Thermal properties of harzburgite and dunite at 0.8–3 ​GPa and 300–823 ​K and implications for the thermal evolution of Tibet

Thermal diffusivity (D) and thermal conductivity (κ) of harzburgite and dunite from Luobusha ophiolite were simultaneously measured up to 3 ​GPa and 823 ​K using the transient plane-source method in a multi anvil apparatus. The results show that the values of D and κ of both samples systematically decrease with increasing temperature and increase with increasing pressure. By combination of the thermal physical data of rocks and minerals and geophysical constraints, we performed numerical simulation on the thermal evolution of Tibet vary over depth, distance and geologic ages. The present results provide new constraints on occurrence of partial melting and its geophysical significance beneath Tibetan crust. [Display omitted] •Thermal diffusivity and conductivity of harzburgite and dunite were measured at 300–823 ​K and 0.8–3 ​GPa.•D and κ systematically decrease with increasing T and increase with increasing P.•Numerical simulations provide new constraints on occurrence of partial melting beneath Tibetan crust.