Determining heterogeneous deformation for granitic rocks in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Finite-strain was studied in the mylonitic granitic and metasedimentary rocks in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt to show a relationship to nappe contacts between the old granitic and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks and to shed light on the heterogeneous deformation for the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt. We used the R_f/ϕ and Fry methods on feldspar porphyroclasts, quartz and mafic grains from 7 old granitic and 7 metasedimentary samples in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt. The finite-strain data shows that old granitic rocks were moderate to highly deformed and axial ratios in the XZ section range from 3.05 to 7.10 for granitic and metasedimentary rocks. The long axes (X) of the finite-strain ellipsoids trend W/WNW and E/ENE in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt. Furthermore, the short axes (Z) are subvertical associated with a subhorizontal foliation. The value of strain magnitudes mainly constants towards the tectonic contacts between the mylonitic granite and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. The data indicate oblate strain symmetry (flattening strain) in the mylonitic granite rocks. It is suggested that the accumulation of finite strain was formed before or/and during nappe contacts. The penetrative subhorizontal foliation is subparallel to the tectonic contacts with the overlying nappes and foliation was formed during nappe thrusting.     

Finite Strain Analysis of the Wadi Fatima Shear Zone in Western Arabia,Saudi Arabia

Neoproterozoic rocks, Oligocene to Neogene sediments and Tertiary Red Sea rift-related volcanics (Harrat) are three dominant major groups exposed in the Jeddah tectonic terrane in Western Arabia. The basement complex comprises amphibolites, schists, and older and younger granites unconformably overlain by a post-amalgamation volcanosedimentary sequence (Fatima Group) exhibiting post-accretionary thrusting and thrust-related structures. The older granites and/or the amphibolites and schists display mylonitization and shearing in some outcrops, and the observed kinematic indicators indicate dextral monoclinic symmetry along the impressive Wadi Fatima Shear Zone. Finite strain analysis of the mylonitized lithologies is used to interpret the deformation history of the Wadi Fatima Shear Zone. The measured finite strain data demonstrate that the amphibolites, schists, and older granites are mildly to moderately deformed, where XZ (axial ratios in XZ direction) vary from 2.76 to 4.22 and from 2.04 to 3.90 for the R_f/φ and Fry method respectively. The shortening axes (Z) have subvertical attitude and are associated with subhorizontal foliation. The data show oblate strain ellipsoids in the different rocks in the studied area and indication bulk flattening strain. We assume that the different rock types have similar deformation behavior. In the deformed granite, the strain data are identical in magnitude with those obtained in the Fatima Group volcanosedimentary sequence. Finite strain accumulated without any significant volume change contemporaneously with syn-accretionary transpressive structures. It is concluded that a simple-shear deformation with constant-volume plane strain exists, where displacement is strictly parallel to the shear plane. Furthermore, the contacts between various lithological units in the Wadi Fatima Shear Zone were formed under brittle to semi-ductile deformation conditions.     

Structural analysis for metavolcanics and their metapyroclastics at gold deposit of the Mahd Ad Dahab area, Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

The present study focuses on the gold mining in Mahd Ad Dahab region of Saudi Arabia. The study aims to assess the spatial relationship between tectonic contacts in Mahd Ad Dahab area and to provide a meaningful hypothesis relating gold metallogeny to the evolution of the Arabian Shield. Distribution and localization of gold occurrences in the study area was envisaged based on the different styles of microstructures and the major deformation phases affecting the area. The detailed petrographical and mineralogical investigations indicate that the metavolcanic rocks at the Mahd Ad Dahab gold mine area can be classified into metabasalt, metaandesite, and the felsic varieties (metadacite, metarhyodacite and metarhyolite) associating their metapyroclastics (conglomerate and tuffs). Furthermore, quartz forms allotriomorphic crystals which exhibit wavy extinction, deformational lamina and foliation due to subsequent deformations. Furthermore, we conclude that finite strain in the deformed rocks is of the same order of magnitude for all units of metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. Furthermore, contacts formed during intrusion of plutons with some faults in the Mahd Ad Dahab area under brittle to semi-ductile deformation conditions. In this case, finite strain accumulated during superimposed deformation on the already assembled nappe structure. It indicates that the contacts formed during the accumulation of finite strain.     

The Effect of finite strain and deformation history of HALABAN area,eastern Arabian shield,Saudi Arabia

The present study aims to evaluate a relationship between the mineralogy and structural analysis in the Halaban area and to document the tectonic evolution of Halaban and Al Amar faults. The collected samples were taken from deformed granitiods rocks (such as granite, gneisses and tonalite), metasedimentary, metavolcanic, metagabbro and carbonate rocks are trend to NE-SW with low dip angle in the Halaban area. These samples were 8 from granite, 14 metagabbro, 6 metavolcanics, 5 tonalite, 6 metasedimentary, 10 gneisses and 8 carbonate rocks. Our results are described for the different axial ratios of deformed rocks as the following: XZ sections range from 1.10 to 4.60 in the Fry method and range from 1.70 to 2.71 in the Rf/? method. YZ sections range from 1.10 to 3.34 in the Fry method and range from 1.62 to 2.63 in the Rf/Phi method. In addition, XY sections range from 1 to 3.51 in the Fry method and range from 1 to 1.27 in the Rf/? method for deformed granite rocks, metasedimentry rocks, and metagabbro. The stretch axes for measured samples in the X direction axes (S_X) variety from 1.06 to 2.53 in the Fry method and vary from 1.20 to 1.45 in the Rf/? method. The values of the Y direction axes (S_Y) vary from 0.72 to 1.43 in the Fry method, which indicates contraction and extension in this direction and vary from 1.13 to 1.37 in the Rf/? method which indicates extension in this direction. Furthermore, the Z direction axes (SZ) varies from 0.09 to 0.89 in the Fry method and from 0.52 to 0.71 in the Rf/? method. The stretches axes in the Z direction (SZ) show a vertical shortening about 11% to 91% in the Fry method and show vertical shortening about 29% to 48% in the Rf/? method. The studied rock units are generally affected by brittle-ductile shear zones, which are sub-parallel to parallel NW or NNW trend. It assumed that different rock types of have similar deformation behavior. Based on these results, it is concluded that the finite strain is accumulated during the metamorphism after that was started the deformation by thrusting activity. The contacts between the different rock types were deformed during thrusting under semi-brittle to ductile deformation conditions by simple shear. A component of vertical shortening is also involved causing subhorizontal foliation in the Halaban area.     

Kinematic vorticity technique for porphyroclasts in the metamorphic rocks: an example from the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak belt, Eastern Desert, Egypt

New structural, metamorphic, finite strain, and kinematic vorticity data for mylonitic granitic rocks from northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak reveal a history of deformation reflecting different tectonic regimes. The vorticity analysis of porphyroclasts was determined in high temperature mylonites. The kinematic vorticity number for the mylonitic granitic samples in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak range from 0.66 to 0.90, and together with the strain data suggest deviations from simple shear. It is concluded that nappe stacking occurred early during the underthrusting event probably by brittle imbrication and that ductile strain was superimposed on the nappe structure during thrusting. The accumulation of ductile strain during thrusting was not by simple shear and involved a component of vertical shortening, which caused the subhorizontal foliation in the northern thrust in Wadi Mubarak and adjacent units.     

Application of kinematic vorticity and gold mineralization for the wall rock alterations of shear zone at Dungash gold mining,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The use of porphyroclasts rotating in a flowing matrix to estimate mean kinematic vorticity number (Wm) is important for quantifying the relative contributions of pure and simple shear in wall rocks alterations of shear zone at Dungash gold mine. Furthermore, it shows the relationship between the gold mineralization and deformation and also detects the orientation of rigid objects during progressive deformation. The Dungash gold mine area is situated in an EW-trending quartz vein along a shear zone in metavolcanic and metasedimentary host rocks in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. These rocks are associated with the major geologic structures which are attributed to various deformational stages of the Neoproterozoic basement rocks. We conclude that finite strain in the deformed rocks is of the same order of magnitude for all units of metavolcano-sedimentary rocks. The kinematic vorticity number for the metavolcanic and metasedimentary samples in the Dungash area range from 0.80 to 0.92, and together with the strain data suggest deviations from simple shear. It is concluded that nappe stacking occurred early during the underthrusting event probably by brittle imbrication and that ductile strain was superimposed on the nappe structure during thrusting. Furthermore, we conclude that disseminated mineralization, chloritization, carbonatization and silicification of the wall rocks are associated with fluids migrating along shearing, fracturing and foliation of the metamorphosed wall rocks.     

