elasto-plastic dyking. Thus, our model of magma dynamics interacting with active tectonics of the lithosphere and crust provides a novel framework to further investigate magmato-tectonic processes such as the formation and geometry of magma chambers and conduits, as well as the emplacement of plutonic rock complexes.
1406–1442
Keller, Tobias
d8dfcfa5-89d1-4203-aa2d-8c142c00a169
May, Dave A.
2c40e7c5-52d9-4045-994b-1a083ccb043b
Kaus, Boris J. P.
83722a00-d8b9-44b6-9efa-d106ffcb2102
13 September 2013
Keller, Tobias
d8dfcfa5-89d1-4203-aa2d-8c142c00a169
May, Dave A.
2c40e7c5-52d9-4045-994b-1a083ccb043b
Kaus, Boris J. P.
83722a00-d8b9-44b6-9efa-d106ffcb2102
Keller, Tobias, May, Dave A. and Kaus, Boris J. P.
(2013)
Numerical modelling of magma dynamics coupled to tectonic deformation of lithosphere and crust.
Geophysical Journal International, 195 (3), .
(doi:10.1093/gji/ggt306).
Abstract
Many unresolved questions in geodynamics revolve around the physical behaviour of the two-phase system of a silicate melt percolating through and interacting with a tectonically deforming host rock. Well-accepted equations exist to describe the physics of such systems and several previous studies have successfully implemented various forms of these equations in numerical models. To date, most such models of magma dynamics have focused on mantle flow problems and therefore employed viscous creep rheologies suitable to describe the deformation properties of mantle rock under high temperatures and pressures. However, the use of such rheologies is not appropriate to model melt extraction above the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary, where the mode of deformation of the host rock transitions from ductile viscous to brittle elasto-plastic. Here, we introduce a novel approach to numerically model magma dynamics, focusing on the conceptual study of melt extraction from an asthenospheric source of partial melt through the overlying lithosphere and crust. To this end, we introduce an adapted set of two-phase flow equations, coupled to a visco-elasto-plastic rheology for both shear and compaction deformation of the host rock in interaction with the melt phase. We describe in detail how to implement this physical model into a finite-element code, and then proceed to evaluate the functionality and potential of this methodology using a series of conceptual model setups, which demonstrate the modes of melt extraction occurring around the rheological transition from ductile to brittle host rocks. The models suggest that three principal regimes of melt extraction emerge: viscous diapirism, viscoplastic decompaction channels and elasto-plastic dyking. Thus, our model of magma dynamics interacting with active tectonics of the lithosphere and crust provides a novel framework to further investigate magmato-tectonic processes such as the formation and geometry of magma chambers and conduits, as well as the emplacement of plutonic rock complexes.
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Accepted/In Press date: 29 July 2013
Published date: 13 September 2013
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 488277
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/488277
ISSN: 0956-540X
PURE UUID: 6fea8c9e-d4ba-4df8-8243-224089a2ec43
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Date deposited: 19 Mar 2024 17:54
Last modified: 21 Mar 2024 03:16
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Author:
Tobias Keller
Author:
Dave A. May
Author:
Boris J. P. Kaus
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