Effects of progressive mylonitization on Ar retention in biotites from the Santa Rosa mylonite zone,California, and thermochronologic implications

The Santa Rosa mylonite zone developed predominantly from a granodiorite protolith in the eastern margin of the Peninsular Ranges batholith. A wide variation in K−Ar biotite dates within the zone is shown to reflect the times of cooling through closure temperatures whose variability is chiefly a result of deformation-induced reduction in grain size. We suggest that such variation generally may be exploited to place constraints on the timing of deformation episodes. Previous workers have shown that deformation in the Santa Rosa mylonite zone involved the formation of mylonites and an imbricate series of low-angle faults which divide the area into structural units. Field work, petrographic studies, and TEM analysis of deformation mechanisms in biotite show that the granodiorite mylonite, the lowermost structural unit, formed below the granodiorite solidus. The granodiorite mylonite varies from protomylonite to ultramylonite, with regions of high strain distributed heterogeneously within the zone. Previously reported biotite and hornblende K−Ar dates from the granodiorite protolith below (82–89 Ma) and the Asbestos Mountain granodiorite above (61–68 Ma) the mylonite zone indicate dramatically dissimilar thermal histories for the lowermost and uppermost structural units. Other workers' fission track dates on sphene, zircon, and apatite from the granodiorite mylonite and the Asbestos Mountain granodiorite suggest thermal homogenization and rapid cooling to ∼100° C by ca 60 Ma. Within and adjacent to the mylonite zone, K−Ar dates on 5 samples of biotite from variably deformed granodiorite range from 62–76 Ma; dates are not correlated with structural depth but clearly decrease with degree of deformation and concomitant grain size reduction. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating analyses of biotite from the granodiorite protolith reveals no evidence of excess argon and produces a relatively flat age spectrum. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating analysis of biotite from the granodiorite mylonite discloses discordance consistent with ³⁹Ar recoil loss. K analysis of samples, allowing K−Ar dates to be calculated, is therefore recommended as an adjunct to ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar step heating analysis in rocks that have experienced similar deformation. During mylonitization, biotite grain size reduction through intracrystalline cataclasis results in estimated grain dimensions as small as 0.05 μm locally within porphyroclasts as large as 1 mm. Because biotite compositions are relatively Uniform (Fe/[Fe+Mg+Mn+Ti+Al^VI]=0.47–0.52) and show no systematic variation with grain size, compositional dependence of activation energy and diffusivity can be eliminated as sources of variation in Ar retention. Ar closure temperatures, calculated with appropriate diffusion parameters for the observed grain sizes, are in the range ∼220–280° C and define a cooling curve consistent with a thermal history intermediate between those of the granodiorite protolith below and the Asbestos Mountain granodiorite above the mylonite zone. Changes in the slope of the cooling curve indicate that the main deformation episode initiated at or above ca 330° C (∼80 Ma), above the closure temperature for thermally activated diffusion of argon in biotite, and continued to a minimum of ca 220–260° C (∼62 Ma).     

Thermomechanics of an extensional shear zone,Raft River metamorphic core complex,NW Utah

A detailed structural and microstructural analysis of the Miocene Raft River detachment shear zone (NW Utah) provides insight into the thermomechanical evolution of the continental crust during extension associated with the exhumation of metamorphic core complexes. Combined microstructural, electron backscattered diffraction, strain, and vorticity analysis of the very well exposed quartzite mylonite show an increase in intensity of the rock fabrics from west to east, along the transport direction, compatible with observed finite strain markers and a model of ``necking'' of the shear zone. Microstructural evidence (quartz microstructures and deformation lamellae) suggests that the detachment shear zone evolved at its peak strength, close to the dislocation creep/exponential creep transition, where meteoric fluids played an important role on strain hardening, embrittlement, and eventually seismic failure.Empirically calibrated paleopiezometers based on quartz recrystallized grain size and deformation lamellae spacing show very similar results, indicate that the shear zone developed under stress ranging from 40 MPa to 60 MPa. Using a quartzite dislocation creep flow law we further estimate that the detachment shear zone quartzite mylonite developed at a strain rates between 10⁻¹² and 10⁻¹⁴ s⁻¹. We suggest that a compressed geothermal gradient across this detachment, which was produced by a combination of ductile shearing, heat advection, and cooling by meteoric fluids, may have triggered mechanical instabilities and strongly influenced the rheology of the detachment shear zone.     

