Microprobe monazite geochronology: putting absolute time into microstructural analysis

High-resolution compositional mapping and dating of monazite on the electron microprobe is a powerful addition to microstructural analysis and an increasingly important tool for tectonic analysis. Microprobe monazite geochronology can be an efficient reconnaissance tool for evaluating metamorphic and deformational age domains, but more importantly, its in-situ nature and high spatial resolution offer an entirely new level of structurally and texturally specific geochronologic data that can be used to put absolute time constraints on P–T–D paths, constrain the rates of metamorphic and deformational processes, and provide new links between metamorphism and deformation. Microprobe geochronology is particularly applicable to three persistent microstructural/microtextural problem areas: (1) constraining the chronology of metamorphic assemblages; (2) constraining the timing of deformational fabrics; and (3) interpreting other geochronological results. Although some monazite generations can be directly tied to metamorphism or deformation, at present, the most common constraints rely on monazite inclusion relations in porphyroblasts that, in turn, can be tied to the deformation and/or metamorphic history. Microprobe mapping and dating allow geochronology to be incorporated into the routine microstructural analytical process, resulting in a new level of integration of time (t) into P–T–D histories.     

Discussion on the formation and evolutionary history of Shangyi-Longhua regional fault in northern Hebei Province

Shangyi-Longhua regional fault was EW distributed near northern Hebei Province, which was first active in the Late Neoarchean (Late Fuping) and still active in the Holocene and even today. Therefore, exploring its formation and evolutionary history is of great significance to study its geological structure, mineral distribution and the influence of Neotectonic movement on human beings in northern Hebei Province. The regional faults in Shangyi-Longhua are strong complex deformation zones through the census of the tectonic rocks and all kinds of directional structures in the fault zone. The ductile deformation and brittle deformation are alternating with characters of chronicity, multiphase activity, propensity and nature variation. Shangyi-Longhua regional fault is one of the important dividing lines of tectonic units of different levels in different periods in northern Hebei Province, which plays an important role in controlling the development and evolution of geological history on both sides. The authors redefined the structure superposition transformation relation and the development period, according to the superimposed relationship of the sturcture, the corresponding relationship between metamorphic degree of mylonites and the regional metamorphism, and the corresponding relationship between the movement model reflected by the shear-pointed fabric and the principal stress of the regional tectonic movement. Combined with the metamorphic mineral age of the predecessor tectonites, the authors divided the fault structure into two construction phases and nine tectonic active periods.     

冀北尚义—隆化区域断裂形成与演化历史探讨

尚义—隆化区域断裂呈近EW向分布于冀北地区,活动于新太古代晚期(阜平晚期),全新世至今仍有活动,探讨其形成与演化历史,对进一步研究冀北地区地质构造、矿产分布及新构造运动对人类活动的影响具有重要意义。通过统计该断裂中的构造岩及指向构造,发现尚义—隆化区域断裂为复杂的强变形带,韧性变形与脆性变形相间,具有长期及多期活动性、倾向及性质多变等特点; 尚义—隆化区域断裂是冀北地区不同时段不同级别构造单元的重要分界线之一,对两侧地质历史的发展及演化具有重要的控制作用。根据构造叠置关系、糜棱岩类变质程度与区域变质作用的对应关系,以及剪切指向组构反映的活动方式与区域构造运动主应力的对应关系,重新厘定了构造叠加改造关系及变形期次,结合前人构造岩的变质矿物年龄,将该断裂划分为2个构造阶段、9个构造活动期。     

部分熔融与高级变质岩流变机制——以内蒙古大青山高级变质岩为例

部分熔融作用与高级变质岩变形作用是相互制约,变形作用能够提高岩石部分熔融程度,降低熔融温度。熔体存在影响和制约岩石强度和变形机制。大青山高级岩经历了下部地壳构造层次变质变形和深熔作用改造,形成了复杂构造要素组合。宏观与微观构造特点表明:高级变质岩变形机制主要为熔体增强颗粒边界扩散和颗粒流动,使岩石发生大规模的塑性流动。在宏观上形成了不对称流动组构、熔融线理、岩石和矿物条带、层内底辟褶皱和大型穹窿构造。但是,在微观上矿物颗粒变形不明显,晶内变形组构不发育,表现为三边平衡结构,与静态结晶变质岩结构相似,形成了地壳深部构造层次上变质构造岩-构造片麻岩。     

Sigmoidal inclusion trails, punctuated fabric development, and interactions between metamorphism and deformation

Porphyroblast inclusion fabrics are consistent in style and geometry across three Proterozoic metamorphic field gradients, comprising two pluton-related gradients in central Arizona and one regional gradient in northern New Mexico. Garnet crystals contain curved ‘sigmoidal’ inclusion trails. In low-grade chlorite schists, these trails can be correlated directly with matrix crenulations of an older schistosity (S1). The garnet crystals preferentially grew in crenulation hinges, but some late crenulations nucleated on existing garnet porphyroblasts. At higher grade, biotite, staurolite and andalusite porphyroblasts occur in a homogeneous S2 foliation primarily defined by matrix biotite and ilmenite. Biotite porphyroblasts have straight to sigmoidal inclusion trails that also represent the weakly folded S1 schistosity. Staurolite and andalusite contain distinctive inclusion-rich and inclusion-poor domains that represent a relict S2 differentiated crenulation cleavage. Together, the inclusion relationships document the progressive development of the S2 fabric through six stages. Garnet and biotite porphyroblasts contain stage 2 or 3 crenulations; staurolite and andalusite generally contain stage 4 crenulations, and the matrix typically contains a homogeneous stage 6 cleavage. The similarity of inclusion relationships across spatially and temporally distinct metamorphic field gradients of widely differing scales suggests a fundamental link between metamorphism and deformation. Three end-member relationships may be involved: (1) tectonic linkages, where similar P-T-time histories and similar bulk compositions combine to produce similar metamorphic and structural signatures; (2) deformation-controlled linkages, where certain microstructures, particularly crenulation hinges, are favourable environments for the nucleation and/or growth of porphyroblasts; and (3) reaction-controlled linkages, where metamorphic reactions, particularly dehydration reactions, are associated with an increase in the rate of fabric development. A general model is proposed in which (1) garnet and biotite porphyroblasts preferentially grow in stage 2 or 3 crenulation hinges, and (2) chlorite-consuming metamorphic reactions lead to pulses in the rate of fabric evolution. The data suggest that fabric development and porphyroblast growth may have been quite rapid, of the order of several hundreds of thousands of years, in these rocks. These microstructures and processes may be characteristic of low-pressure, first-cycle metamorphic belts.     

Tectonometamorphic evolution of an intracontinental orogeny inferred from P–T–t–d paths of the metapelites from the Rehamna massif (Morocco)

New petrographic and microstructural observations, mineral equilibria modelling and U/Pb (monazite) geochronological studies were carried out to investigate the relationships between deformation and metamorphism across the Rehamna massif (Moroccan Variscan belt). In this area, typical Barrovian (muscovite to staurolite) zones developed in Cambrian to Carboniferous metasedimentary rocks that are distributed around a dome‐like structure. First assemblages are characterized by the presence of locally preserved andalusite, followed by prograde evolution culminating at 6 kbar and 620 °C in the structurally deepest staurolite zone rocks. This Barrovian sequence was subsequently uplifted to supracrustal levels, heterogeneously reworked at greenschist facies conditions, which was followed locally by static growth of andalusite, indicating heating to 2.5–4 kbar and 530–570 °C. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U monazite age of 298.3 ± 4.1 Ma is interpreted as minimum age of peak metamorphic conditions, whereas the ages of 275.8 ± 1.7 Ma and 277.0 ± 1.1 Ma date decompression and heating at low pressure, in agreement with previous dating of Permian granitoids intruding the Rehamna massif. The prograde metamorphism occurred during thickening and associated horizontal flow in the deeper crust (S1 horizontal schistosity). The horizontally disposed metamorphic zones were subsequently uplifted by a regional scale antiform during ongoing N–S compression. The re‐heating of the massif follows late massive E–W shortening, refolding and retrograde shearing of all previous fabrics coevally with regionally important intrusions of Permian granitoids. We argue that metamorphic evolution of the Rehamna massif occurred several hundred kilometres from the convergent plate boundaries in the interior of continental Gondwanan plate. The tectonometamorphic history of the Rehamna massif is put into Palaeozoic plate tectonic perspective and Late Carboniferous reactivation of (Devonian)–Early Carboniferous basins formed during stretching of the north Gondwana margin and formation of the Palaeotethys Ocean. The inherited heat budget of these magma‐rich basins plays a role in the preferential location of this intracontinental orogen. It is shown that rapid transition from lithospheric stretching to compression is characterized by specific HT type of Barrovian metamorphism, which markedly differs from similar Barrovian sequences along Palaeozoic plate boundaries reported from Variscan Europe.     

变质作用中原岩建造的地位及意义

变质作用是地壳历史发展中的一种重要的地质作用,并随地壳的演化而表现为不同的变质作用类型。过去称为区域变质作用可根据其所处的大地构造环境而分为不同的变质作用类型,而大地构造环境的一个重要方面则是它的原岩建造的特性。变质作用开始的大地构造环境一般可认为是具有活动特点的下沉带,表现为巨厚的     

Timing of metamorphism in the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps: Rb-Sr ages and fabric formation

The Peripheral Schieferhülle of the Tauern Window of the Eastern Alps represents post-Hercynian Penninic cover sequences and preserves a record of metamorphism in the Alpine orogeny, without the inherited remnants of Hercynian events that are retained in basement rocks. The temperature-time-deformation history of rocks at the lower levels of these cover sequences have been investigated by geochronological and petrographic study of units whose P-T evolution and structural setting are already well understood. The Eclogite Zone of the central Tauern formed from protoliths with Penninic cover affinities, and suffered early Alpine eclogite facies metamorphism before tectonic interposition between basement and cover. It then shared a common metamorphic history with these units, experiencing blueschist facies and subsequent greenschist facies conditions in the Alpine orogeny. The greenschist facies phase, associated with penetrative deformation in the cover and the influx of aqueous fluids, reset Sr isotopes in metasediments throughout the eclogite zone and cover schists, recording deformation and peak metamorphism at 28-30 Ma. The Peripheral Schieferhülle of the south-east Tauern Window yields Rb-Sr white mica ages which can be tied to the structural evolution of the metamorphic pile. Early prograde fabrics pre-date 31 Ma, and were reworked by the formation of the large north-east vergent Sonnblick fold structure at 28 Ma. Peak metamorphism post-dated this deformation, but by contrast to the equivalent levels in the central Tauern, peak metamorphic conditions did not lead to widespread homogenization of the Sr isotopes. Localized deformation continued into the cooling path until at least 23 Ma, partially or wholly resetting Sr white mica ages in some samples. These isotopic ages may be integrated with structural data in regional tectonic models, and may constrain changes in the style of crustal deformation and plate interaction. However, such interpretations must accommodate the demonstrable variation in thermal histories over small distances.     

Data on the tectonic and metamorphic evolution of the central Sierra De Los Filabres,Betic Cordilleras,se Spain

Within the area investigated three tectonic units are distinguished which can be referred to the Nevado-Filabride, Ballabona-Cucharón, and Alpujarride complex, respectively. During the Alpine orogeny the rocks considered were subjected to various phases of folding and overthrusting. This tectonic evolution was accompanied by a metamorphism of a plurifacial character. The relation between tectonic events and metamorphic recrystallization is schematically outlined for each of the tectonic units distinguished. The units show marked differences in their degree of metamorphic recrystallization, caused by differences between the metamorphic conditions in each of the units during the earlier stages of metamorphism. The younger stages of metamorphism postdate important overthrust movements and have affected the whole pile of tectonic units. The Palaeozoic (and older?) rock sequences do not yield conclusive evidence of prealpine metamorphism, and definite proof of pre-alpine deformation is wanting. Consequently the difference in metamorphic grade between the Palaeozoic (and older?) and the Permo-Triassic rocks of the Alpujarride complex has to be explained by differences in metamorphism of Alpine age.     

内蒙古大青山高级变质岩韧性剪切带及其流变机制

大青山高级变质岩不仅记录华北克拉通早期大陆形成演化历史,也保留了中下部地壳岩石流变信息,它们经历了下部地壳构造层次高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相条件变质变形、深熔作用改造,形成了复杂构造样式和构造要素组合.韧性剪切带是高级变质岩中主要构造形迹,控制着早前寒武纪高级变质岩主体构造格架.依据野外地质产状、变形特征与构造要素叠加改造关系,韧性剪切带划分为早期近水平顺层伸展型和晚期陡倾韧性剪切带.近水平顺层伸展韧性剪切带呈残留状保留在后期变形改造较弱部位上,主要沿着不同地质单元或者岩性层界面上发育,是在伸展变形体制下形成的.晚期陡倾韧性剪切带呈近东西方向展布,规模较大,叠加和改造早期构造形迹,形成于晚期造山挤压构造环境中,以左行滑移为主.这两种韧性剪切带都形成于地壳中深部构造层次高角闪岩相-麻粒岩相条件下,变形机制主要为熔体增强颗粒边界扩散和颗粒流动,使岩石发生大规模的塑性流动.在宏观上形成了不对称流动组构、条纹条带构造、熔融线理、层内流动褶皱等构造形迹,在微观上矿物晶体没有发生明显塑性变形,均匀消光,晶体为三边平衡结构,与静态变质结构相似,形成了地壳深部构造层次上变质构造岩-构造片麻岩.      

Metamorphic evidence for an inverted crustal section, with constraints on the Main Karakorum Thrust, Baltistan, northern Pakistan

Abstract The Shyok Suture Zone separates rocks in the Asian plate from rocks in the Kohistan-Ladakh island arc. In Baltistan, this suture has been reactivated by the late 'break-back'Main Karakorum Thrust (MKT). The P-T histories of metamorphic rocks both north and south of the MKT have been determined in an effort to place constraints on the tectonic history of this zone. The terranes north and south of the MKT have different, unrelated metamorphic histories. Rocks from the Kohistan-Ladakh island arc south of the MKT have undergone a static low- P (2–4 kbar, c. 500° C) thermal metamorphism. The P-T paths and metamorphic textures of these rocks are consistent with metamorphism due to emplacement of plutonic rocks into the island arc. This metamorphism pre-dates folding and deformation of these rocks. Rocks in the Karakorum Metamorphic Complex, north of the MKT, have experienced a complex deformational and metamorphic history. Prograde metamorphic isograds have been deformed by subsequent south-verging folding and by gneiss dome emplacement. However, decompression metamorphic reactions occurred during nappe emplacement. Higher pressure rocks are associated with higher level nappes, creating an inverted pressure metamorphic sequence (8–9-kbar rocks over 5–6-kbar rocks). There is little variation in temperature with structural level (550–625° C). These two different terranes have been juxtaposed after metamorphism by the late south-directed MKT.     

