Experimental logs and analysis of olivine polymorphs and MORB (Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt) composition garnetite samples recovered from high-pressure faulting experiments

Multi-anvil experiments were performed both in static and deformation geometries on olivine polymorphs and MORB (Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt) -composition garnetite. Faults were induced by uniaxial compression in both garnetite and wadsleyite but only the garnetite showed evidence of thermal run away to melting. These results suggest that strain localisation by thermal feedback might be an important mechanism for triggering deep earthquakes in the crustal portion of subducted slabs in the deeper transition zone (~500-660 km depth).