The role of serpentinization in exhumation of high- to ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

2

Scientific paper

Analysis of physical processes involved in serpentinization show that it can lead to a significant reduction in density, huge volume increase and generate giant pressure within serpentinizing rocks. Combined together, these factors make the serpentinization process a very important one for the start and support of exhumation of high- and ultra-high-pressure rocks. Serpentinization can generate a significant buoyancy force, as well as forces capable of horizontal displacing of an exhuming block. Exhumation of high-grade rocks to the surface requires the presence of an external force, and it cannot be accomplished by buoyancy alone. Intimate relationships between exhumation and serpentinization, serpentinized peridotites and HP LT/UHP LT rocks, and co-existence of eclogites and blueschists with thrusts and nappes containing peridotites, serpentinites, or ophiolites point to the significant role of serpentinization in exhumation. Formal analysis of the viscous properties of the lithosphere illustrates that exhumation within the continental crust is extremely slow, that its velocity increases with an increase of slab size, and that the velocity value during the subduction process should be greater than during exhumation. Generated by serpentinization process, pressure can play an important role in both forcing an exhuming block up and/or detaching the upper part of the subducting slab from its bottom part. An absence of serpentinites of the Archean age proves that serpentinization cannot play a significant role in exhumation of high-grade rocks in the Archean.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The role of serpentinization in exhumation of high- to ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The role of serpentinization in exhumation of high- to ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The role of serpentinization in exhumation of high- to ultra-high-pressure metamorphic rocks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1282743

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.