Russian Journal of Earth Sciences
Papers in press
Temperature benchmarks in the lithosphere, marking the phase
transformations of the matter, and the possibilities of estimating
their depths
V. S. Yakupov and S. V. Yakupov
Abstract
Extensive research into temperature distribution in the lithosphere and upper mantle
revealed it
to be highly ambiguous. Of great interest in this context is the distribution of
temperature benchmarks in the
lithosphere, which mark phase transitions in the individual components of rocks and
in the fluids filling their pores.
As follows from the percolation theory, the physical properties of the rocks change
jumpwise at the discontinuities
produced by their phase transformations. This simplifies the interpretation of magnetotelluric
and other electrical
measurements, enhances the reliability of its results, and facilitates the use of
radiolocation, especially in the case
of relatively shallow discontinuities. The discontinuities may not coincide in terms
of percolation and mechanical conpling,
this explaining differences in the results of electrical and seismic measurements.