高温高压下石英方解石断层带的摩擦滑动性状

在不同的温度、压力条件下进行了含石英和方解石断层泥标本的摩擦实验。结果表明,石英断层带的摩擦强度对压力的响应直到400℃都很明显,对温度的响应在高温(高于400℃)时才明显;方解石断层带的摩擦强度对温度很敏感,对围压的响应只在低温(200℃)时才明显;随温度升高,石英和方解石断层带均由粘滑转变为稳滑,但前者的转换界限在400℃到500℃之间,而后者在200℃到300℃之间。显微观察表明,上述差异归因于其具体变形机制的差别。      

DEFORMATION OF THE BRITTLE-PLASTIC TRANSITION ZONE AT THE POST-SEISMIC RELAXATION PERIOD: A CASE STUDY OF THE RED RIVER FAULT

The transition from microscopic brittle deformation to microscopic plastic deformation is called brittle-plastic transition, which is considered as a key layer for determining the limit of lower continental crust seismicity. The depth and deformation mechanism of the brittle-plastic transition zone is controlled mainly by temperature. Besides, the strain rate and fluid pore pressure also affect the transition during the different deformation stages at the seismic cycle. In this paper, microstructure observation of catalcastic samples collected from the Red River Fault was carried out using optical polarized microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphology, microstructures of deformation characteristics, mineral composition, water-rock reaction, pressure solution, exsolution, crack healing in the samples were systematically observed. The mineral components quantitative analyses were examined using the EDS. Water-rock reaction and pressure solution were systematically observed under SEM. The fabric of the main minerals in the samples was measured using electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD). Based on these analyses, the deformation mode was setup for the brittle-plastic transition zone of the fault during the post-seismic relaxation period. Both brittle deformation and plastic deformation were developed in the cataclastic samples. EBSD data shows that the c axial fabrics of quartz present low-temperature plastic deformation characteristics. The feldspar deformed as cataclastic rock, and the micro-fracture in feldspar was healed by static recrystallized quartz and calcite veins. The calcite vein underwent plastic deformation, which represents the post-seismic relaxation deformation. Based on the analysis of deformation mechanism of cataclastic samples in brittle-plastic transition zone of the Red River Fault, and combined with previous studies, we concluded that the brittle fracture and fracture healing is the main deformation mode at brittle-plastic transition zone in the post-seismic relaxation. High stress and high strain rate at post-seismic relaxation lead to brittle fracture of high-strength minerals such as feldspar in rocks. Plastic deformation occurs in low-strength minerals such as quartz and mica. Under the fluid condition, micro-fractures were healed by quartz and calcite. The minerals such as quartz and calcite in the fracture transformed from static recrystallization to dynamic recrystallization with stress gradually accumulating. With fracture healing and stress accumulation, the fault strength gradually increases which could accumulate energy for the next earthquake.     

北京北石城断层带与河防口断层带断层岩石显微构造研究

本文论述了糜棱岩类与碎裂岩类的变形特征,它们各自代表了不同的成因机制,反映了断层带经历过早期韧性剪切和后期脆性破裂的发育历史。根据断层岩石的显微构造特征,估算了断层带发育过程中两个阶段的温度、压力、应变速率、差异应力大小和方位,并讨论了韧性剪切带、地壳中弹塑性过渡带与大陆地震多发层之间的关系     