Structural and textural development in Singhbhum shear zone,eastern India

The rocks within the Singhbhum shear zone in the North Singhbhum fold belt, eastern India, form a tectonic melange comprising granitic mylonite, quartz-mica phyllonite, quartz-tourmaline rock and deformed volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. The granitic rocks show a textural gradation from the least-deformed variety having coarse-to medium-grained granitoid texture through augen-bearing protomylonite and mylonite to ultramylonite. Both type I and type II S-C mylonites are present. The most intensely deformed varieties include ultramylonite. The phyllosilicate-bearing supracrustal rocks are converted to phyllonites. The different minerals exhibit a variety of crystal plastic deformation features. Generation of successive sets of mylonitic foliation, folding of the earlier sets and their truncation by the later ones results from the progressive shearing movement. The shear sense indicators suggest a thrust-type deformation. The microstructural and textural evolution of the rocks took place in an environment of relatively low temperature, dislocation creep accompanied by dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization being the principal deformation mechanisms. Palaeostress estimation suggests a flow stress within the range of 50–190 MPa during mylonitization.     

Water-rock interactions and chemical compositional variations during ductile deformation of the NW-striking shear zone in the Jiapigou gold belt,China

Two kinds of mylonite series rocks, felsic and mafic, have been recognized in the NW-striking shear zone of the Jiapigou gold belt. During ductile deformation, a large amount of fluid interacted intensively with the mylonite series rocks: plagioclases were sericitized and theAn values declined rapidly, finally all of them were transformed to albites; dark minerals were gradually replaced by chlorites (mostly ripidolite). Meanwhile, large-scale and extensive carbonation also took place, and the carbonatization minerals varied from calcite to dolomite and ankerite with the development of deformation. The δ¹³C values of the carbonates are −3.0‰ – −5.6‰ suggesting a deep source of carbon. The ductile deformation is nearly an iso-volume one (f _v≈1). With the enhancement of shear deformation, SiO₂ in the two mylonite series rocks was depleted, while volatile components suchs as CO₂ and H₂O, and some ore-forming elements such as Au and S were obviously enriched. But it is noted that the enrichment of Au in both the mylonite series rocks did not reach the paygrade of gold. The released SiO₂ from water-rock interactions occurred in the form of colloids and absorbed gold in the fluid. When brittle structures were formed locally in the ductile shear zone, the ore-forming fluids migrated to the structures along microfractures, and preciptated auriferous quartz because of reduction of pressure and temperature. Fluid inclusion study shows that the temperature and pressure of the ore-forming fluids are 245–292°C and 95.4–131.7 MPa respectively; the salinity is 12.88–16.33wt% NaCl; the fluid-phase is rich in Ca²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, F⁻ and Cl⁻, while the gaseous phases are rich in CO₂ and CH₄. The δD and δ¹⁸O, values of the ore-forming fluid are −84.48‰ – −91.73‰ and −0.247‰ – +2.715‰ respectively, suggesting that the fluid is composed predominantly of meteoric water. This project is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 9488010).     

Mylonitic microfabrics from the rocks of MCT zone in Alakhnanda valley,Garhwal Himalaya

MCT Zone of Alakhnanda valley is a major ductile shear zone in Garhwal Himalaya, which is characterised by different types of mylonite rocks. On the basis of grain size and the percentage of matrix in the rock, zones comprising protomylonite, augen mylonite, mylonite and ultramylonite have been identified. The study of microstructures, grain size and crystallographic preferred orientation of quartz c-axis fabric reveals that the rocks of the MCT zone were deformed by a combination of intracrystalline creep (power law creep) and grain boundary migration (sliding super plasticity).     

