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The ice microstructure in the lower part of the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) ice core consists of relatively fine-grained ice with a single maximum crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) alternated by much coarser-grained ice with a partial (great circle) girdle or multi-maxima CPO. In this study, the grain-size-sensitive (GSS) composite flow law of Goldsby and Kohlstedt (2001) was used to study the effects of grain size and premelting (liquid-like layer along the grain boundaries) on strain rate in the lower part of the NEEM ice core. The results show that the strain rates predicted in the fine-grained layers are about an order of magnitude higher than in the much coarser-grained layers. The dominant deformation mechanisms, based on the flow relation of Goldsby and Kohlstedt (2001), between the layers is also different, with basal slip rate limited by grain boundary sliding (GBS-limited creep) being the dominant deformation mechanism in the finer-grained layers, while GBS-limited creep and dislocation creep (basal slip rate limited by non-basal slip) contribute both roughly equally to bulk strain in the coarsegrained layers. Due to the large difference in microstructure between finer-grained ice and the coarse-grained ice at premelting temperatures (T > 262 K), it is expected that the fine-grained layers deform at high strain rates, while the coarse-grained layers are relatively stagnant. The difference in microstructure, and consequently in viscosity, between impurity-rich and low-impurity ice can have important consequences for ice dynamics close to the bedrock.

The development of smooth, mirror-like surfaces provides insight into the mechanical behaviour of crustal faults during the seismic cycle. To determine the thermo-chemical mechanisms of fault mirror formation, we investigated carbonate fault systems in seismically active areas of central Greece. Using multi-scale electron microscopy combined with Raman and electron energy loss spectroscopy, we show that fault mirror surfaces do not always develop from nanogranular volumes. The microstructural observations indicate that decarbonation is the transformation process that leads to the formation of smooth surface coatings in the faults studied here. Piercement structures on top of the fault surfaces indicate calcite decarbonation, producing CO2 and lime (CaO). Lime subsequently reacts to portlandite (Ca(OH)2) under hydrous conditions. Nanoscale imaging and electron diffraction reveal a thin coating of a non-crystalline material sporadically mixed with nano-clay, forming a complex-composite material that smooths the slip surface. Spectroscopic analyses reveal that the thin coating is non-crystalline carbon. We suggest that ordering (hybridisation) of amorphous carbon led to the formation of partly-hybridised amorphous carbon but did not reach full graphitisation. Calcite nanograins, <50 nm in diameter, are spatially associated with the carbon and indicate that the decomposition products acted as a crystallisation medium. Within this medium, portlandite back-reacted with CO2 to form nanocrystalline calcite. Consequently, two types of calcite nanograins are present: nanograins formed by grain-size reduction (primary nanograins, >100 nm) and new nanograins formed by back-reaction (secondary nanograins, <50 nm). Hence, we suggest that the new, secondary nanograins are not the result of comminution during slip but originate from pseudomorphic replacement of calcite after portlandite. The continuous coverage of partly-hybridised amorp

The Bogota Peninsula shear zone in New Caledonia (southwest Pacific Ocean) is the exhumed mantle section of an oceanic transform zone. Ductile fabrics in this zone formed at temperatures >820 °C, and differential stresses estimated from microstructures vary spatially and temporally. Along a transform-perpendicular transect, stresses increase toward the high-strain areas. We attribute this stress gradient to an increase in strain rate caused by imposed rather than intrinsic strain localization. Temporal stress variations are indicated by the formation of fine-grained microdeformation zones (MDZs) that truncate and offset coarser grains. We interpret the MDZs to result from zones of brittle deformation caused by earthquake fracture propagation downward in the upper mantle, which are in turn overprinted by ductile deformation at stresses 2-6 times higher (22-81 MPa) than their surrounding steady-state fabrics. We interpret the spatial and temporal variations in microstructures and stresses as reflecting different stages of the seismic cycle in oceanic lithosphere.

The ice microstructure in the lower part of the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) ice core consists of relatively fine-grained ice with a single maximum crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) alternated by much coarser-grained ice with a partial (great circle) girdle or multi-maxima CPO. In this study, the grain-size-sensitive (GSS) composite flow law of Goldsby and Kohlstedt (2001) was used to study the effects of grain size and premelting (liquid-like layer along the grain boundaries) on strain rate in the lower part of the NEEM ice core. The results show that the strain rates predicted in the fine-grained layers are about an order of magnitude higher than in the much coarser-grained layers. The dominant deformation mechanisms, based on the flow relation of Goldsby and Kohlstedt (2001), between the layers is also different, with basal slip rate limited by grain boundary sliding (GBS-limited creep) being the dominant deformation mechanism in the finer-grained layers, while GBS-limited creep and dislocation creep (basal slip rate limited by non-basal slip) contribute both roughly equally to bulk strain in the coarse-grained layers. Due to the large difference in microstructure between finer-grained ice and the coarse-grained ice at premelting temperatures (T>262 K), it is expected that the fine-grained layers deform at high strain rates, while the coarse-grained layers are relatively stagnant. The difference in microstructure, and consequently in viscosity, between impurity-rich and low-impurity ice can have important consequences for ice dynamics close to the bedrock.