DEFORMATION MECHANISM OF GRANITIC ROCKS IN BRITTLE-PLASTIC TRANSITION ZONE

Field studies and seismic data show that semi-brittle flow of fault rocks probably is the dominant deformation mechanism at the base of the seismogenic zone at the so-called frictional-plastic transition. As the bottom of seismogenic fault, the dynamic characteristics of the frictional-plastic transition zone and plastic zone are very important for the seismogenic fault during seismic cycles. Granite is the major composition of the crust in the brittle-plastic transition zone. Compared to calcite, quartz, plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, the rheologic data of K-feldspar is scarce. Previous deformation studies of granite performed on a quartz-plagioclase aggregate revealed that the deformation strength of granite was similar with quartz. In the brittle-plastic transition zone, the deformation characteristics of granite are very complex, temperature of brittle-plastic transition of quartz is much lower than that of feldspar under both natural deformation condition and lab deformation condition. In the mylonite deformed under the middle crust deformation condition, quartz grains are elongated or fine-grained via dislocation creep, dynamic recrystallization and superplastic flow, plagioclase grains are fine-grained by bugling recrystallization, K-feldspar are fine-grained by micro-fractures. Recently, both field and experimental studies presented that the strength of K-feldspar is much higher than that of quartz and plagioclase. The same deformation mechanism of K-feldspar and plagioclase occurred under different temperature and pressure conditions, these conditions of K-feldspar are higher than plagioclase. The strength of granite is similar to feldspar while it contains a high content of K-feldspar. High shear strain experiment studies reveal that granite is deformed by local ductile shear zones in the brittle-plastic transition zone. In the ductile shear zone, K-feldspar is brittle fractured, plagioclase are bugling and sub-grain rotation re-crystallized, and quartz grains are plastic elongated. These local shear zones are altered to local slip-zones with strain increasing. Abundances of K-feldspar, plagioclase and mica are higher in the slip-zones than that in other portions of the samples (K-feldspar is the highest), and abundance of quartz is decreased. Amorphous material is easily formed by shear strain acting on brittle fine-grained K-feldspar and re-crystallized mica and plagioclase. Ductile shear zone is the major deformation mechanism of fault zones in the brittle-plastic transition zone. There is a model of a fault failed by bearing constant shear strain in the transition zone:local shear zones are formed along the fractured K-feldspar grains; plagioclase and quartz are fine-grained by recrystallization, K-feldspar is crushed into fine grains, these small grains and mica grains partially change to amorphous material, local slip-zones are generated by these small grains and the amorphous materials; then, the fault should be failed via two ways, 1)the local slip-zones contact to a throughout slip-zone in the center of the fault zone, the fault is failed along this slip-zone, and 2)the local slip-zones lead to bigger mineral grains that are in contact with each other, stress is concentrated between these big grains, the fault is failed by these big grains that are fractured. Thus, the real deformation character of the granite can't be revealed by studies performing on a quartz-plagioclase aggregate. This paper reports the different deformation characters between K-feldspar, plagioclase and quartz under the same pressure and temperature condition based on previous studies. Then, we discuss a mode of instability of a fault zone in the brittle-plastic transition zone. It is still unclear that how many contents of weak mineral phase(or strong mineral phase)will control the strength of a three-mineral-phase granite. Rheological character of K-feldspar is very important for study of the deformation characteristic of the granitic rocks.     

