Self-organized pattern formation in geological soft matter

Physics Reports 2026 Open access

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Authors: Julyan H. E. Cartwright, Charles S. Cockell, Lucas Goehring, Silvia Holler, Seán F. Jordan, Pamela Knoll, Electra Kotopoulou, Corentin Loron, Seán McMahon, Stephen W. Morris, Anna Neubeck, Carlos Roberto Machado Pimentel
+3 more Claro Ignacio Sainz-Díaz, Noushine Shahidzadeh, Piotr Szymczak
DOI: 10.1016/j.physrep.2026.03.004
Cited by: 1
References: 679

Abstract

Geological materials are often seen as the antithesis of soft; rocks are hard. However, during the formation of minerals and rocks, all the systems we shall discuss, indeed geological materials in general, pass through a stage where they are soft. This occurs either because they form at a high temperature - igneous or metamorphic rock - or because they form at a lower temperature but in the presence of water - sedimentary rock. For this reason it is useful to introduce soft-matter concepts into the geological domain. There is a universality in the diverse instances of geological patterns that may be appreciated by looking at the common aspect in their formation of having passed through a stage as soft matter.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis Mineral Processing and Grinding Geological Modeling and Analysis

Publication details

Journal / source
Physics Reports
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
1183
Pages
1–98
Publication date
30 April 2026
Language
EN