Inclusion-localised crystal-plasticity,dynamic porosity,and fast-diffusion pathway generation in zircon

A population of oscillatory zoned, igneous zircon grains in a Javanese andesite contains fluid and mineral inclusions (up to 10 μm across) trapped during zircon growth. Orientation contrast imaging and orientation mapping by electron backscatter diffraction reveal that crystal-plastic deformation overprints growth zoning and has localized around 1–10 μm pores and inclusions. Cumulative crystallographic misorientation of up to 25° around pores and inclusions in zircon is predominantly accommodated by low-angle (<5°) orientation boundaries, with few free dislocations in subgrain interiors. Low-angle boundaries are curved, with multiple orientation segments at the sub-micrometer scale. Misorientation axes associated with the most common boundaries align with the zircon c-axis and are consistent with dislocation creep dominated by <100>(010) slip. A distinctly different population of sub-micron pores is present along subgrain boundaries and their triple junctions. These are interpreted to have formed as a geometric consequence of dislocation interaction during crystal-plasticity. Dislocation creep microstructures are spatially related to differences in cathodoluminescence spectra that indicate variations in the abundance of CL-active rare earth elements. The extent of the modification suggests deformation-related fast-pathway diffusion distances that are over five orders of magnitude greater than expected for volume diffusion. This enhanced diffusion is interpreted to represent a combination of fast-diffusion pathways associated with creep cavitation, dislocations and along low-angle boundaries. These new data indicate that ductile deformation localised around inclusions can provide fast pathways for geochemical exchange. These pathways may provide links to the zircon grain boundary, thus negating the widely held assumption that inclusions in fracture-free zircon are geochemically armoured once they are physically enclosed.     

Deformation-related microstructures in magmatic zircon and implications for diffusion

An undeformed glomeroporphyritic andesite from the Sunda Arc of Java, Indonesia, contains zoned plagioclase and amphibole glomerocrysts in a fine-grained groundmass and records a complex history of adcumulate formation and subsequent magmatic disaggregation. A suite of xenocrystic zircon records Proterozoic and Archaean dates whilst a discrete population of zoned, euhedral, igneous zircon yields a SHRIMP U-Pb crystallisation age of 9.3 ± 0.2 Ma. Quantitative microstructural analysis of zircon by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) shows no deformation in the inherited xenocrysts, but intragrain orientation variations of up to 30° in 80% of the young zircon population. These variations are typically accommodated by both progressive crystallographic bending and discrete low angle boundaries that overprint compositional growth zoning. Dispersion of crystallographic orientations are dominantly by rotation about an axis parallel to the zircon c-axis [001], which is coincident with the dominant orientation of misorientation axes of adjacent analysis points in EBSD maps. Less common <100> misorientation axes account for minor components of crystallographic dispersion. These observations are consistent with zircon deformation by dislocation creep and the formation of tilt and twist boundaries associated with the operation of <001>{100} and <100>{010} slip systems. The restriction of deformation microstructures to large glomerocrysts and the young magmatic zircon population, and the absence of deformation within the host igneous rock and inherited zircon grains, indicate that zircon deformation took place within a low-melt fraction (<5% melt), mid-lower crustal cumulate prior to fragmentation during magmatic disaggregation and entrainment of xenocrystic zircons during magmatic decompression. Tectonic stresses within the compressional Sunda Arc at the time of magmatism are considered to be the probable driver for low-strain deformation of the cumulate in the late stages of initial crystallisation. These results provide the first evidence of crystal plastic dislocation creep in zircon associated with magmatic crystallisation and indicate that the development of crystal-plastic microstructures in zircon is not restricted to high-strain rocks. Such microstructures have previously been shown to enhance bulk diffusion of trace elements (U, Th and REE) in zircon. The development of deformation microstructures, and therefore multiple diffusion pathways in zircon in the magmatic environment, has significant implications for the interpretation of geochemical data from igneous zircon and the trace element budgets of melts due to the potential enhancement of bulk diffusion and dissolution rates.     