THE GEOLOGICAL AND ROCK MECHANICAL DISTINCTION EVIDENCE BETWEEN STICK-SLIP AND CREEP IN HOST ROCK SEGMENTS OF FAULT

Paleo-seismic and fault activity are hard to distinguish in host rock areas compared with soft sedimentary segments of fault. However, fault frictional experiments could obtain the conditions of stable and unstable slide, as well as the microstructures of fault gouge, which offer some identification marks between stick-slip and creep of fault. We summarized geological and rock mechanical distinction evidence between stick-slip and creep in host rock segments of fault, and analyzed the physical mechanisms which controlled the behavior of stick-slip and creep. The chemical composition of fault gouge is most important to control stick-slip and creep. Gouge composed by weak minerals, such as clay mineral, has velocity weakening behavior, which causes stable slide of fault. Gouge with rock-forming minerals, such as calcite, quartz, feldspar, pyroxene, has stick-slip behavior under condition of focal depth. To the gouge with same chemical composition, the deformation mechanism controls the frictional slip. It is essential condition to stick slip for brittle fracture companied by dilatation, but creep is controlled by compaction and cataclasis as well as ductile shear with foliation and small fold. However, under fluid conditions, pressure solution which healed the fractures and caused strength recovery of fault, is the original reason of unstable slide, and also resulted in locking of fault with high pore pressure in core of fault zone. Contrast with that, rock-forming minerals altered to phyllosilicates in the gouges by fluid flow through degenerative reaction and hydrolysis reaction, which produced low friction fault and transformations to creep. The creep process progressively developed several wide shear zones including of R, Y, T, P shear plane that comprise gouge zones embedded into wide damage zones, which caused small earthquake distributed along wide fault zones with focal mechanism covered by normal fault, strike-slip fault and reverse fault. However, the stick-slip produced mirror-like slide surfaces with very narrow gouges along R shear plane and Y shear plane, which caused small earthquake distributed along narrow fault zones with single kind of focal mechanism.     

Alteration and mass transfer inferred from the Hirabayashi GSJ drill penetrating the Nojima Fault, Japan

Abstract Mineralogical and geochemical studies on the fault rocks from the Nojima–Hirabayashi borehole, south-west Japan, are performed to clarify the alteration and mass transfer in the Nojima Fault Zone at shallow depths. A complete sequence from the hornblende–biotite granodiorite protolith to the fault core can be observed without serious disorganization by surface weathering. The parts deeper than 426.2 m are in the fault zone where rocks have suffered fault-related deformation and alteration. Characteristic alteration minerals in the fault zone are smectite, zeolites (laumontite, stilbite), and carbonate minerals (calcite and siderite). It is inferred that laumontite veins formed at temperatures higher than approximately 100°C during the fault activity. A reverse component in the movement of the Nojima Fault influences the distribution of zeolites. Zeolite is the main sealing mineral in relatively deep parts, whereas carbonate is the main sealing mineral at shallower depths. Several shear zones are recognized in the fault zone. Intense alteration is localized in the gouge zones. Rock chemistry changes in a different manner between different shear zones in the fault zone. The main shear zone (MSZ), which corresponds to the core of the Nojima Fault, shows increased concentration of most elements except Si, Al, Na, and K. However, a lower shear zone (LSZ-2), which is characterized by intense alteration rather than cataclastic deformation, shows a decreased concentration of most elements including Ti and Zr. A simple volume change analysis based on Ti and Zr immobility, commonly used to examine the changes in fault rock chemistry, cannot account fully for the different behaviors of Ti and Zr among the two gouge zones.     

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WATER ON THE STRENGTH AND DEFORMATION MECHANISM OF CARRARA MARBLE AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

We performed deformation experiments using Carrara marble in dry and wet conditions under temperature of 400~700℃ and confining pressure 300MPa with two different strain rates. Water contents of deformed samples were measured using FTIR spectroscopy. The microstructure and deformation mechanisms of samples were observed under optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy spectroscopy analysis. The mechanical data show that samples display strain hardening at 400℃, and transition to steady creep at temperature from 500~700℃. The strength of marble reduced gradually with elevated temperatures or decreased strain rate. However, water effect to the strength of the marble is significantly weak. Microstructures observed show that the deformation is cataclastic flow in dry samples, fracture and pressure solution in wet samples at 400℃. Samples underwent brittle-plastic transition at 500℃. Dislocation glide is major deformation mechanism for dry samples at 600℃. Dislocation climb and dynamic recrystallization are major deformation mechanism for wet samples at 600℃ and for all wet samples and dry samples at 700℃. Lower strain rate and higher water content could promote the process of pressure solution and diffusion as well as dynamic recrystallization.     

