Abstract
The paper treats the problem of upward movement of a molten zone in the Earth's crust. Due to the melting temperature gradient of 3°C/sm, such a zone is in an unstable state: melting occurs at the upper boundary, where crystallization takes place at the base. During this process, the net thickness of the molten zone decreases, since additional heat is required to raise the temperature of the overlying rock to the melting point. The process continues until the thickness of the molten zone is reduced to zero or until it reaches a level above which open fractures exist. Based on thermodynamic considerations, estimates are given for the rate of upward movement and thinning: lifting the upper boundary of the molten zone from a depth of 100 km to 20 km requires a reduction in thickness by about 60 km or 30 km, in the continental or oceanic crust, respectively. The lifting time is estimated as 10–100 m. y. --H. Jahns.
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