A scanning electron microscope image (SEM) showing dissolution pits due to interpenetration of quartz grains at sub-micron scale. Quartz powders are deformed at high temperatures and pressures in the rock physics laboratory to explore permeability - and strength evolution in fault gouges. This image was taken of a sample deformed for three hours at 300MPa confining - and 200 MPa pore fluid pressure and a temperature of 1200°K. Image courtesy Silvio Giger. |
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