Principal Slip Zones in Limestone: Microstructural Characterization and Implications for the Seismic Cycle (Tre Monti Fault, Central Apennines, Italy)

Earthquakes in central Italy, and in other areas worldwide, often nucleate within and rupture through carbonates in the upper crust. During individual earthquake ruptures, most fault displacement is thought to be accommodated by thin principal slip zones. This study presents detailed microstructural observations of the slip zones of the seismically active Tre Monti normal fault zone. All of the slip zones cut limestone, and geological constraints indicate exhumation from <2?km depth, where ambient temperatures are ?100°C. Scanning electron microscope observations suggest that the slip zones are composed of 100% calcite. The slip zones of secondary faults in the damage zone contain protocataclastic and cataclastic fabrics that are cross-cut by systematic fracture networks and stylolite dissolution surfaces. The slip zone of the principal fault has much more microstructural complexity, and contains a 2?C10?mm thick ultracataclasite that lies immediately beneath the principal slip surface. The ultracataclasite itself is internally zoned; 200?C300???m-thick ultracataclastic sub-layers record extreme localization of slip. Syn-tectonic calcite vein networks spatially associated with the sub-layers suggest fluid involvement in faulting. The ultracataclastic sub-layers preserve compelling microstructural evidence of fluidization, and also contain peculiar rounded grains consisting of a central (often angular) clast wrapped by a laminated outer cortex of ultra-fine-grained calcite. These ??clast-cortex grains?? closely resemble those produced during layer fluidization in other settings, including the basal detachments of catastrophic landslides and saturated high-velocity friction experiments on clay-bearing gouges. An overprinting foliation is present in the slip zone of the principal fault, and electron backscatter diffraction analyses indicate the presence of a weak calcite crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) in the fine-grained matrix. The calcite c-axes are systematically inclined in the direction of shear. We suggest that fluidization of ultracataclastic sub-layers and formation of clast-cortex grains within the principal slip zone occurred at high strain rates during propagation of seismic ruptures whereas development of an overprinting CPO occurred by intergranular pressure solution during post-seismic creep. Further work is required to document the range of microstructures in localized slip zones that cross-cut different lithologies, and to compare natural slip zone microstructures with those produced in controlled deformation experiments.     

三轴压缩下两类砂岩变形破坏的实验研究

本文讨论了围压高达700MPa的条件下,发生实验变形的长石砂岩和石英砂岩的变形模式和变形机制。完整长石砂岩的脆延过渡带在200—400MPa,完整石英砂岩的脆延过渡带在250—350MPa,长石砂岩在600MPa围压以上出现高压脆化现象;两类切口岩石的稳滑粘滑过渡界限分别是200MPa和150MPa。不同的变形模式主要起因于程度不同的碎裂机制。文中还对矿物成分的影响、脆性行为之延伸等有关问题进行了简要讨论     

地壳岩石变形行为的转变及其温压条件

岩石脆延性转化 (brittle ductiletransition)和脆塑性转化 (brittle plastictransition)是不同的概念。脆延性转化指从岩石的局部变形破坏到宏观均匀流动变形的转化 ,它与宏观结构和力学行为的变化相关。脆塑性转化指脆性向晶体塑性变形的转化 ,它与力学行为和微观机制的变化相关。通过地壳中最主要的石英、长石的实验室和野外变形温压条件对比发现 ,达到相同的变形特征 ,在实验室和野外所需温压条件不同。建立变形机制图使解决这一矛盾成为可能。但受实验资料的限制 ,目前几种主要岩石的变形机制图还无法建立。因此 ,通过对实验与自然环境下变形特征及微观机制对比 ,找出两者温压条件的差别 ,就成为将实验研究结果外推解决实际地质问题的有效途径     

Acoustic Emissions Monitoring during Inelastic Deformation of Porous Sandstone: Comparison of Three Modes of Deformation

