Intracontinental thrusts and inclined transpression along eastern margin of the East Dharwar craton, India

Recent works suggest Proterozoic plate convergence along the southeastern margin of India which led to amalgamation of the high grade Eastern Ghats belt (EGB) and adjoining fold-and-thrust belts to the East Dhrawar craton. Two major thrusts namely the Vellikonda thrust at the western margin of the Nellore Schist belt (NSB) and the Maidukuru thrust at the western margin of the Nallamalai fold belt (NFB) accommodate significant upper crustal shortening, which is indicated by juxtaposition of geological terranes with distinct tectonostratigraphy, varying deformation intensity, structural styles and metamorphic grade. Kinematic analysis of structures and fabric of the fault zone rocks in these intracontinental thrust zones and the hanging wall and footwall rocks suggest spatially heterogeneous partitioning of strain into various combinations of E-W shortening, top-to-west shear on stratum parallel subhorizontal detachments or on easterly dipping thrusts, and a strike slip component. Although relatively less prominent than the other two components of the strain triangle, non-orthogonal slickenfibres associated with flexural slip folds and mylonitic foliation-stretching lineation orientation geometry within the arcuate NSB and NFB indicate left lateral strike slip subparallel to the overall N-S trend. On the whole an inclined transpression is inferred to have controlled the spatially heterogeneous development of thrust related fabric in the terrane between the Eastern Ghats belt south of the Godavari graben and the East Dharwar craton.     

Deformation Pattern in the Kurnool and Nallarnalai Groups in the Northeastern Part (Palnad Area) of the Cuddapah Basin, South India and its Implication on Rodinia/Gondwana Tectonics

The Proterozoic basins of India adjoining the Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB) in eastern and southern India contain both Mesproterozoic and Neoproterozoic successions. The intracratonic set-up and contractional deformation fo the Neoproterozoc successions in the Paland sub-basin in the northeastern part of Cuddapah basin and similar crustal shortening in contemporaneous successions lying west of the EGGB and Nellore Schist Belt (NSB) are considered in relation to the proposed geodynamic evolution of the the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents. Tectonic shortening in the Palnad sub-basin (northeast Cuddapah), partitioned into top-to-westnorthwest thrust shear, flexural folds and cleavage development under overall E-W contraction, suggests foreland style continental shortening within an intracratonic set-up. A thrust sheet containing the Nallamalai rocks and overlying the Kurnool rocks in the northeastern part of Palnad sub-basin exhibits early tight to isoclinal folds and slaty (phylllitic) cleavage, which can be correlated with early Mesoproterozoic deformation structures in the nothern Nallamalai Fold Belt (NFB). NNE-SSW trending folds and cleavage affect the Kurnool Group and overprint earlier structures in the thrust sheet. Thrusting of the Nallamalai rocks and the later structures may have been related to convergence of the Eastern Ghats terrane and the East-Dharwar-Bastar craton during Early Neoproterozoic (Greenvillian) and/or later rejuvenation related to Pan-African amalgamation of East and West Gondwana.     

Pan-African deformations in the basement of the Negele area, southern Ethiopia

Polydeformed and metamorphosed Neoproterozoic rocks of the East African Orogen in the Negele area constituted three lithostructurally distinct and thrust-bounded terranes. These are, from west to east, the Kenticha, Alghe and Bulbul terranes. The Kenticha and Bulbul terranes are metavolcano-sedimentary and ultramafic sequences, representing parts of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), which are welded to the central Alghe gneissic terrane of the Mozambique Belt affinity along N-S-trending sheared thrust contacts. Structural data suggest that the Negele basement had evolved through three phases of deformation. During D1 (folding) deformation, north-south upright and inclined folds with north-trending axes were developed. East and west-verging thrusts, right-lateral shearing along the north-oriented Kenticha and Bulbul thrust contacts and related structural elements were developed during D2 (thrusting) deformation. The pervasive D1 event is interpreted to have occurred at 620-610 Ma and the D2 event ended prior to 554 Ma. Right-lateral strike-slips along thrust contacts are interpreted to have been initiated during late D2. During D3, left-lateral strike-slip along the Wadera Shear Zone and respective strike-slip movements along conjugate set of shear zones were developed in the Alghe terrane, and are interpreted to have occurred later than 557 Ma. The structural data suggest that eastward thrusting of the Kenticha and westward tectonic transport of the Bulbul sequences over the Alghe gneissic terrane of the Mozambique Belt, during D2, were accompanied by right-lateral strike-slip displacements along thrust contacts. Right-lateral strike-slip movements along the Kenticha thrust contact, further suggest northward movement of the Kenticha sequence during the Pan-African orogeny in the Neoproterozoic. Left-lateral strike-slip along the orogen-parallel NNE-SSW Wadera Shear Zone and strike-slip movements along a conjugate set of shear zones completed final terrane amalgamation between the Arabian-Nubian Shield and the Mozambique Belt in Neoproterozoic southern Ethiopia.     

Focal mechanism inversion in the Giudicarie–Lessini seismotectonic region (Southern Alps, Italy): Insights on tectonic stress and strain

A set of 41 focal mechanisms (1989–2006) from P-wave first polarities is computed from relocated seismic events in the Giudicarie–Lessini region (Southern Alps). Estimated hypocentral depths vary from 3.1 to 20.8 km, for duration magnitudes (M_D) in the range 2.7–5.1. Stress and strain inversions are performed for two seismotectonic zones, namely G (Giudicarie) and L (Lessini). This subdivision is supported by geological evidence, seismicity distribution, and focal mechanism types. The available number of data (16 in G, 22 in L) does not make possible any further subdivisions. Seismotectonic zones G and L are undergoing different kinematic regimes: thrust with strike-slip component in G, and strike-slip in L. Principal stress and strain axes in each sub-region show similar orientations. The direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress is roughly perpendicular to the thrust fronts along the Giudicarie Belt in zone G, and compatible with right-lateral strike-slip reactivation of the faults belonging to the Schio-Vicenza system in zone L. On the whole, kinematic regimes and horizontal stress orientations show a good fit with other stress data from focal mechanisms and breakouts and with geodetic strain rate axes.     

Deciphering the Neoproterozoic history of the Hollow Fault,Avalon terrane,mainland Nova Scotia

Recognition and deciphering of the early history of fault zones is difficult because younger fabrics commonly overprint and obscure older ones. The Hollow–Greendale Fault system in the Avalon terrane of the northern Antigonish Highlands in mainland Nova Scotia has suffered many episodes of motion in the Paleozoic during development of the Appalachian orogen. Field relationship and petrographic observations indicate that its Neoproterozoic history is preserved as ca. 610 Ma NE- and NW-trending ductile shear zones within the Georgeville Group contact aureole of the intrusive syn- to late-tectonic Greendale Complex. Kinematic indicators within the NE-trending shear zone along the southwestern contact indicate dextral shear and are compatible with dextral shear indicators within the Greendale Complex and with the orientation of coeval regional F₁ fold structures within the Antigonish Highlands. The NW-trending shear zone along the northeastern contact represents either a step-over fault within a dextral shear zone or a zone of localized transpression associated with the emplacement of the Greendale Complex. Local preservation of Neoproterozoic shear zone fabrics within the Georgeville Group host rocks is attributed to the shielding effects of the proximal Greendale Complex, which acted as a rigid unit during Paleozoic deformation so that subsequent motion along the Hollow Fault was partitioned along the northeastern and southwestern contact of the complex. The Neoproterozoic history, combined with paleocontinental reconstructions, indicates that the Hollow–Greendale fault system was part of an important regional strike-slip fault zone within a volcanic arc regime along the periphery of Gondwana (Murphy et al., 1999a, Murphy et al., 1999b).     