Structural Setting and Kinematic Analysis of the Halaban Region,Eastern Arabian Shield,Saudi Arabia

The vorticity analysis technique was applied to measure the different lithological units,such as schist,metagranite and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks,which are present in the Halaban region.This work aims to interpret the relationship between the different lithologies and the tectonic setting,in order to elucidate the nature of kinematic analysis in the Halaban region.The kinematic analyses were applied to feldspar porphyroclasts,quartz and hornblende for twentysix samples.The kinematic vorticity number (W_m) for deformed rocks in the study area ranged from～0.6 to 0.9.The direction of the long axes for finite strain data (X axes) revealed a WNW trend with shallow dipping.The direction of the short axes for finite strain data (Z axes) were represented by vertical with associated horizontal foliation.The results of the kinematic vorticity and strain analyses are characterized by simple shear with different degrees of deformation in the Halaban region.Furthermore,our finite strain data shows no significant volume change during deformation.The subhorizontal foliation was synchronized with thrusting and deformation.Furthermore,throughout the overlying nappes,the same attitudes of tectonic contacts are observable,the nappes in the orogens being formed from simple shear deformation.     

The Wadi Mubarak belt,Eastern Desert of Egypt: a Neoproterozoic conjugate shear system in the Arabian–Nubian Shield

The Wadi Mubarak belt in Egypt strikes west–east (and even northeast–southwest) and crosscuts the principal northwest–southeast trend of the Najd Fault System in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The belt therefore appears to be a structural feature that formed postdate to the Najd Fault System. In contrast, it is shown here that the deformation in the Wadi Mubarak belt can be correlated with the accepted scheme of deformation events in the Eastern Desert of Egypt and that its geometry and apparently cross-cutting orientation is controlled by a large granite complex that intruded prior to the structural evolution. Structural correlation is facilitated by a series of intrusions that intrude the Wadi Mubarak belt and resemble other intrusions in the Eastern Desert. These intrusions include: (1) an older gabbro generation, (2) an older granite, (3) a younger gabbro and (4) a younger granite. The structural evolution is interpreted to be characterized by early northwest directed transport that formed several major thrusts in the belt. This event is correlated with the main deformation event in the Eastern Desert, elsewhere known as D2. During this event the regional fabric of the Wadi Mubarak belt was wrapped around the El Umra granite complex in a west–east orientation. The Wadi Mubarak belt was subsequently affected during D3 by west–east and northwest–southeast trending sinistral conjugate strike–slip shear zones. This event is related to the formation of the Najd Fault System. Detailed resolution of superimposed shear sense indicators suggest that D3 consisted of an older and a younger phase that reflect the change of transpression direction from east-southeast–west-northwest to eastnortheast–westouthwest. The El Umra granite complex is dated here with single zircon ages to consist of intrusion pulses at 654 and 690 my. These ages conform with the interpretation that it intruded prior to D2 and that the structural pattern of the Wadi Mubarak belt was initiated early during D2.     

Tectonic significance of deformation patterns in granitoid rocks of the Menderes nappes, Anatolide belt, southwest Turkey

Deformation fabrics in Proterozoic/Cambrian granitic rocks of the Çine nappe, and mid-Triassic granites of the Bozdag nappe constrain aspects of the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Menderes nappes of southwest Turkey. Based on intrusive contacts and structural criteria, the Proterozoic/Cambrian granitic rocks of the Çine nappe are subdivided into older orthogneisses and younger metagranites. The deformation history of the granitic rocks documents two major deformation events. An early, pre-Alpine deformation event (D_PA) during amphibolite-facies metamorphism affected only the orthogneisses and produced predominantly top-to-NE shear-sense indicators associated with a NE-trending stretching lineation. The younger metagranites are deformed both by isolated shear zones, and by a major shear zone along the southern boundary of the Çine submassif. We refer to this Alpine deformation event as D_A3. D_A3 shear zones are associated with a N-trending stretching lineation, which formed during greenschist-facies metamorphism. Kinematic indicators associated with this stretching lineation reveal a top-to-south sense of shear. The greenschist-facies shear zones cut the amphibolite-facies structures in the orthogneisses. ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dating of magmatic zircons from a metagranite, which crosscuts orthogneiss containing amphibolite-facies top-to-NE shear-sense indicators, shows that D_PA occurred before 547.2ǃ.0 Ma. Such an age is corroborated by the observation that mid-Triassic granites of the Çine and Bozdag nappes lack D_PA structures. The younger, top-to-south fabrics formed most likely as a result of top-to-south Alpine nappe stacking during the collision of the Sakarya continent with Anatolia in the Eocene.     

Emplacement and deformation of the Wyangala Batholith,New South Wales

The Wyangala Batholith, in the Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales, is pre‐tectonic with respect to the deformation that caused the foliation in the granite, and was emplaced during a major thermal event, perhaps associated with dextral shearing, during the Late Silurian to Early Devonian Bowning Orogeny. This followed the first episode of folding in the enclosing Ordovician country rocks. Intrusion was facilitated by upward displacement of fault blocks, with local stoping. Weak magmatic flow fabrics are present. After crystallization of the granite, a swarm of mafic dykes intruded both the granite and country rock, possibly being derived from the same tectonic regime responsible for emplacement of the Wyangala Batholith. A contact aureole surrounding the granite contains cordierite‐biotite and cordierite‐andalusite assemblages. Slaty cleavage produced in the first deformation was largely obliterated by recrystallization in the contact aureole.

Postdating granite emplacement and basic dyke intrusion, a second regional deformation was accompanied by regional metamorphism ranging from lower greenschist to albite‐epidote‐amphibolite facies, and produced tectonic foliations, termed S and C, in the granite, and a foliation, S₂, in the country rocks. Contact metamorphic rocks underwent retrogressive regional metamorphism at this time. S formed under east‐west shortening and vertical extension, concurrently with S₂. C surfaces probably formed concurrently with S and indicate reverse fault motion on west‐dipping ductile shear surfaces. The second deformation may be related to Devonian or Early Carboniferous movement on the Copperhannia Thrust east of the Wyangala Batholith.     

Relationships between gold concentration and structure in quartz veins from the Hodgkinson Province, northeastern Australia

The Hodgkinson Province is a tract of␣multiply deformed Silurian-Devonian rocks in north␣Queensland, Australia. Gold-bearing quartz veins from the West Normanby Goldfield in the northern Hodgkinson Province were emplaced during the Permian D₄ event, broadly coeval with regional granite emplacement. Taylors Fault, a major structure that formed during D₂, hosts the veins which infill dilatational jogs opened during sinistral-normal reactivation of the fault in D₄. Veins contain graphitic laminations that formed when fault planes segmented wallrocks adjacent to the veins, producing tabular clasts that were tectonically sliced into the reefs. Laminations are the result of progressive shear strain, associated with continued movement on the faults, which caused strain-enhanced dissolution of silicate minerals and residual graphite enrichment in the clasts. This process produced graphite-coated shear planes that delimit zones of grain size reduction in the veins. Laminations commonly contain stylolites, which nucleated on pronounced sinuosities of the shear planes due to progressive shortening during D₄. Gold particles have preferentially nucleated in zones of relatively coarser-grained quartz adjacent to the shear planes, where shortening strain caused microfracturing and allowed fluid access. Gold may have been introduced with the quartz, but was redistributed within the reefs and localized along the laminations by the effects of synchronous, progressive deformation. Regionally, gold deposits show close spatial relationships with granite plutons of the Permian Whypalla Supersuite. Relationships in the West Normanby Gold Field support a regional model of reef emplacement and gold mineralization during the Permian D₄ event. Received: 24 August 1997 / Accepted: 14 October 1997     

Formation of low-temperature mylonites and phyllonites by alkali-metasomatic weakening of felsic volcanic rocks during progressive,subduction-related deformation

Dacitic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks of the Spruce Lake nappe experienced two phases of alkali-metasomatism as a result of fluids channelling along shear zones. The shear zones formed during a progressive, thrust-related deformation associated with underplating and incorporation of the volcanic rocks into the Brunswick subduction complex of northern New Brunswick. The fluids mainly represent chemically and isotopically modified seawater released by dewatering of the associated underthrusted shaly sedimentary rocks. Both phases of metasomatism weakened the felsic rocks, leading to strain localisation. Albitisation of felsic volcanic rocks as a result of Na-metasomatism during underthrusting facilitated formation of mylonites near peak high-pressure metamorphism (330–370°C, 600–800 MPa). The mylonites are preferentially preserved in the roof-thrust shear zone of the Spruce Lake nappe. Core-mantle structures, bulging and crystallographically preferred orientations indicate that albite behaved more ductilely than K-feldspar. The ductility of albite at these low temperatures is interpreted as a function of abundant intragranular fluids. Phengite-rich phyllonites formed after peak high–pressure metamorphism during uplift by out-of-sequence thrusting. These phyllonites are generally characterised by a slight gain in K and loss of Na and are best developed in the basal shear zones of the Spruce Lake nappe.     