In some reservoirs, large deformations can occur during oil or gas production because of the effective stress change. For very porous rocks, these production operations can be sufficient to cause inelastic deformation and irreversible damage. Rock formations can undergo deformation by different mechanisms, including dilatancy or pore collapse. In the laboratory, it has been shown that the inelastic deformation and failure mode of porous rocks are pressure sensitive. Indeed, when subjected to an overall compressive loading, a porous rock may fail by shear localization, compaction localization, or by cataclastic compaction. Acoustic emission (AE) records provide important information to understand the failure mode of rocks: the spatial evolution of damage as well as the source mechanisms can be followed using this technique. In this paper, we present three different laboratory axisymmetric compression experiments, performed on Bleurswiller sandstone, which enable us to compare the acoustic emission signature of these three modes of deformation. Our data show that compaction localization and cataclastic compaction are characterized by similar acoustic signatures (in terms of AE sources characteristics and evolution of AE number), in comparison to the acoustic signature from shear localization. This implies similar micromechanisms involved during compaction bands formation and cataclastic compaction.     

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DEFORMATION FABRICS OF QUARTZ AND CALCITE IN SHEAR ZONE

Frictional experiments of samples with quartz and calcite sandwich have been operated under certain confining pressures, strain rate and different temperatures. Samples deformed and undeformed have been studied by means of microscope, TEM, and U-Stage. On the basis of this, changes of deformation micro-structures and fabrics of quartz and calcite aggragates with temperatures under condition of simple shear have been analyzed     

Frictional Properties and Microstructure of Calcite-Rich Fault Gouges Sheared at Sub-Seismic Sliding Velocities

We report an experimental and microstructural study of the frictional properties of simulated fault gouges prepared from natural limestone (96 % CaCO₃) and pure calcite. Our experiments consisted of direct shear tests performed, under dry and wet conditions, at an effective normal stress of 50 MPa, at 18–150 °C and sliding velocities of 0.1–10 μm/s. Wet experiments used a pore water pressure of 10 MPa. Wet gouges typically showed a lower steady-state frictional strength (μ = 0.6) than dry gouges (μ = 0.7–0.8), particularly in the case of the pure calcite samples. All runs showed a transition from stable velocity strengthening to (potentially) unstable velocity weakening slip above 80–100 °C. All recovered samples showed patchy, mirror-like surfaces marking boundary shear planes. Optical study of sections cut normal to the shear plane and parallel to the shear direction showed both boundary and inclined shear bands, characterized by extreme grain comminution and a crystallographic preferred orientation. Cross-sections of boundary shears, cut normal to the shear direction using focused ion beam—SEM, from pure calcite gouges sheared at 18 and 150 °C, revealed dense arrays of rounded, ~0.3 μm-sized particles in the shear band core. Transmission electron microscopy showed that these particles consist of 5–20 nm sized calcite nanocrystals. All samples showed evidence for cataclasis and crystal plasticity. Comparing our results with previous models for gouge friction, we suggest that frictional behaviour was controlled by competition between crystal plastic and granular flow processes active in the shear bands, with water facilitating pressure solution, subcritical cracking and intergranular lubrication. Our data have important implications for the depth of the seismogenic zone in tectonically active limestone terrains. Contrary to recent claims, our data also demonstrate that nanocrystalline mirror-like slip surfaces in calcite(-rich) faults are not necessarily indicative of seismic slip rates.     

断层脆塑性转化带的强度与变形机制及其流体和应变速率的影响

野外、实验和地震数据表明:浅部地壳的变形以脆性破裂为主,深部地壳的变形以晶体塑性流动为主.在这种认识的基础上,提出了地壳变形的2种机制模型,即发生脆性变形的上部地壳强度基于Byerlee摩擦定律以及发生塑性变形的下部地壳强度基于幂次蠕变定律.而位于其间的脆塑性转化带的深度与浅源地震深度的下限具有很好的一致性.然而,二元结构的流变模型局限性在于其力学模型过于简单,往往过高估计了脆塑性转化带的强度.问题的根源在于对脆塑性转化带的变形机制的研究已有很多,但没有定量的力学方程来描述脆塑性转化带强度;而且以往对断层脆塑性转化带的研究主要集中在温度引起的脆塑性转化方面,对因应变速率和流体对脆塑性转化的影响方面的研究也比较薄弱.对断层带内矿物变形机制研究表明,某些断层带脆塑性转化发生在相同深度(温度和压力)内,发生脆塑性转化的原因是应变速率的变化,而这种变化被认为与地震周期的同震、震后-间震期蠕变有关,这种变化得到了主震-余震深度分布变化的证实.对断层流体特征分析表明,断层带内可能存在高压流体,这种高压流体会随断裂带的破裂及愈合而周期性变化,在地震孕育及循环中起着关键性作用.高压流体的形成(裂隙愈合)有多种机理,其中,压溶是断层带裂隙愈合的主导机制之一.研究在水作用下的压溶,可以对传统的摩擦-流变二元地壳强度结构及其断层强度进行补充与修正.通过以上分析,认为有必要通过野外变形样品和高温高压实验,深入研究应变速率及流体压力对断层脆塑性转化的影响,同时,通过实验建立压溶蠕变的方程,近似地估计脆塑性转化带的强度.     

断层泥的再生显微结构特征及其地震地质意义

三轴剪切摩擦实验后的断层泥与天然断层泥的再生显微结构特征研究表明，断层泥的显微结构特征与断层滑动方式之间有一定的关系，稳滑使断层泥变形均匀，产生低角度剪切（＜１４°）、布丁构造和颗粒碎裂流动。粘滑使断层泥局部发生强烈变形、高角度剪切（＞１４°）和碎粒出现随机裂纹等。断层泥的再生显微结构特征可用作鉴别古地震的存在     

The Fluid Dynamics of Solid Mechanical Shear Zones

Shear zones in outcrops and core drillings on active faults commonly reveal two scales of localization, with centimeter to tens of meters thick deformation zones embedding much narrower zones of mm-scale to cm-scale. The narrow zones are often attributed to some form of fast instability such as earthquakes or slow slip events. Surprisingly, the double localisation phenomenon seem to be independent of the mode of failure, as it is observed in brittle cataclastic fault zones as well as ductile mylonitic shear zones. In both, a very thin layer of chemically altered, ultra fine grained ultracataclasite or ultramylonite is noted. We present an extension to the classical solid mechanical theory where both length scales emerge as part of the same evolutionary process of shearing the host rock. We highlight the important role of any type of solid-fluid phase transitions that govern the second degree localisation process in the core of the shear zone. In both brittle and ductile shear zones, chemistry stops the localisation process caused by a multiphysics feedback loop leading to an unstable slip. The microstructural evolutionary processes govern the time-scale of the transition between slow background shear and fast, intermittent instabilities in the fault zone core. The fast cataclastic fragmentation processes are limiting the rates of forming the ultracataclasites in the brittle domain, while the slow dynamic recrystallisation prolongs the transition to ultramylonites into a slow slip instability in the ductile realm.     

Investigations of thermal and elastic properties of rocks by means of a cubic press

Investigations of thermal diffusivity and elastic anisotropy have been carried out under high pressure. The pressure is generated by means of a cubic press with a special piston system. The thermal diffusivity for several granulite samples was measured by an impulse method. The elastic anisotropy was investigated for pyrophyllite and calcite. The calcite crystal undergoes a phase transformation in the investigated pressure range with a change of the character of anisotropy.     

