Tectonic setting and petrological evidence for the emplacement of mylonitic granites within the middle part of Sanandaj-Sirjan shear zone from East and South East of Chadegan,Iran

The metabasites and mylonitic granites of the East and South East of Chadegan in the Isfahan province are a part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone. This region is a large-scale ductile shear zone which has experienced different phases of deformation and dynamothermal metamorphism. There are at least three phases of deformation in this area. During the first phase which was related to the subduction of the Neotethys oceanic lithosphere under the Iranian microcontinent, the study rocks have experienced regional metamorphism. The second deformational phase was concurrent with the collision between the Arabian plate and the Iranian plate in the Late Cretaceous and caused mylonitization of the metamorphic rocks. The NW–SE trending fold and thrust faults have formed in this stage. The mylonitization have been formed along the dextral transpressional faults. During the third stage of deformation and exhumation of the metamorphic complex, the mylonitic zones have been uplifted to the surface. In this the deformation phase, developed the current morphology of the rocks. The granites have been injected along the extensional shear zones related to the dextral transpressional displacements. These granites are related to the continental collision granites type and have been formed synchronous to the collision between the Arabian and the Iranian plate. Enrichment in LREEs comparison to HREEs and the negative Eu anomaly in the primitive mantle-normalized spidergram and Chondrite-normalized REE patterns support an intra-crustal origin for these granites. Upper continental crust-normalized REE patterns show that in terms of LREEs, are similar to Upper continental crust.     

桐柏地区高压变质地体在地壳中的抬升机制

桐柏杂岩位于秦岭与大别造山带之间,南北两侧为NWW-SEE向延伸的含榴辉岩高压变质地体,其构造就位过程及其与高压变质地体的构造关系为地质学家们所关注.本文研究表明,所谓的桐柏杂岩实际上是一个早白垩世花岗质片麻岩杂岩体,其内包裹一定数量的三叠纪中高级变质岩石.桐柏杂岩南北两条边界韧性剪切带具有相反的运动学指向,分别为大型右行和左行韧性剪切带,其形成时代为131Ma.这两条韧性剪切带中的剪切面理分别朝SSW和NNE向倾斜,韧性剪切带及杂岩体内部发育的拉伸线理均稳定地朝SEE方向缓倾伏.而在杂岩体的东端发育低角度近南北向韧性剪切变形带,其糜棱面理朝SEE方向低角度缓倾斜,矿物拉伸线理也朝SEE方向低角度缓倾伏,运动学标志指示东侧地质体朝295°～310°的方向逆冲.因此,桐柏杂岩实际上被一个顺造山带的韧性剪切带所围限,这个韧性剪切带及杂岩体内部韧性变形运动学指示了一个早白垩世由东向西的低角度抬升过程,而这一过程直接导致了含榴辉岩高压变质地体沿着造山带的方向从地壳深部抬升到近地表.这一研究结果对理解和认识桐柏-大别-苏鲁地区高压一超高压变质地体的晚期抬升过程具有重要意义.     

Systematic changes in orientation of linear mylonitic fabrics: An example of strain partitioning during transpressional deformation in north Golpaygan,Sanandaj–Sirjan zone,Iran

Kilometer-scale, shallowly dipping, NW-striking top-to-the NE reverse and dextral strike-slip shear zones occur in metamorphic rocks of north Golpaygan. These metamorphic rocks are exposed at the NE margin of the central part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone in the hinterland of the Zagros orogen. NW-striking top-to-the NE normal shear zones were also found in a small part of the study area. Structural evidence of three deformation stages were found. Pre-mylonitization metamorphic mineral growth happened during D₁. The main mylonitization event was during the D₂ deformational event, following coaxial refolding, synchronous to retrograde metamorphism of amphibolite to greenschist facies in the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene, and before D₃ folding and related mylonitization. We documented the systematic changes in the orientations of D₂ linear fabrics especially stretching lineations and superimposition relations of structures. It is concluded that the dextral strike-slip and dip-slip shear zones were coeval kinematic domains of partitioned dextral transpression. The shallowly dipping reverse and strike-slip shear zones are compatible with partitioning in a very inclined transpressional model. Fabric relations reflect that the top-to-the NE normal shear zones were not produced during deformation partitioning of inclined dextral transpression. The Late Cretaceous–Paleocene strain partitioning was followed by later N–S shortening and NE-extension in the north Golpaygan area.     

