Microstructures associated with static and dynamic recrystallization of Carrara marble (Alpi Apuane,NW Tuscany,Italy)

The present contribution summarizes the first results of a study focusing on microstructures from Alpi Apuane marbles. Its aim is both an analysis of the evolution of the metamorphic complex recorded in marbles and the supply of basic material for process-oriented studies on calcite microstructures due to natural deformation. Quantitative analysis of the variations of statically recrystallized microstructures suggest a relationship with the peak metamorphic temperatures. Previously unrecognized post-thermal peak shear zones, showing overprint microstructures typical of grain-boundary migration and dynamic recrystallization, are described; they document the natural deformation of Carrara marble.     

Very high strains recorded in mylonites along the Alpine Fault, New Zealand: implications for the deep structure of plate boundary faults

Oblique displacement on the Alpine Fault, which forms the principal structure along the Australian–Pacific plate boundary in South Island, New Zealand, has resulted in exhumation of a kilometre-wide mylonite zone in the hanging wall adjacent to the current brittle fault trace. The mylonites formed under amphibolite facies conditions at depths of ca. 25 km and have been uplifted during the past 5 Ma. A suite of 65–70 Ma pegmatite veins in the hanging wall Alpine schists has been progressively deformed within the mylonite zone and sheared out over a strike length of ca. 100 km. Measurements of the thickness distribution of the pegmatite veins within the non-mylonitised schists and at three localities within the progressively strained mylonites have been used to estimate strain values within the mylonites. The thicknesses approximate a log-normal distribution, with a mean value that is progressively reduced through the protomylonites, mylonites and ultramylonites. By assuming that the thickness distribution currently observed in the schists was the same for the pegmatites within the mylonites before strain, a model of deformation incorporating simple shear and simultaneous pure shear is used to strain the undeformed veins until a fit is obtained with the strained distributions. Shear strains calculated range from 12 to 22 for the protomylonites, 120 to 200 for the mylonites and 180 to 300 for the ultramylonites, corresponding to pure shear values of 1–3 in each case. These values are compatible with the strains predicted if most of the surface displacement on the fault over the past 5 Ma were accommodated within a 1–2-km-wide mylonite zone through the middle and lower crusts. The results suggest that processes such as erosional focussing of deformation and thermal weakening may cause intense strain localisation within the lower crust, with plate boundary deformation restricted to narrow zones rather than becoming increasingly distributed over a widening shear zone with depth.     

Dating of deformation phases using K-Ar and 40Ar/39Ar techniques: results from the northern apennines

Paleozoic to Oligocene metasedimentary rocks present in the Alpi Apuane region of the Northern Apennines, Italy, have been sequentially deformed during a Tertiary progressive deformation. In an attempt to date the individual deformation episodes, over 50 conventional K-Ar and 11⁴⁰ Ar/³⁹Ar incremental gas release analyses have been carried out on fine grained white micas separated from samples whose structural settings were well known. Mineralogy, X-ray diffractometry, and thin-section analyses indicate that the constituent muscovite and phengite formed under metamorphic conditions of 3–4 kbars and 300–400°C during all deformational phases. Pre-existing micas were variably crenulated during each subsequent deformational phase. Both K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses were carried out on 0.6-2μm, 2–6 μm and 6–20 μm size separates of the phengitic white mica. Although the K-Ar apparent ages range from 11 to 27 Ma and are consistent with available stratigraphic constraints, the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra display variable internal discordancy. These isotopic data indicate that: (1) both the K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar total-gas ages decrease as the degree of crenulation increases; (2) the K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar total-gas ages decrease as grain size decreases; (3) for each sample, characteristics of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra depend upon grain size, with fine sizes yielding discordant patterns which systematically increase in apparent age from low to high temperature and (4) phengitic micas associated with earliest structures yield generally older ages than micas associated with later structures.The isotopic results are interpreted to indicate that the major deformation phase (D₁) occurred at approximately 27 Ma with subsequent pulses ending by c. 10 Ma. These results may be combined with finite strain data to suggest that the region was deformed at strain rates between 10⁻¹⁵ and 10⁻¹⁴ s⁻¹. A 27 Ma age indicates Mid-Oligocene initiation of plate tectonic activity in the Western Mediterranean and concomitant deformation in the Northern Apennines.     

Principal fault zone width and permeability of the active Neodani fault, Nobi fault system, Southwest Japan

The internal structure and permeability of the Neodani fault, which was last activated at the time of the 1891 Nobi earthquake (M8.0), were examined through field survey and experiments. A new exposure of the fault at a road construction site reveals a highly localized feature of the past fault deformation within a narrow fault core zone. The fault of the area consists of three zone units towards the fault core: (a) protolith rocks; (b) 15 to 30 m of fault breccia, and (c) 200 mm green to black fault gouge. Within the fault breccia zone, cataclastic foliation oblique to the fault has developed in a fine-grained 2-m-wide zone adjacent to the fault. Foliation is defined by subparallel alignment of intact lozenge shaped clasts, or by elongated aggregates of fine-grained chert fragments. The mean angle of 20°, between the foliation and the fault plane suggests that the foliated breccia accommodated a shear strain of γ<5 assuming simple shear for the rotation of the cataclastic foliation. Previous trench surveys have revealed that the fault has undergone at least 70 m of fault displacement within the last 20,000 years in this locality. The observed fault geometry suggests that past fault displacements have been localized into the 200-mm-wide gouge zone. Gas permeability analysis of the gouges gives low values of the order of 10⁻²⁰ m². Water permeability as low as 10⁻²⁰ m² is therefore expected for the fault gouge zone, which is two orders of magnitude lower than the critical permeability suggested for a fault to cause thermal pressurization during a fault slip.     

Quantitative finite strain and kinematic flow analyses along the Zagros transpression zone, Iran

The Ghouri area in southwest Iran exposes a cross section through the Zagros orogenic belt. The area provides an opportunity to investigate quantitative finite strain (Rs), kinematic vorticity number (W_k), proportions of pure shear and simple shear components, sense of shear indicators, steeply plunging lineations, and other moderate to steeply plunging stretching lineations in a transpressional zone. Based on a classical strain analysis of deformed microfossils with oblate strain ellipsoid shape, the Zagros orogenic belt is classified as a pure-shear dominated zone of transpression, but asymmetry of shear-sense indicators suggests that a significant component of simple shear was involved along the deformation zone boundaries. The long axes of the microfossils and stretched pebbles of a deformed conglomerate were used to indicate the stretching direction in this zone. The stretching lineations have a steep to moderate plunge but a constant strain magnitude. Characteristics of dextral inclined transpressional kinematics in the Zagros continental collision zone were quantified and indicate an estimated k-value < 1, an angle between the maximum horizontal axis of the instantaneous strain ellipsoid and the zone boundary (θ = 32°), asymmetrical dextral shear-sense indicators, and an angle of relative plate motion (α = 25°).     

Theoretical and natural strain patterns in ductile simple shear zones

A simple empirical model representing the variation of shear strain throughout a simple shear zone allows us to determine the evolution of finite strain as well as the progressive shape changes of passive markers. Theoretical strain patterns (intensity and orientation of finite strain trajectories, deformed shapes of initially planar, equidimensional and non-equidimensional passive markers) compare remarkably well with patterns observed in natural and experimental zones of ductile simple shear (intensity and orientation of schistosity, shape changes of markers, foliation developed by deformation of markers).The deformed shapes of initially equidimensional and non-equidimensional passive markers is controlled by a coefficient P, the product of

1. (1) the ratio between marker size and shear zone thickness

2. (2) the shear gradient across the zone.

For small values of P (approximately P < 2), the original markers change nearly into ellipses, while large values of P lead to “ retort” shaped markers.This theoretical study also allows us to predict, throughout a simple shear zone, various relationships between the principal finite strain trajectory, planar passive markers and foliations developed by deformation of initially equidimensional passive markers.     

西藏拉轨岗日构造带孔木韧性剪切带特征

在拉轨岗日构造带佩枯错新发现了一条韧性剪切带,至少存在3期变形。韧性剪切作用可能与应变能转化的热能有关,应变能常沿断裂集中,形成方解石脉;然后,经由北往南的逆冲推覆,形成(叠瓦状)逆冲推覆构造;最后,由于山体重力势能的作用,伸展跨塌。该剪切带成为藏南拆离系的组成部分。     

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

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

Evolution of a calcite marble shear zone complex on Thassos Island, Greece: microstructural and textural fabrics and their kinematic significance

The deformation history of a monophase calcite marble shear zone complex on Thassos Island, Northern Greece, is reconstructed by detailed geometric studies of the textural and microstructural patterns relative to a fixed reference system (shear zone boundary, SZB). Strain localization within the massive marble complex is linked to decreasing P–T conditions during the exhumation process of the metamorphic core complex. Solvus thermometry indicates that temperatures of 300–350°C prevailed during part of the shear zone deformation history. The coarse-grained marble protolith outside the shear zone is characterized by symmetrically oriented twin sets due to early coaxial deformation. A component of heterogeneous non-coaxial deformation is first recorded within the adjacent protomylonite. Enhanced strain weakening by dynamic recrystallization promoted strong localization of plastic deformation in the ultramylonite of the calcite shear zone, where high strain was accommodated by non-coaxial flow. This study demonstrates that both a pure shear and a simple shear strain path can result in similar crystallographic preferred orientations (single c-axis maximum perpendicular to the SZB) by different dominant deformation mechanisms. Separated a-axis pole figures (+a- and −a-axis) show different density distributions with orthorhombic texture symmetry in the protolith marble and monoclinic symmetry in the ultramylonite marble consistently with the observed grain fabric symmetry.     

Fluid flow, alteration and polysulphide mineralisation associated with a low-angle reverse shear zone in the Lower Palaeozoic of the Anglo-Brabant fold belt, Belgium

In the Lower Palaeozoic rocks of the Brabant Massif (Belgium), a recently discovered polysulphide mineralisation is related to a low-angle reverse shear zone. This shear zone has been attributed to the main early Devonian deformation event. Data from boreholes and outcrops allow a detailed investigation of the alteration pattern and palaeofluid flow along this shear zone. Macroscopic observations of the mineralogy and quantitative changes in the phyllosilicate mineralogy indicate that this shear zone is characterised by an envelope of intense sericitisation and silicification. In addition, chloritisation is associated with this alteration. The alteration zone may reach a thickness of 250 m. Ore mineralisation occurred synkinematically and is spatially related to the shear zone. The mineralisation consists of pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, stibnite and smaller amounts of tetrahedrite and other sulphosalts. It is concentrated in quartz–sulphide veins or occurs diffusely in the host rock. The mineralising fluids have a low-salinity H₂O–CO₂–CH₄–NaCl–(KCl) composition and a minimum temperature of 250–320 °C. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz vary between +12.3‰ and +14.5‰ SMOW, and δD compositions of the fluid inclusions in the quartz crystals range from −65‰ to −35‰ V-SMOW. The δD and the calculated δ¹⁸O values of the mineralising fluids fall in the range typical for metamorphic fluids and partly overlap with that for primary magmatic fluids. The δ³⁴S values, between +4.7‰ and +10.6‰ CDT, fall outside the interval typical for I-type magmas. Important migration of likely metamorphic fluids, causing a widespread alteration and a polysulphide mineralisation along a low-angle shear zone, has, thus, been identified for the first time in the Caledonian Anglo-Brabant fold belt.     

Strain measurements and tectonics of New Zealand

Measurements of shear strain from triangulation data have been made at 30 locations in New Zealand. The standard error of measurement in terms of strain rate is about ±1 · 10⁻⁷ y⁻¹ and values of up to 7 · 10⁻⁷ y⁻¹ are observed. Together with 22 fault-plane solutions for crustal earthquakes the measurements indicate broad-scale patterns of deformation. Between the Hikurangi and Flordland active margins is a 100-km-wide belt, the axial tectonic belt, with shear strain rate averaging 5 ± 1 · 10⁻⁷y⁻¹ and an azimuth of the principal axis of compression of 114 ± 8°. The rate of movement (45 mm y⁻¹) and direction (085°) between the Pacific and Indian plates from the Minster et al. pole can be accounted for by the measured strain in the axial tectonic belt through simple shear parallel to, and compression normal to, the belt. The similarity in the rates determined from triangulation data averaged over 20–100 years and from plate movement averaged over 5 m.y. indicates plate movement to be uniform in time. West of the axial tectonic belt in Nelson and Fiordland are two zones in which movement is highly oblique to plate movement, and can be explained by slip line deformation analogous to the deformation of Asia. The azimuth of the principal axis of compression in the Taupo rift and East Cape region is NE—SW, perpendicular to its direction in the axial tectonic belt, suggesting extension in the rift and East Cape region normal to the subduction zone.     

Particle paths, displacement and progressive strain applicable to rocks

If the particle paths are known for deforming continuous media such as rocks, the strain is determined at all stages of the deformation. The particle paths are studied for various types of simultaneous combinations of pure shear and simple shear. Any kind of progressive plane homogeneous strain can be expressed as a simultaneous superposition of pure shear and simple shear by selecting the proper ratio between the two strain rates and the proper angle between the slide direction of the simple-shear part and the principal axes of the pure-shear part. In the cases studied — except one — the angle between the slide direction of the simple-shear part and the principal strain rate of the pure-shear part is 45°. Several combinations of the simple-shear rate, γ, and the pure-shear rate, , are tested. These combinations give particle paths varying from sets of straight parallel lines to orthogonal hyperbolas. Distorted hyperbolas, ellipses and circles constitute the particle paths at intermediate ratios. From the particle-path equations — which are found by integration of the rate-of-deformation equations — the strain ellipse is readily determined at any stage of the deformation. One particularly intriguing result is the rotating and pulsating strain ellipse found in the cases when the particle paths are closed curves (ellipses). Application of the results to various fold-, thrust- and inclusion structures is suggested. In an appendix the treatment of rotational deformation as a superposition of irrttational strain and rigid rotation is considered for comparison.     

Late Cenozoic transpressional ductile deformation north of the Nazca–South America–Antarctica triple junction

The southern Andes plate boundary zone records a protracted history of bulk transpressional deformation during the Cenozoic, which has been causally related to either oblique subduction or ridge collision. However, few structural and chronological studies of regional deformation are available to support one hypothesis or the other. We address along- and across-strike variations in the nature and timing of plate boundary deformation to better understand the Cenozoic tectonics of the southern Andes.Two east–west structural transects were mapped at Puyuhuapi and Aysén, immediately north of the Nazca–South America–Antarctica triple junction. At Puyuhuapi (44°S), north–south striking, high-angle contractional and strike-slip ductile shear zones developed from plutons coexist with moderately dipping dextral-oblique shear zones in the wallrocks. In Aysén (45–46°), top to the southwest, oblique thrusting predominates to the west of the Cenozoic magmatic arc, whereas dextral strike-slip shear zones develop within it.New ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data from mylonites and undeformed rocks from the two transects suggest that dextral strike-slip, oblique-slip and contractional deformation occurred at nearly the same time but within different structural domains along and across the orogen. Similar ages were obtained on both high strain pelitic schists with dextral strike-slip kinematics (4.4±0.3 Ma, laser on muscovite–biotite aggregates, Aysén transect, 45°S) and on mylonitic plutonic rocks with contractional deformation (3.8±0.2 to 4.2±0.2 Ma, fine-grained, recrystallized biotite, Puyuhuapi transect). Oblique-slip, dextral reverse kinematics of uncertain age is documented at the Canal Costa shear zone (45°S) and at the Queulat shear zone at 44°S. Published dates for the undeformed protholiths suggest both shear zones are likely Late Miocene or Pliocene, coeval with contractional and strike-slip shear zones farther north. Coeval strike-slip, oblique-slip and contractional deformation on ductile shear zones of the southern Andes suggest different degrees of along- and across-strike deformation partitioning of bulk transpressional deformation.The long-term dextral transpressional regime appears to be driven by oblique subduction. The short-term deformation is in turn controlled by ridge collision from 6 Ma to present day. This is indicated by most deformation ages and by a southward increase in the contractional component of deformation. Oblique-slip to contractional shear zones at both western and eastern margins of the Miocene belt of the Patagonian batholith define a large-scale pop-up structure by which deeper levels of the crust have been differentially exhumed since the Pliocene at a rate in excess of 1.7 mm/year.     

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.     