Cordierite microstructure and texture in a moldanubian gneiss

The microstructure and texture in cordierites of a moldanubian gneiss from the Bohemian Massif has been analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and universal stage in order to get information on the deformation mechanisms and textural development of this rock-forming mineral. Deformation may have taken place at temperatures between about 500° C and 630° C and pressures smaller than about 3 kb. The elongated cordierite xenoblasts show a typical dislocation creep microstructure consisting of subgrain boundaries and free dislocations. The dislocations have [001], [010] and 1/2<110> Burgers vectors. [001] dislocations often have pure screw and edge character the latter type being climb-dissociated on (001). Among the dislocations reactions are common. The main subgrain boundaries observed are (010)[001], {110}[001] and (001)[010] tilt boundaries. Burgers vectors and dislocation line directions reveal (100)[001], (010)[001], (100)[010], {110} 1/2<110> and (001)1/2<110> as activated slip systems. The crystallographic preferred orientation (here referred to as texture) consists of a [001] maximum in the foliation parallel to the mineral lineation. [100] and [010] maxima are perpendicular to it within and normal to the foliation, respectively, with a girdle tendency normal to the lineation. The texture may be explained by simple shear deformation on the {hkO}[001] slip systems with preference of (010)[001].     

Plastic deformation of metamorphic pyrite: new evidence from electron-backscatter diffraction and forescatter orientation-contrast imaging

Application of new scanning electron microscope techniques to the study of deformed metamorphic pyrite reveals evidence for plastic deformation not readily recognised by more traditional methods. Specifically, use of forescatter solid-state detectors in conjunction with tilted polished specimens of pyritic ore produces high quality crystallographic orientation contrast images, which map the distribution of deformation domains within grains. Use of electron-backscatter diffraction allows quantification of the crystallographic misorientations shown by the orientation contrast images. Combination of these techniques shows that the pyrite studied deforms by slip on {100} and more rarely {110} systems. Slip is often associated with distributed rotation of up to 20° about <100> and more rarely <110> axes. Pyrites may have simple histories involving rotation about a single <100> axis, or more complex histories involving rotation about different <100> axes, and more rarely <110>, in different domains of the same pyrite grain, or sequential rotations about quite different systems, typically distributed rotation about <100> followed by discrete rotation about a non-crystallographic axis. Received: 25 June 1997 / Accepted: 14 May 1998     

Ultrahigh temperature deformation microstructures in felsic granulites of the Napier Complex, Antarctica

Detailed electron microscope and microstructural analysis of two ultrahigh temperature felsic granulites from Tonagh Island, Napier Complex, Antarctica show deformation microstructures produced at  1000 °C at 8–10 kbar. High temperature orthopyroxene (Al 7 wt.% and  11 wt.%), exhibits crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) and frequent subgrain boundaries which point to dislocation creep as the dominating deformation mechanism within opx. Two different main slip systems are observed: in opx bands with exclusively opx grains containing subgrain boundaries with traces parallel to [010] and a strong coupling of low angle misorientations (2.5°–5°) with rotation axes parallel to [010] the dominating slip system is (100)[001]. Isolated opx grains and grain clusters of 2–5 grains embedded in a qtz–fsp matrix show an additional slip system of (010)[001]. The latter slip system is harder to activate. We suggest that differences in the activation of these slip systems is a result of higher differential stresses imposed onto the isolated opx grains and grain clusters. In contrast to opx, large qtz grains (up to 200 μm) show random crystallographic orientation. This together with their elongate and cuspate shape and the lack of systematic in the rotation axes associated with the subgrain boundaries is consistent with diffusion creep as the primary deformation mechanism in quartz.Our first time detailed microstructural observations of ultrahigh temperature and medium to high pressure granulites and their interpretation in terms of active deformation mechanisms give some insight into the type of rheology that can be expect at lower crustal conditions. If qtz is the mineral phase governing the rock rheology, Newtonian flow behaviour is expected and only low differential stress can be supported. However, if the stress supporting mineral phase is opx, the flow law resulting from dislocation creep will govern the rheology of the rock unit; hence, an exponential relationship between stress and strain rate is to be expected.     