The effect of dissolved magnesium on creep of calcite II: transition from diffusion creep to dislocation creep

We extended a previous study on the influence of Mg solute impurity on diffusion creep in calcite to include deformation under a broader range of stress conditions and over a wider range of Mg contents. Synthetic marbles were produced by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) mixtures of calcite and dolomite powders for different intervals (2–30 h) at 850°C and 300 MPa confining pressure. The HIP treatment resulted in high-magnesian calcite aggregates with Mg content ranging from 0.5 to 17 mol%. Both back-scattered electron images and chemical analysis suggested that the dolomite phase was completely dissolved, and that Mg distribution was homogeneous throughout the samples at the scale of about two micrometers. The grain size after HIP varied from 8 to 31 μm, increased with time at temperature, and decreased with increasing Mg content (>3.0 mol%). Grain size and time were consistent with a normal grain growth equation, with exponents from 2.4 to 4.7, for samples containing 0.5–17.0 mol% Mg, respectively. We deformed samples after HIP at the same confining pressure with differential stresses between 20 and 200 MPa using either constant strain rate or stepping intervals of loading at constant stresses in a Paterson gas-medium deformation apparatus. The deformation tests took place at between 700 and 800°C and at strain rates between 10⁻⁶ and 10⁻³ s⁻¹. After deformation to strains of about 25%, a bimodal distribution of large protoblasts and small recrystallized neoblasts coexisted in some samples loaded at higher stresses. The deformation data indicated a transition in mechanism from diffusion creep to dislocation creep. At stresses below 40 MPa, the strength was directly proportional to grain size and decreased with increasing Mg content due to the reductions in grain size. At about 40 MPa, the sensitivity of log strain rate to log stress, (n), became greater than 1 and eventually exceeded 3 for stresses above 80 MPa. At a given strain rate and temperature, the stress at which that transition occurred was larger for samples with higher Mg content and smaller grain size. At given strain rates, constant temperature, and fixed grain size, the strength of calcite in the dislocation creep regime increased with solute content, while the strength in the diffusion creep regime was independent of Mg content. The results suggest that chemical composition will be an important element to consider when solid substitution can occur during natural deformation.     

Ion probe and fluid inclusion evidence for co-seismic fluid infiltration in a crustal detachment

We have investigated the geochemical pattern of fluid infiltration in the extensional detachment of Tinos Island (Cyclades, Greece). Ion microprobe O-isotope analyses and fluid inclusion studies have been conducted in strain fringes developing around pyrite blasts in the mylonite of the shear zone. Micro-scale traverses in quartz and calcite fibres show that δ¹⁸O increases from 17–18 to 20–21‰ in 1 mm towards the blast, drops of 3‰ in ∼200 μm, then rises again in the direction of growth. δ¹⁸O variations are interpreted as transient influxes of exotic fluids into the shear zone between periods of closed system buffering by the host rock. Fluid inclusions trapped in the fibres show fluctuating salinities (0–4 wt% NaCl eq.) and densities that reflect drops of the pore pressure from lithostatic (λ=1) to hydrostatic (λ=0.4) values during fringe growth. Isotopic and microthermometric data are consistent with models of seismic pumping developed for compressive shear zones. We therefore suggest that co-seismic pore pressure variations developed suction forces sufficient to drive large-scale fluid migration in the Tinos detachment, as in convergent tectonic settings.     

Flow stresses from microstructures in mylonitic quartzites of the Moine Thrust zone, Assynt area, Scotland

Recrystallized grain sizes, subgrain sizes and dislocation densities of quartz grains in quartzose mylonitic rocks have been examined using optical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The samples come from the Moine Thrust zone in the Assynt district, Scotland. They had been studied previously and described in detail with respect to their structural position in relation to the various thrusts in the region and to their preferred orientation. Stresses were derived from these samples using empirical and theoretical equations relating flow stress to the scale of the microstructures. The stresses determined, 43–244 MPa from recrystallized grain size, 9–13 MPa from etched subgrain size, 50–95 MPa from TEM-scale subgrain size and 75–147 MPa from dislocation density, are not constant in individual samples. Simultaneous formation of the quartz fabrics and of the dynamically recrystallized grains during the period of mylonitization may have occurred under flow stresses ranging from 43 to 244 MPa. A later dynamic recovery event reset subgrain sizes and dislocation densities to a constant-value for each microstructure throughout the area. There is insufficient empirical information available on the flow stress/subgrain size relationship and on the effects of annealing recovery and annealing recrystallization to allow for a more detailed interpretation. Recrystallized grain size is still the most easily measured microstructural feature and the relationship of recrystallized grain size to flow stress has a sounder experimental basis than subgrain size or dislocation density. The effect of chemical environment on the behaviour of all the microstructures is still unknown.     

