The vorticity axis flip and its control on mineralization

This paper discusses the possible role of vorticity axis flip in controlling fluid flow and consequent development of hydrothermal deposits. Structural, kinematic and vorticity data from the vicinity of the Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) are used to propose a two stage model to explain hydrothermal mineralization. It is suggested that in the initial stage, fractures, weak planes, foliations and/or shear zones develop. Fracture permeability is weak at this stage, as a consequence of which fluid pressure builds up. Variation in stress orientation during a later stage of deformation results in enhancement of fracture network, fracture permeability and its anisotropy. If a significant vorticity axis flip accompanies this variation in stress orientation, then it pumps the fluids into the fracture network, thus yielding hydrothermal mineral deposits. In the case of SSZ, the vorticity axis flip is envisaged to have taken place from steeply plunging (anticlockwise) during the early stage, to sub-horizontal during the late stage. The SSZ became a northerly dipping thrust at this late stage and the rotation around the sub-horizontal vorticity axis was such that the rocks comprising the northern block were thrust over southern block (Singhbhum granitoid). According to the author, this vorticity axis flip must have been critical in pumping up the fluids along the SSZ to form quartz veins that host mineral deposits.     

Deformation of footwall rock of Phulad Shear Zone,Rajasthan: Evidence of transpressional shear zone

Phulad Shear Zone (PSZ) of Delhi Fold Belt in Rajasthan is a northeasterly striking ductile shear zone with a well developed mylonitic foliation (035/70E) and a downdip stretching lineation. The deformation in the PSZ has developed in a transpressional regime with thrusting sense of movement. The northeastern unit, i.e., the hanging wall contains a variety of rocks namely calc-silicates, pelites and amphibolites and the southwestern unit, i.e., the footwall unit contains only granitic rocks. Systematic investigation of the granites of the southwestern unit indicate a gradual change in the intensity of deformation from a distance of about 1 km west of the shear zone to the shear zone proper. The granite changes from weakly deformed granite to a mylonite/ultramylonite as we proceed towards the PSZ. The weakly deformed granite shows a crude foliation with the same attitude of mylonitic foliation of the PSZ. Microscopic study reveals the incipient development of C and S fabric with angle between C and S varying from 15 ^° to 24 ^°. The small angle between the C and S fabric in the least deformed granite variety indicates that the deformation has strong pure shear component. At a distance of about 1 m away from the PSZ, there is abrupt change in the intensity of deformation. The granite becomes intensely foliated with a strong downdip lineation and the rock becomes a true mylonite. In mesoscopic scale, the granite shows stretched porphyroclasts in both XZ and YZ sections indicating a flattening type of deformation. The angle between the C and S fabric is further reduced and finally becomes nearly parallel. In most places, S fabric is gradually replaced by C fabric. Calculation of sectional kinematic vorticity number ( W_n) from the protomylonitic and mylonite/ultramylonite granites varies from 0.3 ± 0.03 to 0.55 ± 0.04 indicating a strong component of pure shear. The similarity of the geometry of structures in the PSZ and the granites demonstrates that the deformation of the two units is broadly synchronous and the deformation in both the units is transpressional.     

Strain distribution across a partially molten middle crust: Insights from the AMS mapping of the Carlos Chagas Anatexite,Araçuaí belt (East Brazil)

The easternmost part of the Neoproterozoic Araçuaí belt comprises an anatectic domain that involves anatexites (the Carlos Chagas unit), leucogranites and migmatitic granulites that display a well-developed fabric. Microstructural observations support that the deformation occurred in the magmatic to submagmatic state. Structural mapping integrating field and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) revealed a complex, 3D structure. The northern domain displays gently dipping foliations bearing a NW-trending lineation, southward, the lineation trend progressively rotates to EW then SW and the foliation is gently folded. The eastern domain displays E–W and NE–SW trending foliations with moderate to steeply dips bearing a dominantly NS trending lineation. Magnetic mineralogy investigation suggests biotite as the main carrier of the magnetic susceptibility in the anatexites and ferromagnetic minerals in the granulites. Crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) measurements using the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique suggest that the magnetic fabric comes from the crystalline anisotropy of biotite and feldspar grains, especially. The delineation of several structural domains with contrasted flow fabric suggests a 3D flow field involving westward thrusting orthogonal to the belt, northwestward orogen-oblique escape tectonics and NS orogen-parallel flow. This complex deformation pattern may be due to interplay of collision-driven and gravity-driven deformations.     