Dislocation generation, slip systems, and dynamic recrystallization in experimentally deformed plagioclase single crystals

Three samples of gem quality plagioclase crystals of An60 were experimentally deformed at 900 °C, 1 GPa confining pressure and strain rates of 7.5–8.7×10⁻⁷ s⁻¹. The starting material is effectively dislocation-free so that all observed defects were introduced during the experiments. Two samples were shortened normal to one of the principal slip planes (010), corresponding to a “hard” orientation, and one sample was deformed with a Schmid factor of 0.45 for the principal slip system [001](010), corresponding to a “soft” orientation. Several slip systems were activated in the “soft” sample: dislocations of the [001](010) and 110(001) system are about equally abundant, whereas 110{111} and [101] in ( 31) to ( 42) are less common. In the “soft” sample plastic deformation is pervasive and deformation bands are abundant. In the “hard” samples the plastic deformation is concentrated in rims along the sample boundaries. Deformation bands and shear fractures are common. Twinning occurs in close association with fracturing, and the processes are clearly interrelated. Glissile dislocations of all observed slip systems are associated with fractures and deformation bands indicating that deformation bands and fractures are important sites of dislocation generation. Grain boundaries of tiny, defect-free grains in healed fracture zones have migrated subsequent to fracturing. These grains represent former fragments of the fracture process and may act as nuclei for new grains during dynamic recrystallization. Nucleation via small fragments can explain a non-host-controlled orientation of recrystallized grains in plagioclase and possibly in other silicate materials which have been plastically deformed near the semi-brittle to plastic transition.     

Dislocation substructure of mantle-derived olivine as revealed by selective chemical etching and transmission electron microscopy

Cleaved and mechanically polished surfaces of olivine from peridotite xenoliths from San Carlos, Arizona, were chemically etched using the techniques of Wegner and Christie (1974). Dislocation etch pits are produced on all surface orientations and they tend to be preferentially aligned along the traces of subgrain boundaries, which are approximately parallel to (100), (010), and (001). Shallow channels were also produced on (010) surfaces and represent dislocations near the surface that are etched out along their lengths. The dislocation etch channel loops are often concentric, and emanate from (100) subgrain boundaries, which suggests that dislocation sources are in the boundaries. Data on subgrain misorientation and dislocation line orientation and arguments based on subgrain boundary energy minimization are used to characterize the dislocation structures of the subgrain boundaries. (010) subgrain boundaries are of the twist type, composed of networks of [100] and [001] screw dislocations. Both (100) and (001) subgrain boundaries are tilt walls composed of arrays of edge dislocation with Burgers vectors b=[100] and [001], respectively. The inferred slip systems are {001} 〈100〉, {100} 〈001〉, and {010} 〈100〉 in order of diminishing importance. Exploratory transmission electron microscopy is in accord with these identifications. The flow stresses associated with the development of the subgrain structure are estimated from the densities of free dislocations and from the subgrain dimensions. Inferred stresses range from 35 to 75 bars using the free dislocation densities and 20 to 100 bars using the subgrain sizes.     

Time-resolved,defect-hosted,trace element mobility in deformed Witwatersrand pyrite

The Pb isotopic composition of rocks is widely used to constrain the sources and mobility of melts and hydrothermal fluids in the Earth's crust. In many cases, the Pb isotopic composition appears to represent mixing of multiple Pb reservoirs. However, the nature, scale and mechanisms responsible for isotopic mixing are not well known. Additionally, the trace element composition of sulphide minerals are routinely used in ore deposit research, mineral exploration and environmental studies, though little is known about element mobility in sulphides during metamorphism and deformation. To investigate the mechanisms of trace element mobility in a deformed Witwatersrand pyrite(FeS_2), we have combined electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD) and atom probe microscopy(APM). The results indicate that the pyrite microstructural features record widely different Pb isotopic compositions, covering the entire range of previously published sulphide Pb compositions from the Witwatersrand basin. We show that entangled dislocations record enhanced Pb, Sb, Ni, Tl and Cu composition likely due to entrapment and short-circuit diffusion in dislocation cores. These dislocations preserve the Pb isotopic composition of the pyrite at the time of growth(~3 Ga) and show that dislocation intersections, likely to be common in deforming minerals, limit trace element mobility. In contrast, Pb, As, Ni, Co, Sb and Bi decorate a highangle grain boundary which formed soon after crystallisation by sub-grain rotation recrystallization.Pb isotopic composition within this boundary indicates the addition of externally-derived Pb and trace elements during greenschist metamorphism at ~2 Ga. Our results show that discrete Pb reservoirs are nanometric in scale, and illustrate that grain boundaries may remain open systems for trace element mobility over 1 billion years after their formation.     

Trace element distribution in uraninite from Mesoarchaean Witwatersrand conglomerates (South Africa) supports placer model and magmatogenic source

The first systematic analyses of the trace and rare earth element (REE) distribution in uraninite from various gold-bearing conglomerates of the Mesoarchaean Central Rand Group in South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin by in situ laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry confirms a placer origin for the uraninite and a magmatogenic provenance thereof. The chemistry of commonly rounded to sub-rounded uraninite is highly variable from grain to grain but generally marked by elevated Th, W, Bi, Mo, Ta, Y, REE contents and unusually high Au concentrations. Especially, the high Th contents and the chondrite-normalised REE patterns are incompatible with post-sedimentary hydrothermal genetic models for the U mineralisation and point to derivation of the detrital uraninite from a high-temperature, magmatogenic, presumably granitic to pegmatitic source. The elevated Au concentrations (of as much as 67 ppm) in this uraninite are unique to the Witwatersrand and hint at a granitic hinterland that was enriched in both U and Au, thus presenting a potential source domain for some of the detrital gold in the Witwatersrand conglomerates. Minute fracture fills of brannerite in close proximity to the larger, rounded uraninite grains are devoid of detectable Bi, Mo, REE and Au and have only very low concentrations of Th, W, Ta and Y. This is explicable by crystallisation from a low-temperature hydrothermal fluid. Thus, Witwatersrand U phases show, analogous to many other ore constituents, such as pyrite and gold, clear evidence of partial, short-range mobilisation of originally detrital particles by post-sedimentary fluids.     

Quantitative characterization of plastic deformation of zircon and geological implications

The deformation-related microstructure of an Indian Ocean zircon hosted in a gabbro deformed at amphibolite grade has been quantified by electron backscatter diffraction. Orientation mapping reveals progressive variations in intragrain crystallographic orientations that accommodate 20° of misorientation in the zircon crystal. These variations are manifested by discrete low-angle (<4°) boundaries that separate domains recording no resolvable orientation variation. The progressive nature of orientation change is documented by crystallographic pole figures which show systematic small circle distributions, and disorientation axes associated with 0.5–4° disorientation angles, which lie parallel to rational low index crystallographic axes. In the most distorted part of the grain (area A), this is the [100] crystal direction. A quaternion analysis of orientation correlations confirms the [100] rotation axis inferred by stereographic inspection, and reveals subtle orientation variations related to the local boundary structure. Microstructural characteristics and orientation data are consistent with the low-angle boundaries having a tilt boundary geometry with dislocation line [100]. This tilt boundary is most likely to have formed by accumulation of edge dislocations associated with a 〈001〉{100} slip system. Analysis of the energy associated with these dislocations suggest they are energetically more favorable than TEM verified 〈010〉{100} slip. Analysis of minor boundaries in area A indicates deformation by either (001) edge, or [100](100) and [001](100) screw dislocations. In other parts of the grain, cross slip on (111), and (112) planes seems likely. These data provide the first detailed microstructural analysis of naturally deformed zircon and indicate ductile crystal-plastic deformation of zircon by the formation and migration of dislocations into low-angle boundaries. Minimum estimates of dislocation density in the low-angle boundaries are of the order of ∼3.10¹⁰ cm⁻². This value is sufficiently high to have a marked effect on the geochemical behavior of zircon, via enhanced bulk diffusion and increased dissolution rates. Therefore, crystal plasticity in zircon may have significant implications for the interpretation of radiometric ages, isotopic discordance and trace element mobility during high-grade metamorphism and melting of the crust.     

Grain boundary dissolution porosity in quartzofeldspathic ultramylonites: Implications for permeability enhancement and weakening of mid-crustal shear zones

Quartzofeldspathic ultramylonites from the Alpine Fault Zone, one of the world's major, active plate boundary-scale fault zones have quartz crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) and abundant low-angle (<10° misorientation) boundaries, typical microstructures for dislocation creep-dominated deformation. Geometrically necessary dislocation density estimates indicate mean dislocation densities of ∼10⁹ cm⁻². A significant proportion (∼30%) of grain boundaries (>10° misorientation) are decorated by faceted pores, commonly with uniformly-oriented pyramidal shapes. Only grain boundaries with >10° misorientation angles in polymineralic aggregates are decorated by pores. Mean grain boundary pore densities are ∼5 × 10⁸ cm⁻². Grain boundary pores are dissolution pits generated during syn-deformational transient grain boundary permeability, nucleating on dislocation traces at dilatant grain boundary interfaces. They have not been removed by subsequent grain boundary closure or annealing. Pore decoration could have led to grain boundary pinning, triggering a switch in the dominant deformation mechanism to grain boundary sliding, which is supported by evidence of CPO destruction in matrix quartz. Pore-decorated grain boundaries have significantly reduced surface area available for adhesion and cohesion, which would reduce the tensile and shear strength of grain boundaries, and hence, the bulk rock. Grain boundary decoration also significantly decreased the mean distance between pores, potentially facilitating dynamic permeability. Consequently, these microstructures provide a new explanation for strain weakening and evidence of fluid flow along grain boundaries in mylonites at mid-crustal conditions.     

TEM characterization of dislocations and slip systems in stishovite deformed at 14 GPa, 1,300°C in the multianvil apparatus

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to investigate deformation microstructures of synthetic stishovite specimens deformed at 14 GPa, 1,300°C. Geometrical characteristics of numerous dislocations have been characterized by dislocation contrast and stereographic analyses in order to identify the easy slip systems of stishovite. TEM data allowed us to characterize the following slip systems: 〈100〉{001}, 〈100〉{010}, 〈100〉{021}, [001]{100}, [001]{110}, [001]{210} and Observation of sub-grain boundaries and scalloped edge dislocations suggest that climb has been activated in the specimens.     

Kyanite deformation in whiteschist of the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan

Microstructures in minerals from ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic (UHPM) terranes are keys to understanding the rheological properties and the exhumation mechanisms of rocks from subduction zones. Kyanite‐bearing whiteschist, associated with eclogite lenses, is part of UHPM unit II located south‐west of Lake Zheltau in the Kulet region of the Kokchetav Massif. The equilibrium assemblage is kyanite + garnet + talc + phengite + coesite/quartz. Previously reported peak pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions are ～3.5 GPa at 750 °C. A strong foliation is defined by the talc and phengite, with a corresponding weak shape preferred alignment of kyanite. Crystallographic orientation maps and analysis of kyanite blades were performed using electron backscatter diffraction methods. The data are consistent with a (100)[001] slip system for the formation of undulose extinction and kink bands in kyanite. Rotations measured across individual kink bands are 10–50° about <010>, and rotations along kyanite with undulose extinction are up to 50° about <010> with variations between adjacent points typically <2°. The undulose extinction is interpreted to have developed through crystal plastic deformation by dislocation creep. Kink bands mark the development of high‐angle grain boundaries by dislocation climb. The deformation of kyanite occurred in the fault‐bounded terrane during the exhumation of the Kokchetav Massif.     

THE PROBLEM OF UNDERSTANDING THE NOMENCLATURE OF FACIES

Chert-plus-pyrite pebbles have been known for some time in a number of Witwatersrand conglomerates, but their distribution is highly variable. A wide variety of textures in chert-plus pyrite pebbles are documented here, and these textures place constraints on the origin of such pebbles. Replacement of chert pebbles by pyrite is indicated (pyrite grains and aggregates continue across many pebble boundaries), and both distributional and textural evidence favors a post-burial timing for this process. Significant mobility of sulfur after burial is indicated. Whether this replacement was diagenetic or metamorphic is not certain.     