Tectonic imprints within a granite exposed near Srinagar,Rajasthan, India

Partial melting in the middle to lower crustal level produces melts of granitic composition during orogeny. Thrusts play a vital role in their exhumation after consolidation of these granitic melts. In this paper we focus on one such granite along the eastern margin of the Delhi Fold Belt (DFB) rocks near Srinagar, Rajasthan, India. This is the first report of granite within the area and holds a key stratigraphic position in the entire rock package. The said granite is found to be intrusive to the DFB metasediments as well as their basement popularly known as the Banded Gneissic Complex (BGC). We disentangle the deformation fabrics seen within the granite and associated DFB metasediments, suggesting that subsequent to emplacement and consolidation, the granite has co-folded along with the country rocks. Three deformational events could be identified within the DFB metasediments namely, D_1D, D_2D and D_3D. The peak metamorphism was achieved in the D_1D event. The granite magma is generated and emplaced late syn-kinematic to D_1D and thereafter is deformed by D_2D and D_3D producing D_1G and D_2G structural fabrics. These compressive deformations resulted in the collapse of the basin; the combined package of DFB rocks and the granite was thrusted eastwards over the basement rocks. The tectonic transport direction during thrusting is suggested eastwards from our structural analysis. Transverse faults developed perpendicular to the length of the granite have led to partitioning of the strain thereby showing a heterogeneity in the development of fabric within it.     

Local shear zone pattern and bulk deformation in the Gran Paradiso metagranite (NW Italian Alps)

The Gran Paradiso nappe of the northwestern Alps mostly consists of augen gneisses derived from the Alpine deformation of Permian granitoids. The regional foliation of the augen gneisses developed at lower amphibolite facies conditions and is associated with a top-to-west sense of shear. The granitoid protolith is preserved in the kilometre-scale low-strain domain of the Piantonetto Valley and mainly consists of a porphyritic metagranite including joints, leucocratic dykes and biotite-rich schlieren. In this low-strain domain, the Alpine deformation is mainly localized in discrete ductile shear zones within weakly foliated metagranite. The shear zones mostly dip towards S–SE in a shallow (shear zones ₁) to steep inclination (shear zones ₂). The shear zones show typical features that can be explained by reactivation of pre-existing joints and planar compositional heterogeneities. Palaeostress and strain analysis indicate that shear zones and the metagranite foliation both formed in the presence of a strong component of flattening. The kinematics of individual shear zones depends on the orientation of the original heterogeneities (acting as nucleation planes) and by partitioning of strain components at the kilometre-scale with concentration of the flattening component to the Piantonetto low-strain domain. The strain geometry and the kinematics of individual shear zones within Piantonetto are not directly connected to the top-to-west sense of tectonic transport observed elsewhere in the Gran Paradiso nappe. However, the bulk stress ellipsoid reconstructed for the incipient shear zone network within very weakly deformed granites is oriented consistently with the bulk direction of tectonic transport within the Gran Paradiso massif. We conclude that the shear zone network of the Piantonetto Valley is representative of the incipient stages of ductile deformation of a granite nappe. Even if its architecture is determined by the arrangement of pre-existing structural and compositional heterogeneities, aspects of the large-scale bulk strain can be derived from this local shear zone pattern.     

