Wave Structuring in the Shock Compression of Geologic Matter at the Planetary and Laboratory Scales

The response of geologic matter when subjected to large-scale impact or explosion is dependent on the time history of the encompassing shock wave. The kinetics of localized physical and chemical transitions brought about by the shock wave are responsive to this time history. Solid-state viscosity of the media is responsible for establishing the time history of a shock wave. In 2003, researcher H. Jay Melosh recognized the need for an understanding of solid viscosity spanning the petrologic and lithologic scales, and accordingly, he undertook the assessment and analysis of available nuclear ground shock measurements. This review furthers Melosh's epic efforts. In pursuing both the nuclear ground shock data and supporting laboratory test data, it undertakes methods for determining and calculations of the viscosity of solid materials on the respective scales. Further, applicability of viscoelasticity in modeling the shock response on the scales of concern is demonstrated and applied. The review closes with a discussion of universal features of the shock wave viscous time history in solid materials. Solid viscosity as an adiabatic invariant is presented, and commonalties of the solid shock wave with the nonlinear dynamics of ocean waves are noted. ▪ This article reviews Melosh's analysis of nuclear ground shock measurements with application to shock wave structuring viscosity. ▪ It discusses viscoelastic calculations with application to wave structure of nuclear ground shocks and laboratory shock waves in brittle granular solids, and universal features of the viscous shock wave structure and invariance of the dissipative action are considered. ▪ It also discusses wave action invariance in both the nonlinear dynamics of ocean waves and the steady wave structure of shock waves in solid matter.