UC Berkeley

Abstract Geophysical models for pressure solution are typically developed for diffusion‐controlled or reaction‐controlled scenarios. We present a unified analytical model that considers fully coupled diffusion and reaction during pressure solution. The model recovers the diffusion‐controlled and reaction‐controlled models in the literature as specific limiting cases. When diffusion and reaction exhibit comparable influences, we validate the proposed model against independent numerical simulations. The proposed model is then employed in interpreting experimental measurements, demonstrating a better agreement compared to previous interpretations. Plain Language Summary When solid grains are compressed against each other in an aqueous environment, minerals at the grain‐to‐grain contact dissolve more easily because of the higher stress. This process is known as pressure solution, which involves dissolution reactions and diffusive solute transport. We have developed an analytical model with fully coupled reaction and diffusion processes. Our model can recover the analytical solutions in the literature that are developed for reaction‐dominant and diffusion‐dominant scenarios. The proposed model is also validated against independent numerical simulations. After validation, we employ the model in experimental measurement, where the measured data is interpreted more accurately compared to previous models. Key Points A unified analytical model is derived for pressure solution considering fully coupled diffusion and reaction The model can recover the diffusion‐controlled and reaction‐controlled analytical solutions in the literature The model is validated against numerical simulations and then employed in interpreting experimental measurements