Pressure Solution

(PS)
Pressure solutions occur during diagenesis, particularly during compaction
and cementation of carbonate sediments where stylolites
may form parallel to bedding

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 Like Coble-creep (but only in presence of
water), diffusion of matter occurs along grain
boundaries, fractures and other discontinuities
 “solubility” of material probably affected by
elastic or plastic deformation at high stress
grain boundaries
 May not involve true “solution,” since a true
fluid may not be present on grain boundaries
at high normal stress
 Little evidence of T or grain size sensitivity
 pressure solution "dimples" in conglomerate clasts

Image from Greg Davis’ structure resources DVD

What are Stylolites?

Stylolites – irregular surfaces coated with insoluble minerals or seams of insoluble

material left behind at localized sites of pressure solution
See arrows

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Stylolites presentations continued
See arrows

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Stylolites continued refers to arrow point, occurring between the Qs
the mineral crystals and the rock mass

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At higher T, crenulation cleavage develops in slates & schists by pressure solution

Image from Greg Davis’ structure resources DVD

• Dominant mechanism for low-T
deformation cleavage, folds, fibers, veins...
• Arguably main mechanism of Internal
deformation of thrust belts (minor faults
and unfaulted material)

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 Kinetics/flow laws
 Low activation energy prohibits extrapolations from
high T-fast strain rate experiments
 Multiple potential rate-limiting factors (e.g.
diffusion, advection, reaction kinetics)
 Major uncertainties on associated stresses,
strain rates and thus viscosity.
 Temperature range (above ~100°C for qtz,
room temperature for calcite –Platt notes)
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a. Recommended Reading/Text
1. Structural geology: Principles, concept and problems
– by Robert D. Hatcher Jr.
2. Physical geology – by Plummer, McGeary and
Carlson
3. Elements of petroleum Geology – by Richard C.
Selley

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