山东七宝山角砾岩筒流体双重致裂机制与金铜成矿

对山东七宝山角砾岩筒的综合研究表明 ,该角砾岩筒形成于一种新的流体构造动力学机制———流体温压双重致裂和脉动扩展机制 ,即 :在流体的热应力和液压双重作用下形成性质不同的节理裂隙和上凸锥面状裂隙带 ,并脉动式往上扩展形成圆柱状压裂角砾岩体 ;锥面状裂隙带顶点岩石瞬间点爆裂 ,流体向该点汇流 ,流体流速加快和爆裂区呈倒置锥状往上扩展 ,岩筒上部锥状爆裂角砾岩体与锅盖状震裂角砾岩体形成 .富金流体于岩筒上部倒置锥状裂隙体 (温度压力急降箱 )下部沸腾面附近富集和沉淀 ,富铜流体主要于温压相对较高的汇流区集结和沉淀成矿 .     

不同尺度下岩层渗透性与地应力的关系及机理

无论是地应力场宏观控制区域水文地质条件, 还是微观影响含水介质的渗透特性, 都有其深刻的内在发生机制, 生产实例和实验室试验表明: 在宏观地质大尺度下, 岩层以破碎、位移适应地应力场变化并为地下水的富集及运动提供场所, 地下水则以流动和压力传递来调整含水空间、扩张岩石裂隙实现流固宏观耦合, 尽管地质历史时期构造应力场经历多起叠加改造, 但形成区域主要构造骨架时的地应力场与渗流场具有相当的一致性, 主渗透方向与最大水平主应力方向一致; 在宏观地质中尺度下, 应力变化剧烈区、极低地应力区、应力集中区、剪应力集中区等往往与含水介质的主干裂隙相一致, 地应力均匀变化区则与基质的三重含水介质对应; 在微观地质小尺度下, 岩石空隙为三重孔隙介质, 包括基质孔隙、裂缝孔隙和管道状孔隙, 孔隙度和渗透率是有效应力的函数, 孔隙岩块的孔隙度和渗透率随有效应力的变化关系符合指数型数学模型, 裂缝型岩石宜用幂指数型数学模型描述, 毛细管型岩石则用二次抛物线数学模型描述较为恰当. 裂纹有效压缩系数、闭合压力计算揭示了裂缝性岩芯的渗透率和孔隙度损失较孔隙性岩芯损失大的机理, 裂纹有效压缩系数计算还说明同一介质渗透率变化总是大于孔隙度变化; 厚壁筒理论证实, 实验得出的毛细管型岩石孔隙度和渗透率损失与有效应力的二次抛物线关系正确.     

地震断层带流体作用的岩石物理和地球化学响应研究综述

断层活动导致断裂带裂隙广泛发育,成为地壳中流体运移与聚集的有利通道和场所.流体在地震过程中具有重要作用.流体与地震破裂带内的岩石相互作用导致其具有与其他完整岩石不同的性质,包括矿物-化学组成、粒度分布及传输性质(渗透率、孔隙度)等.这些特性可以视为流体与地震断层带岩石相互作用的响应.一方面,较高的孔隙流体压力导致断层的有效正应力降低.另一方面,流体会与断层岩发生一系列水-岩反应导致矿物蚀变、分解,生成大量摩擦系数较低的粘土矿物,同时一些不稳定元素可能会随流体发生迁移,导致大量物质流失.在地震周期过程中,伴随着流体运移,断层带的物理性质(渗透性、流体压力等)也随之发生变化.同震快速摩擦生热会导致流体产生热压作用,促进同震滑动.另外,同震破裂导致断层带的渗透性快速上升,较高的流体压力会很快释放.在间震期过程中流体会使破裂趋向于缓慢变形,矿物溶解-沉淀、重结晶及压溶等作用胶结并愈合裂隙,断层强度恢复的同时断层带渗透性逐渐降低,孔隙压力又逐渐积累.研究流体的这些物理化学行为对理解地震成核、同震滑动及震后断层愈合等过程有重要意义.本文介绍了有关流体对断层带物理化学性质的改造及流体的动力学意义等方面的研究进展,总结了流体在地震周期过程中所产生的一系列岩石物理化学效应及其对地震过程的影响.     

汶川地震断裂带水岩相互作用及其对断裂带演化影响

汶川地震断层岩的矿物学和地球化学特征揭示出地震断层经历了漫长时间演化和复杂的水岩相互作用.间震期水岩相互作用导致断层岩中的破碎矿物蚀变,尤其是长石等矿物含量渐渐减少甚至消失,而黏土矿物（蒙脱石、伊利石、伊/蒙混层、绿泥石等）含量逐渐增高,以及如黄铁矿、石膏、重晶石、坡缕石等热液系统中常见的矿物大量出现;Mg、P、Ti、Mn、Fe等元素倾向富集在断层带中,而Si、K和Na等出现明显的亏损;元素的大量迁移导致断层带的体积巨量亏损.实验结果表明,黏土矿物的亲水性引起水渗透率比干燥气体渗透率明显偏低,并且二者偏差无法通过Klinkenberg校正消除.蒙脱石吸水膨胀和黏土矿物颗粒表面吸附孔隙流体造成孔隙度降低是导致水渗透率偏低的重要原因.断层岩碎屑结构使得其中的孔隙可能在600 MPa围压下得以保存,从而有助于流体沿断层带下渗,并在断层带深部形成高流体孔隙压.地震断层的主要矿物学及粒度分布特征并非在地震破裂过程中形成,因此利用断层岩粒度分布资料估算地震破裂能并不合适.     

中地壳断层带内微裂隙愈合与高压流体形成条件的模拟实验研究

中地壳断层带内发现的接近静岩压力的高压流体能够合理解释汶川M_S8.0级地震断层的高角度逆冲滑动, 而高压流体的产生与断层带的微裂隙愈合紧密相关.利用熔融盐固体介质三轴高温高压实验系统,我们采用含水和烘干的Carrara大理岩样品开展了微裂隙愈合实验,研究中地壳断层带内高压流体的形成条件.实验分为三类:A类、A+B类和A+B+C类,其中A阶段实验在室温条件下将样品压裂,形成一系列共轭破裂面,B阶段实验在600℃、围压700 MPa和应变速率10^-6s^-1条件下愈合了A阶段破碎的样品,实验样品从以碎裂变形为主向以韧性变形为主转变,C阶段实验通过快速降低轴压模拟一个扩容过程,再以相同实验条件重新加载样品,通过比较实验样品强度来检验样品的愈合程度.样品显微结构和实验样品强度表明,动态重结晶作用能够愈合微裂隙和孔隙,水能促进矿物的动态重结晶作用,较高的水含量和较大的应变有利于微裂隙和孔隙的愈合,从而有利于高压流体的形成.     

三维微观孔隙结构与岩石变形机制及输运特性

正岩石是一种有着复杂内部结构的非均匀材料。在较小的尺度上,岩石含有各种不同的矿物颗粒、胶结物、孔隙和微裂纹等微观特征。孔隙是岩石微观结构的重要组分之一,是岩石微观非均匀性的重要体现。孔隙对岩石的力学性质、输运性质和其他岩石物理性质有重要的影响。因此:应该在岩石力学和岩石物理学中描述孔隙的几何特性,如孔隙大小、形状、弯曲     

多尺度CT成像技术识别超低渗透砂岩储层纳米级孔喉

以鄂尔多斯盆地X地区长6储层为研究对象,利用多尺度CT成像技术、聚焦离子束扫描电镜技术,结合Avizo软件的强大数据处理和数值模拟功能,对研究区目的层岩石样品进行不同尺度孔喉分维数重构,建立三维超低渗透砂岩储层纳米级孔隙结构模型.研究表明,微米尺度下,超低渗透砂岩储层孔喉形态呈点状、球状和条带状及管状.储集空间类型以溶蚀微孔为主且多孤立分布,局部孔隙为片状,连通性较差.纳米尺度下,超低渗透砂岩储层孔喉系统整体较发育,孔喉形态呈球状、短管状.远离裂隙处多为孤立状,连通性较差,仅具有储集能力.微裂缝、粒间缝发育部位多为短管状,有一定连通性,相当于喉道.微观非均质性较强,岩样整体较致密,局部相互连通,溶蚀孔及裂隙对储集能力、渗滤能力具有控制作用.数值计算求得目的层A、Y、C三个样品的孔隙度分别为6.95%、5.55%、4.44%,渗透率分别为0.828×10^-3μm^2、0.115×10^-3μm^2、0.00065×10^-3μm^2.聚焦离子束扫描电镜与多尺度CT成像技术相结合能够定量表征超低渗透砂岩储层微、纳米级孔隙结构.     

