Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

New transient effect observed in rock samples subjected to simulated upper crustal conditions

Nature volume 266, pages 44–45 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

WHILE making laboratory measurements of the electrical conductivity (σ) of rock samples subjected to temperatures, confining pressures, and pore fluid pressures thought to be appropriate to depths up to 15 km within the Earth, we have observed a hitherto unreported transient behaviour which is only revealed by the simultaneous application of pressure and temperature, and leads to an irreversible decrease in σ with time which could be due to compaction of the rock samples. We suggest that only after such a change has occurred is the condition of rocks collected near the Earth's surface more representative of those at depth in the crust.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brace, W. F., Orange, A. S. & Madden, T. M. J. geophys. Res. 70, 5669–5675 (1965).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Brace, W. F. & Orange, A. S. J. geophys. Res. 73, 5407–5420 (1968).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Robin, P. F. J. geophys. Res. 78, 2434–2437 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Nur, A. & Byerlee, J. D. J. geophys. Res. 76, 6414–6419 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Simmons, G. & Richter, D. in The Physics and Chemistry of Minerals and Rocks (ed. Strens, R. G. J.) 105–137 (Wiley, New York, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lomnitz, C. J. Geol. 64, 473–479 (1956).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Robertson, E. C. Geol. Soc. Am. Mem. 79, 227–244 (1960).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mathematics and Physics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

    C. D. LEE & R. G. ROSS

  2. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

    F. J. VINE

Authors
  1. C. D. LEE
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. G. ROSS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. J. VINE
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

LEE, C., ROSS, R. & VINE, F. New transient effect observed in rock samples subjected to simulated upper crustal conditions. Nature 266, 44–45 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/266044a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/266044a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing