Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes

Replacement processes are common transformation mechanisms in minerals and rocks at a variety of conditions and scales. The underlying mechanisms are, in general, poorly understood, but both mechanical and chemical processes are thought to be important. Replacement of leucite (KAlSi2O6) by analcime...

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Main Authors: Jamtveit, B., Putnis, Christine, Malthe-Sørenssen, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer 2009
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15071
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author Jamtveit, B.
Putnis, Christine
Malthe-Sørenssen, A.
author_facet Jamtveit, B.
Putnis, Christine
Malthe-Sørenssen, A.
author_sort Jamtveit, B.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Replacement processes are common transformation mechanisms in minerals and rocks at a variety of conditions and scales. The underlying mechanisms are, in general, poorly understood, but both mechanical and chemical processes are thought to be important. Replacement of leucite (KAlSi2O6) by analcime (NaAlSi2 O6·H2O) is common in silica-poor igneous rocks. A 10% increase in volume is associated with the replacement process, and this generates stresses that eventually cause fracturing of the reacting leucite. Experimentally reacted leucite samples display characteristic fracturing patterns that include both spalling of concentric 'onion-skin'-like layers near the reacting interface and the formation of cross-cutting, often hierarchically arranged, sets of fractures that divide the remaining leucite into progressively smaller domains. These structures may explain the 'patchy' alteration patterns observed in natural leucite samples and similar, so-called, mesh-textures associated with the serpentinization of olivine grains during hydration of mafic or ultramafic rocks. They are also strikingly similar to larger scale patterns formed during spheroidal weathering processes. A simple discrete element model illustrates the mechanics that control the formation of such systems, and shows how these replacement processes may be accelerated due to the generation of new reactive surface area by hierarchical fracturing processes. © Springer-Verlag 2008.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-150712017-09-13T15:04:45Z Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes Jamtveit, B. Putnis, Christine Malthe-Sørenssen, A. Replacement processes are common transformation mechanisms in minerals and rocks at a variety of conditions and scales. The underlying mechanisms are, in general, poorly understood, but both mechanical and chemical processes are thought to be important. Replacement of leucite (KAlSi2O6) by analcime (NaAlSi2 O6·H2O) is common in silica-poor igneous rocks. A 10% increase in volume is associated with the replacement process, and this generates stresses that eventually cause fracturing of the reacting leucite. Experimentally reacted leucite samples display characteristic fracturing patterns that include both spalling of concentric 'onion-skin'-like layers near the reacting interface and the formation of cross-cutting, often hierarchically arranged, sets of fractures that divide the remaining leucite into progressively smaller domains. These structures may explain the 'patchy' alteration patterns observed in natural leucite samples and similar, so-called, mesh-textures associated with the serpentinization of olivine grains during hydration of mafic or ultramafic rocks. They are also strikingly similar to larger scale patterns formed during spheroidal weathering processes. A simple discrete element model illustrates the mechanics that control the formation of such systems, and shows how these replacement processes may be accelerated due to the generation of new reactive surface area by hierarchical fracturing processes. © Springer-Verlag 2008. 2009 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15071 10.1007/s00410-008-0324-y Springer restricted
spellingShingle Jamtveit, B.
Putnis, Christine
Malthe-Sørenssen, A.
Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
title Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
title_full Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
title_fullStr Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
title_full_unstemmed Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
title_short Reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
title_sort reaction induced fracturing during replacement processes
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/15071