断层岩气体渗透率及Klinkenberg效应

在围压2~40MPa变化范围内,以恒流法多次变化上游压力测量了以断层岩为主的样品的气体(N2)渗透率,将实验结果进行了Klinkenberg效应校正。对实验数据的拟合分析表明,滑脱因子b值与绝对渗透率kl存在b=λkl-d形式的幂律关系,断层岩符合b=0.004 6kl-0.476的变化关系。与沉积岩相比,断层岩的气体滑脱效应更强,采用气体测量渗透率时,其滑脱效应不能忽略。断层岩气体渗透率和绝对渗透率与测量所用的孔隙压力间的关系为kg/kl=1+(0.009 2kl-0.476)/(Pu+Pd)。结果表明样品渗透率越低,滑脱效应越强,提高孔隙压力,滑脱效应逐渐减小;对于高渗(10-15m2~10-18m2)的样品,高孔隙压力下(4MPa以上)的气体渗透率与绝对渗透率基本一致,对于超低渗(10-22m2~10-20m2)的样品,即使提高孔隙压力亦很难避免滑脱效应。在40MPa有效压力下断层泥样品的绝对渗透率为4.54×10-19m2~2.43×10-17m2,角砾岩的绝对渗透率较断层泥高出1~2个数量级,为2.25×10-17m2~7.94×10-16m2,表明汶川地震断层带具有核部低、破碎带高的渗透结构,断层带核部具备热压作用发生所要求的低渗条件。     

基于团簇的岩石动态CT图像可视化与结构变形分析

岩石的变形机制是研究岩石圈变形和局部构造活动的重要基础,岩石的微观结构是研究其变形机制的关键。微观层析成像（微观CT）技术可以无损地获取样品内部高精度三维数字化图像,为观测岩石内部结构提供了技术保证。新近发展起来的动态CT技术,使得观测岩石变形过程成为可能。本文利用一组莱塔石灰岩受差应力变形的三维动态CT图像数据,通过图像切割、图像分割等处理步骤,以团簇为基本表征单位,表征不同形状、大小孔隙的动态变化过程,分析对比全部孔隙、大团簇、小团簇和裂隙型小团簇的动态图像。结果表明:随着岩石的压缩变形,其大孔隙在不断地缩小;在变形的初始阶段,靠近施压活塞的样品上部出现了密集的新生小孔隙;当岩石所受差应力到达73 MPa时,其下半部出现了明显的剪切带,具体表现为大量的新生裂隙生成并且新生裂隙集中带与轴向成约45°交角。此前的研究观测到该样品中下部若干压缩带形成的过程;本文通过基于团簇的可视化技术,观测到了高孔隙度岩石变形过程中压缩带和剪切带共同形成的过程。同时,新生的沿剪切带分布的微小裂隙并没有显示与剪切带相同的方向,而是具有各方向均匀分布的特征。该特征可能与岩石内部复杂的局部孔隙结构有关,是值得进一步探讨的问题。      

地下氢气微动态与动力响应特征

<正>地球内部气体中与构造活动有直接关系的氢(H2),被广泛认为是最有可能在短临地震前兆异常中获得突破的测项。研究表明,地壳逸出的氢、特别是断裂带溢出气中H2形成的机理归纳为3种类型:1地壳下层的塑性岩石在断层错动过程中会产生H2,如蛇纹岩或硅酸岩大新鲜裂隙和破裂面容易发生水岩反应直接产生氢;2源于地壳深部岩石孔隙、裂隙中被封存的H2,随着断裂带岩石中裂隙的连通和孔隙压力的增     

汶川地震断裂带粒度分布特征：对地震碎裂机制的约束

断层岩的粒度分布包含岩石破裂机制、摩擦性质和地震能量分配等重要信息。筛分-称重和激光测量是分析断层岩三维粒度的2种有效方法,但每一种方法的测量范围仅有3个量级,难以全面反映断层岩的粒度分布特征。利用上述2种方法对汶川地震断层滑动带上的断层岩（简称断层岩）的粒度分布进行了测量,粒径测量范围从0.2μm至16mm,跨度达到5个数量级。结果显示：1）存在临界粒径d_c（0.95～1.90μm）。粒度大于和小于d_c的颗粒满足不同的颗粒数（N_d）-粒径（d）分布关系,表明该断层岩的粒径分布不具有自相似性特征。2）利用粒度大于d_c的颗粒计算出的分形维数与断层岩类型有很好的相关性,即断层带边缘的角砾岩的平均分形维数为2.6,核部压碎角砾岩的平均分形维数约为3.0,中心断层泥的分形维数约为3.5。粒径小于d_c的颗粒的分形维数为1.7～2.1。分形维数的突变反映出断层破裂机制的复杂性,即在不同的粒度域,岩石的破裂机制不尽相同。3）依据粒度分析结果,估算出汶川地震断层泥的单位破裂能（E_s）为0.63MJ/m2。     