Upwelling signals in radiocarbon from early 20th-century Peruvian bay scallop (Argopecten purpuratus) shells

We quantified Δ¹⁴C, δ¹⁸O, and δ¹³C cycles along ontogeny within four bay scallop (Argopecten purpuratus) shells collected from Callao Bay, Salaverry, and Sechura Bay, Peru following the 1907–1908 non-El Niño years and the 1925–1926 El Niño. Δ¹⁴C and δ¹³C generally covary; Δ¹⁴C and δ¹⁸O vary inversely. Simultaneous decreases in Δ¹⁴C and increases in δ¹⁸O in non-El Niño shells are followed by constant Δ¹⁴C and gradually decreasing δ¹⁸O, which we interpret as evidence for discrete marine upwelling events followed by warming of the initially cold upwelled water. Upwelling changes from El Niño events are detectable with difficulty in mollusk shell Δ¹⁴C.     

Structures,kinematic analysis,rheological parameters and temperature-pressure estimate of the Mesozoic Xingcheng-Taili ductile shear zone in the North China Craton

The NE to ENE trending Mesozoic Xingcheng-Taili ductile shear zone of the northeastern North China Craton was shaped by three phases of deformation. Deformation phase D₁ is characterized by a steep, generally E–W striking gneissosity. It was then overprinted by deformation phase D₂ with NE-sinistral shear with K-feldspar porphyroclasts forming a subhorizontal low-angle stretching lineation on a steep foliation. During deformation phase D₃, lateral motion accommodated by ENE sinistral strike-slip shear zones dominated. Associated fabrics developed at upper greenschist metamorphic facies conditions and show the deformation characteristics of middle- to shallow crustal levels. In some parts, the older structures have been in turn overprinted by late-stage sinistral D₃ shearing. Finite strain and kinematic vorticity in all deformed granitic rocks indicate a prolate ellipsoid (L-S tectonites) near plane strain. Simple shear-dominated general shear during D₃ deformation is probably of general significance. The quartz c-axis textures indicate prism-gliding with a dominant rhomb <a> slip and basal <a> slip system formed mainly at low-middle temperatures. Mineral deformation behavior, quartz c-axis textures, quartz grain size and the Kruhl thermometer demonstrate that the ductile shear zone developed under greenschist facies metamorphic conditions at deformation temperatures ranging from 400 to 500 °C. Dislocation creep is the main deformation mechanism at a shallow crustal level. Fractal analysis showed that the boundaries of recrystallized quartz grains had statistically self-similarities. Differential stresses deduced from dynamically recrystallized quartz grain size are at around 20–39 MPa, and strain rates in the order of 10⁻¹² to 10⁻¹⁴ s⁻¹. This indicates deformation of granitic rocks in the Xingcheng-Taili ductile shear zone at low strain rates, which is consistent with most other ductile shear zones. Hornblende-plagioclase thermometer and white mica barometer indicate metamorphic conditions of medium pressures at around ca. 3–5 kbar and temperatures of 400–500 °C within greenschist facies conditions. The main D₃ deformation of the ENE-trending sinistral strike-slip ductile shearing is related to the roll-back of the subducting Pacific plate beneath the North China Craton.     

Evolution of zircon deformation mechanisms in a shear zone (Lanzo massif,Western-Alps)

Magmatic zircons within two sheared gabbroic dykes from the peridotitic massif of Lanzo (Western-Alps, Italy) revealed evolution of deformation from crystal plasticity to rigid body rotation during shear zone evolution. This is the first time that multiple zircon grains have been analysed in a kinematic context in a shear zone. Zircon grains recorded crystal plastic deformation activating the commonly inferred <100>{001} and <001>{100} glide-systems to the newly identified <001>{110} glide-system. The exact selection of glide-system could be dependant of deformation conditions such as pressure, temperature, and strain rate. Moreover, the activation of one or several glide-systems within a single grain could be favoured by the primary orientation of the grains combined with a high strain rate. In these sheared gabbros, the deformation mechanisms evolve from plastic deformation at low strain rate conditions to increase strain, strain softening and localisation of deformation. The progressive shear zone development and the softening of the matrix relative to the zircon has lead to a switch from crystal-plasticity to rigid body rotation of zircon. The zircon grains rigid body rotation involved that their long axes became parallel to the lineation of the shear zone, causing reorientation and dispersion of the misorientation axes away from kinematic Y.     

