Relationships between dynamically recrystallized grain size and deformation conditions in experimentally deformed olivine rocks

Abstract

New microstructural data on experimentally deformed “wet” and “dry” natural olivine rocks (Anita Bay and Åheim dunite), together with the other reliable experimental data, indicate that the experimental stress‐recrystallized grain size relationship in olivine‐rocks is largely independent of water content and temperature, and is only slightly dependent on the flow properties of the material. The experimental data cover a stress range of 30–300 MPa, water contents from <30 ppm to 300 ppm, and temperatures in the range 1100–1650°C. Local melt contents of up to 10 volume% cannot be demonstrated to have a significant effect on the stress—grain size relationship.