Progressive weakening within the overriding plate during dual inward dipping subduction

Dual inward dipping subduction often produces complex deformation patterns in the overriding plate. However, the geodynamic process of how dual inward dipping subduction relates to this deformation is still poorly understood. Here we apply a composite viscosity, dependent on multiple parameters, e.g., temperature, pressure, strain rate etc., in 2-D thermo-mechanical numerical modelling to investigate how dual inward dipping subduction modifies the rheological structure of the overriding plate. Three variables are investigated to understand what controls the maximum degree of weakening. We find that the initial length and thickness of the overriding plate are negatively correlated with the magnitude of viscosity reduction. While the initial thickness of the subducting plate positively relates to the magnitude of viscosity reduction. The progressive weakening can result in a variety of stretching states ranging from 1) little or no lithosphere thinning and extension, to 2) limited thermal lithosphere thinning, and 3) localised rifting followed by spreading extension. Compared with single sided subduction, dual inward dipping subduction further reduces the magnitude of viscosity of the overriding plate. It does this by creating a dynamic fixed boundary condition for the overriding plate and forming a stronger upwelling mantle flow underlying the overriding plate. Three types of feedback weakening cycles are recognised, among which the strain rate weakening mechanism plays the dominant role in lowering the viscosity of the overriding plate throughout the simulation. Strain rate weakening is also a precondition for initiating thermal weakening, strain localisation and lithosphere thinning.

Microstructure, micro-inclusions, and mineralogy along the EGRIP ice core – Part 1: Localisation of inclusions and deformation patterns

Impurities deposited in polar ice enable the reconstruction of the atmospheric aerosol concentration of the past. At the same time they impact the physical properties of the ice itself such as its deformation behaviour. Impurities are thought to enhance ice deformation, but observations are ambiguous due to a shortage of comprehensive microstructural analyses. For the first time, we systematically analyse micro-inclusions in polar fast flowing ice, i.e. from the East Greenland Ice Core Project ice core drilled through the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream. In direct relation to the inclusions we derive the crystal preferred orientation, fabric, grain size, and microstructural features at 10 depths, covering the Holocene and Late Glacial. We use optical microscopy to create microstructure maps to analyse the in situ locations of inclusions in the polycrystalline, solid ice samples. Micro-inclusions are more variable in spatial distribution than previously observed and show various distributional patterns ranging from centimetre-thick layers to clusters and solitary particles, independent of depth. In half of all samples, micro-inclusions are more often located at or close to the grain boundaries by a slight margin (in the areas occupied by grain boundaries). Throughout all samples we find strong indications of dynamic recrystallisation, such as grain islands, bulging grains, and different types of sub-grain boundaries. We discuss the spatial variability in micro-inclusions, the link between spatial variability and mineralogy, and possible effects on the microstructure and deformation behaviour of the ice. Our results emphasise the need for holistic approaches in future studies, combining microstructure and impurity analysis.

Downward-propagating eruption following vent unloading implies no direct magmatic trigger for the 2018 lateral collapse of Anak Krakatau

The lateral collapse of Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia, in December 2018 highlighted the potentially devastating impacts of volcanic edifice instability. Nonetheless, the trigger for the Anak Krakatau collapse remains obscure. The volcano had been erupting for the previous six months, and although failure was followed by intense explosive activity, it is the period immediately prior to collapse that is potentially key in providing identifiable, pre-collapse warning signals. Here, we integrate physical, microtextural and geochemical characterisation of tephra deposits spanning the collapse period. We demonstrate that the first post-collapse eruptive phase (erupting juvenile clasts with a low microlite areal number density and relatively large microlites, reflecting a crystal-growth dominated regime) is best explained by instantaneous unloading of a relatively stagnant upper conduit. This was followed by the second post-collapse phase, on a timescale of hours, which tapped successively hotter and deeper magma batches, reflected in increasing plagioclase anorthite content and more mafic glass compositions, alongside higher calculated ascent velocities and decompression rates. The characteristics of the post-collapse products imply downward propagating destabilisation of the magma storage system as a response to collapse, rather than pre- collapse magma ascent triggering failure. Importantly, this suggests that the collapse was a consequence of longer-term processes linked to edifice growth and instability, and that no indicative changes in the magmatic system could have signalled the potential for incipient failure. Therefore, monitoring efforts may need to focus on integrating short- and long-term edifice growth and deformation patterns to identify increased susceptibility to lateral collapse. The post-collapse eruptive pattern also suggests a magma pressurisation regime that is highly sensitive to surface-driven perturbations, which led to elevated magma fluxes after the collapse and rapid edifice regrowth. Not only does rapid regrowth potentially obscure evidence of past collapses, but it also emphasises the finely balanced relationship between edifice loading and crustal magma storage.

Developing an in situ, hydromechanical coupling, true triaxial rock compression tester and investigating the deformation patterns of reservoir bank slopes

Interactions between water and rocks are the main factors affecting the deformation of rock masses on sloped banks by reservoir impoundment. The technology used in laboratory tests of water-rock interaction mechanisms cannot simulate the coupling of water, the rock structure and the initial stress environment. In this work, we develop an in situ hydromechanical true triaxial rock compression tester and apply it to investigate the coupling response of reservoir bank rocks to changing groundwater levels. The tester is composed of a sealed chamber, loader, reactor, and device for measuring deformation, which are all capable of withstanding high water pressures, and a high-precision servo controller. The maximum axial load, lateral load and water pressure are 12 000 kN, 3 000 kN and 3 MPa, respectively. The dimensions of the test specimens are 310 mm×310 mm×620 mm. The test specimens are grey-black basalts with well-developed cracks from the Xiluodu reservoir area. The results show that increasing water pressure promotes axial compression and lateral expansion, while decreasing water pressure causes axial expansion and lateral compression. A water pressure coefficient, K, is introduced as a measure of the hydromechanical coupling effect (expansion or compression) with changing groundwater level. A mechanical tester can be used to perform accurate field tests of the response of wet rocks to hydromechanical coupling. The test results provide new information about the deformation patterns of rock slopes in areas surrounding high dams and reservoirs.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Role of water in destabilizing slopes collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Role-of-water-in-destabilizing-slopes

Investigation of Geometric Deformations of The Lumbar Disc During Axial Body Rotations

BackgroundQuantitative data on in vivo vertebral disc deformations are critical for enhancing our understanding of spinal pathology and improving the design of surgical materials. This study investigated in vivo lumbar intervertebral disc deformations during axial rotations under different load-bearing conditions.MethodsTwelve healthy subjects (7 males and 5 females) between the ages of 25 and 39 were recruited. Using a combination of a dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS) and CT, the images of L3-5 segments scanned by CT were transformed into three-dimensional models, which matched the instantaneous images of the lumbar spine taken by a double fluorescent X-ray system during axial rotations to reproduce motions. Then, the kinematic data of the compression and shear deformations of the lumbar disc and the coupled bending of the vertebral body were obtained.ResultsRelative to the supine position, the average compression deformation caused by rotation is between +10% and -40%, and the shear deformation is between 17% and 50%. Under physiological weightbearing loads, different levels of lumbar discs exhibit similar deformation patterns, and the deformation patterns of left and right rotations are approximately symmetrical. The deformation patterns change significantly under a 10 kg load, with the exception of the L3-4 disc during the right rotation.ConclusionThe deformation of the lumbar disc was direction-specific and level-specific during axial rotations and was affected by extra weight. These data can provide new insights into the biomechanics of the lumbar spine and optimize the parameters of artificial lumbar spine devices.

Programmed Plastic Deformation in Mathematically-Designed Architected Cellular Materials

The ability to control the exhibited plastic deformation behavior of cellular materials under certain loading conditions can be harnessed to design more reliable and structurally efficient damage-tolerant materials for crashworthiness and protective equipment applications. In this work, a mathematically-based design approach is proposed to program the deformation behavior of cellular materials with minimal surface-based topologies and ductile constituent material by employing the concept of functional grading to control the local relative density of unit cells. To demonstrate the applicability of this design tactic, two examples are presented. Rhombic, and double arrow deformation profiles were programmed as the desired deformation patterns. Grayscale images were used to map the relative density distribution of the cellular material. 316L stainless steel metallic samples were fabricated using the powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technique. Results of compressive tests showed that the designed materials followed the desired programmed deformation behavior. Results of mechanical testing also showed that samples with programmed deformation exhibited higher plateau stress and toughness values as compared to their uniform counterparts while no effect on Young’s modulus was observed. Plateau stress values increased by 8.6% and 13.4% and toughness values increased by 5.6% and 11.2% for the graded-rhombic and graded-arrow patterns, respectively. Results of numerical simulations predicted the exact deformation behavior that was programmed in the samples and that were obtained experimentally.