The kinematic history of the Singhbhum Shear Zone

The progressive deformation of the Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) involved the initiation of a mylonitic foliation, its deformation by three generations of reclined folds and superposition of two later groups of folds, i.e., a group of asymmetric folds with subhorizontal or gently plunging axes and a group of gentle and open, transverse and more or less upright folds. The occurrence of sheath folds and U-shaped deformed lineations indicate that the reclined folds were produced by rotation of fold hinges through large angles. The total displacement along the SSZ was compounded of displacements along numerous mesoscopic shear zones. The cleavages in the shear lenses and the mesoscopic shear zones cannot be distinguished as C and S surfaces. They have the same kinematic significance and were produced by ductile deformation, although there were localized discontinuous displacements along both sets,-of cleavages. A mylonitic foliation had formed before the development of the earliest recognizable folds. Its time of formation and folding could be synchronous, diachronous or partly overlapping in time in the different domains of the SSZ.     

Dextral transpression and late Eocene magmatism in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh Batholith (North India): implications for tectono-magmatic evolution of the Indo-Eurasian collisional arc

The trans-Himalayan Ladakh batholith is a result of arc magmatism caused by the northward subduction of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere below the edge of the Eurasian plate. The batholith dominantly consists of calc-alkaline I-type granitoids which are ferromagnetic in nature with the presence of magnetite as the principal carrier of magnetic susceptibility. The mesoscopic and magnetic fabric are concordant and generally vary from WNW–ESE to ENE–WSW for different intrusions of ferromagnetic granites in different parts of the batholith. Strike of magnetic fabric is roughly parallel with the regional trend of the Ladakh batholith in the present study area and is orthogonal to the direction of India-Eurasia collision. In Khardungla and Changla section, the magnetic fabric is distributed in a sigmoidal manner. It is inferred that this sigmoidal pattern is caused by shearing due to transpression induced by oblique convergence between the two plates. U–Pb zircon geochronology of a rhyolite from the southern parts of the batholith gives a crystallization age of 71.7 ± 0.6 Ma, coeval with ~68 Ma magmatism in the northern parts of the batholith. The central part of the batholith is characterized by S-type two-mica granites, which gives much younger age of magmatism at 35.5 ± 0.5 Ma. The magnetic fabric of these two-mica granites is at a high angle to the regional trend of the batholith. It is proposed that these two-mica granites were emplaced well after the cessation of subduction and arc magmatism, along fractures that developed perpendicular to the regional strike of the batholith due to shearing.     

Quartz fabrics in shear-zone mylonites: Evidence for a major imprint due to late strain increments

Geometrical relations between quartz C-axis fabrics, textures, microstructures and macroscopic structural elements (foliation, lineation, folds…) in mylonitic shear zones suggest that the C-axis fabric mostly reflects the late-stage deformation history. Three examples of mylonitic thrust zones are presented: the Eastern Alps, where the direction of shearing inferred from the quartz fabric results from a late deformation oblique to the overall thrusting; the Caledonides nappes and the Himalayan Main Central Thrust zone, where, through a similar reasoning, the fabrics would also reflect late strain increments though the direction of shearing deduced from quartz fabric remains parallel to the overall thrusting direction. Hence, the sense of shear and the shear strain component deduced from the orientation of C-axis girdles relative to the finite strain ellipsoid axes are not simply related nor representative of the entire deformation history.     

Tectono‐metamorphic history recorded in garnet porphyroblasts: insights from thermodynamic modelling and electron backscatter diffraction analysis of inclusion trails