Late Palaeozoic deformation of post-Variscan lower crust: shear zone widening due to strain localization during retrograde shearing

The Santa Lucia Shear Zone (SLSZ, Corsica) is a granulite-facies Permian shear zone that developed after the emplacement of a deep-seated gabbroic intrusion. New structural data shows that the SLSZ results from the juxtaposition of three spatially distinct mylonite belts, which are the product of the interaction between magmatism, metamorphism and shearing over a temperature range from ~800 to ~400°C. During the earlier high-grade deformation stage, which was accompanied by decompression from ~7 to ~5 kb at ~800°C, the SLSZ has accommodated high finite strain on a shear zone ≥1 km wide. Strain became increasingly localized as temperature decreased, but rather than reactivating pre-existing shear zones as commonly expected, younger mylonites expanded into previously unsheared rock, extending the total width of the shear zone. The zonation of different fabrics across the SLSZ suggests that pre-existing compositional and grain size heterogeneities in the starting material played a key role in governing superposed generations of shear zones.     

Fluid origin and structural enhancement during mineralization of the Jinshan orogenic gold deposit, South China

The Jinshan orogenic gold deposit is a world-class deposit hosted by a ductile shear zone caused by a transpressional terrane collision during Neoproterozoic time. Ore bodies at the deposit include laminated quartz veins and disseminated pyrite-bearing mylonite. Most quartz veins in the shear zone, with and without gold mineralization, were boudinaged during progressive shear deformation with three generations of boudinage structures produced at different stages of progressive deformation. Observations of ore-controlling structures at various scales indicate syn-deformational mineralization. Fluid inclusions from pyrite intergrown with auriferous quartz have ³He/⁴He ratios of 0.15–0.24 Ra and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios 575–3,060. δ¹⁸O_fluid values calculated from quartz are 5.5–8.4‰, and δD values of fluid inclusions contained in quartz range between −61‰ and −75‰. The δ¹³C values of ankerite range from −5.0‰ to −4.2‰, and ankerite δ¹⁸O values from 4.4‰ to 8.0‰. The noble gas and stable isotope data suggest a predominant crustal source of ore fluids with less than 5% mantle component. Data also show that in situ fluids were generated locally by pervasive pressure solution, and that widespread dissolution seams acted as pathways of fluid flow, migration, and precipitation. The in situ fluids and fluids derived from deeper levels of the crust were focused by deformation and deformation structures at various scales through solution-dissolution creep, crack-seal slip, and cyclic fault-valve mechanisms during progressively localized deformation and gold mineralization.     

Variscan ore formation and metamorphism at the Felbertal scheelite deposit (Austria): constraining tungsten mineralisation from Re–Os dating of molybdenite

The Felbertal scheelite deposit in the Eastern Alps has been regarded as the type locality for stratabound scheelite deposits. It is hosted by a Cambro-Ordovician metavolcanic arc sequence with minor Variscan granitoids (∼ 340 Ma) in the central Tauern Window. Re–Os model ages for molybdenite from the Felbertal tungsten deposit range between ∼ 358 and ∼ 336 Ma and record several pulses of magmatic-hydrothermal-metamorphic molybdenite formation. Molybdenite ages from the K2 orebody, a scheelite-rich quartz mylonite in the Western ore field, indicate that both mineralisation and mylonite are Variscan in age and suggest that the shear zone was active for ∼ 20 million years. Early stage tungsten mineralisation (Scheelite 1) in quartzitic ores in the Eastern ore field, which is free of molybdenite, yielded very low to near blank levels of Re and Os and thus could not be dated. However, molybdenite from scheelite–quartz stringers, previously interpreted as a feeder stockwork to quartzitic scheelite ore of presumed Cambrian age, yielded Variscan Re–Os ages of ∼ 342 and ∼ 337 Ma. Dating of molybdenite contained in scheelite ores thus far provides no indication of a Cambrian component to the tungsten mineralisation. Our data are consistent with a model of either granite intrusion-related ore formation and coeval metamorphic overprint during the Early Carboniferous or, alternatively, molybdenite formation may be exclusively attributed to Variscan metamorphism (see Stein 2006).     

