Granular dilatancy and non-local fluidity of partially molten rock

TL;DR

This paper extends the continuum theory of partially molten rock by incorporating granular physics, including dilatancy and non-local fluidity, to better explain experimental segregation phenomena in geological systems.

Contribution

It introduces a granular physics-based extension to the continuum model of partially molten rock, accounting for dilatancy and non-local fluidity effects.

Findings

Theory aligns with experimental observations of liquid segregation.

Dilatancy and non-local fluidity are key to understanding melt migration.

Model applies to high-temperature geological conditions.

Abstract

Partially molten rock is a densely packed, melt-saturated, granular medium, but it has seldom been considered in these terms. In this manuscript, we extend the continuum theory of partially molten rock to incorporate the physics of granular media. Our formulation includes dilatancy in a viscous constitutive law and introduces a non-local fluidity. We analyse the resulting poro-viscous--granular theory in terms of two modes of liquid--solid segregation that are observed in published torsion experiments: localisation of liquid into high-porosity sheets and radially inward liquid flow. We show that the newly incorporated granular physics brings the theory into agreement with experiments. We discuss these results in the context of grain-scale physics across the nominal jamming fraction at the high homologous temperatures relevant in geological systems.