右江盆地三叠纪岩层极低级变质作用及地球动力学意义

右江盆地三叠纪槽盆相浊流沉积岩系遭受过区域极低级变质作用。依据地质观察和伊利石结晶度、绿泥石-云母堆垛集合体、标志性粘土矿物及白云母(伊利石)b0参数测定资料,阐述了泥质岩石的成岩变质作用经浅层(近)变质作用到浅变质作用的转换特征。变质温度区间为150-350℃,低压类型,具高地温梯度(40-43℃/km).变质级及亚带总体与地层时代及岩层在地层柱中的位置有耦合关系,而与区域变形强度无关。最后指出区域极低级变质作用是印支-燕山构造旋回早期及区域变形前的地质事件,属于地壳伸展构造背景下右江边缘型盆地内部的埋藏型变质作用。     

P–T evolution of the Precambrian Metamorphic Complex,NW Iran: a study of metapelitic rocks

The Mahneshan Metamorphic Complex (MMC) is one of the Precambrian terrains exposed in the northwest of Iran. The MMC underwent two main phases of deformation (D₁ and D₂) and at least two metamorphic events (M₁ and M₂). Critical metamorphic mineral assemblages in the metapelitic rocks testify to regional metamorphism under amphibolite‐facies conditions. The dominant metamorphic mineral assemblage in metapelitic rocks (M₁) is muscovite, biotite I, Garnet I, staurolite, Andalusite I and sillimanite. Peak metamorphism took place at 600–620°C and ∼7 kbar, corresponding to a depth of ca. 24 km. This was followed by decompression during exhumation of the crustal rocks up to the surface. The decrease of temperature and pressure during exhumation produced retrograde metamorphic assemblages (M₂). Secondary phases such as garnet II biotite II, Andalusite II constrain the temperature and pressure of M₂ retrograde metamorphism to 520–560°C and 2.5–3.5 kbar, respectively. The geothermal gradient obtained for the peak of metamorphism is 33°C km⁻¹, which indicates that peak metamorphism was of Barrovian type and occurred under medium‐pressure conditions. The MMC followed a ‘clockwise’ P–T path during metamorphism, consistent with thermal relaxation following tectonic thickening. The bulk chemistry of the MMC metapelites shows that their protoliths were deposited at an active continental margin. Together with the presence of palaeo‐suture zones and ophiolitic rocks around the high‐grade metamorphic rocks of the MMC, these features suggest that the Iranian Precambrian basement formed by an island‐arc type cratonization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1∶25万大同幅区域地质调查项目成果

通过对1∶25万大同市幅地质概况的介绍,重点论述了所取得的主要成果: ①对区内构造单元进行了划分,查明了各个构造单元的物质组成及变质、变形特点,建立了早前寒武纪地质构造事件演化序列及其地质构造演化模式,恢复了本区的地质构造发展史; ②对前人所称集宁群进行了重新认识和解体,认为原集宁群由变质深成岩与变质表壳岩系组成,同时针对区内的沉积盖层,系统地建立了岩石地层格架,为生物地层、年代地层划分提供了新资料; ③将区内变质深成岩划分为4个岩浆岩带,对各个岩浆岩带的变质深成岩进行了详细解体与划分; ④针对区内的中生代侵入岩,查明了其空间分布、岩石特征、岩石化学及地球化学特征,探讨了岩石成因,研究了其构造背景; ⑤针对区内早前寒武纪变质岩系变质矿物,查明了不同变质体的变质矿物组合特点和矿物世代关系; ⑥针对区内的构造形迹,建立了本区构造格架,将早前寒武纪的构造变形划分为五台期早晚2次变形,吕梁期早晚2次变形,并针对区内中生代构造,查明了各个盆地的盆缘构造特征和不同方向、不同期次、不同性质断裂的分期配套关系,尤其是查明了大同盆地西缘大型构造带的空间展布、性质、断裂组合及运动学特征,对探讨山西中—新生代盆地的演化发展具有重要意义。     