Spatial distribution features and environment effect of heavy metal in intertidal surface sediments of Guanhe estuary, Northern Jiangsu Province

In northern Jiangsu coastal zone area, Guanhe River is the biggest river and has the best navigation conditions among rivers which flow into the Yellow Sea. The grain sizes show gradual increase from the high intertidal zone to lower intertidal zone. The heavy metal values have slight changes along both sides of the river mouth, but show an evident change perpendicular to the tidal flat. In the latter case, they show a good correlation with grain size fluctuation, that is, the heavy metal values gradually decline when the grain size increases from the high intertidal zone to the lower intra-tidal zone. Analyses of the heavy metal elements show that on the Guanhe estuary surface sediment, the content of the elements Hg, As and Cu is above background values; Pb and Zn contents are rather close to the background values; and Cd content is less than the background values. The element Hg comes out to be harmful in a medium level to ecological environment, while the elements of Cr, As, Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd fall in a safe range of MPL. On the whole, Guanhe estuary tidal flat is not very harmful to the ecology in terms of the heavy metals. __________ Translated from Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 2007, 27(5): 23–32 [译自: 海洋地质与第四纪地质]     

Low-Pressure Metamorphism in the Sierra Albarrana Area (Variscan Belt,Iberian Massif)

A low-pressure metamorphic zonation ranging from biotite tomigmatite zones occurs in the Sierra Albarrana area (VariscanBelt of southwestern Iberian Peninsula) in uppermost Precambrianto Lower Palaeozoic metasedimentary rocks. The principal deformationin this area is related to a major ductile shear zone whosecentral part is localized immediately to the southwest of theSierra Albarrana Quartzites. The metamorphism is synchronouswith respect to this deformation. The metamorphic zones aresymmetrically distributed with respect to the Sierra AlbarranaQuartzites. Pressure–temperature (P–T) conditionsare 3.5–4 kbar and range from 400°C (biotite zone)to 500°C (staurolite–garnet zone) up to 650–700°C(migmatite zone). We have not detected pressure variations alongthe different metamorphic zones. Relic kyanite is observed inthe form of inclusions in andalusite within veins in the lower-gradepart of the staurolite–andalusite zone. The low-pressuremetamorphism of the Sierra Albarrana area arises from a two-stagehistory including moderate crustal thickening followed by subsequentlocalization of deformation in a transcurrent shear zone duringpeak P–T conditions. Channelized fluid flow within themajor ductile shear zone may have contributed to the heat budgetof the low-pressure metamorphism. KEY WORDS: fluid flow; Iberian Massif; low-pressure metamorphism; shear zone; Sierra Albarrana area     

Ar-Ar age of mylonites along the Merens Fault, central Pyrenees

Seven mylonitic samples and two coarse muscovites from the central Pyrenees have been dated by the ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar method. Whole rock specimens of mylonite were cut out of thin-section chips allowing complete characterisation of mineralogy and texture. Several specimens showed rising staircase patterns in the range 50–90 Ma, with much higher ages in the highest temperature steps. This is believed to reflect mixing of argon released from micas with excess argon contained in plagioclase and released mainly at high temperatures. One biotite-quartz mylonite gave a plateau age of 93 ± 2 Ma. Other inferred mica ages are about 60–73 Ma for biotite and 50–60 Ma for muscovite; it is probable that biotite contains excess argon and that 50 Ma approximates to the cooling age in the mylonites. One coarse muscovite collected immediately below the major Mérens shear zone gave a Hercynian plateau age, while another collected within the Mérens zone gave a partially reset Hercynian age.Taken together, the data indicate that the shear zones were active in Alpine times < 100 Ma and probably about 50 Ma ago. They are believed to have formed during the early stages of Eocene compression in the Pyrenees. Deformation and resultant uplift probably terminated an important thermal event in this part of the Pyrenean basement, which may have begun at the time of the mid-Cretaceous North Pyrenean metamorphism (90–100 Ma).     

