EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Waff & Bulau 1979
Waff, H.S. and Bulau, J.R. (1979). Equilibrium fluid distribution in an ultramafic partial melt under hydrostatic stress conditions. Journal of Geophysical Research 84: doi: 10.1029/JB080i011p06109. issn: 0148-0227.

The geometrical distribution of the fluid phase in partially molten mafic material has been studied under conditions providing close approach to textural equilibrium. Mechanical mixtures of natural dunite and basalt were held at temperatures slightly above solidus and at 10-kbar confining pressure for time durations exceeding 160 hours. For melt fractions of 1--2% the fluid phase observed as glass in quenched specimens occurs as a completely interconnected network of channels along intergranular edge intersections. The intergranular facial contacts appear dry, and the grains appear to be in mechanical contact across these faces within the 200-¿ resolution of a scanning electron microscope. Grain-grain intersection angles near 120¿ occur between the solid phases, suggesting that crystalline anisotropy plays a minor role in defining surface energies. These results confirm that surface energy plays a dominant role in determining fluid distribution in equilibrium partial melts of silicate composition.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit