Pressure-related feedback processes in the generation of pseudotachylytes

Abstract

Pseudotachylyte formation is typically viewed as a self-limiting process. Quantitative models have demonstrated that frictional melting is possible at seismic slip rates, but once a thin film of melt forms on a seismic fault plane, the dramatic decrease in fault friction is thought to suppress further melting. Volumes of melt-generated pseudotachylyte observed in field studies, however, are in many cases substantially larger than the amounts of frictional melt predicted by theoretical models. This suggests that previously unrecognized physical processes may enhance melting during seismic slip. Localized decompression at dilational jogs may be one such phenomenon. Transient unloading could play two important roles in the dynamics of pseudotachylyte generation. First, by setting up significant fluid pressure gradients, it would lead to rapid migration of the melt to sites of low pressure, thereby reestablishing frictional contact across the fault surface and favoring further melt generation. Second, at significant depths, sudden depressurization might lead to in situ decompression melting.