Magnetic fabric development in a highly anisotropic magnetite-bearing ductile shear zone (Seve Nappe Complex,Scandinavian Caledonides)

Magnetite-bearing mylonitic garnet–micaschists close to the major suture between the Baltica and Iapetus terranes (Seve Nappe Complex, Scandinavian Caledonides) show very high anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) with corrected degree of anisotropy (P′) up to 4.8. Three different magnetic fabric types can be distinguished. They correspond to protomylonite (type I, P′ < 2), mylonite (type II, 2 < P′ < 3), and ultramylonite (type III, P′ > 3), respectively. The orientation of the ellipsoid axes from all applied magnetic fabric methods in this study is similar with shallow dips of the metamorphic foliation toward WSW and subhorizontal, mostly NW–SE trending mineral lineation. Differences between subfabrics were minimized under high shear strain as all markers tend to align parallel with the shear plane. The very high anisotropies and mostly oblate ellipsoid shapes of type III correlate with high magnetic susceptibility (k _mean up to 55 × 10⁻³ SI units) and are related to the concentration of magnetite aggregates with shape-preferred orientation. They show a distinct field dependence of magnetic susceptibility of up to 10% in the k _max-direction. We attribute this field dependence to a “memory” of high strains in the domain walls of the crystals acquired during synkinematic magnetite growth during shear zone fabric development at temperatures of 550–570°C.     

High-temperature viscoelasticity of fine-grained polycrystalline olivine

 Torsional forced-oscillation and microcreep methods have been employed in a study of the viscoelastic behaviour of fine-grained polycrystalline olivine at high temperatures (to 1300 °C), seismic frequencies and low strain amplitudes. The Fo₉₀ specimens are of low porosity and low dislocation density. They vary in mean grain size from 8 to 150 μm and contain only trace amounts (≪0.1 vol%) of quenched melt glass. For T ≤ 900 °C, their behaviour is essentially elastic and the shear modulus G closely approaches that expected for a dense polycrystal from single-crystal elasticity data – confirming the suppression of thermal microcracking in␣this study. At higher temperatures, pronounced absorption-band dissipation and associated dispersion␣of the shear modulus provide evidence of linear viscoelastic behaviour. Both recoverable (anelastic) and permanent (viscous) strains are involved and the proportion of the latter increases with increasing temperature and decreasing frequency. Comparison of the results for the three specimens provides a clear indication that the viscoelastic behaviour, attributed to diffusional processes, is grain-size-sensitive with the dissipation and associated dispersion increasing with decreasing grain size. Both elastically accommodated and diffusionally accommodated grain-boundary sliding appear to be implicated. Received: 29 September 2000 / Accepted: 7 May 2001     

Quartz vein fabrics coupled to elevated fluid pressures in the Stawell gold deposit,south-eastern Australia

Shear and extensional veins formed during the reactivation of the Magdala shear system at Stawell in western Victoria, Australia, contribute to the formation of the auriferous Central and Basalt Contact lodes. Within this shear system is a range of fault rocks accompanied by steep-dipping (>65°) quartz-rich laminated shear veins and relatively flat-lying extensional veins. Both vein sets appear to have been a primary source for the host rock permeability during fluid flow in a regime of significant deviatoric stresses. The macro- and microstructures suggest that the dilatancy, that produced mineralized veins, formed under conditions of overpressure generated by fluid infiltration late in a tectonic regime. A new microfabric analysis technique is used to investigate the quartz-rich veins, which allows rapid integration of the microstructure with the crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs). Both the shear and extensional quartz veins have a random CPO with ∼120° dihedral angles between the quartz–quartz grains, which is typical of a metamorphic equilibrium microfabric. The microstructures indicate that the quartz has undergone extensive grain adjustment in the solid-state, with grain shape and size affected by interfacial solution (pressure solution) effects. These features are consistent with inferences from experimental rock deformation studies, where grain boundary migration is enhanced in a water-rich environment. The onset of solution-transfer processes (pressure solution) developed as the quartz microfabric stabilized and continued to modify the CPO and microstructure significantly. It is concluded that grain growth and pressure solution are coupled diffusive mass transfer processes, related to fluctuations in pore fluid pressures in a region undergoing deformation at near lithostatic pressures.     

