A dilatant, two-layer debris flow model validated by flow density measurements at the Swiss illgraben test site

We propose a dilatant, two-layer debris flow model validated by full-scale density/saturation measurements obtained from the Swiss Illgraben test site. Like many existing models, we suppose the debris flow consists of a matrix of solid particles (rocks and boulders) that is surrounded by muddy fluid. However, we split the muddy fluid into two fractions. One part, the inter-granular fluid, is bonded to the solid matrix and fills the void space between the solid particles. The combination of solid material and inter-granular fluid forms the first layer of the debris flow. The second part of the muddy fluid is not bonded to the solid matrix and can move independently from the first layer. This free fluid forms the second layer of the debris flow. During flow the rocky particulate material is sheared which induces dilatant motions that change the location of the center-of-mass of the solid. The degree of solid shearing, as well as the amount of muddy fluid and of solid particles, leads to different flow compositions including debris flow fronts consisting of predominantly solid material, or watery debris flow tails. De-watering and the formation of muddy fluid washes can occur when the solid material deposits in the runout zone. After validating the model on two theoretical case studies, we show that the proposed model is able to capture the streamwise evolution of debris flow density in time and space for real debris flow events.

Mechanical feedback and robustness of apical constrictions in Drosophila embryo ventral furrow formation

Formation of the ventral furrow in the Drosophila embryo relies on the apical constriction of cells in the ventral region to produce bending forces that drive tissue invagination. In our recent paper we observed that apical constrictions during the initial phase of ventral furrow formation produce elongated patterns of cellular constriction chains prior to invagination and argued that these are indicative of tensile stress feedback. Here, we quantitatively analyze the constriction patterns preceding ventral furrow formation and find that they are consistent with the predictions of our active-granular-fluid model of a monolayer of mechanically coupled stress-sensitive constricting particles. Our model shows that tensile feedback causes constriction chains to develop along underlying precursor tensile stress chains that gradually strengthen with subsequent cellular constrictions. As seen in both our model and available optogenetic experiments, this mechanism allows constriction chains to penetrate or circumvent zones of reduced cell contractility, thus increasing the robustness of ventral furrow formation to spatial variation of cell contractility by rescuing cellular constrictions in the disrupted regions.

Eruption Style, Emplacement Dynamics and Geometry of Peralkaline Ignimbrites: Insights From the Lajes-Angra Ignimbrite Formation, Terceira Island, Azores

Ignimbrites are relatively uncommon on ocean island volcanoes and yet they constitute a significant portion of the stratigraphy of Terceira Island (Azores). The Lajes-Angra Ignimbrite Formation (ca. 25 cal ka BP) contains the youngest ignimbrites on Terceira and records two ignimbrite-forming eruptions of Pico Alto volcano that occurred closely spaced in time. Here, we present the first detailed lithofacies analysis and architecture of the Angra and Lajes ignimbrites, complemented by petrographic, mineral chemical, whole rock and groundmass glass geochemical data. The two ignimbrites have the same comenditic trachyte composition, but show considerable variability in trace element and groundmass glass compositions, revealing complex petrogenetic processes in the Pico Alto magma reservoir prior to eruption. The Angra Ignimbrite has a high-aspect ratio and is massive throughout its thickness. It was formed by a small-volume but sustained pyroclastic density current (PDC) fed by a short-lived, low pyroclastic fountain. Overall, the PDC had high particle concentration, granular fluid-based flow conditions and was mostly channelled into a valley on the south part of Terceira. By contrast, the Lajes Ignimbrite has a low-aspect ratio and shows vertical and lateral lithofacies variations. It was formed by a sustained quasi-steady PDC generated from vigorous and prolonged pyroclastic fountaining. The ignimbrite architecture reveals that depositional conditions of the parent PDC evolved as the eruption waxed. The dilute front of the current rapidly changed to a high particle concentration, granular fluid-based PDC that extended to the north and south coasts, with limited capacity to surmount topographic highs. Contrary to what is commonly assumed, the low-aspect ratio of the Lajes Ignimbrite is interpreted to result from deposition of a relatively low velocity PDC over a generally flat topography. This work highlights that the geometry (aspect ratio) of ignimbrites does not necessarily reflect the kinetic energy of PDCs and thus should not be used as a proxy for PDC emplacement dynamics. Although the probability of an ignimbrite-forming eruption on Terceira is relatively low, such a scenario should not be underestimated, as a future event would have devastating consequences for the island’s 55,000 inhabitants.

Rotational Particle Separation in Solutions: Micropolar Fluid Theory Approach

We develop a new mathematical model for rotational sedimentation of particles for steady flows of a viscoplastic granular fluid in a concentric-cylinder Couette geometry when rotation of the Couette cell inner cylinder is prescribed. We treat the suspension as a micro-polar fluid. The model is validated by comparison with known data of measurement. Within the proposed theory, we prove that sedimentation occurs due to particles’ rotation and rotational diffusion.

