Thoughts on Superplasticity in General and on its Role in Earth Deformation

Abstract

The Earth deforms dominantly by solid-state creep. Diffusion creep is known to be important. It is less clear whether mechanisms in which grain boundary sliding is accompanied by other processes (dislocation activity), and/or are associated with stress exponents closer to 2 than to 1 are important. Since the mechanisms of superplasticity are themselves not fully resolved, we cannot say for sure whether the Earth deforms superplastically. Models for diffusion creep are relevant for the Earth and possibly for superplastic materials. Modelling shows that large strains may not necessarily obliterate initial textures because grain rotations, although they occur, slow down as microstructures evolve. Modelling also predicts major strength anisotropy induced by grain shape alignment. Models for two-phase diffusion creep can be constructed for when the second phase is inert (insoluble). If both phases are soluble and can participate in diffusion, the basic theory for single phase diffusion creep cannot be applied and new insight is required.