Transtensional folding

Strain modeling shows that folds can form in transtension, particularly in simple shear-dominated transtension. Folds that develop in transtension do not rotate toward the shear zone boundary, as they do in transpression; instead they rotate toward the divergence vector, a useful feature for determining past relative plate motions. Transtension folds can only accumulate a fixed amount of horizontal shortening and tightness that are prescribed by the angle of oblique divergence, regardless of finite strain. Hinge-parallel stretching of transtensional folds always exceeds hinge-perpendicular shortening, causing constrictional fabrics and hinge-parallel boudinage to develop.These theoretical results are applied to structures that developed during oblique continental rifting in the upper crust (seismic/brittle) and the ductile crust. Examples include (1) oblique opening of the Gulf of California, where folds and normal faults developed simultaneously in syn-divergence basins; (2) incipient continental break-up in the Eastern California-Walker Lane shear zone, where earthquake focal mechanisms reflect bulk constrictional strain; and (3) exhumation of the ultrahigh-pressure terrain in SW Norway in which transtensional folds and large magnitude stretching developed in the footwall of detachment shear zones, consistent with constrictional strain. More generally, folds may be misinterpreted as indicating convergence when they can form readily in oblique divergence.     

大别造山带东缘韧性剪切带中构造岩的构造地球化学分析

安徽省桐城市挂镇（挂车河镇）地区出露郯庐断裂系（北北东-北东向）和大别构造系（近东西向）的韧性剪切带,变质温度分别为400 ℃～450 ℃和600 ℃～700 ℃,均发育镁铁质和长英质构造岩,是研究不同变形条件下岩石中元素活化迁移规律的理想对象。质量平衡计算表明长英质剪切带在韧性变形过程中,大别构造系体积基本不变,郯庐断裂系体积亏损且随变形程度的增强而增加,镁铁质性剪切带在脆-韧变形过程中体积增加。长英质构造岩的稀土和微量元素变异远弱于镁铁质构造岩,长英质构造岩基本继承了原岩的特征而镁铁质构造岩与原岩的差异显著,长英质和镁铁质混合的构造岩主要显示镁铁质组分的迁移规律。长英质构造岩的元素迁移种类和迁移率与变形程度和变质温度正相关,其中体积亏损变形的郯庐断裂系表现为重稀土中等迁出、中稀土几乎未迁移和轻稀土微弱迁入,等体积变形的大别构造系为稀土元素迁入,轻稀土、中稀土和重稀土的迁移率依次增加。镁铁质构造岩的稀土元素迁移表现为轻稀土强烈迁入和重稀土中等迁出。体积变化不是元素变异的主因,在原岩和矿物蚀变制约的基础上,元素迁移受到岩石流变分异作用和热液渗流作用的双重作用,低温时以渗透流体作用为主,而高温时岩石流变分异作用增强。     

桐柏山L构造岩形成机制构造解析及其对造山带演化的制约

桐柏杂岩中发育一套典型的L构造岩,其构造位置位于桐柏造山带核部,被两条近似对称的韧性剪切带所夹持,北侧剪切带左旋,南侧剪切带右旋。由于L构造岩构造位置特殊,其位于剪切带、桐柏背形、桐柏穹窿等多种构造体的交叉部位,L构造岩的构造成因解析可以为桐柏造山带的形成演化提供重要制约。通过对桐柏造山带L构造岩的构造成因机理解析和其变形温压条件的研究,同时结合前人对桐柏山其它主要构造单元的研究,我们提出,桐柏山L构造岩的形成主要受其南北两侧两条韧性剪切带控制,传统意义的桐柏杂岩体白垩纪之前与南北一体的韧性剪切带沿近似东西方向发生管状韧性剪切,剪切作用形成了一套典型的L构造岩。L构造岩的形成指示了桐柏山单元可能经历了一期中下地壳物质的管状的韧性的向东剪切流动,后期白垩纪桐柏山核部的L构造岩经历了大规模的岩浆上升与浮力增加,该L构造岩同剪切带一起发生隆升但管状剪切构造特征并未被改造,随着不均匀隆升桐柏山出现了现今的几何学特征。L构造岩反映出管状剪切形成了现今桐柏造山带近东西向线状构造样式的主体。     

Characteristics of Compositional Migration in Mylonites from the Ductile Shear Zones of the Southern Tancheng-Lujiang Fault Belt, Eastern Anhui Province

