Since the pioneering work by Stockdale (1922), it has been well known that PSS thickness is a measure of the insoluble components in dissolving rock volume and is therefore proportional to the closure across the structure. Figure 1 shows a plot of thicknesses versus lengths of PSSs in sandstone measured in thin section, hand sample, and at outcrop (Nenna and Aydin, 2011; Nenna et al., submitted). This plot indicates that PSS thickness and length are proportional with the approximate power-law relationship T = 0.013L to the power of 0.70 within the observed range.

Figure 1. A log-log plot of PSS thicknesses versus their lengths showing a power-law relationship. From Nenna et al. (2012).

On the other hand, Mardon (1988) found a linear relationship of T=0.006L for stylolitic PSSs in limestones as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Thickness-length plot for PSSs in limestone showing an approximately linear relationship. From Mardon (1988).

Either in power or linear form, the proportional thickness-length relationship has implications for the growth of PSSs as well as their mechanics. See Nenna and Aydin (2011).