Ductile wrench tectonics and exhumation of hercynian metamorphic basement in Sardinia: Monte Grighini Complex

Abstract

The Monte Grighini Complex (Central-Western Sardinia) is a NW-SE trending metamorphic complex of Hereynian age made up of a medium grade Lower tectonic unit with mylonitie granitoids and a low grade Upper tectonic unit exposed in the westernmost and southernmost portions of this complex. The Lower Unit shows a prograde metamor phism from garnet to sillimanite zone and the transition from MP/MT to LP/HT metamorphism. The metamorphic climax was reached at the end of the main deformative phase 1)2 (600° C. 6 kbar). After the main tectonic and metamorphic phase. the Lower Unit was affected by a wide NW-SE trending ductile dextral wrench shear zone. Intrusive rocks emplaced within the shear zone yielded radiometric ages of 305-300 Ma. Shear deformation leads to low temperature C-S mylonites and retrograde phyllonitic rocks with subhorizontal NW-SE trending stretching lineations. Kinematic analysis of the shear zone points to a dextral sense of shear with an amount of ductile displacement of about 7 km. Later low angle N-S and E-W trending normal faults are associated with cataclastic zones separating the Lower Unit from the Upper one. These faults originated during a later evolutionary stage of the shear zone. This shows a progressive change of deformation regime from duetile wrenching to brittle normal faulting. The Monte Grighini Complex is a good example of ductile wrench tectonics. followed by uplift and extension in the Paleozoic basement of Sardinia.     

Late Cenozoic transpressional ductile deformation north of the Nazca–South America–Antarctica triple junction

The southern Andes plate boundary zone records a protracted history of bulk transpressional deformation during the Cenozoic, which has been causally related to either oblique subduction or ridge collision. However, few structural and chronological studies of regional deformation are available to support one hypothesis or the other. We address along- and across-strike variations in the nature and timing of plate boundary deformation to better understand the Cenozoic tectonics of the southern Andes.Two east–west structural transects were mapped at Puyuhuapi and Aysén, immediately north of the Nazca–South America–Antarctica triple junction. At Puyuhuapi (44°S), north–south striking, high-angle contractional and strike-slip ductile shear zones developed from plutons coexist with moderately dipping dextral-oblique shear zones in the wallrocks. In Aysén (45–46°), top to the southwest, oblique thrusting predominates to the west of the Cenozoic magmatic arc, whereas dextral strike-slip shear zones develop within it.New ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data from mylonites and undeformed rocks from the two transects suggest that dextral strike-slip, oblique-slip and contractional deformation occurred at nearly the same time but within different structural domains along and across the orogen. Similar ages were obtained on both high strain pelitic schists with dextral strike-slip kinematics (4.4±0.3 Ma, laser on muscovite–biotite aggregates, Aysén transect, 45°S) and on mylonitic plutonic rocks with contractional deformation (3.8±0.2 to 4.2±0.2 Ma, fine-grained, recrystallized biotite, Puyuhuapi transect). Oblique-slip, dextral reverse kinematics of uncertain age is documented at the Canal Costa shear zone (45°S) and at the Queulat shear zone at 44°S. Published dates for the undeformed protholiths suggest both shear zones are likely Late Miocene or Pliocene, coeval with contractional and strike-slip shear zones farther north. Coeval strike-slip, oblique-slip and contractional deformation on ductile shear zones of the southern Andes suggest different degrees of along- and across-strike deformation partitioning of bulk transpressional deformation.The long-term dextral transpressional regime appears to be driven by oblique subduction. The short-term deformation is in turn controlled by ridge collision from 6 Ma to present day. This is indicated by most deformation ages and by a southward increase in the contractional component of deformation. Oblique-slip to contractional shear zones at both western and eastern margins of the Miocene belt of the Patagonian batholith define a large-scale pop-up structure by which deeper levels of the crust have been differentially exhumed since the Pliocene at a rate in excess of 1.7 mm/year.     