On the basis of field geology, three typical ductile shear zones in the southern part of the Tancheng-Lujiang fault belt have been chosen for a detailed study. Altogether ten samples of the tectonites have been collected for this study. The paper is focused on a comprehensive study of the tectonites in the medium-lower horizons of the ductile shear zones. The mineral compositions of the rocks are analyzed with EPMA and some typical whole-rock samples analyzed by chemical and ICP methods. Based on the comprehensive study of the characteristics of the deformation, the mineral assemblages and the changes of chemical composition of the bulk rocks, this paper presents a discussion on the relationship between the volume loss, the fluid flow and compositional changes during mylonitization of the ductile shear zones in this region. Our study shows that there are a large amount of fluids flowing through the shear zones during the process of mylonization, accompanied by the loss of rock volume and migration of el     

辽东鞍山齐大山韧性剪切带运动学解析及形成机制

关于太古宙早期地壳演化构造机制的争论已经持续了数十年,其焦点主要集中于水平构造还是垂向构造两大经典构造模式的探讨.对于早期地壳构造演化方面的研究,将会有助于我们更好地理解早前寒武纪的地球动力学机制.本文对华北克拉通东北部鞍山地区花岗-绿岩带内齐大山韧性剪切带的构造变形特征进行了详细的解析,揭示了该区新太古代垂向构造作用样式.研究结果表明,齐大山韧性剪切带内花岗质岩石长英质矿物塑性拉长特征明显,条带状构造发育,面理向NWW方向陡倾,不对称组构特征和矿物拉伸线理产状指示向NWW的陡倾正滑移剪切作用.变形岩石中的长英质矿物均发育中低温显微变形特征,石英C轴电子背散射衍射（EBSD）组构分析揭示石英以菱面＜a＞和底面＜a＞滑移系为主,岩石经历了中低温非共轴变形.根据矿物的变形行为以及石英的结晶优选方位推测变形温度约为400~500℃,岩石变形特征以位错蠕变为主.有限应变分析结果表明,靠近铁矿带方向,构造岩类型由L=S构造岩过渡为LS构造岩,岩石应变强度呈明显增强趋势.运动学涡度测量结果显示齐大山韧性剪切带内大多数岩石样品的W_k值大于0.75,岩石形成于以简单剪切作用为主的一般剪切作用.对比花岗-绿岩带西侧的白家坟韧性剪切带,显示二者均具有相向的陡倾正滑移运动学特征,表明新太古代时期鞍山地区地壳构造演化模式以垂向构造作用为主.      

Transpression,extrusion, partitioning,and lateral escape in the middle crust: Significance of structures,fabrics, and kinematics in the Bronson Hill zone,southern New England,U.S.A.

Fabrics in the mid-crustal Bronson Hill zone of the southern New England Appalachian orogen record a range of apparent finite strains and conflicting kinematics, but structural relationships indicate coeval development. At the smallest scale of this study, shortening was accommodated in granitic orthogneiss, while transcurrent deformation was partitioned into relatively thin zones of metastratified rocks along the margins. The Monson orthogneiss can be broadly characterized by subvertical to steeply dipping S > L tectonites, subvertical to subhorizontal stretching lineations, closed to isoclinal folds, and dextral/reverse kinematics. The east-bounding Conant Brook shear zone and Greenwich syncline are characterized by steeply dipping mylonitic foliations, a range of lineations, and dextral/reverse kinematic indicators. The west-bounding Mt. Dumplin high strain zone is comprised of steeply dipping mylonites, subhorizontal lineations, and sinistral/normal kinematics. These structures reflect coeval partitioned dextral transpression, vertical extrusion, and north-directed lateral escape of the orthogneiss that was facilitated by bounding conjugate shear zones. Comparison of structural subdomains with transpressional modeling indicates vertical pseudo-monoclinic to inclined triclinic coaxial to simple shear influenced transpression. Compatibility between laterally adjacent subdomains was maintained by meso-/microscale partitioning. Absolute and relative timing constraints show that transpression was sustained from 330 Ma to 300 Ma.     

Fabric evidence for granodiorite emplacement with extensional shear zones in the Variscan Gredos massif (Spanish Central System)

Three granitoid bodies in the central part of the Gredos massif (Spanish Central System batholith) are tabular, around 1 km in thickness, and intruded into a migmatitic middle crust during the D3 deformation phase of the Variscan Orogeny. Petrologically, they are composed of Bt-granodiorite and Crd-monzogranite, and they show varying abundance of large (cm-scale) feldspar megacrysts. A detailed study of the shape preferred orientation (SPO) magmatic fabric defined by these megacrysts, together with a kinematic analysis of the structures due to interactions between them, and the measurement of quartz c-axis fabrics in migmatites and granitoids, suggests that granitic magma and country rocks were mechanically coupled during deformation. The emplacement took place along large-scale, extensional shear zones active during the first stages of the D3 phase. The shape of the SPO ellipsoids varies from constrictional at the centre of the granitic bodies, to flattening or even oblate at their external contacts with the migmatitic host rocks. The favoured interpretation of this spatial fabric variation is the overprinting of the emplacement fabrics by a constrictional tectonic regime associated with the growth of tabular magma chambers along extensional detachments, followed by shear zone development commonly at the top of the granitic bodies. The entire structure was later folded during the last stages of the D3 phase.     