In a Barrovian metamorphic sequence, garnetiferous mica schists document a heterogeneously developed superposition of sub‐orthogonal fabrics and multiple garnet growth episodes. In the variably deformed domains, four types of garnet porphyroblasts have been defined based on inclusion trail patterns. Modelled garnet zoning in the MnNCKFMASHTO system indicates a prograde evolution from 4–4.5 kbar and 490–510 °C to 5–6 kbar and 520–550 °C in the earliest subhorizontal fabric progressing towards 6.5–7.5 kbar and 560–590 °C in the subsequent subvertical foliation. This fabric is heterogeneously deformed into a shallow‐dipping retrograde foliation associated with garnet resorption. In situ electron backscatter diffraction measurements of ilmenite inclusions in individual garnet grains yield precise data on included planar and linear elements. Consistent orientations of internal foliations, lineations and foliation intersection axis sets indicate a superposition of three sub‐orthogonal foliation systems. Weak variations of internal records with increasing intensity of deformation suggest that a moderate buckling stage occurred, but apparent lack of porphyroblast rotation is interpreted as a result of dominant passive flow. Coupling the orientation of internal fabric sets with P–T estimates is used to complement the tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the thickened crust. We demonstrate that garnet porphyroblasts preserve features which reflect large‐scale tectonic processes in orogens.     

Vorticity analysis in calcite tectonites: An example from the Attico-Cycladic massif (Attica,Greece)

Although calcite tectonites are widespread in nature their use to quantify flow vorticity is limited. We use new (micro-)structural, petrofabric and vorticity data to analyse the kinematics of flow in outcrop-scale calcite mylonite zones. These zones are genetically related to a crustal-scale NE-directed ductile thrust (Basal Thrust) that emplaced the Blueschist over the Basal unit during the exhumation of the Attico-Cycladic Massif. Calcite microstructures reveal that the last stage of deformation occurred at temperatures 200–300 °C achieved by mild heating, which is possibly related with the reburial of the Basal Thrust's footwall. Vorticity analyses were based on the degree of asymmetry of calcite c-axis fabrics as well as on the assumption that the orientation of the long axes of calcite neoblasts within an oblique foliation delineates the direction of instantaneous stretching axis. Both methodological approaches provide consistent estimates with a simple shear component between 55% and 82% (W_n = 0.76–0.96). The use of the stress axis (σ₁) orientation recorded by twin-c-axis-pairs to quantify vorticity generally gives significantly lower simple shear component. Comparison of our vorticity estimates with previous estimates inferred from quartz fabrics and rigid porphyroclasts reveals that exhumation-related deformation in the nappe pile was steady state.     

Sequential granite emplacement: a structural study of the late Variscan Strzelin intrusion, SW Poland

The Strzelin Massif in SW Poland (Central European Variscides) records a protracted igneous evolution, with three main magmatic stages: (1) tonalitic I, (2) granodioritic and (3) tonalitic II/granitic. In the northern part of this Massif, the Strzelin intrusion proper comprises three successively emplaced rock types: a medium-grained biotite granite (303 ± 2 Ma), a fine-grained biotite granite (283 ± 8 Ma) and a fine-grained biotite-muscovite granite; based on field evidence, the third variety postdates both types of the biotite granites. The structural data from the three granites, including their parallel, approximately E–W striking and steeply dipping lithological contacts and ENE–WSW trending subhorizontal magmatic lineations, suggest that the emplacement of all three successive granite varieties was controlled by an active, long-lived strike-slip fault, striking ESE–WNW, with a dextral sense of movement. After the emplacement of the youngest biotite-muscovite granite, the intrusion underwent brittle extension which produced “Q joints” striking NNW–SSE to N–S and dipping at 55–70° WSW to W, and showing evidence of broadly N–S directed sinistral displacements. The structural observations, supported by new geochronological data, indicate that the internal structure of the composite granitoid intrusion, including the faint magmatic foliation and lineation, formed in a long-lived strike-slip setting, different from the subsequent, post-emplacement extensional tectonics that controlled the development of brittle structures.     

Shear fracture pattern and microstructural evolution in transpressional fault zones from field and laboratory studies

Zones of transpressional shear deformation accommodate strike-slip and oblique-slip displacements. Field work in a transpressive shear zone, and transpressional analogue clay-box modelling, show that a P-oriented foliation and associated P-shears are preferentially developed over the more common R₁ Riedel-shears. The Carboneras fault system (CFS) in SE Spain is a left-lateral transpressional shear zone with an internal geometry characterized by first-order Y-oriented faults and widespread P-oriented second-order faults. The mesoscopic to microscopic gouge fabric reflects the regional architecture of the shear zone being dominated by a pervasive Poriented foliation and discrete Y- and P-shears. Friction experiments carried out to investigate the textural evolution of gouge fabrics showed four textural stages of fabric development, from foliation formation to extreme shear localization resulting in cross-gouge failure. Transpression clay-box models favoured the formation of secondary P-oriented shear fractures and P-oriented shear lenses. Further deformation caused differential shear lens rotation and shear lens orientations closer to the mean displacement direction. Our field studies and laboratory analogue experiments indicate that shear zones dominated by P-shears are diagnostic of a transpressional deformation regime.     

An experimental study of effect of pre‐existing fabric on deformation of foliated mylonite at high temperature and pressure

We performed deformation experiments on a foliated mylonite under high temperature and pressure conditions in this study. To investigate the effect of pre‐existing fabric on the rheology of rocks, our samples were drilled from natural mylonite with the cylinder axis parallel to the foliation (PAR) and perpendicular to the foliation (PER). We performed 25 tests on seven PAR samples and 21 tests on seven PER samples at temperatures ranging from 600 to 890 °C, confining pressures ranging from 800 to 1400 MPa, and steady‐state strain rates of 1 × 10⁻⁴, 1 × 10⁻⁵ and 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹. In the temperatures of 600–700 °C, the deformation is accommodated by semi‐brittle flow, with the average stress exponent being 6–7 assuming power law flow; in the temperature range of 800–890 °C, deformation is mainly by plastic flow, with an average stress exponent of n = 3 and activation energies of Q = 354 ± 52 kJ/mol (PER and PAR samples). The experimental results show that the strengths of PER samples are higher than those of PAR samples. Deformation microstructures have been studied by optical and electron microscopy. The original foliation of PER samples is destroyed by deformation and replaced by a new foliation, but the deformation of PAR samples followed the original foliation. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements show a strong lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of the quartz c axis fabrics of the starting samples and deformed PER and PAR samples. However, the c axis fabric of quartz in experimentally deformed PER and PAR samples varied with temperature and strain rate is different from that seen in the starting mylonite sample. The initial quartz c axis fabric of the starting mylonite sample has been transformed into a new fabric during experimental deformation. Dehydration melting of biotite and hornblende occurred in both PER and PAR samples at temperatures of 800–890 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thrusting and transpressional shearing in the Pan-African nappe southwest El-Sibai core complex,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Wadi El-Shush area in the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt is occupied by the Sibai core complex and its surrounding Pan-African nappe complex. The sequence of metamorphic and structural events in the Sibai core complex and the enveloping Pan-African nappe can be summarized as follows: (1) high temperature metamorphism associated with partial melting of amphibolites and development of gneissic and migmatitic rocks, (2) between 740 and 660 Ma, oblique island arc accretion resulted in Pan-African nappe emplacement and the intrusion of syn-tectonic gneissic tonalite at about 680 ± 10 Ma. The NNW–SSE shortening associated with oblique island arc accretion produced low angle NNW-directed thrusts and open folds in volcaniclastic metasediments, schists and isolated serpentinite masses (Pan-African nappe) and created NNE-trending recumbent folds in syn-tectonic granites. The NNW–SSE shortening has produced imbricate structures and thrust duplexes in the Pan-African nappe, (3) NE-ward thrusting which deformed the Pan-African nappe into SW-dipping imbricate slices. The ENE–WSW compression event has created NE-directed thrusts, folded the NNW-directed thrusts and produced NW-trending major and minor folds in the Pan-African nappe. Prograde metamorphism (480–525 °C at 2–4.5 kbar) was synchronous with thrusting events, (4) retrograde metamorphism during sinistral shearing along NNW- to NW-striking strike-slip shear zones (660–580 Ma), marking the external boundaries of the Sibai core complex and related to the Najd Fault System. Sinistral shearing has produced steeply dipping mylonitic foliation and open plunging folds in the NNW- and NE-ward thrust planes. Presence of retrograde metamorphism supports the slow exhumation of Sibai core complex under brittle–ductile low temperature conditions. Arc-accretion caused thrusting, imbrication and crustal thickening, whereas gravitational collapse of a compressed and thickened lithosphere initiated the sinistral movement along transcurrent shear zones and low angle normal ductile shear zones and consequently, development and exhumation of Sibai core complex.     