Unified constitutive model for granular-fluid mixture in quasi-static and dense flow regimes

Most granular materials encountered in nature and industry lie either in the quasi-static regime or the intermediate dense flow regime. Debris materials are a typical granular material with viscous interstitial fluid, and shows solid-like behaviors before failure and fluid-like behaviors after failure. Based on Bagnold’s pioneering work on granular-fluid flows, we propose a framework for constitutive model development, which has an additive form. Based on this framework, a unified constitutive model for granular-fluid material in the quasi-static and dense flow regimes is developed. The main intergranular interactions and granular-fluid interactions controlling the mechanical behaviors are taken into account using the Mohr-Coulomb model and a Bagnold-type relation. Dry granular flows in three simple configurations, i.e., plain shear, vertical chute flow and flow on an inclined plane, are studied. Analytical solutions based on the presented unified model are obtained. Comparisons between results from the presented model and the mu(I) model indicate that the explicit partition of frictional and collisional stress components provides insights in dense granular flows. In addition, the new model is used to predict the stress-strain relations in two annular shear tests. The applicability and advantages of the unified model are discussed.

Strain shadow “megapores” in mid-crustal ultramylonites - local, transient reservoirs servicing the granular fluid pump?

<p>Shear zones are important conduits that facilitate the bidirectional migration of fluids and dissolved solids across the middle crust. It is a relatively recent revelation that mylonitic deformation in such shear zones can result in the formation of synkinematic pores that are potentially utilised in long-range fluid migration. The pores definitely influence a shear zone’s hydraulic transport properties on the grain scale, facilitating synkinematic fluid-rock interactions and mass transfer. Our understanding of how exactly various forms of synkinematic porosity integrate with the kinematics and dynamics of shear zones is still growing. Here we show a previously undescribed form of synkinematic porosity in an unweathered, greenschist-facies psammitic ultramylonite from the Cap de Creus Northern Shear Belt (Spain). The sizeable, open pores with volumes > 50k µm3 appear exclusively next to albitic feldspar porphyroclasts, which themselves float in a fine-grained, polymineralic ultramylonitic matrix that likely deformed by grain size-sensitive creep and viscous grain boundary sliding. The pores wrap around their host clasts, occupying asymmetric strain shadows and tailing off into the mylonitic foliation. A detailed analysis using high-resolution backscatter electron imaging and non-invasive synchrotron-based x-ray microtomography confirms that the pores are isolated from each other. We found no evidence for weathering of the samples, or any significant post-mylonitic overprint, unequivocally supporting a synkinematic origin of the pores. </p><p>We propose that this strain shadow porosity formed through the rotations of the Ab porphyroclasts, which was governed by the clasts’ shapes and elongation. The ultramylonitic matrix was critical in enabling the formation of pores in the clast’s strain shadows. In the matrix, the individual grains were displaced mostly parallel to the shear direction. As a consequence of clast rotation it can be expected that, in the strain shadows, matrix grains followed diverging movement vectors. As a result, phase boundaries in the YZ plane experienced tensile forces, leading to the opening of pores. We infer that this tensile decoupling among matrix grains established a hydraulic gradient that drained the matrix locally and filled the pores with fluid. The fact that the strain shadow pores remained open in our samples suggests a chemical equilibrium with the fluid. Pore shape and volume will have been subject to continuous modification during ongoing matrix deformation and clast rotation.</p><p>This form of synkinematic porosity constitutes a puzzling, yet obvious way to maintain surprisingly large pores in ultramylonites whose transport properties are otherwise likely determined by creep cavitation and the granular fluid pump (Fusseis et al., 2009). We envisage that the strain shadow megapores worked in sync with the granular fluid pump in the ultramylonitic matrix and, while the overall porosity of ultramylonites may be small, locally, substantial fluid reservoirs were available to service fluid-rock interaction and fluid-mediated mass transfer. Our findings add another puzzle piece to our evolving understanding of synkinematic transport properties of mid-crustal ultramylonites and fluid-rock interaction in shear zones at the brittle-to-ductile transition.</p>

Experimental evidence that viscous shear zones generate periodic pore sheets

In experiments designed to understand deep shear zones, we show that periodic porous sheets emerge spontaneously during viscous creep and that they facilitate mass transfer. These findings challenge conventional expectations of how viscosity in solid rocks operates and provide quantitative data in favour of an alternative paradigm, that of the dynamic granular fluid pump model. On this basis, we argue that our results warrant a reappraisal of the community's perception of how viscous deformation in rocks proceeds with time and suggest that the general model for deep shear zones should be updated to include creep cavitation. Through our discussion we highlight how the integration of creep cavitation, and its Generalised Thermodynamic paradigm, would be consequential for a range of important solid Earth topics that involve viscosity in Earth materials like, for example, slow earthquakes.

Stability of the homogeneous steady state for a model of a confined quasi-two-dimensional granular fluid

A linear stability analysis of the hydrodynamic equations of a model for confined quasi-two-dimensional granular gases is carried out. The stability analysis is performed around the homogeneous steady state (HSS) reached eventually by the system after a transient regime. In contrast to previous studies (which considered dilute or quasielastic systems), our analysis is based on the results obtained from the inelastic Enskog kinetic equation, which takes into account the (nonlinear) dependence of the transport coefficients and the cooling rate on dissipation and applies to moderate densities. As in earlier studies, the analysis shows that the HSS is linearly stable with respect to long enough wavelength excitations.