Relative strength of the pyrope–majorite solid solution and the flow-law of majorite containing garnets
Even though the garnet phase is the second most abundant phase in the upper-mantle and transition-zone, no previous studies have directly measured the effect of majorite content on the strength of garnet under mantle conditions. Here we report the results of constant strain-rate and stress-relaxatio...
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Published in | Physics of the earth and planetary interiors Vol. 179; no. 1; pp. 87 - 95 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Elsevier B.V
01.03.2010
Elsevier |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Even though the garnet phase is the second most abundant phase in the upper-mantle and transition-zone, no previous studies have directly measured the effect of majorite content on the strength of garnet under mantle conditions. Here we report the results of constant strain-rate and stress-relaxation experiments on garnets in the pyrope–majorite solid solution which constrain the strength of majoritic containing garnets relative to pyrope as a function of majorite content and temperature. We find that at temperatures below 650
°
C both pure pyrope and majoritic garnets have the same strength. Conversely, above 650
°
C we find that majoritic garnets are initially stronger than pure pyrope but weaken with increasing temperature and majorite content and with significant majorite contents are weaker than pyrope above approximately 800
°
C. We develop a flow law for the entire pyrope–majorite solid solution as a function of temperature and majorite content. |
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Bibliography: | BNL-95825-2011-JA DE-AC02-98CH10886 DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE |
ISSN: | 0031-9201 1872-7395 0031-9201 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.pepi.2009.12.001 |