中地壳断层带内微裂隙愈合与高压流体形成条件的模拟实验研究

中地壳断层带内发现的接近静岩压力的高压流体能够合理解释汶川M_S8.0级地震断层的高角度逆冲滑动, 而高压流体的产生与断层带的微裂隙愈合紧密相关.利用熔融盐固体介质三轴高温高压实验系统,我们采用含水和烘干的Carrara大理岩样品开展了微裂隙愈合实验,研究中地壳断层带内高压流体的形成条件.实验分为三类:A类、A+B类和A+B+C类,其中A阶段实验在室温条件下将样品压裂,形成一系列共轭破裂面,B阶段实验在600℃、围压700 MPa和应变速率10^-6s^-1条件下愈合了A阶段破碎的样品,实验样品从以碎裂变形为主向以韧性变形为主转变,C阶段实验通过快速降低轴压模拟一个扩容过程,再以相同实验条件重新加载样品,通过比较实验样品强度来检验样品的愈合程度.样品显微结构和实验样品强度表明,动态重结晶作用能够愈合微裂隙和孔隙,水能促进矿物的动态重结晶作用,较高的水含量和较大的应变有利于微裂隙和孔隙的愈合,从而有利于高压流体的形成.     

Quartz microstructures and deformation conditions in the Hatagawa shear zone, north-eastern Japan

Abstract Meso- and microscale structural analyses were carried out in the Hatagawa shear zone, north-eastern Japan. The shear zone is a sinistral strike–slip ductile shear zone, and has a 1-km wide north-south trending region where quartz mean grain size of approximately 35 μm does not vary significantly. Two types of quartz microstructures, A and B, occur in the western and eastern part of the shear zone, respectively. The lattice preferred orientation (LPO) patterns are characterized by a type I crossed girdle in the samples with the quartz microstructure A, and a Y maximum in the samples with the quartz microstructure B. The microstructures under optical and transmission electron microscopes indicates that the quartz recrystallization occurred predominantly by progressive subgrain rotation in microstructure A, and by both progressive subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration in microstructure B. This suggests different deformation conditions in the western and eastern parts of the shear zone. Quartz LPO patterns, presence of myrmekite, feldspar compositions, and dislocation density also suggest difference in the deformation conditions. The syn-deformation temperature in the western part of the shear zone was lower than that of the eastern part of the shear zone. The stress in the western part of the shear zone was higher than that of the eastern part of the shear zone. The difference in the deformation conditions would affect not only the quartz microstructure, but also the quartz LPO patterns and the presence of myrmekite around K-feldspar porphyroclasts.     

Melt-filled hybrid fractures in the oceanic mantle: Melt enhanced deformation during along-axis flow beneath a propagating spreading ridge axis

Mid-ocean ridges represent important locations for understanding the interactions between deformation and melt production, transport, and emplacement. Melt transport through the mantle beneath mid-ocean ridges is closely associated with deformation. Currently recognized transport and emplacement processes at ridges include: 1) dikes and sills filling stress-controlled fractures, 2) porous flow in a divergent flow field, 3) self-organizing porous dunite channels, and 4) shear zones. Our recent observations from the sub-oceanic mantle beneath a propagating ridge axis in the Oman ophiolite show that gabbronorite and olivine gabbro dikes fill hybrid fractures that show both shear and extensional components of strain. The magnitudes of shear strain recorded by the dikes are significant and comparable to the longitudinal extensions across the dikes. We suggest that the hybrid dikes form from the interactions between shear deformation and pressurized melt in regions of along-axis flow at mid-ocean ridges. The displacement across the dikes is kinematically compatible with high temperature flow recorded by plastic fabrics in host peridotites. Field observations and mechanical considerations indicate that the dikes record conditions of higher stress and lower temperature than those recorded by the plastic flow fabrics. The features of hybrid dikes suggest formation during progressive deformation as conditions changed from penetrative plastic flow to strain localization along melt-filled fractures. The combined dataset indicates that the dikes are formed during along-axis flow away from regions of diapiric upwelling at propagating ridge segments. Hybrid dikes provide a potentially powerful kinematic indicator and strain recorder and define a previously unrecognized mechanism of melt migration. Our calculations show that hybrid dikes require less melt pressure to form than purely tensile dikes and thus may provide a mechanism to tap melt reservoirs that are under-pressurized with respect to lithostatic pressure.