The Sierra Ballena Shear Zone in the southernmost Dom Feliciano Belt (Uruguay): evolution, kinematics, and deformation conditions

The Sierra Ballena Shear Zone (SBSZ) is part of a high-strain transcurrent system that divides the Neoproterozoic Dom Feliciano Belt of South America into two different domains. The basement on both sides of the SBSZ shows a deformation stage preceding that of the transcurrent deformation recognized as a high temperature mylonitic foliation associated with migmatization. Grain boundary migration and fluid-assisted grain boundary diffusion enhanced by partial melting were the main deformation mechanisms associated with this foliation. Age estimate of this episode is >658 Ma. The second stage corresponds to the start of transpressional deformation and the nucleation and development of the SBSZ. During this stage, pure shear dominates the deformation, and is characterized by the development of conjugate dextral and sinistral shear zones and the emplacement of syntectonic granites. This event dates to 658–600 Ma based on the age of these intrusions. The third stage was a second transpressional event at about 586 to <560 Ma that was associated with the emplacement of porphyry dikes and granites that show evidence of flattening. Deformation in the SBSZ took place, during the late stages, under regional low-grade conditions, as indicated by the metamorphic paragenesis in the supracrustals of the country rocks. Granitic mylonites show plastic deformation of quartz and brittle behavior of feldspar. A transition from magmatic to solid-state microstructures is also frequently observed in syntectonic granites. Mylonitic porphyries and quartz mylonites resulted from the deformation of alkaline porphyries and quartz veins emplaced in the shear zone. Quartz veins reflect the release of silica associated with the breakdown of feldspar to white mica during the evolution of the granitic mylonites to phyllonites, which resulted in shear zone weakening. Quartz microstructures characteristic of the transition between regime 2 and regime 3, grain boundary migration and incipient recrystallization in feldspar indicate deformation under lower amphibolite to upper greenschist conditions (550–400°C). On the other hand, the mylonitic porphyries display evidence of feldspar recrystallization suggesting magmatic or high-T solid-state deformation during cooling of the dikes.     

长乐-南澳断裂带晚中生代岩浆活动 与变质-变形关系

长乐-南澳断裂带是东南沿海地区陆内强烈变质-变形带。带内沉积岩、火山岩和早白垩世的钙碱性角闪石黑云花岗岩和花岗闪长岩都已发生可达角闪岩相的变质和石英-长石相韧性剪切变形。鉴于高温矿物和强烈韧性变形多出现在深成岩附近;远离深成岩,变质和变形就逐渐减弱,故本文认为,至少有一部分变质变形的热源是由岩浆提供的。韧剪组构和糜棱质花岗岩是在岩浆侵位的晚期或长乐-南澳断裂带左旋走滑时,在中地壳部位同时形成的,长乐断裂带中花岗岩的组构记录了一期同走滑变形的岩浆作用,“软变形”作用。据此,长乐-南澳带内花岗岩的形成是受走滑剪切应力和岩浆热双重制约的,是在走滑过程中实现的。其动力来源可能与晚中生代的太平洋板块沿日本中央构造线—台湾纵谷带朝东亚陆缘的斜向俯冲有关。     

Transpression and juxtaposition of middle crust over upper crust forming a crustal scale flower structure: Insight from structural,fabric, and kinematic studies from the Rengali Province,eastern India

Deformational, metamorphic, monazite age and fabric data from Rengali Province, eastern India converge towards a multi-scale transpressional deformational episode at ca. 498–521 Ma which is linked with the latest phase of tectonic processes operative at proto-India-Antarctica join. Detailed sector wise study on mutual overprinting relationships of macro-to microstructural elements suggest that deformation was regionally partitioned into fold-thrust dominated shortening zones alternating with zones of dominant transcurrent deformation bounded between the thrust sense Barkot Shear Zone in the north and the dextral Kerajang Fault Zone in the south. The strain partitioned zones are further restricted between two regional transverse shear zones, the sinistral Riamol Shear Zone in the west and the dextral Akul Fault Zone in the east which are interpreted as synthetic R and antithetic R' Riedel shear plane, respectively. The overall structural disposition has been interpreted as a positive flower structure bounded between the longitudinal and transverse faults with vertical extrusion and symmetric juxtaposition of mid-crustal amphibolite grade basement gneisses over low-grade upper crustal rocks emanating from the central axis of the transpressional belt.     