Gold mineralization in the West Hoggar shear zone,Algeria

The Amesmessa gold prospect is located along a vertical N-S-trending crustal-scale ductile shear zone; stretching lineations are subhorizontal. This major shear zone is a Late Pan African dextral strike-slip fault of the Pharusian Belt of the Tuareg Shield (Algeria). The Amesmessa shear zone is asymmetric: strong thermal and deformational gradients are present along its western border where biotitic ultramylonites are in contact with a rigid Archean complex (In Ouzzal block), whereas there is a progressive gradation, through mylonite then protomylonite, to the Proterozoic gneiss of the Eastern block which displays co-axial Pan African structures. The Amesmessa shear zone is characterized by the presence of a felsic dike complex emplaced during shearing, and forming the most important parent material for ultramylonites. Basic magmas and carbonatites also intruded within the shear zone. The gold-rich quartz veins are located within the ultramylonitic western part of the shear zone. These N-S-trending laminated quartz veins formed during the late increments of shearing (plastic/brittle transition), by repeated syntectonic hydraulic fracturing along zones of rheological contrast parallel to foliation. The ore mineral association (pyrite, galena, native gold, sphalerite) crystallized in the deformed quartz matrix along late shear planes. Undeformed E-W trending banded quartz veins are present in the mylonitic eastern part of the shear zone; their gold content is low and no native gold has been observed. A strong hydrothermal alteration resulted in the development (along the walls of the N-S gold-bearing quartz veins) of a 5-m-wide carbonate-sericite-albite-pyrite secondary mineral association which implies an important CO₂ supply and moderate temperature conditions. There is no alteration halo around the E-W quartz veins. Ultramylonites, hydrothermally altered rocks and quartz veins display similar REE patterns characterized by strong LREE enrichments. Shear-related fluids could be likely parental fluids for the Amesmessa gold mineralization and the associated hydrothermal alteration. Hydrothermal fluids were drawn into dilation zones and filled opening fractures along the main planar discontinuity of the most deformed rocks. The supply of CO₂ may come from a deep-seated source as suggested by the presence of carbonatite dikes in the shear zones and the existence of CO₂-H₂O-rich fluid inclusions in quartz. The location of the gold-bearing quartz veins in the western part of the shear zone can be explained by the presence of strong thermal and rheological gradients.     

Origin and deposition of a graphitic schist-hosted metamorphogenic Au-W deposit,Macraes, East Otago,New Zealand

The Macraes gold-tungsten deposit occurs in a low-angle thrust system in biotite grade Otago Schist. Native gold, scheelite, pyrite and arsenopyrite are found in and adjacent to quartz veins and silicified schist of lenticular reef zones, where the thrust system cuts through graphitic pelitic schist. Mineralization is confined to a shear zone, up to 80 m thick, which is closely sub-parallel to the regional schistosity. Chemical alteration is dominated by silicification, with some addition of Cr and depletion of Sr and Ba. Alteration extends only about 5 m from major veins. Oxygen becomes isotopically heavier away from veins due to temperature decrease as hot fluids penetrated into cooler (250°C?) rock. Graphite within the shear zone rocks has reflectance of 6–7% (in oil), similar to graphite in medium-high grade Otago Schist, and is presumed to be metamorphic in origin. This graphite has acted as a reducing agent to cause precipitation of gold where the thrust system, acting as a conduit for metamorphic fluids, intersects the graphitic schist. The metals were derived from the underlying schist pile which may include an over-thrust oceanic assemblage containing metal-enriched horizons.     

Structural setting of Neoproterozoic mineralization,Asmara district,Eritrea

Late Neoproterozoic collision between East and West Gondwana concentrated transpressional deformation in the juvenile crust of the Nubian Shield in Eritrea along at least two steep, curvilinear crustal-scale belts, the Augaro-Adobha Belt (AAB) and the Asmara-Nakfa Belt (ANB). Volcanosedimentary rocks dominantly metamorphosed at greenschist-facies conditions characterize the belts. Each of these belts comprises a complex network of syn-metamorphic shear-fold structures. Steep strike-slip shear zones and accompanying vertical to steeply plunging folds dominated the latest phase of deformation. Quartz vein-hosted gold ± sulphide type and volcanic-hosted massive sulphide type deposits and occurrences are either deformed or hosted by these steep shear zones and folds. The deposits are broadly grouped into three major mineral districts, Asmara, Augaro and Bisha. The Asmara district, the main focus of this study, is located where the southern part of the Asmara-Nakfa Belt changes in strike from NNE–SSW to NNW–SSE. Combined field, micro-structural, and magnetic fabric studies are conducted in the sheared host rocks of a series of the mineral deposits and/or occurrences of the Asmara mineral district. These combined studies revealed that the Asmara area was subjected to a transpressional deformation accommodated in a complex and curved flower structure. Both the quartz vein and massive sulphide types of deposits are sheared, folded and generally spatially associated. The ore-bearing quartz veins are often concentrated along dilatant-extensional en-echelon fracture arrays in reverse and normal sense shear zones, and they either cut through or structurally overlie, the massive sulphide deposits. The massive sulphides that formed at the same time as the Neoproterozoic volcanosedimentary rocks were later deformed and metamorphosed with them. This study, along with previous investigations, further implies that the Asmara area represents an intra-arc, palaeo-oceanic trough or basin located over a west-northwestward dipping subduction zone that subsequently underwent transpression. The transpressional belts track the general locations of such oceanic basins into which ore-bearing fluids that resulted in various phases of vein type deposits were channeled. This study can help to locate new prospects and develop existing ore deposits and/or occurrences in Neoproterozoic Eritrea and elsewhere in areas of similar structural setting.     