Structural analysis of the Brigham City-Weber segment boundary zone,Wasatch normal fault,Utah: Implications for fault growth and structure

We investigate the history, kinematics, principal stress orientations and geometry of deformation at the end of a bent normal fault segment of the Wasatch fault zone, Utah. Three fault types, developed in Archean crystalline rocks, reflect progressive uplift of fault-related footwall rocks. Chlorite-breccias and phyllonites reflect deep-level, reaction-assisted plastic deformation along the north-striking part of the segment. Planar, fretted faults which formed by cataclasis cut the phyllonites and breccias and are developed throughout the footwall of the segment. Youngest faults are hematitecoated, extremely narrow polished surfaces. Slip vectors and kinematic analyses of small faults developed in the footwall indicate oblique normal slip along the north-striking portion of the segment. Slip vectors and fault orientation along the northwest-striking portion of the segment reflect complexly oriented slip on faults which strike subparallel and at high angles to the main fault trace, yet slip is confined to a broad fault-parallel zone. Small faults at the southernmost tip of the segment indicate a strong influence of the north-striking Weber segment to the south. Inversion of fault data for principal stress orientations document complexly oriented principal stresses through the segment boundary zone and suggest that ₃ may have reoriented approximately 60° over the life of the segment. Subsurface structure combined with small fault data indicate the segment boundary is comprised of a southwest-plunging bedrock high which is reflected by a sharp bend in the Brigham City segment. The southern end of the Brigham City segment may have started, as a straight, north-striking fault which has bent due to changes in stress orientations and/or interaction with the adjacent Weber segment.     

Deformation mechanisms and fluid behavior in a shallow, brittle fault zone during coseismic and interseismic periods: Results from drill core penetrating the Nojima Fault, Japan

Abstract This paper describes the results of petrographical and meso- to microstructural observations of brittle fault rocks in cores obtained by drilling through the Nojima Fault at a drilling depth of 389.52 m. The zonation of deformation and alteration in the central zone of the fault is clearly seen in cores of granite from the hanging wall, in the following order: (i) host rock, which is characterized by some intragranular microcracks and in situ alteration of mafic minerals and feldspars; (ii) weakly deformed and altered rocks, which are characterized by transgranular cracks and the dissolution of mafic minerals, and by the precipitation of zeolites and iron hydroxide materials; (iii) random fabric fault breccia, which is characterized by fragmentation, by anastomosing networks of transgranular cracks, and by the precipitation of zeolites and iron hydroxide materials; and (iv) fault gouge, which is characterized by the precipitation of smectite and localized cataclastic flow. This zonation implies that the fault has been weakened gradually by fluid-related fracturing over time. In the footwall, a gouge layer measuring only 15 mm thick is present just below the surface of the Nojima Fault. These observations are the basis for a model of fluid behavior along the Nojima Fault. The model invokes the percolation of meteoric fluids through cracks in the hanging wall fault zone during interseismic periods, resulting in chemical reactions in the fault gouge layer to form smectite. The low permeability clay-rich gouge layer sealed the footwall. The fault gouge was brecciated during coseismic or postseismic periods, breaking the seal and allowing fluids to readily flow into the footwall, thus causing a slight alteration. Chemical reactions between fluids and the fault breccia and gouge generated new fault gouge, which resealed the footwall, resulting in a low fluid condition in the footwall during interseismic periods.     