西藏冈底斯带扎雪-门巴韧性变形带形成时代及构造背景

扎雪-门巴韧性变形带位于冈底斯构造带中部,是一条由北而南的逆冲推覆兼具右行走滑的斜冲韧性剪切带。带内所形成的构造岩主要为构造片麻岩和糜棱岩类,对花岗质糜棱岩中的黑云母进行40Ar/39Ar年龄测试,获得105.2±1.7Ma,认为该韧性剪切带形成于早白垩世。岩石组合和显微构造特征表明该韧性剪切带形成于中绿片岩相到高绿片岩相环境,可能与班公湖-怒江弧后洋盆的闭合碰撞有关。     

Structural controls,temperature–pressure conditions and fluid evolution of orogenic gold mineralisation at the Betam mine,south Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Betam gold deposit, located in the southern Eastern Desert of Egypt, is related to a series of milky quartz veins along a NNW-trending shear zone, cutting through pelitic metasedimentary rocks and small masses of pink granite. This shear zone, along with a system of discrete shear and fault zones, was developed late in the deformation history of the area. Although slightly sheared and boudinaged within the shear zone, the auriferous quartz veins are characterised by irregular walls with a steeply plunging ridge-in-groove lineation. Shear geometry of rootless intra-folial folds and asymmetrical strain shadows around the quartz lenses suggests that vein emplacement took place under a brittle–ductile shear regime, clearly post-dating the amphibolite-facies regional metamorphism. Hydrothermal alteration is pervasive in the wallrock metapelites and granite including sericitisation, silicification, sulphidisation and minor carbonatisation. Ore mineralogy includes pyrite, arsenopyrite and subordinate galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and gold. Gold occurs in the quartz veins and adjacent wallrocks as inclusions in pyrite and arsenopyrite, blebs and globules associated with galena, fracture fillings in deformed arsenopyrite or as thin, wire-like rims within or around rhythmic goethite. Presence of refractory gold in arsenopyrite and pyrite is inferred from microprobe analyses. Clustered and intra-granular trail-bound aqueous–carbonic (L_CO2 + L_aq ± V_CO2) inclusions are common in cores of the less deformed quartz crystals, whereas carbonic (L_CO2 ± V_CO2) and aqueous H₂O–NaCl (L + V) inclusions occur along inter-granular and trans-granular trails. Clathrate melting temperatures indicate low salinities of the fluid (3–8 wt.% NaCl eq.). Homogenisation temperatures of the aqueous–carbonic inclusions range between 297 and 323°C, slightly higher than those of the intra-granular and inter-granular aqueous inclusions (263–304°C), which are likely formed during grain boundary migration. Homogenisation temperatures of the trans-granular H₂O–NaCl inclusions are much lower (130–221°C), implying different fluids late in the shear zone formation. Fluid densities calculated from aqueous–carbonic inclusions along a single trail are between 0.88 and 0.98 g/cm³, and the resulting isochores suggest trapping pressures of 2–2.6 kbar. Based on the arsenopyrite–pyrite–pyrrhotite cotectic, arsenopyrite (30.4–30.7 wt.% As) associated with gold inclusions indicates a temperature range of 325–344°C. This ore paragenesis constrains f _S2 to the range of 10⁻¹⁰ to 10^−8.5 bar. Under such conditions, gold was likely transported mainly as bisulphide complexes by low salinity aqueous–carbonic fluids and precipitated because of variations in pH and f _O2 through pressure fluctuation and CO₂ effervescence as the ore fluids infiltrated the shear zone, along with precipitation of carbonate and sericite. Wallrock sulphidation also likely contributed to destabilising the gold–bisulphide complexes and precipitating gold in the hydrothermal alteration zone adjacent to the mineralised quartz veins.     

Grain and sub-grain size variations across a mylonite zone

The results are reported of a combined optical and electron microscopy study of microstructural variations across a quartz mylonite zone with increasing shear strain. The mylonite developed by recrystallization of the deformed quartz grains with increasing shear strain. It was found in a given specimen that the size of recrystallized grains and of sub-grains were always smaller in electron micrographs. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The size of both features decreased with increasing shear strain irrespective of the microscope used. However the density of unbound dislocations remained constant. A marked grain size reduction occurred in phyllosilicate rich layers. Variations in sub-grain size were observed within the relict old grains which remained at low shear strains. These are thought to reflect stress intensification adjacent to grain boundaries during deformation. The relict grains recrystallized at higher strains. Stresses were estimated from grain and sub-grain sizes and from the dislocation density. The results indicate that estimates based on grain size are unreliable if phyllosilicates inhibit the growth of grains during recrystallization, and that the dislocation densities are altered during uplift and are unlikely to give meaningful estimates. It is also concluded that the microstructures reflect stress gradients present during the formation of the mylonite, that is the initiation and propagation of the shear zone and that these were subsequently replaced by strain rate gradients.