The stages of evolution of the partially molten rock material with a heterogeneous distribution of the solid phase

Abstract

The paper addresses the interpretation of the geochemical laboratory experiments aimed at studying the differentiation of partially molten rocks in the terrestrial planets. These experiments simulate the early stages of material differentiation when the layers with the different chemical and petrological composition are formed in the planets. Density inversion which may arise at a certain stage of this process leads to the emergence of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability. The lifetime of this instability is estimated, and the different phases of its evolution are explored. It is shown that the laboratory experiments do not always adequately reproduce the nature of the physical processes which occur in the interior of the planets. The suggested methods are also used for interpreting the evolution of intrusions during their differentiation. The obtained results can be helpful in analyzing the intrusions for minerals.