右江盆地三叠纪岩层极低级变质作用及地球动力学意义

 右江盆地三叠纪槽盆相浊流沉积岩系遭受过区域极低级变质作用。依据地质观察和伊利石结晶度、绿泥石-云母堆垛集合体、标志性粘土矿物及白云母(伊利石)b0参数测定资料,阐述了泥质岩石的成岩变质作用经浅层(近)变质作用到浅变质作用的转换特征。变质温度区间为150-350℃,低压类型,具高地温梯度(40-43℃/km).变质级及亚带总体与地层时代及岩层在地层柱中的位置有耦合关系,而与区域变形强度无关。最后指出区域极低级变质作用是印支-燕山构造旋回早期及区域变形前的地质事件,属于地壳伸展构造背景下右江边缘型盆地内部的埋藏型变质作用。     

Late-Stage Ductile Deformation in Xiongdian-Suhe HP Metamorphic Unit, North-Western Dabie Shan, Central China

New structural and petrological data unveil a very complicated ductile deformation history of the Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit, north-western Dabie Shun, central China. The finegrained symplectic amphibolite-facies assemblage and coronal structure enveloping eclogite-facies garnet,omphacite and phengite etc., representing strain-free decompression and retrogressive metamorphism,are considered as the main criteria to distinguish between the early-stage deformation under HP metamorphic conditions related to the continental deep subduction and collision, and the late-stage deformation under amphibolite to greenschist-facies conditions occurred in the post-eclogite exhumation processes.Two late-stages of widely developed, sequential ductile deformations D3 and D4, are recognized on the basis of penetrative fabrics and mineral aggregates in the Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit, which shows clear, regionally, consistent overprinting relationships. D3 fabrics are best preserved in the Suhe tract of low post-D3 deformation intensity and characterized by steeply dipping layered mylonitic amphibolites associated with doubly vergent folds. They are attributed to a phase of tectonism linked to the initial exhumation of the HP rocks and involved crustal shortening with the development of upright structures and the widespread emplacement of garnet-bearing granites and felsic dikes. D4 structures are attributed to the main episode of ductile extension (D^24) with a gently dipping foliation to the north and common intrafolial, recumbent folds in the Xiongdian tract, followed by normal sense top-to-the northductile shearing (D^24) along an important tectonic boundary, the so-called Majiawa-Hexiwan fault (MHF), the westward continuation of the Balifan-Mozitan-Xiaotian fault (BMXF) of the northern Dabie Shan. It is indicated that the two stages of ductile deformation observed in the Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit, reflecting the post-eclogite compressional or extrusion wedge formation, the subhorizontal ductile extension and crustal thinning as well as the top-to-the north shearing along the high-angle ductile shear zones responsible for exhumation of the HP unit as a coherent slab, are consistent with those recognized in the Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP metamorphic belts, suggesting that they were closely associated in time and space. The Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit thus forms part of the Triassic(250-230 Ma) collision orogenic belt, and can not connect with the South Altun-North Qaidam-North Qinline UHP metamorphic belt formed durin~ the Early Paleozoic (500-400Ma).     

Sediment slump structures: a review of diagnostic criteria and application to an example from Newfoundland

In the study of the history of deformed sedimentary rocks it is important that the cause of the deformation and the timing of deformation relative to metamorphic and tectonic events be assessed. There is a continuous gradation between the deformation of freshly deposited sediments by gravitational forces and the deformation of well-lithified sediments by tectonic forces, so determining the degree to which gravity, tectonism and lithification influenced deformation can be very difficult. The characteristics that may be considered in determining the origin of deformational structures in sedimentary rocks can be divided into five categories: Ductile deformation structures (1) can provide definitive criteria for recognizing post-lithification deformation, but not pre-lithification deformation. This also holds for (2), brittle deformation structures and décollements. Overprinting of sediment reworking or remobilization structures (3) are the best criteria for recognizing pre-lithification structures. Fabrics (4) can be very useful but are as yet poorly understood, and there are misconceptions in the literature about what sort of fabrics are or are not found in unlithified sediments. Spatial relationships (5) may also tell us a great deal, but are most useful when taken in conjunction with other types of evidence.Complex fold patterns in sandstones on Farmer Head, north-central Newfoundland, provide a case study for criteria that may be used to determine the degree of lithification during deformation. Although these folds have been interpreted as slump folds by earlier workers, fabrics and spatial relationships point to a tectonic post-lithification origin for the structures, a conclusion which has significant implications for the interpretation of the regional geology.     