X射线岩石CT的历史与现状

采用X射线CT技术无损探测岩石内部结构和裂纹演化过程 ,起源于 2 0世纪 80年代后期 ,由最初对CT图像的认识逐步深化为对岩石裂纹演化规律的分析和应用研究。基于室内岩石试件扫描断面的CT图像 ,目前在岩石变形破坏过程的实时监测、加荷条件多样化、裂纹演化规律性、裂纹宽度的定量测量、岩石裂纹三维图像重建、损伤演化与损伤变量分析、CT成果应用研究等方面取得了一系列进展。岩石CT面临的主要问题是如何获得各种试验条件下精确的CT图像及其成果的应用研究。岩石CT的生命力在于自身理论、技术发展和在相关领域的应用程度     

Reconstructing the evolution of fault zone architecture: Field‐based study of the core region of the Atera Fault,Central Japan

In order to reconstruct the architectural evolution of a fault zone with heterogeneous structures, we studied the Atera Fault in Central Japan, and described the detailed mesoscopic and microscopic features of the zone. The fault zone studied consists of a 1.2‐m wide fault core of fault breccia mixed with fragments derived from welded tuff, granite, and mafic volcanic rocks. The 1.2‐m wide fault core is bordered by a western damage zone characterized by a welded tuff fault breccia and an eastern damage zone characterized by a granite cataclasite. A secondary fault core, a 30‐cm wide granite‐derived fault gouge, cross‐cuts the granite cataclasite. Although welded tuff fault breccia and granite cataclasite are also pervasively fractured and fragmented, the fault cores are significantly affected by fragment size reduction due to intense abrasive wear and comminution. The 1.2‐m wide fault core includes fragments and a sharp dark layer composed of mafic volcanic rocks, which can be correlated with neighboring 1.6 Ma volcanic rocks. This observation places a younger constraint on the age of the fault core formation. Carbonate coating on basalt fragments in the 1.2‐m wide fault core has also been fractured indicating the repetition of intense fragmentation. Bifurcated, black and gray veins near the 1.2‐m wide fault core are likely injection veins, formed by the rapid injection of fine material within fault zones during seismic events. The granite‐derived fault gouge, characterized by hard granite fragments without intense brecciation and microfracturing, in a kaolinite‐rich clay matrix, is interpreted as the most recent slip zone within the exposed fault zone. A preview of published geological and hydrological studies of several fault zones shows that clay‐rich fault cores can exhibit much lower permeability than the adjacent damage zones represented in this present case by the welded tuff fault breccia and granite cataclasite.     

A novel approach to the quantitative interpretation of petrophysical parameters using nano-CT: example of Paleozoic carbonates

The main goal was the analysis of parameters describing the structure of the pore space of carbonate rocks, based on tomographic images. The results of CT images interpretation, made for 17 samples of Paleozoic carbonate rocks were shown. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of a pore system was performed. Objects were clustered according to the pore size. Within the clusters, the geometry parameters were analysed. The following dependences were obtained for carbonate rocks, also for individual clusters (due to the volume): (1) a linear relationship (on a bilogarithmic scale) between the specific surface and the Feret diameter and (2) a strong linear relationship between specific surface area and Feret diameter and average diameter of the objects calculated for the sphere. The results were then combined with available results from standard laboratory tests, including NMR and MICP.     

Internal structure of the Nojima Fault zone from the Hirabayashi GSJ drill core

Abstract The internal structures of the Nojima Fault, south-west Japan, are examined from mesoscopic observations of continuous core samples from the Hirabayashi Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) drilling. The drilling penetrated the central part of the Nojima Fault, which ruptured during the 1995 Kobe earthquake (Hyogo-ken Nanbu earthquake) ( M 7.2). It intersected a 0.3 m-thick layer of fault gouge, which is presumed to constitute the fault core (defined as a narrow zone of extremely concentrated deformation) of the Nojima Fault Zone. The rocks obtained from the Hirabayashi GSJ drilling were divided into five types based on the intensities of deformation and alteration: host rock, weakly deformed and altered granodiorite, fault breccia, cataclasite, and fault gouge. Weakly deformed and altered granodiorite is distributed widely in the fault zone. Fault breccia appears mostly just above the fault core. Cataclasite is distributed mainly in a narrow (≈1 m wide) zone in between the fault core and a smaller gouge zone encountered lower down from the drilling. Fault gouge in the fault core is divided into three types based on their color and textures. From their cross-cutting relationships and vein development, the lowest fault gouge in the fault core is judged to be newer than the other two. The fault zone characterized by the deformation and alteration is assumed to be deeper than 426.2 m and its net thickness is > 46.5 m. The fault rocks in the hanging wall (above the fault core) are deformed and altered more intensely than those in the footwall (below the fault core). Furthermore, the intensities of deformation and alteration increase progressively towards the fault core in the hanging wall, but not in the footwall. The difference in the fault rock distribution between the hanging wall and the footwall might be related to the offset of the Nojima Fault and/or the asymmetrical ground motion during earthquakes.     

