Ductile compaction of partially molten rocks: the effect of non-linear viscous rheology on instability and segregation

The segregation of melt from a linear viscous matrix is traditionally described by McKenzie's compaction theory. This classical solution overlooks instabilities that arise when non-linear solid matrix behaviour is considered. Here we report a closed form 1-D solution obtained by extending McKenzie's theory to non-linear matrix behaviours. The new solution provides periodic stress singularities, acting as high porosity melt channels, to be the fundamental response of the compacted matrix. The characteristic length controlling the periodicity is still McKenzie's compaction length (delta) over bar (c), adjusted for non-linear rheologies.