Late Alpine evolution of the central Menderes Massif, western Turkey

The central Menderes Massif (western Turkey) is characterized by an overall dome-shaped Alpine foliation pattern and a N-NNE-trending stretching lineation. A section through the southern flank of the central submassif along the northern margin of Büyük Menderes graben has been studied. There, asymmetric non-coaxial fabrics indicate that the submassif has experienced two distinct phases of Alpine deformation: a top-to-the N-NNE contractional phase and a top-to-the S-SSW extensional event. The former fabrics are coeval with a regional prograde Barrovian-type metamorphism at greenschist to upper-amphibolite facies conditions. This event, known as the main Menderes metamorphism, is thought to be the result of internal imbrication of the Menderes Massif rocks along south-verging thrust sheets during the collision of the Sakarya continent in the north and the Anatolide-Tauride platform in the south across the Gzmir-Ankara suture during the (?)Palaeocene-Eocene. Top-to-the S-SSW fabrics, represented by a well-developed ductile shear band foliation associated with inclined and/or curved foliation, asymmetric boudins, and cataclasites, were clearly superimposed on earlier contractional fabrics. These fabrics are interpreted to be related to a low-grade (greenschist?) retrogressive metamorphism and a continuum of deformation from ductile to brittle in the footwall rocks of a south-dipping, presently low-angle normal fault that accompanied Early Miocene orogenic collapse and continental extension in western Turkey. A similar tectono-metamorphic history has been documented for the northern flank of the dome along the southern margin of the Gediz graben with top-to-the N-NNE extensional fabrics. The exhumation of the central Menderes Massif can therefore be attributed to a model of symmetric gravity collapse of the previously thickened crust in the submassif area. The central submassif is thus interpreted as a piece of ductile lower-middle crust that was exhumed along two normal-sense shear zones with opposing vergence and may be regarded as a typical symmetrical metamorphic core complex. These relationships are consistent with previous models that the Miocene exhumation of the Menderes Massif and Cycladic Massif in the Aegean Sea was a result of bivergent extension.     

太平寨古老变质岩的变质结构

区域变质作用过程中,矿物受到热力与动力作用,相应地发生结晶、重结晶与变形两个方面的变化,产生出多种型式的变质结构。依据变质结构的特点,矿物本身的变化和共生矿物之间的相互关系,可以分析多期变质作用的期次、顺序,也可以鉴别结晶作用与变形作用的先后关系,因此能够通过这种研究来复原变质地体的变质变形历史。本文研究河北省迁西县太平寨地区及附近各地的古老变质地体的变质结构特点,并研讨其地质意义。     

中国桐柏大别构造带变质演化的岩石学证迹

桐柏大别构造带是秦岭造山带的东延部分，经历过多期次不同体制的构造运动，现今的桐柏大别山区是由一系列变质地体拼合而成，地体与地体之间为断层或韧性剪切带所围限各地体有自身变质变形史和PTt轨迹，但却有着碰撞造山带所共有的后造山抬升过程。本文揭示了随县群、红安岩群及大别杂岩中柯石英榴辉石、蓝晶铝直闪石片岩及紫苏石榴黑云母片麻岩的退变质再平衡结构特点。报道了大别山麻粒岩相变质年龄为1699Ma。各类岩石减压退变质再平衡结构，标志着后造山的隆升过程及其对桐柏大别构造带变质演化的启示。