Analysis of structural deformation in the North Dabashan thrust belt,South Qinling,central China

The North Dabashan thrust belt, which is located in South Qinling, is bounded by the Ankang fault on the north and the Chengkou–Fangxian fault on the south. The North Dabashan thrust belt experienced multiple stages of structural deformation that were controlled by three palaeostress fields. The first structural event (Middle Triassic) involved NNW–SSE shortening and resulted in the formation of numerous dextral strike-slip structures along the entire Chengkou–Fangxian fault zone and within the North Dabashan thrust belt, which suggests that the South China Block moved to the NW and was obliquely subducted under the North China Block. The second structural event (Late Triassic–Early Jurassic) involved NE–SW shortening that formed NW–SE-trending structures in the North Dabashan thrust belt. The third structural event (Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous) involved ENE–WSW or nearly E–W shortening and resulted in additional thrusting of the North Dabashan thrust belt to the WSW and formation of the WSW-convex Chengkou–Fangxian fault zone, which has an oroclinal shape. Owing to the pinning of the Hannan massif and Shennongjia massif culminations, numerous sinistral strike-slip structures developed along the eastern Chengkou–Fangxian fault zone and were superimposed over the early dextral strike-slip structures.     

秦岭商丹断裂带南侧弧前沉积体的变形特征及其构造意义

本文选取秦岭商丹断裂带以南,南秦岭刘岭群以北的弧前沉积体为研究对象,研究扬子板块向北秦岭俯冲的运动学特征。这套弧前沉积体产状北倾,矿物拉伸线理为倾向线理,岩片强烈褶皱,断裂发育,表现出由北向南逆冲的运动学特征。利用糜棱岩与云母石英片岩中矿物变形温度计,结合石英C轴组构估算岩石变形温度集中在400℃～550℃之间。结合其所处的构造位置,本文认为这套强烈变形的岩石构造组合体形成于秦岭古岛弧弧前沉积背景,在扬子板块向北秦岭俯冲过程中,北秦岭沿着商丹带由北向南逆冲形成。后期又遭受商丹韧性剪切带左行走滑活动的改造。     

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.     

Basement deformation: tertiary folding and fracturing of the Variscan Bielsa granite (Axial zone,central Pyrenees)

The Bielsa thrust sheet is a south-verging unit of the Axial zone in the central Pyrenees. The Bielsa thrust sheet consists predominantly of a Variscan granite unconformably overlain by a thin cover of Triassic and Cretaceous deposits. During the Eocene–Oligocene, Pyrenean compression, displacement of the Bielsa thrust sheet generated a large-scale south-verging monocline. Low temperature deformation of the Bielsa thrust sheet resulted in the development of: (1) E–W trending, asymmetric folds in the Triassic cover with amplitudes up to 1.5 km; these folds of the cover are related with normal and reverse faults in the granite and with rigid-body block rotations. (2) Pervasive fracturing within the Bielsa granite is also attributed to Pyrenean deformation and is consistent with a NNE to ENE shortening direction; two main, conjugate fault systems are associated with this direction of shortening, as is a subvertical strike-slip system with shallow-plunging slickenside lineations and a moderately dipping fault system with reverse movement; and (3) in addition, we recognise strike-slip and reverse shear bands, associated with sericitisation and brittle deformation of quartz and feldspar in the granite, that enclose Triassic rocks. Basement deformation within the Bielsa thrust sheet can be related to movement of faults developed to accommodate internal deformation of the hanging wall. Several models are proposed to account for this deformation during the southward displacement of the thrust.     

Mesoproterozoic ophiolitic mélange from the SE periphery of the Indian plate: U–Pb zircon ages and tectonic implications

The Kanigiri mélange within the Proterozoic Nellore–Khammam schist belt in southern Peninsular India includes ophiolitic fragments that represent the remnants of an oceanic plate. The ophiolitic units were accreted along a NE-trending suture that juxtaposes the Proterozoic Eastern Ghats Granulite Belt (EGGB) against the Archean Nellore Schist Belt of the Dharwar craton. The ophiolite components in the Kanigiri mélange include plagiogranites and gabbros which show mutually intrusive relations indicating their coeval nature. We report laser ablation-ICP-MS age data and REE geochemistry of zircons from the gabbro and granite. The zircons from both gabbro and granite show high REE contents, prominent HREE enrichment and a conspicuous negative Eu anomaly, suggesting a common melt source. Zircon REE abundances and normalized patterns show little intersample and intrasample variations. U–Pb dating of the zircons reveals prominent Mesoproterozoic ages for the plagiogranite, with the ca.1.33 Ga age of the Kanigiri ophiolitic mélange offering important clues for arc–continent collision during the final stages of amalgamation of the Columbia-derived fragments within the Neoproterozoic supercontinent assembly.     