Strain partitioning in the mid-crust of a transpressional shear zone system: Insights from the Homestake and Slide Lake shear zones,central Colorado

Kinematic analysis and field mapping of the Homestake shear zone (HSZ) and Slide Lake shear zone (SLSZ) in central Colorado may provide insight into the interaction between subvertical and low-angle shear zones in the middle crust. The northeast-striking, steeply dipping HSZ comprises a ∼10-km-wide set of anastomosing ductile shear zones and pseudotachylyte-bearing faults. Approximately 4 km south of the HSZ, north–northeast-striking, shallowly dipping mylonites of the SLSZ form three 1–10-m-thick splays. Oblique stretching lineations and shear sense in both shear zones record components of dip-slip (top-up-to-the-northwest and top-down-to-the-southeast) and dextral strike-slip movement during mylonite development. Quartz and feldspar deformation mechanisms and quartz [c] axis lattice preferred orientation (LPO) patterns suggest deformation temperatures ranging from ∼280–500 °C in the HSZ to ∼280–600 °C in the SLSZ. Quartz [c] axis LPOs suggest plane strain general shear across the shear system. Based on the relative timing of fabric development, compatible kinematics and similar deformation temperatures in the SLSZ and the HSZ, we propose that both shear zones formed during strain localization and partitioning within a transpressional shear zone system that involved subvertical shuffling in the mid-crust at 1.4 Ga.     

Thrust tectonics in crystalline domains: The origin of a gneiss dome

Structural geological field work, microscopic and magnetic fabric studies have been applied in order to assess the structural origin of a gneiss dome, based on a regional example from the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Belt of NE Africa, the Wadi Hafafit Culmination (WHC). The culmination is dominated by a number of major shear zones, which form both the boundaries between the gneissic core and surrounding low grade successions as well as those of minor structural units within the gneisses. These shear zones form a linked fault system, which, based on shear criteria, fault-bend fold and overall geometric interrelationships, can be classified as an antiformal stack. The relative age sequence of the shear zones/thrusts with the highest thrust oldest and the lowermost youngest points to a forward-propagating thrust system. This, together with the shear criteria, exclude an origin of the WHC as a metamorphic core complex, where the highest shear zone should be youngest. The geometry of the WHC antiformal stack is documented by maps and sections as well as section balancing and restoration. Microscopic work showed brittle deformation in feldspar and dynamic recrystallization in quartz ribbons. The asymmetry of the fabric confirmed the macroscopically determined shear sense. However, there is one example of an earlier, perhaps extensional shear movement. Mylonitic foliation and transport-parallel lineation have also been determined by magnetic fabric studies. The observations suggest that thrusts may cut across both previously folded crystalline rocks as well as homogeneous granitoid plutonic bodies. According to the regional tectonic picture the large-scale structure of the gneiss dome originated after a phase of (late-orogenic) extensional collapse. It is speculated that during late-orogenic cooling the upper part of the lithosphere was sufficiently strong to allow brittle thrusting whilst the lithosphere as a whole was still weak enough to allow large-scale compressional deformation, perhaps in a transitional stage from lateorogenic to intra-cratonic deformation.     

Strain geometry,microstructure and metamorphism in the dextral transpressional Mubarak Shear Belt,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt

Mubarak shear belt provides an opportunity to investigate quantitative finite strain (Rs), proportions of pure shear and simple shear components, sense of shear indicators, subhorizontal to steeply plunging mineral lineations, in a dextral transpressional zone. The structural style of the Mubarak shear belt is consistent with dextral transpression within the Central Eastern Desert where dextral and reverse shear have developed simultaneously with the regional foliation. The high strain zone of the Mubarak shear belt is characterized by steeply dipping foliation with sub-horizontal stretching lineation (simple shear) surrounded by thrust imbrications with slightly plunging stretching lineations. Strain estimates from the Mubarak shear belt are used to determine how pure and simple shear components of deformation are partitioned. The axial ratios in XZ sections range from 1.16 to 2.33 with the maximum stretch, S _X , ranges from 1.06 to 1.48. The minimum stretch, S _Z , ranges from 0.65 to 0.92 indicating a moderate variation in vertical shortening. Volcaniclastic metasediments and metagabbros were subjected to prograde low-grade regional metamorphism in the range of greenschist to lower amphibolite facies (450–650°C at 2–4 kbar). Medium pressure (6–8 kbar at 530°C) was estimated from the high strain zone within the dextral strike-slip shear zones. Retrograde metamorphism occurred at a temperature range of 250–280°C. There is a trend towards decreasing the ratio of 100Mg/(Mg + Fe_tot + Mn) away from the high strain zone of the Mubarak shear belt. Integrated strain and temperature estimates indicate that the simple shear (non-coaxial) components of deformation played a significant role in formation and exhumation of the Mubarak shear belt during the accumulation of finite strain and consequently during progressive transpression and thrusting.     

The ductile shear zone in granitoid of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex,Turkey: Implications for the origins of the Tuzgölü basin during the Late Cretaceous extensional deformation

The Emizözü shear zone is the west–northwest-trending ductile shear zone within the A?açören granitoid in central Turkey. Deformation that affected the granitoid along the Emizözü shear zone resulted in mylonites with mylonitic foliation and stretching lineation. The textural features of the deformed minerals suggest that mylonitization occurred under conditions of upper greenschist facies. The shear indicators, including asymmetric porphyroclasts, oblique foliation, and shear bands, suggest a down-dip (top-to-the-southwest) displacement. The orientation of stretching lineation, as well as kinematic indicators, indicates the extensional character of the Emizözü shear zone. Although it is not precisely dated, the available age constraints suggest that the zone formed at 78–71 Ma. According to field and micro-structural data, the A?açören granitoid was most likely emplaced during a regional deformation in central Turkey, and synchronously or shortly after was overprinted by the extensional Emizözü shear zone. The zone can also be correlated with the earlier stage development of the Tuzgölü basin in central Turkey.     

Strike-slip and tectonics granitoid emplacement: an AMS fabric study from the Odenwald Crystalline Complex, SW Germany

Summary AMS fabric studies supported by field and microscopic work were applied to identify the internal structure and possible emplacement processes of the Variscan late-tectonic granodiorite-granite intrusions of the Unit III in the Odenwald Crystalline Complex. This Unit is bounded towards NW and NNE by steeply inclined shear zones, the southern part is unexposed. The magnetic susceptibility ranges between 10⁻³ and 10⁻⁶ SI units and is caused by paramagnetic and subordinately by ferromagnetic components. AMS ellipsoids are typically oblate with gently plunging long axes (lineations). AMS foliations and lineations trend mainly WSW-ENE and NNW-SSE, parallel with the NNW and ENE trending marginal shear zones of Unit III, respectively. As revealed by microstructural studies, a penetrative foliation in the plutons is related to emplacement processes. Therefore the observed AMS foliation and lineation are also interpreted as the result of syn-emplacement deformation which is dominantly strike-slip. Weakly inclined foliations around pluton roof xenoliths point to a component of buoyant rise of magma. It is suggested that the granitoid magma was generated in a low level anatectic zone along a left-lateral transpressive shear zone during local extension at releasing bends. During successive fault movements magma ascended through extensional parts of the shear zone. Local normal faults and the Otzberg zone at the eastern margin of Unit III document mostly brittle extension, which overprinted the strike-slip fabrics after the emplacement of the plutons.

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Zusammenfassung Horizontalverschiebungen und Granitoidintrusion: AMS Gefüge am Beispiel des SW Odenwaldes Durch AMS Gefügestudien und Gel?nde- und mikroskopische Arbeiten werden die Internstruktur und m?gliche Aufstiegsmechanismen des Granit-Granodiorit-Plutons der Einheit III des SW Odenwaldes erfasst. Dieser sp?t-tektonische, variscische Plutonkomplex ist nach NW und NNE durch steile Scherzonen begrenzt, das südliche Ende ist nicht aufgeschlossen. Die magnetische Suszeptibilit?t variiert von 10⁻³ bis 10⁻⁶ SI Einheiten und wird vor allem durch paramagnetische, untergeordnet auch durch ferromagnetische Komponenten verursacht. Die AMS Ellipsoide sind überwiegend oblat mit flachen langen Achsen (Lineationen). AMS Foliationen und Lineationen verlaufen haupts?chlich WSW-ENE und NNW-SSE, jeweils parallel mit den NNW und ENE orientierten Scherzonen am Rand der Einheit III. Nach mikrostrukturellen Ergebnissen entstand die penetrative Foliation der Plutone w?hrend ihrer Platznahme. Dabei entstand auch das beobachtete AMS Gefüge, das durch flache Lineationen und Horizontal-verschiebungen bestimmt ist. Flache Foliationen im Bereich der Xenolithe des Pluton-Daches sprechen für eine Komponente des gravitativen Aufstiegs des Magmas. Die granitoiden Magmen entstanden offenbar w?hrend einer Transpression mit sinistralen Horizontalverschiebungen in NNE-SSW-Richtung, in denen lokal auch Dehnung erfolgte. Dabei stieg das in der Tiefe gebildete Magma durch die Bereiche der Dehnung in der aktiven St?rungszone auf. Lokale Abschiebungen und die Otzberg Zone am Ostrand der Einheit III belegen überwiegend spr?de Deformation, die nach der Platznahme der Plutone die Gefüge der Horizontalverschiebungen überpr?gte.