High- to ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) ductile shear zones in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt, China: implications for continental subduction and exhumation

High‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure (HP‐UHP) metamorphic rocks that resulted from deep continental subduction and subsequent exhumation in the Sulu orogenic belt, China, have experienced multiphase deformation and metamorphic overprint during its long journey to the mantle and return to the surface. HP‐UHP shear zones are strain‐localized weak zones on which the UHP slab is transported over long distances. HP‐UHP shear zones are well exposed along a 200‐km belt in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt. The shear zones lie structurally below the UHP rocks and above the non‐UHP rocks, suggesting the early exhumation of the UHP rocks by thrusting. The large area distribution, HP‐UHP nature, high strain and structural association of the shear zones with the UHP rocks suggest that the shear zones are probably a regional detachment developed during the early stage of exhumation of the UHP rocks. Kinematic indicators suggest top‐to‐the N–NW motion of the UHP slab during the exhumation, which, combined with isotope signature in Mesozoic igneous rocks, leads us to the interpretation that the subduction polarity is the North China plate down to the south rather than the Yangtze plate down to the north in the Sulu region.     

内蒙古呼和浩特变质核杂岩韧性拆离带40Ar-39Ar定年及其构造含义

晚中生代,内蒙古大青山依次经历晚侏罗世盘羊山逆冲推覆、早白垩世呼和浩特变质核杂岩伸展、早白垩世大青山逆冲推覆断层及早白垩世以来高角度正断层复杂构造演化。其中,呼和浩特变质核杂岩韧性剪切带的冷却时间和抬升机制的制约尚不明确。本文在野外考察和显微构造分析基础上,采用逐步加热40Ar-39Ar定年法对韧性剪切带内不同单矿物的冷却年龄进行了测定。角闪石、白云母、黑云母和钾长石单矿物40Ar-39Ar冷却年龄处于120~116Ma之间。结合已有年龄数据及单矿物封闭温度,构建了韧性剪切带的冷却曲线。结果表明,韧性剪切带在122~115Ma期间存在一个明显的快速冷却过程。这一阶段快速冷却是与变质核杂岩拆离断层相关核部杂岩拆离折返作为大青山逆冲推覆断层上盘抬升的结果。     

再论“大陆深俯冲和折返动力学”: 来自中国大陆科学群钻及苏鲁超高压变质带的制约

通过CCSD-MH、卫星孔的岩性-构造剖面和苏鲁造山带中榴辉岩-超镁铁质岩的产出、深俯冲/折返过程的岩石的塑性流变特征和变形序次的分析、俯冲-折返过程中流体作用及变质化学地球动力学对流变学行为的制约,以及韧性剪切作用形成的折返年代学时限,提出苏鲁超高压变质地体为面型深俯冲/折返杂岩带组成的穹形挤出推覆岩片、叠置在扬子陆块之上; 根据岩石变形微构造及组构的分析,重塑超高压变质岩石深俯冲阶段、折返早期、折返主期和折返后期的塑性流变;提出深俯冲的物质沿板块汇聚边界的多层隧道呈多重/分片样式“挤出”的折返模式,并认为在折返初期开始（230~220Ma）和折返主期（220~200Ma）形成的透入性韧性剪切是俯冲岩片挤出的重要机制;提出郯庐走滑断裂的形成对苏鲁高压/超高压变质地体演化的影响。     

Cretaceous–Tertiary structures and kinematics of the Serbomacedonian metamorphic rocks and their relation to the exhumation of the Hellenic hinterland (Macedonia, Greece)

 The kinematic pattern and associated metamorphism of the predominant ductile deformation and the subsequent deformational stages of the Serbomacedonian metamorphic rocks and granitoids are presented in terms of peri-Tethyan tectonics. A systematic record of structural and metamorphic data gives evidence of a main top-to-ENE to ESE ductile flow of Cretaceous age (120–90 Ma) associated with a crustal stretching and unroofing. A subordinate WSW to WNW antithetic sense of movement of the tectonic top is observed in places. The associated metamorphic conditions are estimated at 4.5–7.5 kbar and 510–580  °C. During Eocene to Miocene times these fabrics were successively deformed by low-angle extensional D_e ductile shear zones with top-to-NE and SW sense of movement and brittle shear zones of similar kinematic pattern, suggesting a transition from ductile to brittle deformation. D_e deformation was accompanied during its later stages by NW/SE-directed shortening. We also discuss the relation of this Cretaceous–Tertiary deformation of the Serbomacedonian metamorphic rocks with the Eocene to Miocene ductile, top-to-southwestward crustal shear of the adjacent Rhodope crystalline rocks. We regard the Serbomacedonian and the Rhodope metamorphic rocks to represent related metamorphic provinces, the most recent exhumation and cooling history of which is bracketed between the Eocene and Neogene. Received: 8 December 1998 / Accepted: 19 April 1999     

Palaeozoic late collisional strike-slip deformations in Tianshan and Altay, Eastern Xinjiang, NW China

ABSTRACT In Central Asia, thrusts and shear zones resulting from Palaeozoic accretional events were reworked by E–W-trending ductile strike-slip faults during late Palaeozoic–early Mesozoic time. In the Tianshan range, microstructures and quartz C-axis fabrics show a main dextral shearing associated with sinistral localized shear zones. The relationship between these conjugate structures indicates a NNW–SSE-trending bulk shortening. In the Chinese Altay mountains, the existence of δ-type microstructures in an important sinistral mylonitic zone infers high rates of deformation. This shear zone is bordered by a late dextral ductile fault synchronous with a granite emplacement. Field evidence and datings from the literature provide chronological constraints. In the late Carboniferous, the sinistral mylonitic deformation took place in the Erqishi–Irtysh shear zone in the northeastern part of Xinjiang and in Kazakhstan. During the Early Permian, a regional dextral event occurred in the Tianshan range and under the whole of northern Xinjiang.     

柴北缘锡铁山韧性剪切带的基本特征及其形成时代

在柴北缘锡铁山地区元古宇达肯大坂群与奥陶系滩涧山群之间发育一条呈NW向展布的基底韧性剪切带。本文对该韧性剪切带中的宏观构造(鞘褶皱、不对称褶皱、塑性流变组构、S-C组构、旋转碎斑系、构造透镜体、粘滞型石香肠构造)和糜棱岩微观构造(云母鱼构造、压力影构造、动态重结晶、雪球状旋转构造、波状消光和云母扭折)特征作了详细的研究。对锡铁山基底韧性剪切带中花岗质糜棱岩进行白云母Ar-Ar同位素测年,获得坪年龄为398±4 Ma,等时线年龄为399±4 Ma,二者基本一致,代表了锡铁山基底韧性剪切带的形成时间。综合上述特征判断,锡铁山韧性剪切带是一条由元古宇达肯大坂群向SW斜向逆冲所形成的右行逆冲韧性剪切带,该韧性剪切带与早古生代柴达木地块向NE斜向俯冲碰撞造山作用有关,并可能导致了超高压变质体折返到浅部地壳层次。同样,该韧性剪切带的存在,也对锡铁山铅锌矿起到了十分重要的后期构造控制作用。     

Middle to late Triassic mélange exhumation along a pre-Andean transpressional fault system: coastal Chile (26°–42° S)

Mélanges occur as discontinuous, mappable, units along an extensive N–S-trending, steeply dipping zone of distributed shear in metamorphic complexes along the coast of central Chile. Large mélange zones, from north to south, near Chañaral, Los Vilos, Pichilemu, and Chiloé Island, contain variations in lithologic and structural detail, but are consistent in exhibiting cross-cutting fabric features indicating a progressive transition from earlier ductile to more brittle deformation. In the Infiernillo mélange near Pichilemu, Permian to Early Triassic, sub-horizontal schistosity planes of the Western Series schist are disrupted, incorporated into, and uplifted along high-angle, N–S- to NNE–SSW-trending brittle–ductile shears. Mylonitic and cataclastic zones within the mélange matrix indicate active lateral shear during cumulative exhumation from depths exceeding 12 km in some areas. Exotic lithologies, such as Carboniferous mafic amphibolite and blueschist, formed during earlier Gondwanide subduction, match well with similar rocks in the Bahia Mansa to Los Pabilos region 750 km to the south, suggesting possible dextral offset. The development of the Middle to Late Triassic, N–S=trending, near-vertical shear zones formed weaknesses in the crust facilitating later fault localization, gravitational collapse, and subduction erosion along the continental margin. The length and linearity of this zone of lateral movement, coincident with a general hiatus of regional arc magmatism during the Middle to Late Triassic, is consistent with large-scale dextral transpression, or possible transform movement, during highly oblique NNE–SSW convergence along the pre-Andean (Gondwana) margin. The resultant margin parallel N–S-trending shear planes may be exploited by seismically active faults along the present coastal area of Chile. The palaeo-tectonic setting during the transitional period between earlier Gondwanide (Devonian to Permian) and later Andean (Late Jurassic to present) subduction may have had some similarity to the presently active San Andreas transform system of California.     