The effect of grain size on strain rate of ice in the upper 2207 m in the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) deep ice core was investigated using a rheological model based on the composite flow law of Goldsby and Kohlstedt (1997, 2001). The grain size was described by both a mean grain size and a grain size distribution, which allowed the strain rate to be calculated using two different model end-members: (i) the microscale constant stress model where each grain deforms by the same stress and (ii) the microscale constant strain rate model where each grain deforms by the same strain rate. The model results predict that grain-size-sensitive flow produces almost all of the deformation in the upper 2207 m of the NEEM ice core, while dislocation creep hardly contributes to deformation. The difference in calculated strain rate between the two model end-members is relatively small. The predicted strain rate in the fine-grained Glacial ice (that is, ice deposited during the last Glacial maximum at depths of 1419 to 2207 m) varies strongly within this depth range and, furthermore, is about 4–5 times higher than in the coarser-grained Holocene ice (0–1419 m). Two peaks in strain rate are predicted at about 1980 and 2100 m depth. The prediction that grain-size-sensitive creep is the fastest process is inconsistent with the microstructures in the Holocene age ice, indicating that the rate of dislocation creep is underestimated in the model. The occurrence of recrystallization processes in the polar ice that did not occur in the experiments may account for this discrepancy. The prediction of the composite flow law model is consistent with microstructures in the Glacial ice, suggesting that fine-grained layers in the Glacial ice may act as internal preferential sliding zones in the Greenland ice sheet.

Mass loss from ice sheets contributes to global sea level rise, and accelerated ice flow to the oceans is one of the major causes of rapid ice sheet mass loss. To understand flow dynamics of polar ice sheets, we need to understand deformation mechanisms of the polycrystalline ice in ice sheets. Laboratory experiments have shown that deformation of polycrystalline ice occurs largely by dislocation glide, which mainly depends on crystal orientation distribution. Grain size and impurities are also important factors that determine ice deformation mechanisms. Compared with ice formed during interglacial periods, ice formed during glacial periods, especially ice that forms cloudy bands, exhibits finer grain sizes and higher impurity concentrations. A previous report suggests the deformation rate of ice containing cloudy bands is higher than that of ice without cloudy bands. To examine the microstructures and deformation histories of ice in cloudy bands, we applied the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique to samples from the Greenland Ice Sheet using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) equipped with cold stages. Prior to the EBSD analysis, we optimised our ESEM/EBSD system and performed angular error assessment using artificial ice. In terms of c-and a-axis orientation distributions and grain orientation spread, we found little difference between samples taken from a cloudy band and those taken from an adjacent layer of clear ice. However, subgrain boundary density and orientation gradients were higher in the cloudy band, suggesting that there are more dislocations in the cloudy band than in the clear ice layer.

Mass loss from ice sheets contributes to global sea level rise, and accelerated ice flow to the oceans is one of the major causes of rapid ice sheet mass loss. To understand flow dynamics of polar ice sheets, we need to understand deformation mechanisms of the polycrystalline ice in ice sheets. Laboratory experiments have shown that deformation of polycrystalline ice occurs largely by dislocation glide, which mainly depends on crystal orientation distribution. Grain size and impurities are also important factors that determine ice deformation mechanisms. Compared with ice formed during interglacial periods, ice formed during glacial periods, especially ice that forms cloudy bands, exhibits finer grain sizes and higher impurity concentrations. A previous report suggests the deformation rate of ice containing cloudy bands is higher than that of ice without cloudy bands. To examine the microstructures and deformation histories of ice in cloudy bands, we applied the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique to samples from the Greenland Ice Sheet using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) equipped with cold stages. Prior to the EBSD analysis, we optimised our ESEM/EBSD system and performed angular error assessment using artificial ice. In terms of c- and a-axis orientation distributions and grain orientation spread, we found little difference between samples taken from a cloudy band and those taken from an adjacent layer of clear ice. However, subgrain boundary density and orientation gradients were higher in the cloudy band, suggesting that there are more dislocations in the cloudy band than in the clear ice layer.