Numerical modelling of mechanical controls on coeval steep and shallow dipping auriferous quartz vein formation in a thrust zone,Macraes mine,New Zealand

The Hyde-Macraes Shear Zone (HMSZ) is a regionally continuous, low-angle, NE dipping (~15°) late-metamorphic thrust zone in the Mesozoic Otago Schist. The shear zone, which is host to large volumes of mineralised schist, consists of foliated fissile schist with some massive schist pods. Two sets of quartz veins are found within the HMSZ: thrust-related, shallowly dipping veins that were emplaced parallel or sub-parallel to the shears and swarms of steeply dipping extensional veins, which cut across the metamorphic foliation. The latter are restricted to the massive schist pods. Mutual cross-cutting relationships occur between steep extensional veins and shallow-dipping veins, suggesting that they formed contemporaneously. The co-existence of these two vein types locally implies local rotation of the principal stress axes to produce extensional veins within a regional thrust setting. The steep extensional veins are spatially related to lateral and oblique ramps within the HMSZ. Three-dimensional mechanical models show that these lateral or oblique ramps can produce favourable conditions for extensional vein formation when combined with a high fluid pressure and oblique convergence. Mechanical requirements include a reduced differential stress, a positive volumetric strain and an increase in the horizontal shear stress. Our models show that under certain conditions, it is possible for extension-related structures to form during shortening because of local changes in the stress state without the need for a regional scale switch in the imposed stress field. The convergence direction across the HMSZ during formation of the steep extensional veins was ~WNW.     

川主寺—黄龙左行走滑剪切断层和松潘—平武剪切转换构造体制

石炭系碳酸盐岩中大规模断层崖残留体是研究区新构造变动的显著地貌特征。相关摩擦滑动面的产状、擦痕线理定向及其运动学标志的野外观测数据表明,西起川主寺,东抵黄龙乡,中更新世(Q2)以来存在一条近东西走向的左行走滑断层。沿川主寺—黄龙左行走滑断层的位移在切错了近SN走向的岷山隆起后,向东追踪并改造先存的雪山逆冲断层,在黄龙乡以东通过3种方式发生了构造和位移转换,即(1)其前方北侧派生出一系列NE走向的左行剪切断裂;(2)沿走向位移逐渐减弱为顺层滑动;(3)其前方南侧转化为沿近SN向虎牙断裂的左旋斜冲。川主寺—黄龙断裂的构造几何学和运动学特征及其与岷江、虎牙冲断层的构造联系,支持一个左行剪切转换构造体制。松潘—平武地区的卫星遥感图像,1970—2008年的地震活动性,以及1991年以来4次GPS重复测量结果所建立的现今位移矢量场等证据表明,川主寺—黄龙左行走滑断裂系统是继东昆仑—岷江断裂组合之后发育起来的、现在仍然活动的剪切转换断裂构造,是青藏高原东缘东北角的典型地震构造样式之一,反映了青藏高原物质具有向东逃逸的趋势。     

河南省西峡—内乡北部元古界与古生界间的构造边界

构造制图和详细的构造解析,在东秦岭造山带核部识别出一个原先未曾注意的元古代变质岩区与古生代变质岩区间的构造边界——军马河-马蹄湾断裂带。实际上,这个构造边界是一个底部韧性变形带,带内发育构造混杂岩、糜棱岩和强直片麻岩。本文阐述了各种几何学特征,它们表明变形是发生在一个缓倾斜的剪切带之上。大量的运动学标志指出,在中生代花岗岩类岩体就位前,再造的元古代变质岩区沿着构造边界向北逆冲于古生代变质岩区之上。     

A new tectonic model for Abu-Dabbab seismogenic zone (Eastern Desert,Egypt): evidence from field-structural,EMR and seismic data

