%0 Book Section %1 statphys23_0451 %A Angheluta, L. %A Mathiesen, J. %B Abstract Book of the XXIII IUPAP International Conference on Statistical Physics %C Genova, Italy %D 2007 %E Pietronero, Luciano %E Loreto, Vittorio %E Zapperi, Stefano %K formation instability pattern roughness statphys23 stylolites surface topic-4 %T Physical mechanisms in the dynamics of stylolitic surfaces %U http://st23.statphys23.org/webservices/abstract/preview_pop.php?ID_PAPER=451 %X Rocks under stress sustain deformations, fracturing and/or compaction and changes in the chemical texture. In particular, sedimentary rocks, such as limestones and sandstones, often develop patterns of seams known as stylolites. These are partings between blocks of rocks which undergo compressional stresses. Many field observations corroborate common features of stylolites such as their orientation being transversal to the main direction of compaction and their surfaces being rough and separated by a characteristic length scale. Stylolites are outstanding examples of interfacial patterns developed in out-of-equilibrium systems by a self-organizing process. Yet, the physical mechanisms involved in their origin and dynamics are still debatable. Here we explain the origin of patterns using as a starting point the theory of pressure solution. We calculate the mechanical response of materials composed of multiple phases of different porosity. We provide an analytic solution in the limit of 2D elastic half-planes separated by a slightly perturbed straight interface. We show that the maximum shear stress component concentrates in the more porous phases, which enhances the dissolution of grains under stress. The dissolved material diffuses to more compact areas where it precipitates. Essentially, this is a self-organizing process leading to instability of the interfaces (roughening) and the generation of rich patterns.

@incollection{statphys23_0451, abstract = {Rocks under stress sustain deformations, fracturing and/or compaction and changes in the chemical texture. In particular, sedimentary rocks, such as limestones and sandstones, often develop patterns of seams known as stylolites. These are partings between blocks of rocks which undergo compressional stresses. Many field observations corroborate common features of stylolites such as their orientation being transversal to the main direction of compaction and their surfaces being rough and separated by a characteristic length scale. Stylolites are outstanding examples of interfacial patterns developed in out-of-equilibrium systems by a self-organizing process. Yet, the physical mechanisms involved in their origin and dynamics are still debatable. Here we explain the origin of patterns using as a starting point the theory of pressure solution. We calculate the mechanical response of materials composed of multiple phases of different porosity. We provide an analytic solution in the limit of 2D elastic half-planes separated by a slightly perturbed straight interface. We show that the maximum shear stress component concentrates in the more porous phases, which enhances the dissolution of grains under stress. The dissolved material diffuses to more compact areas where it precipitates. Essentially, this is a self-organizing process leading to instability of the interfaces (roughening) and the generation of rich patterns.}, added-at = {2007-06-20T10:16:09.000+0200}, address = {Genova, Italy}, author = {Angheluta, L. and Mathiesen, J.}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/23f976f96a791353ff55760636f9fd5e2/statphys23}, booktitle = {Abstract Book of the XXIII IUPAP International Conference on Statistical Physics}, editor = {Pietronero, Luciano and Loreto, Vittorio and Zapperi, Stefano}, interhash = {eea7d888c4bbbeb9835134ca509b18e9}, intrahash = {3f976f96a791353ff55760636f9fd5e2}, keywords = {formation instability pattern roughness statphys23 stylolites surface topic-4}, month = {9-13 July}, timestamp = {2007-06-20T10:16:20.000+0200}, title = {Physical mechanisms in the dynamics of stylolitic surfaces}, url = {http://st23.statphys23.org/webservices/abstract/preview_pop.php?ID_PAPER=451}, year = 2007 }