Syn-deformational migmatites and magmatic-arc metamorphism in the Xolapa Complex, southern Mexico

The Xolapa Complex (XC) is the largest plutonic and metamorphic mid‐crustal basement unit in Mexico and represents an ancient continental magmatic‐arc. A complete range from metatexite to diatexite migmatitic structures has been produced during a single high‐grade metamorphic event. However, structural relics reveal the existence of early Cpx + Pl + Qtz ± Opx and Grt + Opx + Pl + Qtz ± Cpx pre‐migmatitic metamorphic assemblages. Field relationships and microstructural observations allow us to constrain five pre‐, syn‐ and post‐migmatitic deformational phases. It is argued that migmatitic structures and minor anatectic granites were developed during ductile recumbent folding and shear structures related to the D2–D3 phases. Late post‐migmatitic ductile‐brittle deformation is evidenced by the development of NNE trending transpressional thrusting (D4), and E–W left‐lateral mylonitic shear zones (D5). Biotite‐breakdown melting in felsic rocks and amphibole‐breakdown melting in mafic rocks, as well as geothermobarometric results, indicate that metamorphism took place at temperatures from 830 to 900 °C and pressures ranging from ≥6.3 to 9.5 kbar. Late migmatitic assemblages equilibrated in the highest temperature range along a clockwise P–T path. The relationships between the large diversity of migmatitic structures and the progressive production of melt suggest that feedback relations prevailed as a time‐marker during a contractional regime. Deformation, metamorphism, and plutonism of the XC show that this terrane evolved as a north‐east‐verging thrust system with synkinematic metamorphism and partial melting, during the Late Cretaceous – Palaeogene. The tectonothermal history of XC is analogous to a Cordilleran metamorphic magmatic‐arc formed in an accretionary tectonic framework. This new model provides constraints on the exhumation mechanism and thermal evolution of southern Mexico.     

Triassic Collisional Structures and Post—Collisional Deformation of Bixiling UHP Rock Stack： Insights for Tectonic Evolution of UHP Metamorphic Belt in Dabie Massif, Central China

Detailed three-dimensional structural studies indicate that the Bixiling area,Dabie massif,central Chian shows the deepest exposed levels of the orogenic wedge formed during the Triassic Yangtze0Sino-Korean continental collision.New1:10000 scale structural mapping,combined with detailed petrological analysis in this area,has enabled us to accurately distinguish structures related to the Trias-sic continental collision from those related to post-collisional deformation in the ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic unit.The collisional or compressional structures include the massive eclogite with a weak foliation,foliated eclogite or UHP ductile shear zones,as well as upper amphibolite facies shear zones,whereas the post-collisional deformation is characterized by a regionally,flat-lying foliation con-taining stretching lineations and common reclined folds .The former is present exclusively in the eclogite lenses and their margins,representing orogenic thickening or syn-collisional events,while the latter was best occurred on variable scales under amphibolite facies conditions,showing sub-vertical,extreme short-ening and ductile thinning of the metamorphic rock stack.The eclogite facies tectonites that have a marked fabric discordance to the penetrative amphibolite facies extension flow fabric are common.It is emphasized that an extensional tectonic setting following the collision-orogenic thickening stage was,at least partly,responsible for exhumation of the UHP metamorphic rocks in the Dabie massif.A new tec-tionic evolution model is proposed for the UHP metamorphic belt on the scale of the Dabie massif.The Bixiling area thus provides a window,from which the dynamic processes concerning the formation and exhumation of the UHP rocks can be observed.Regional studies in the Dabie Mountains have confirmed this interpretation.     