Kinematics and geochronology of Early Cretaceous thrusting in the northwestern paleozoic of Graz (Eastern Alps)

Abstract

The multiply deformed Upper Austro-Alpine nappe pile of the Graz area is built up of low-grade metamorphosed Paleozoic rocks which are discordantly overlain by sediments of Santonian (Late Cretaceous) age (“Gosau” formation). Slices of Permo-Mesozoic rocks are absent. Analyses of structures, microfabrics, strain and shear directions were used to decipher the kinematic history; geochronological investigations to date the age of thrusting. K/Ar and Rb/Sr ages of synkinematically grown mica suggest an eo-Alpine (Early Cretaceous) age for the major deformation D1. D1 is characterized by non-coaxial rock flow which caused SW- to W directed nappe imbrication. Incremental strain measurements indicate the progressive superposition of D2 over Dl. In the higher nappe (Rannach Nappe) nappe imbrication continued during D2 changing the direction of nappe transport from SW to NW. Enhanced flattening strain in the deeper nappe (Schöckel Nappe) led to recumbent folds in all scales during D2. This study emphasized two interpretations : (1) The Alpine deformation in the Upper Austro-Alpine nappe pile of the Paleozoic of Graz started in the Earliest Cretaceous (about 125 Ma.). (2) The emplacement of nappes followed a curved translation path in the studied area.     

El Sibai gneissic complex,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt: Folded nappes and syn-kinematic gneissic granitoid sheets – not a core complex

The El Sibai area of the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt consists of an ophiolitic association of arc metavolcanics, ophiolitic rocks, mélange, metasediments and minor mafic intrusions; and a gneissic association of amphibolite, gneissic diorite, tonalite, granodiorite and granite. Previous studies of the El Sibai area have identified the gneissic association as a lower crustal infrastructure in sheared contact with upper crustal ophiolitic association suprastructure, and have presented it as an example of a metamorphic or magmatic core complex. Detailed structural remapping of the El Sibai area reveals that the gneissic association rocks are not infrastructural but form a unit within the ophiolitic association nappes. Furthermore, the El Sibai structure is not domal in shape, and is not antiformal. The main gneissic association rocks are tabular intrusions roughly concordant with the shears dividing the ophiolitic association into nappes, and are syn-kinematic with the nappe stacking event (∼700–650 Ma). The gneissic granite tabular intrusions and their ophiolitic host were later folded about upright NW–SE trending mainly open folds during a NE–SW directed shortening event (∼625–590 Ma). Subsequently, NW–SE regional extension effects became evident including low angle normal ductile shear zones and mylonites. The latest gneissic red granites are syn-kinematic with respect to these shear zones. Probably continuing from the low-angle shearing event were steep normal faults, and sinistral WNW and N–S trending transcurrent faults (∼590–570 Ma). The normal faults mark the southeastern and maybe also the northwestern limits of the El Sibai gneissic association rocks. The El Sibai complex is not a core complex, but exemplifies the overlap of NW–SE folding and NW–SE extensional which is a significant theme of CED regional structure.     

Pure shear to simple shear-dominated transpression during the Eburnean major D2 deformation,Daléma sedimentary basin,eastern Senegal

Field studies in the Palaeoproterozoïc Daléma basin, Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, reveal that the main tectonic feature comprises alternating large shear zones relatively well-separated by weakly deformed surrounding rock domains. Analysis of the various structures in relation to this major D₂ phase of Eburnean deformation indicates partitioning of sinistral transpressive deformation between domains of dominant transcurrent and dominant compressive deformation. Foliation is mostly oblique to subvertical and trending 0–30° N, but locally is subhorizontal in some thrust-motion shear zones. Foliation planes of shear zones contain a superimposed subhorizontal stretching lineation which in places cross-cuts a steeply plunging stretching lineation which is clearly expressed in the metasedimentary rocks of weakly deformed surrounding domains. In the weakly deformed domains, the subhorizontal lineation is absent, whereas the oblique to subvertical lineation is more fully developed. Finite strain analyses of samples from surrounding both weakly deformed and shearing domains, using finite strain ratio and the Fry method, indicate flattened ellipsoid fabrics. However, the orientation of the long axis (X) of the finite strain ellipsoid is horizontal in the shear zones and oblique within the weakly deformed domains. Exceptionally, samples from some thrust zones indicate a finite strain ellipsoid in triaxial constriction fabrics with a subhorizontal long axis (X). In addition, the analysis of the strain orientation starting from semi-ductile and brittle structures indicates that a WNE–ESE (130° N to 110° N) orientation of strain shortening axis occurred during the Eburnean D₂ deformation.     