Microstructural evolution during strain localization in dolomite aggregates

Dolomite aggregates deformed by dislocation creep over a wide range of conditions (T = 700–1000 °C, effective pressure of 900 MPa, strain rates of 10⁻⁷ – 10⁻⁴/s) strain weaken by up to 75% of the peak differential stress. Microstructural study of samples shortened to different finite strains beyond the peak differential stress shows that strain becomes highly localized within shear zones by high-temperature creep processes, with no contribution of brittle cracking. At low strains (8%), dolomite deforms homogeneously by recrystallization-accommodated dislocation creep. At progressively higher sample strains, deformation is localized into narrow shear zones made up of very fine (∼3 μm) recrystallized grains and relict porphyroclasts (20–100 μm). Finely-recrystallized dolomite grains in the shear zones are largely dislocation free and localized shear is facilitated by diffusion creep. In contrast, original dolomite grains and porphyroclasts in shear zones have high dislocation densities and do not deform after shear zone formation. Calculated strain rates in the shear zones are two to three orders of magnitude faster than the imposed bulk strain rate of the samples and these strain rates are consistent with predictions of the diffusion creep flow law for fine-grained dolomite.     

Reaction-induced weakening of plagioclase–olivine composites

The localisation of strain into natural ductile shear zones is often associated with the occurrence of metamorphic reactions. In order to study the effects of solid–solid mineral reactions on plastic deformation of rocks, we have investigated the shear deformation of plagioclase–olivine composites during the reaction plagioclase + olivine → orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + spinel (± garnet). Microstructures of plagioclase–olivine composites were studied after shear deformation experiments in a Griggs apparatus. Experiments were performed on anorthite–forsterite (An–Fo) and labradorite–forsterite (Lab–Fo) composites at 900 °C, confining pressures between 1000–1600 MPa and with constant shear strain rates of 5 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹.In absence of reaction, Lab–Fo composites are stronger than pure olivine and labradorite end-members that deform with a high temperature plasticity mechanism. Lab–Fo composites strain–harden due to the inhibition of extensive recrystallisation by interphase boundaries.In An–Fo composites, the reaction induces strain weakening by a switch from dislocation creep to grain size sensitive deformation mechanisms through the development of fine-grained (size < 0.5 μm) polyphase reaction products. Interconnecting layers of reaction products accommodate most of the applied strain by grain size sensitive creep. Recovery processes are pronounced during syndeformational reaction: original anorthite and olivine dynamically recrystallise by subgrain rotation and bulging recrystallisation. Presumably, the dynamic recrystallisation is caused by reduced stress conditions and partitioning of strain and strain rates between the new reaction products and the relict An–Fo grains. The results of our experiments are in good agreement with natural observations of shear localisation in the lower crust and upper mantle, and imply that anhydrous mineral reactions can be important causes for localisation of deformation.     

Spatial correlation of deformation and mineral reaction in experimentally deformed plagioclase–olivine aggregates

Shear deformation of hot pressed plagioclase–olivine aggregates was studied in the presence and absence of mineral reaction. Experiments were performed at 900 °C, 1500 MPa, and a constant shear strain rate of 5×10⁻⁵ s⁻¹ in a solid medium apparatus. Whether the mineral reaction between plagioclase and olivine takes place or not is controlled by choosing the appropriate plagioclase composition; labradorite (An₆₀) does not react, anorthite (An₉₂) does. Labradorite–olivine aggregates deformed without reaction are very strong and show strain hardening throughout the experiment. Syndeformational reaction between olivine and anorthite causes a pronounced strain weakening. The reaction produces fine-grained opx–cpx–spinel aggregates, which accommodate a large fraction of the finite strain. Deformation and reaction are localised within a 0.5-mm-wide sample. Three representative samples were analysed for their fabric anisotropy R* and shape-preferred orientation α* (fabric angle with the shear plane) using the autocorrelation function (ACF). Fabric anisotropy can be calibrated to quantify strain variations across the sheared samples. In the deformed and reacted anorthite–olivine aggregate, there is a strong correlation between reaction progress and strain; regions of large shear strain correspond to regions of maximum reaction progress. Within the sample, the derived strain rate variations range up to almost one order of magnitude.