Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications

Abstract Pressure‐to‐depth conversion is a crucial step toward geodynamic reconstruction. The most commonly used pressure‐to‐depth conversion method assumes that pressure corresponds to the lithostatic pressure. However, deviatoric stresses can cause pressure to deviate from the lithostatic case str...

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Main Authors: Arthur Bauville, Philippe Yamato
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009280
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author Arthur Bauville
Philippe Yamato
author_facet Arthur Bauville
Philippe Yamato
author_sort Arthur Bauville
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Pressure‐to‐depth conversion is a crucial step toward geodynamic reconstruction. The most commonly used pressure‐to‐depth conversion method assumes that pressure corresponds to the lithostatic pressure. However, deviatoric stresses can cause pressure to deviate from the lithostatic case strongly, thus adding considerable uncertainty to pressure to‐depth conversion. First, we rederive formulas of pressure‐to‐depth conversion that take into account deviatoric stresses. Then, we estimate the range of possible depth independently for each point in a data set containing peak and retrograde metamorphic pressure data (one‐point method). In a second time, we use both the peak and retrograde pressure of a rock sample together, assuming that both pressures were recorded at the same depth (two‐point method). We explore different cases to explain the transition from peak to retrograde pressure by varying the direction and magnitude of stresses. This alternative model is consistent with all data points but for a more restricted range of stress state and depth than the one‐point model. Our results show that (1) even small deviatoric stresses have a significant impact on depth estimates, (2) the second principal stress component σ2 plays an essential role, (3) several models can explain the pressure evolution of the data but lead to different depth estimates, and (4) strain data offer a mean to falsify our proposed two‐point pressure‐to‐depth conversion. The maximum predicted depth at peak pressure is 170 km using the assumption that pressure is lithostatic, compared to <75 km for our two‐point model, which could correspond to the crustal root Moho's depth.
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spelling doaj.art-6cd6413ac31b45e49dc3852113d718782023-11-03T16:55:56ZengWileyGeochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems1525-20272021-01-01221n/an/a10.1029/2020GC009280Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and ApplicationsArthur Bauville0Philippe Yamato1Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology Yokohama JapanUniversité de Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes Rennes FranceAbstract Pressure‐to‐depth conversion is a crucial step toward geodynamic reconstruction. The most commonly used pressure‐to‐depth conversion method assumes that pressure corresponds to the lithostatic pressure. However, deviatoric stresses can cause pressure to deviate from the lithostatic case strongly, thus adding considerable uncertainty to pressure to‐depth conversion. First, we rederive formulas of pressure‐to‐depth conversion that take into account deviatoric stresses. Then, we estimate the range of possible depth independently for each point in a data set containing peak and retrograde metamorphic pressure data (one‐point method). In a second time, we use both the peak and retrograde pressure of a rock sample together, assuming that both pressures were recorded at the same depth (two‐point method). We explore different cases to explain the transition from peak to retrograde pressure by varying the direction and magnitude of stresses. This alternative model is consistent with all data points but for a more restricted range of stress state and depth than the one‐point model. Our results show that (1) even small deviatoric stresses have a significant impact on depth estimates, (2) the second principal stress component σ2 plays an essential role, (3) several models can explain the pressure evolution of the data but lead to different depth estimates, and (4) strain data offer a mean to falsify our proposed two‐point pressure‐to‐depth conversion. The maximum predicted depth at peak pressure is 170 km using the assumption that pressure is lithostatic, compared to <75 km for our two‐point model, which could correspond to the crustal root Moho's depth.https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009280geodynamic modelmetamorphismpressurepressure‐to‐depthultra‐high‐pressure
spellingShingle Arthur Bauville
Philippe Yamato
Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
geodynamic model
metamorphism
pressure
pressure‐to‐depth
ultra‐high‐pressure
title Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications
title_full Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications
title_fullStr Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications
title_full_unstemmed Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications
title_short Pressure‐to‐Depth Conversion Models for Metamorphic Rocks: Derivation and Applications
title_sort pressure to depth conversion models for metamorphic rocks derivation and applications
topic geodynamic model
metamorphism
pressure
pressure‐to‐depth
ultra‐high‐pressure
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009280
work_keys_str_mv AT arthurbauville pressuretodepthconversionmodelsformetamorphicrocksderivationandapplications
AT philippeyamato pressuretodepthconversionmodelsformetamorphicrocksderivationandapplications