华北板块南缘的变形分解:洛南-栾川断裂带与秦岭北缘强变形带研究

秦岭洛南-栾川断裂带具有左旋斜向俯冲的运动学特征,其产状一般为107°/N∠65°。华南板块的俯冲方向为80°,俯冲角度为42°;华南板块运动方向为42°,运动方向与华北板块南部边界的夹角为65°,汇聚角25°。秦岭北缘强变形带内褶皱枢纽延伸方向为290°,与洛南-栾川断裂带存在15°的夹角。逆冲断层走向与褶皱的枢纽方向基本一致,大多数断层与洛南-栾川断裂带有相同的运动学极性,性质为左行平移逆断层。平移正断层走向主要为NE SW,断层性质、展布方向、运动学特征与板块汇聚的应力作用方式吻合;片理、片麻理走向117°,与洛南-栾川断裂带走向夹角为10°。在垂直剪切带的剖面上,系统观察岩石变形特征,测量面理产状,进行岩石有限应变测量,岩石非共轴递进变形分析结果表明:秦岭北缘强变形带内由南向北面理走向与剪切带走向的夹角逐渐增大,岩石剪应变量依次递减,造山带变形具有“三斜对称”特点。     

北祁连西段寒山金矿控矿构造及富集规律

寒山金矿床产于北祁连西段加里东褶皱带北缘,区内矿产资源丰富,加强其控矿构造及矿化富集规律研究,对矿区勘查意义重大。通过野外调查及室内研究,发现矿区内赋矿地层为奥陶系阴沟群火山碎屑岩。矿区内褶皱构造及韧-脆性剪切带发育,联合控制了矿体的分布。韧-脆性剪切带发育在褶皱两翼,受层滑剪切系统控制。矿体产在背斜转折端及两翼韧-脆性剪切带内,呈楔形产出,向下迅速尖灭。研究认为,矿体主要富集在韧-脆性剪切带发育部位,矿体的富集程度与蚀变带规模正相关,靠近背斜转折端的位置为矿体富集地段,多阶段成矿作用同部位叠加构成富矿体。     

The development of asymmetrical folds in a cross-laminated siltstone

A group of folds in alternating pelites and cross-laminated siltstones is described. An interpretation of the finite strain state, in the competent silt layers, is proposed on the basis of an analysis of the angle between cross-lamination and the principal surface of accumulation. Strain magnitudes are greatest in the fold hinge where domains of layer parallel shortening and layer parallel extension are separated by a neutral surface. Strain magnitudes in the fold limbs are small and are largely related to the development of the asymmetry of the folds. In the incompetent pelitic layers, strain in the fold limbs has a large, layer parallel shear component. Deformation in the pelites is accompanied by, and presumably partially achieved by, migration of quartz from areas where there is a tendency for volume to decrease, to areas where it is tending to increase. This process involves local increases in volume of more than 50%.A kinematic model is proposed for development of the folds. It involves early development of small symmetrical folds followed by their modification to asymmetrical, parasitic structures on the limbs of later folds. In the late stages of folding, continued shortening perpendicular to the axial surface orientation is achieved by development of a conjugate crenulation cleavage.     

Quartz fabric evidence for early Pan-African penetrative east-directed shearing in the Itremo Supracrustal Group of central Madagascar

ABSTRACT The Pan-African orogeny left a strong imprint on the basement rocks of Madagascar, which were metamorphosed up to granulite facies conditions. The supracrustal Itremo Group of central Madagascar, comprising quartzites, schists and carbonates of lower metamorphic grade, has to date been described as a folded sedimentary sequence. Despite their fine-grained 'sugary' appearance, most quartzites are plastically deformed tectonites. Quartzite microstructures are mainly of the elongate mosaic type, indicating significant grain boundary migration, and are compatible with dynamic recrystallization under lower amphibolite facies conditions. Consistent asymmetric quartz c -axis fabrics indicate a dominant top-to-the-east shear sense. Hence, the Itremo quartzites bear evidence for a major eastward-directed tectonic event of Pan-African age, possibly resulting from an early Pan-African thrust motion. Younger deformational events, responsible for localized mylonites with top-to-the-WSW sense of motion and N–S-trending folds and shear zones, were superimposed on this first fabric.     