Structural evolution and geodynamic position of the Gonzha Block, Upper Amur region

As follows from the results of a structural study and available geochronological constraints, the Gonzha Block located in the northeastern Argun-Idermeg Superterrane of the Central Asian Foldbelt is similar to Late Mesozoic (133?119 Ma) Cordilleran-type metamorphic cores of western Transbaikalia. Exhumation of metamorphic rocks of the Gonzha Block resulted from a collapse of the Late Mesozoic orogen after accrecionary and collisional events related to closure of the Mongolia-Okhotsk paleooceanic basin. The structural elements that determine the main geological features of this block formed over the course of at least three deformation stages. By the onset of the third stage responsible for exhumation of metamorphic rocks pertaining to the Gonzha Group, they had already undergone complex structural transformation and metamorphism related to growth of the Amur microcontinent and its subsequent collision with the Dzhugzur-Stanovoi and Selenga-Stanovoi supperterranes of the Central Asian Foldbelt. This distinguishes the Gonzha Block from complexes of metamorphic cores in western Transbaikalia, whose structural transformation and metamorphism are directly related to their origin.     

An investigation into the fault patterns in the Chadegan region, west Iran: Evidence for dextral brittle transpressional tectonics in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone

The NW-SE trending Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (SSZ) is the internal part of the Zagros continental collision zone, which mainly consists of metamorphic rocks deformed in a dextral transpressional zone. This dextral transpression is attributed to brittle deformation related to late Cenozoic Arabia-Eurasia oblique continental collision. Major NW-trending faults, including the Dalan, Garmdareh, Yasechah, Sheida, and Ben faults, are reverse faults with a dextral strike-slip component. These faults were displaced by NW-trending synthetic and NE-trending antithetic faults. There are also E-trending thrusts and N-trending normal faults developing in directions that are, respectively, almost normal and parallel to the major shortening direction. The NW-trending Ben, Yasechah, and Sheida faults are NE-dipping faults, and the Dalan and Garmdareh faults are SW-dipping faults. These faults indicate the presence of a transpressive flower structure zone that probably led to the exhumation of Jurassic high-grade metamorphic rocks, such as eclogite, in the central part of the study area.     

Structural architecture of the northern composite terrane,the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt,India: Implications for Gondwana tectonics

New data from structural mapping and tectonic evaluation in the northern parts of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB-north) involving the interpretation of satellite images, field traverses, critical outcrop mapping and kinematic studies of macro- as well as microstructures of the shear zone rocks together with the geometry and disposition of Gondwana basins led to, for the first time, the elucidation of post-Grenvillian structural architecture of the terrane. This helps in assessing the sequence of successive tectonothermal events that were responsible for the origin and progressive evolution of the Permo-Carboniferous coal bearing sediments along the Mahanadi rift that forms significant in the reconstruction models of east Gondwana.The composite terrane of high-grade metamorphic rocks (EGMB-north), strikes E–W in contrast to the regional NE–SW trend of the EGMB. The structural architecture obtained from this study is controlled by the boundary shear zones and associated link shear zones. The dextral kinematic displacements along the Northern Boundary Shear Zone (NBSZ) as well as the Mahanadi Shear Zone (MSZ) and Koraput–Sonapur–Rairakhol Shear Zone (KSRSZ) were derived from multi-scale field based structural observations. A N–S structural cross-section presents a crustal-scale ‘flower structure’ across the composite terrane exposing different domains displaying distinctive internal structures with widely varying different geological evolution history and strain partitioning, separated by crustal-scale shear zones. Deep seismic imaging and gravity signatures support ‘flower structure’ model. The pervasive first formed gneissic fabrics were continuously reworked and partitioned into a series of E–W, crustal-scale shear zones.The Neoproterozoic regional dextral transpressional tectonics along the shear zones and their repeated reactivation could be responsible for initiation and successive evolution of Gondwana basins and different episodes of sedimentation. Available geochronological data shows that the structural architecture presented here is post-Grenvillian, which has been repeatedly reactivated through long-lived transpressional tectonics. The composite terrane is characterized by all the typical features of an oblique convergent orogen with transpressional kinematics in the middle to lower crust. The kinematic changes from transpression to transtensional stresses were found to be associated with global geodynamics related to the transformation from Rodinia to Gondwana configuration.