Grainsize evolution in ductile shear zones: Implications for strain localization and the strength of the lithosphere

Abstract

At high stresses and low temperatures, grainsize reduction by dynamic recrystallization profoundly modifies rock rheology. Strain energy driven grain-boundary migration (ρGBM) is involved both in the nucleation of new grains by the grain-boundary bulging mechanism (BLG), and in the subsequent evolution of the microstructure. Above the D min line, which is a line in stress/grainsize space that defines the minimum size of nucleus that can form by BLG, ρGBM dominates the microstructure, and grain growth by surface energy driven grain-boundary migration (γGBM) is inhibited. The recrystallized grainsize is therefore dominated by the nucleation process, possibly controlled by the size of subgrains or dislocation cells within the old grains. This provides a first-order explanation for the experimentally observed grainsize-stress relationship. ρGBM is an important agent of recovery in rocks deformed by dislocation creep, sweeping out dislocations and counteracting work-hardening. We have derived a new flow law (DRX-assisted dislocation creep) based on this process, which exhibits grainsize sensitivity as a result of the role of ρGBM. If grainsize obeys the empirically-determined grainsize-stress relationship, DRX creep has an effective stress exponent of a little over 4, consistent with experimental observations and inferences from naturally deformed rocks. DRX creep may be an important agent in weakening quartz at low temperatures, whereas current flow law data suggest it may not be important in olivine. Rocks deformed and dynamically recrystallized above the D min line may switch from climb-assisted dislocation creep to grainsize-sensitive creep (Coble creep, DRX creep, or creep dominated by grain-boundary sliding), resulting in weakening. Lithospheric-scale shear zones are likely to evolve at approximately constant stress; under these conditions weakening results in an increase in strain rate, not a stress drop. The rate of dislocation motion, the dislocation density, and the dynamically recrystallized grainsize all remain the same, and grain growth will be inhibited by the activity of ρGBM. Hence the switches in deformation mechanism and the weakening they cause will be permanent, so long as the tectonic boundary conditions remain unchanged. Grainsize reduction caused by dynamic recrystallization may therefore play a fundamental role in lithospheric weakening, and may be a key process in the maintenance of plate tectonics.