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.     

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.     

Towards a volcanic–structural balance: relative importance of volcanism, folding, and remobilisation of nickel sulphides at the Perseverance Ni–Cu–(PGE) deposit, Western Australia

Perseverance is a world-class, komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposit situated in the well-endowed Leinster nickel camp of the Agnew–Wiluna greenstone belt, Western Australia. The mine stratigraphy at Perseverance trends north-northwest (NNW), dips steeply to the west, and is overturned. Stratigraphic footwall units lie along the western margin of the Perseverance Ultramafic Complex (PUC). The PUC comprises a basal nickel sulphide-bearing orthocumulate- to mesocumulate-textured komatiite that is overlain by a thicker, nickel sulphide-poor, dunite lens. Hanging wall rocks include rhyodacite that is texturally and compositionally similar to footwall volcanic rocks. These rocks separate the PUC from a second sequence of nickeliferous, E-facing, spinifex-textured komatiite units (i.e. the East Perseverance komatiite). Past workers argue for a conformable stratigraphic contact between the PUC and the East Perseverance komatiite and conclude that the PUC is extrusive. This study, however, clearly demonstrates that these komatiite sequences are discordant, implying that the PUC may have intruded rhyodacite country rock as a sill with subsequent structural juxtaposition against the East Perseverance komatiite. Early N–S shortening associated with the regional D_I deformation event (corresponding to the local D_P1 to D_P3 events at Perseverance) resulted in the heterogeneous partitioning of strain along the margins of the competent dunite. A mylonite developed in the more ductile footwall rocks along the footwall margin of the PUC, while isoclinal F₃ folds, such as the Hanging wall limb and Felsic Nose folds, formed in low-mean stress domains along the fringes of the elongated dunite lens. Strata-bound massive and disseminated nickel sulphides were passively fold thickened in hinge areas of isoclinal folds, whereas basal massive sulphides lubricated fold limbs and promoted thrust movement along shallowly dipping lithological contacts. Massive sulphides were physically remobilised up to 20 m from their primary footwall position into deposit-scale fold hinges to form the 1A and Felsic Nose orebodies. First-order controls on the geometry of the Perseverance deposit include the thermomechanical erosion of footwall rocks and the channelling of the mineralised komatiitic magma. Second- or third-order controls are several postvolcanic deformation events, which resulted in the progressive folding and shearing of the footwall contact, as well as the passive fold thickening of massive and disseminated sulphide orebodies. Massive sulphides were physically remobilised into multiple generations of fold hinges and shear zones. Important implications for near-mine exploration in the Leinster camp include identifying nickeliferous komatiite units, defining their three-dimensional geometry, and targeting fold hinge areas. Fold plunge directions and stretching lineations are indicators of potential plunge directions of massive sulphide orebodies.     

Variation of interlayer slip in space and time during flexural folding

This paper describes the results of an experiment which was performed with a Plasticine model to investigate the progressive evolution of flexural-slip folds. The model analyses the relationship between bulk shortening and the amount of flexural slip on fold limbs and in hinge zones. In the light of the experimental results, the theoretical relationship between limb dip and angular shear strain proposed by Ramsay (1967, p. 393) needs modifying to take into account the effect of hinge dilation and limb thinning at large deformations.     

Lack of porphyroblast rotation in the Otago schists, New Zealand: implications for crenulation cleavage development, folding and deformation partitioning

Porphyroblasts of garnet and plagioclase in the Otago schists have not rotated relative to geographic coordinates during non-coaxial deformation that post-dates their growth. Inclusion trails in most of the porphyroblasts are oriented near-vertical and near-horizontal, and the strike of near-vertical inclusion trails is consistent over 3000 km². Microstructural relationships indicate that the porphyroblasts grew in zones of progressive shortening strain, and that the sense of shear affecting the geometry of porphyroblast inclusion trails on the long limbs of folds is the same as the bulk sense of displacement of fold closures. This is contrary to the sense of shear inferred when porphyroblasts are interpreted as having rotated during folding.
Several crenulation cleavage/fold models have previously been developed to accommodate the apparent sense of rotation of porphyroblasts that grew during folding. In the light of accumulating evidence that porphyroblasts do not generally rotate, the applicability of these models to deformed rocks is questionable.
Whether or not porphyroblasts rotate depends on how deformation is partitioned. Lack of rotation requires that progressive shearing strain (rotational deformation) be partitioned around rigid heterogeneities, such as porphyroblasts, which occupy zones of progressive shortening or no strain (non-rotational deformation). Therefore, processes operating at the porphyroblast/matrix boundary are important considerations. Five qualitative models are presented that accommodate stress and strain energy at the boundary without rotating the porphyroblast: (a) a thin layer of fluid at the porphyroblast boundary; (2) grain-boundary sliding; (3) a locked porphyroblast/matrix boundary; (4) dissolution at the porphyroblast/matrix boundary, and (5) an ellipsoidal porphyroblast/shadow unit.     

