Energy Analysis of Geological Phenomena(<SYMPOSIUM>ISLAND ARCS)

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Other Title
  • 地質現象のエネルギー解析(<特集>弧状列島)
  • 地質現象のエネルギー解析
  • チシツ ゲンショウ ノ エネルギー カイセキ
  • 地球の進化を熱力学的にあつかうための一手段として
  • A Program for a Thermodynamical Study of Terrestrial Evolution

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A program for a thermodynamical study of terrestrial evolution is proposed. The evolution is described by a coupling among various thermodynamical non-equilibrium states (dynamical, gravitational, thermal and chemical). Geological processes, i.e. a secular variation of crustal state, is a typical manifestation of evolution and it can be analyzed from thermodynamical view point. A method of energy analysis of geological phenomena is described and is applied to tectogenesis within the area of South-Western Japan since Mesozoic era. The driving energy of tectogenesis, which is appeared to be supplied by a form of abnormal heat flow from the upper mantle is estimated as 2×10^<31> ergs. If the process of tectogenesis is regarded as a heat engine, the efficiency becomes several percent. The greater part of the supplied energy is consumed as a formation process of Chugoku granitic batholith. The rate of energy supply must be several times of normal heat flow the mantle through Moho. The result of preliminary analysis for a so-called GreenTuff stage during Tertiary era reveals that the rate of energy supply is the same order of Mesozoic tectogenesis. An apparent difference in features between processes within South-Western and North-Eastern Japan is discussed based upon the results of energy analysis. It seems that a role of upper mantle as an energy source is different between them. In the former the mantle is a simple energy source which derives mainly the remelting of the crust. In the latter, on the other hand, the upward transfer of basaltic magma is predominant. A detailed analysis should be performed by a method of numerical experiment using a highspeed computer.

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