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Received June 21, 1999; revised version December 24, 1999     

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.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of eclogites: Mineralogical origin and correlation with the tectonic fabric (Cabo Ortegal,Spain)

The fabric and the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of the Cabo Ortegal eclogite (NW Spain) are studied. These mafic rocks were metamorphosed and deformed under high pressures and temperatures between 390 and 370 Ma in a subduction/collision tectonic setting. Massive eclogite slices and deformed eclogite in shear zones have bulk magnetic susceptibilities of 31 to 82 · 10⁻⁵ S.I. and 28 to 75 · 10⁻⁵ S.I., respectively. The paramagnetic mineral fraction is the principal magnetic susceptibility carrier. This fraction includes notably garnet and clinopyroxene as matrix minerals, and ilmenite and rutile as accessory constituents. Though magnetic anisotropy degree varies between 3.1 % and 6.6%, variations of this parameter in each rock type are marked. In the deformed eclogite, magnetic lineation (K_max) and the pole to the magnetic foliation (K_min) are coaxial and coincident with macroscopic petrofabric elements (foliation and lineation). In the massive eclogite, the magnetic fabric is dispersed along the principal structural planes and inversions are associated with samples with small degrees of anisotropy. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility is interpreted as being due to the crystallographic preferred orientation and spatial organisation of the polymineralic aggregate. Relating the evolution of the symmetry of magnetic fabric to the symmetry of petrofabric or deformation is rather precluded since susceptibility has multiple origins and bulk magnetic fabric is due to minerals of different symmetry.     

North-west propagation of the Grenville orogen: Grenvillian structure and metamorphism near Key Harbour,Georgian Bay,Ontario, Canada*

Abstract We report structural and metamorphic data from a c. 25-km transect across the eastern Grenville Front Tectonic Zone (GFTZ) to the Britt domain at the northern end of Georgian Bay near Key Harbour, Ontario. Constrasting Grenvillian structural and fabric elements characterize the eastern GFTZ, northern Britt domain and a narrow Transition Zone between them. Moderately to steeply dipping foliations with strong down-dip lineations in all three divisions appear to be associated with NW-directed thrusting. In the Transition Zone and northern Britt domain, early S = L fabrics with steep lineations are overprinted by younger structures (S > L) with shallow, SE-SSE-plunging lineations in which sparse, dominantly (but not exclusively) normal-sense kinematic indicators are recognized. Pressure and temperature estimates from Grenvillian metamorphic assemblages in metadi-abase indicate that conditions of P ± 12 kbar and T c 800° C were achieved before or during the thrust-related deformation, with P-T-t paths that indicate near-isothermal decompression to P c. 4 kbar and T c. 700° C. Correlation of fabric elements with points on the P-T-t paths suggests that exhumation occurred during two stages, the first associated with thrusting (≥1035 Ma) and the second with extension and thrusting (pre-1003 Ma). The GFTZ contains steeply to moderately dipping, thrust-related fabrics and lacks shallow, extensional structures; the latest episode of thrusting in the GFTZ is inferred to have taken place at 990-980 Ma. The data are interpreted in terms of a tectonic model involving two stages of propagation of the Grenville orogen towards its foreland (≥1035 Ma and ≥980 Ma), with an intervening period of extension, although the tectonic regime probably remained compressional on the scale of the orogen.