Phase transformations, earthquakes and the descending lithosphere

摘要: Abstract The energy dissipated from metastable phase transformations is investigated in this paper. In addition to the kinetic envisaged by Randall, at least two other major forms of (latent-heat and metastability energy) are involved a transformation. seismic-energy density for transformation order 10 24 –10 25 erg km −3 most mantle silicates. As an example, earthquake magnitude M = 7.5 would require only 0.01, 0.03 or 0.04 3 basalt, olivine pyroxene, respectively, undergoing “Earthquakes” caused both faulting phase-transformation mechanisms have been observed high-pressure laboratory experiments. associated with mechanism appears be four five orders less than that silicates, confirming theoretical expectations. According all thermal models descending lithosphere available literature, almost certainly occur lithosphere. Enormous energies released suddenly association these transformations. Thus, earthquakes within depths greater 100 may induced However, little opposing effect on tectonic engine driving motion plates into mantle.