Structural evolution of a briançonnais cover nappe,the caprauna-armetta unit (ligurian alps,Italy)

The Caprauna-Armetta Unit (CAU) is a Briançonnais cover nappe emplaced on the external margin of the Ligurian Briançonnais Zone. A structural analysis of the nappe indicates that there are four superposed deformations (D₁-D₄). D₁ produced large recumbent isoclinal folds associated with a strong axial-plane cleavage and a SW-trending lineation. These folds can be related to a SW-directed overthrust shear. D₂ produced open to moderately tight folds with subvertical axial planes, overturned towards the northeast. D₃ and D₄ are represented by large wavelength open folds affecting only the large-scale setting of the nappe.A finite strain map of the nappe has been compiled using data from an oolitic limestone layer. The measured strains appears to be essentially the product of the D₁ phase. The measured ellipsoids are generally triaxial. The trend of the finite strain X axes is towards the southwest. Prolate ellipsoids with very high R_xz ratios occur on the inverted limbs and sometimes near the hinge zones of the anticlinal F₁ folds. Oblate ellipsoids are prevalent on the normal limbs. This pattern of finite strain resulted from deformation in a ductile shear zone generated within the tectonic units trailed at the base of the huge Helminthoid Flysch Nappe during its motion towards the foreland.     

Metasomatic transformations of carbonate rocks observable in quarries of Riverside, California, United States

The results of skarn-forming processes at contacts of the multiphase Southern California Batholith with carbonate rocks accessible to study in quarries in Riverside, California, involve prograde metasomatic transformations of marmorized dolomites and calcareous rocks in contact with granitic melts and contaminated magmas. The processes of contact assimilation are proved to have been controlled by the emplacement of granitic melts overheated relative to subliquidus melts (with the overheated melts prone to approach the composition of granodiorite, syenite, and gabbro) into skarnified marbles. The degree of magma overheating was evaluated based on G.F. Smith’s data on linear melting temperature variations for anhydrous intrusive rocks with various SiO₂ concentrations (<750°C for granites and >1100°C for contaminated rocks, ΔT 350°). This corresponds to the thermal regime of the development of mineralogically contrasting hypabyssal skarn aureoles: magnesian at contacts with granite magmas and calcic at contacts with melts of high basicity. The peripheral parts of the aureoles ubiquitously contain preserved zones of forsterite calciphyres and periclase marbles, whereas skarns at mafic intrusions consist of high-temperature silicates of decreasing Mg contents: monticellite, merwinite, melilite, and spurrite. Prograde and retrograde mineralforming processes in the metasomatic rocks and their facies affiliation are analyzed, and the chemical composition of the minerals are examined. The Riverside skarn aureoles are compared with other compositionally contrasting skarn aureoles that developed in contacts with granite magmas and melts of increasing basisity.     

Evolution of the Pan-African Wadi Haimur metamorphic sole, Eastern Desert, Egypt

By comparison with the general features of metamorphic soles (e.g. vertical and lateral extension, metamorphic grade and diagnostic mineral parageneses, deformation and dominant rock types), it is inferred that the amphibolites, metagabbros and hornblendites of the Wadi Um Ghalaga–Wadi Haimur area in the southern part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt represent the metamorphic sole of the Wadi Haimur ophiolite belt. The overlying ultramafic rocks represent overthrusted mantle peridotite. Mineral compositions and thermobarometric studies indicate that the rocks of the metamorphic sole record metamorphic conditions typical of such an environment. The highest P – T conditions ( c . 700 °C and 6.5–8.5 kbar) are preserved in clinopyroxene amphibolites and garnet amphibolites from the top of the metamorphic sole, which is exposed in the southern part of the study area. The massive amphibolites and metagabbros further north (Wadi Haimur) represent the basal parts of the sole and show the lowest P – T  conditions (450–620 °C and 4.7–7.8 kbar). The sole is the product of dynamothermal metamorphism associated with the tectonic displacement of ultramafic rocks. Heat was derived mainly from the hot overlying mantle peridotites, and an inverted P – T  gradient was caused by dynamic shearing during ophiolite emplacement. Sm/Nd dating of whole-rock–metamorphic mineral pairs yields similar ages of c . 630 Ma for clinopyroxene and hornblende, which is interpreted as a lower age limit for ophiolite formation and an upper age limit for metamorphism. A younger Sm/Nd age for a garnet-bearing rock ( c . 590 Ma) is interpreted as reflecting a meaningful cooling age close to the metamorphic peak. Hornblende K/Ar ages in the range 570–550 Ma may reflect thermal events during late orogenic granite magmatism.