What is solidus and liquidus temperature of granite?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the solidus and liquidus temperatures of granite, particularly in relation to pressure conditions within the Earth. Participants explore the variability in melting points due to the mineral composition of granite and seek specific temperature ranges influenced by pressure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that granite, being composed of various minerals, does not have a fixed melting point but rather a range of temperatures defining solidus and liquidus states.
  • Another participant expresses difficulty finding specific solidus and liquidus temperatures for granite as a function of pressure, despite researching multiple sources.
  • A participant questions whether a specific type of granite is being referred to, suggesting that different granites may have different properties.
  • One participant specifies they are considering 'M-type' granite, which is believed to have a mantle source.
  • Another participant references Bowen's Reaction Series to explain that the solidus temperature is reached when the last quartz crystallizes, while the liquidus is reached when the last plagioclase or mafic mineral melts, mentioning that pressure's role in melting is discussed in a linked article.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the specific solidus and liquidus temperatures of granite, and there is no consensus on the relationship between these temperatures and pressure. The discussion remains unresolved regarding specific values and their dependence on granite type.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific data on solidus and liquidus temperatures for different types of granite under varying pressure conditions, as well as the dependence on mineral composition.

Atr cheema
Messages
67
Reaction score
0
My understanding is that because a rock is composed of variety of minerals, so it does not have fix melting point, rather there is a range below which whole rock is solid and above which whole rock is liquid. I want to know this liquidus and solidus temperature for granite rock based on pressure (as we can't ignore role of pressure inside Earth where granite is formed?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
Bystander said:
I looked at number of sites (including wikipedia) before posting this question but could not find a relation for solidus/liquidus temperature of granite as a function of pressure.
 
"Granite" includes a range of "sins," as well; did you have a particular "granite" in mind?
 
Bystander said:
"Granite" includes a range of "sins," as well; did you have a particular "granite" in mind?
I am considering 'M-type' granite, as the granite under observation is supposed to have mantle source.
 
http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/eens1110/igneous.htm
Magma and Igneous Rocks

Basically, using Bowen's Reaction Series as a template, the solidus for a granite is when the last quartz ( or whatever is left in the melt) has crystallized. The liquidus is reached when the last plagioclase of mafic mineral has melted. The role of pressure on melting is touched on about quarter of the way down in the Tulane article.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jim mcnamara, Atr cheema and berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
10K