Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/S001727/1
Calibration of a new model for mantle viscosity: the role of grain boundaries from bicrystal experiments
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr J Mecklenburgh, The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Grant held at:
- The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Panel A
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Geodynamics
- Lithosphere
- Mineral physics
- Rheology
- Seismic structure
- Mantle & Core Processes
- Properties Of Earth Materials
- Earthquakes
- Glacial isostasy
- Lithospheric processes
- Mantle processes
- Tectonic modelling
- Tectonic Processes
- Sea level
- Seismic hazards
- Defects
- Microstructure analysis
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Mechanical Properties of Mat.
- Interface Properties
- Materials Characterisation
- Grain Boundaries
- Abstract:
- The solid rocks within Earth's interior can flow, analogous to ice in a glacier, given sufficient time and temperature. This flow, or viscous deformation, has a strong influence on a variety of processes over short and long time scales. Over long time scales, the viscous deformation of rocks controls the motion of Earth's tectonic plates. Over short timescales, the viscous deformation of rocks controls the rate at which stresses buildup on overlying, earthquake-generating faults. However, there are major gaps in our understanding of how these rocks deform, which results in significant uncertainties in modeling these large-scale processes on Earth. One of the largest sources of uncertainty is in understanding how grain boundaries, that is the regions between crystals, deform at extreme conditions. This lack of understanding has major implications for predicting processes in Earth. For instance, if grain boundaries are weak relative to the interiors of crystals, then the rates at which stresses build up on large, earthquake-generating faults may increase tenfold. To address this shortcoming, we will carry out experiments at extreme conditions in which we slide two crystals past each other. In some cases, we will add water to the boundary to test if water increases how fast the crystals slide. The data from many experiments will be used to create an equation that describes how fast the crystals slide under a wide range of conditions. To investigate how individual grain boundaries influence the properties of a rock made up of many crystals, these equations will be incorporated into numerical simulations that predict the behavior of an aggregate of crystals. These simulations will be used to understand the importance of grain boundaries in a variety of important large-scale geologic processes.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Oct 2018 - 31 Jul 2023
- Value:
- £165,960 Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/S001727/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £165,960
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Equipment | DI - T&S | DA - Other Directly Allocated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £11,212 | £37,743 | £6,128 | £37,022 | £16,473 | £31,140 | £4,432 | £21,809 |
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