Kinematic analyses of orogen-parallel L-tectonites from Pelling-Munsiari thrust of Sikkim Himalayan fold thrust belt: Insights from multiple,incremental strain markers

Fault rocks associated with the Pelling thrust (PT) in the Sikkim Himalayan fold thrust belt (FTB) change from SL tectonites to local, transport-parallel L-tectonites that are exposed in discontinuous klippen south of the PT zone. By estimating the incremental kinematic vorticity number (W_k) from quartz c-axes fabric, oblique fabric, and subgrains, we reconstruct a first-order, kinematic path of these L-tectonites. Quartz c-axes fabric suggests that the deformation initiated as pure-shear dominated (∼56–96%) that progressively became simple-shear dominated (∼29–54%), as recorded by the oblique fabric and subgrains in the L-tectonites. These rocks record a non-steady deformation where the kinematic vorticity varied spatially and temporally within the klippen.The L-tectonites record ∼30% greater pure-shear than the PT fault rocks outside the klippen, and the greatest pure-shear dominated flow among the published vorticity data from major fault rocks of the Himalayan FTB. The relative decrease in the transport-parallel simple-shear component within the klippen, and associated relative increase of transport-perpendicular, pure-shear component, support the presence of a sub-PT lateral ramp in the Sikkim Himalayan FTB. This study demonstrates the influence of structural architecture for fault systems for controlling spatial and temporal variations of deformation fabrics and kinematic path of deforming thrust wedges.     

S-C Mylonites

Two types of foliations are commonly developed in mylonites and mylonitic rocks: (a) S-surfaces related to the accumulation of finite strain and (b) C-surfaces related to displacement discontinuities or zones of relatively high shear strain. There are two types of S-C mylonites. Type I S-C mylonites, described by Berthé et al., typically occur in deformed granitoids. They involve narrow zones of intense shear strain which cut across (mylonitic) foliation.Type II S-C mylonites (described here) have widespread occurrence in quartz-mica rocks involved in zones of intense non-coaxial laminar flow. The C-surfaces are defined by trails of mica ‘fish’ formed as the result of microscopic displacement discontinuities or zones of very high shear strain. The S-surfaces are defined by oblique foliations in the adjacent quartz aggregates, formed as the result of dynamic recrystallization which periodically resets the ‘finite-strain clock’. These oblique foliations are characterized by grain elongations, alignments of segments of the grain boundary enveloping surfaces, and by trails of grains with similar c-axis orientations.Examples of this aspect of foliation development in mylonitic rocks are so widespread that we suggest the creation of a broad class of S-C tectonites, and a deviation from the general tradition of purely geometric analysis of foliation and time relationships. Kinematic indicators such as those discussed here allow the recognition of kilometre-scale zones of intense non-coaxial laminar flow in crustal rocks, and unambiguous determination of the sense of shear.     

Strain in an Archean greenstone belt of Minnesota

We measured strain at more than 60 locations in metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the Vermilion district, an E-W trending Archean greenstone belt in Minnesota. Strain ellipsoid orientations and shapes correlate strongly with N-S location in the belt, but magnitudes do not. Flattening strains occur near the present Vermilion fault (which bounds the greenstone belt to the north) with constrictional strains to the south. The observed strain patterns can be mathematically modeled by deformation paths which produce the flattening strains (with west plunging λ₁ axes) by dextral shear of the constrictional strains (with east plunging λ₁ axes). Using reasonable geologic constraints, the shear plane must dip to the north with a subhorizontal shear direction. Structures throughout the district also indicate dextral shear. A geometrical finite element program uses the measured strains to destrain the rocks and find the configuration which most closely satisfies strain compatibility equations. The linear E-W strain patterns and minor rotations about horizontal axes during the deformation preclude origin of the greenstone belt by infolding and shear off the flanks of a rising granitic diapir. By accounting for rotations which result in the (deformed) curvature of the original surface, a true estimate of 50% N-S shortening across the belt can be made. The data and deformation models favor the origin of the Vermilion district rocks at a convergent margin, most likely as a N-dipping subduction zone complex with shallow slab dip. The origin of the constrictional strains remains enigmatic.     

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.