A Model for the Mechanical Behaviour of Bentheim Sandstone in the Brittle Regime

— The mechanical behaviour of Bentheim sandstone, a homogeneous quartz-rich sandstone with porosity of 22.8%, was investigated by triaxial compression tests conducted on dry samples. At confining pressures up to 35 MPa, the failure mode was characterized by a typical brittle deformation regime, as the samples showed dilatancy and failed by strain softening and brittle faulting. Previous studies have shown that the mechanical behaviour and failure mode of brittle porous granular rocks are governed by the time-dependent growth of microcracks. We analyse this process using the “Pore Crack Model” based on fracture mechanics analysis. It is consistent with the microstructure of porous granular rocks since it considers the growth of axial cracks from cylindrical holes in two dimensions. These cracks grow when their stress intensity factors reach the subcritical crack growth limit. Interaction between neighbouring cracks is introduced by calculating the stress intensity factor as the sum of two terms: a component for an isolated crack and an interaction term computed using the method of successive approximations. It depends on crack length, pore radius, pore density, and applied stresses. The simulation of crack growth from cylindrical holes, associated with a failure criterion based on the coalescence of interacting cracks, is used to compare the theoretical stress at the onset of dilatancy and at macroscopic rupture to the experimental determined values. Our approach gives theoretical results in good agreement with experimental data when microstructural parameters consistent with observations are introduced.     

安丘—莒县断裂小店—大店段断层活动证据及断层泥分布特征初步研究

郯庐断裂带最新活动的断层分布于潍坊至嘉山一带, 而安丘—莒县断裂是郯庐断裂带的重要活动断裂之一。 基于地质考察、 高密度电法探测和钻孔联合剖面, 对安丘—莒县断裂小店—大店段断层活动证据及断层泥分布特征进行研究。 地质考察发现紫红色砂砾岩逆冲到全新世耕植土上方, 两者之间发育断层泥带, 断层泥内含少量角砾岩, 为全新世活动逆断层。 高密度电法探测结果表明断层通过位置电阻率差异明显。 钻孔联合剖面揭露的地层: 全新世耕植土、 全风化砂质泥岩、 强风化砂质泥岩、 碎裂岩、 断层泥带及中风化砂质泥岩。 钻孔K1和K2揭露深灰色断层泥带, 倾向西, 倾角约为74°, 厚度约为13.9 m, 与南侧出露的断层泥带产状相协调。 工作区范围内, 发育多处褶皱、 破碎带和断层泥带, 断层表现为全新世逆断层性质。     

Kinematics of the Rockland Brook Fault, Nova Scotia: Implications for the interaction of the Meguma and Avalon terranes

The Cobequid-Chedabucto fault system of northern mainland Nova Scotia represents the surface expression of the Avalon-Meguma terrane boundary, but because it is exposed at high crustal levels in the Cobequid Highlands, the fault system provides little information as to the kinematic relationships of the two terranes in this area. In the eastern Cobequid Highlands, the Rockland Brook Fault (RBF) is exposed within the more deeply eroded highlands massif and juxtaposes units of widely varying ages and lithologies. Therefore, this fault is better suited to define the nature and timing of fault movement associated with Avalon-Meguma terrane interaction.In several large Carboniferous plutons along the length of the RBF, and in previously deformed Precambrian rocks, mylonitic foliation orientations are predominantly east-west trending and mineral lineations plunge southeast. Kinematic indicators such as minor fold vergence, porphyroclast systems, asymmetric boudins, shear-band fabrics, and preferred recrystallization orientations indicate dextral shear. These data are taken to infer that the central section of the RBF is dominated by dextral strike-slip motion. Transpression occurs locally where the RBF curves into restraining bends. Kinematic data in these bends indicate top to the northwest thrusting. At the easternmost extent of the RBF, high-level brittle normal faults predominate in the locally extensional environment. The timing of RBF movement is constrained only by the ca 360 Ma granite bodies which it deforms and by the Westphalian sedimentary rocks which are affected by only the latest stages of movement.These kinematic data are consistent with previously published kinematic models for the interaction of the southern margin of the Avalon Composite Terrane with the Meguma Terrane in mainland Nova Scotia. These models suggest that regional dextral shear was accompanied by localized components of transpressional thrusting, wrench tectonism, and small-scale sedimentary basin development during Devonian to Carboniferous terrane interaction.