Abu-Dabbab area is the most active seismic zone in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, where seismic activities are daily recorded. The reported earthquakes are microearthquakes of local magnitudes (ML < 2.0). A spatial distribution of these microearthquakes shows that the earthquakes of the area follow an ENE–WSW trending pattern, which is nearly perpendicular to the Red Sea Rift. Focal mechanisms of different fault styles were recognized with dominant normal faulting (with a strike-slip component) events characterized by focal depths greater than 7 km and reverse ones of shallower focal depths. Several lines of evidence indicating that the brittle-ductile transition zone underlies the Abu-Dabbab area occurs at a relatively shallow depth (10–12 km) and it is acting as a low-angle normal shear zone (LANF). Field-structural, EMR and seismic data (this study) reveal that the maximum compressive stress (σ1) in the area is perturbed from the regional NW–SE direction to ENE–WSW orientation. This stress rotation is evidently akin to the reactivation of the crustal scale Najd Fault System (NFS), where such reactivation is attributed to the ongoing activity/opening of the Red Sea. Our tectonic model proposes that the continuous activity on the brittle-ductile transition zone including the LANF led to stress localization, which triggering a brittle deformation in the upper crustal-levels and associated shallow dipping thrusts. Such bimodal tectonic model suggests that the deep earthquakes are owing to the tectonic movement on the LANF (transtension), whereas the shallow earthquakes are related to a brittle deformation inside the fault blocks of the upper crust (transpression). Deformation creep along this zone didn’t permit continuous accumulation of strain and hence reduce the possible occurrence of large earthquakes.     

The Nassara gold prospect,Gaoua District,southwestern Burkina Faso

The Nassara-Au prospect is located in the Birimian Boromo Greenstone Belt in southwestern Burkina Faso. It is part of a larger mineralized field that includes the Cu–Au porphyry system of Gaoua, to the north. At Nassara, mineralization occurs within the West Batié Shear Zone that follows the contact between volcanic rocks (basalt and andesite) and volcano-sediments (pyroclastics and black shales) at the southern termination of the Boromo Belt. Gold is associated with pyrite and other Fe-bearing minerals that occur disseminated within the sheared volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks. In particular, highest grades are distinguished in alteration halos of small quartz–albite–ankerite veins that form networks along the shear zone. Here, pyrites are marked by As-poor and As-rich growth zones, the latter containing gold inclusions. Gold mineralization formed during D2_NA. Subsequent shear fractures related to D3_NA related are devoid of gold. Nassara is a classical orogenic gold occurrence where gold is associated to disseminated pyrite along quartz veins.     

Active tectonics and strain partitioning along dextral fault system in Central Iran: Analysis of geomorphological observations and geophysical data in the Kashan region

This paper uses high-resolution images and field investigations, in conjunction with seismic reflection data, to constrain active structural deformation in the Kashan region of Central Iran. Offset stream beds and Qanats indicate right-lateral strike slip motion at a rate of about 2 mm/yr along the NW–SE trending Qom-Zefreh fault zone which has long been recognized as one of the major faults in Central Iran. However, the pattern of drainage systems across the active growing folds including deep incision of stream beds and deflected streams indicate uplift at depth on thrust faults dipping SW beneath the anticlines. Therefore, our studies in the Kashan region indicate that deformation occurs within Central Iran which is often considered to behave as a non-deforming block within the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. The fact that the active Qom-Zefreh strike-slip fault runs parallel to the active folds, which overlie blind thrust faults, suggests that oblique motion of Arabia with respect to Eurasia is partitioned in this part of Central Iran.     

弥散性走滑条件下底辟构造特征研究:以莺歌海盆地为例

实验以莺歌海底辟构造为典型实例设计3组砂箱物理模型,探讨弧形弥散性基底走滑与上覆同构造沉积对底辟构造样式及演化过程的影响。砂箱物理模拟表明:物质变形主要集中在弥散性剪切带内、且断裂特征与底辟带形成演化具有一定耦合性。底辟带断裂欠发育、以塑性应变为主,仅在底辟翼部和顶部分别形成小型逆冲断层和放射状裂隙;但底辟带外缘普遍发育高角度弥散性走滑断裂体系。沿弧形走滑剪切方向,底辟物质斜向生长由倾向外弧逐渐转变为倾向内弧,导致其平面上为非对称结构形态。同构造沉积地层与底辟相互作用控制了底辟生长结构及上覆地层的变形,底辟通过逐渐减小刺穿以响应上覆沉积载荷的增加。基于比例模型模拟结果与莺歌海盆地典型底辟带构造特征具有一定相似性,揭示出莺歌海盆地底辟构造及分布特征受红河断裂带弥散性走滑与同构造沉积过程共同控制。