Deformation processes and rheology of pyroxenites under lithospheric mantle conditions

We combined microstructural observations and high-resolution crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) mapping to unravel the active deformation mechanisms in garnet clinopyroxenites, garnet–spinel websterites, and spinel websterites from the Beni Bousera peridotite massif. All pyroxenites display microstructures recording plastic deformation by dislocation creep. Pyroxene CPOs are consistent with dominant slip on [001]{110} in clinopyroxene and on [001](100) or [001](010) in orthopyroxene. Garnet clinopyroxenites have however high recrystallized fractions and finer grain sizes than spinel websterites. Recrystallization mechanisms also differ: subgrain rotation dominates in garnet clinopyroxenites, whereas in spinel websterites nucleation and growth also contribute. Elongated shapes and strong intracrystalline misorientations suggest plastic deformation of garnet, but CPOs are weak. Clinopyroxene porphyroclasts in spinel websterites show deformation twins underlined by orthopyroxene exsolutions. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that garnet clinopyroxenites deformed at 2.0 GPa and 950–1000 °C and spinel pyroxenites at 1.8 GPa and 1100–1150 °C. The lower temperatures may explain the faster work rates implied by the finer grained microstructures in garnet clinopyroxenites. Greater stresses may have also reduced the competence contrast between garnet and pyroxene in the garnet pyroxenites and, at the outcrop scale, lowered the competence contrast between pyroxenites and peridotites, favoring mechanical dispersion of pyroxenites in the cooler lithospheric mantle.     

胶东三山岛金矿床黄铁矿显微结构和微量元素特征:对金富集机制的指示

三山岛金矿床是位于胶东金矿集区西北部的超大型破碎带蚀变岩型金矿床.该矿床细致的矿相学及元素地球化学研究尚有不足,限制了对其金富集机制及过程的理解.基于野外地质调查和室内矿相学研究将该矿床划分为4个成矿阶段:石英?绢云母?黄铁矿阶段(I)、石英?金?黄铁矿阶段(I I)、石英?金?多金属硫化物阶段(I I I)和碳酸盐?...     

Microstructural evidence for the transition from dislocation creep to dislocation-accommodated grain boundary sliding in naturally deformed plagioclase

We use quantitative microstructural analysis including misorientation analysis based on electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data to investigate deformation mechanisms of naturally deformed plagioclase in an amphibolite gabbro mylonite. The sample is from lower oceanic crust exposed near the Southwest Indian Ridge, and it has a high ratio of recrystallized matrix grains to porphyroclasts. Microstructures preserved in porphyroclasts suggest that early deformation was achieved principally by dislocation creep with subgrain rotation recrystallization; recrystallized grain (average diameter ∼8 μm) microstructures indicate that subsequent grain boundary sliding (GBS) was active in the continued deformation of the recrystallized matrix. The recrystallized matrix shows four-grain junctions, randomized misorientation axes, and a shift towards higher angles for neighbor-pair misorientations, all indicative of GBS. The matrix grains also exhibit a shape preferred orientation, a weak lattice preferred orientation consistent with slip on multiple slip systems, and intragrain microstructures indicative of dislocation movement. The combination of these microstructures suggest deformation by dislocation-accommodated GBS (DisGBS). Strain localization within the recrystallized matrix was promoted by a transition from grain size insensitive dislocation creep to grain size sensitive GBS, and sustained by the maintenance of a small grain size during superplasticity.     

Ductile deformation of garnet in mylonitic gneisses from the Münchberg Massif (Germany)

Mylonitic gneisses from the Münchberg Massif contain single grains (type I) and polycrystalline aggregates (type II) of garnet displaying a distinct elongation parallel to a macroscopic lineation which is interpreted as the result of ductile deformation. Lattice-preferred orientations of quartz (textures) symmetrical to the macroscopic foliation and lineation and the lack of rotational microfabrics indicate that the bulk deformation was pure shear at least during the latest strain increments. Garnet textures measured by EBSD together with microprobe analyses demonstrate that these two structural types of garnet can be related to two different processes of ductile deformation: (1) For the single grains stretching can be attributed to diffusion creep along grain boundary zones (Coble creep). The related mass transfer is indicated by the fact that primary growth zones are cut off at the long faces of the grains while the related strain shadow domains do not show comparable chemical zoning. Pressure solution and precipitation suitable to produce similar structures can be largely ruled out because retrogressive reactions pointing to the presence of free hydrous fluids are missing. (2) For the polycrystalline garnet aggregates consisting of cores grading into fine-grained mantles, dislocation creep and associated rotation recrystallization can be assumed. Continuous lattice rotation from the core to the outer polycrystalline rim allow a determination of the related dominant slip systems which are {100}<010> and equivalent systems according to the cubic lattice symmetry. The same holds for garnets which appear to be completely recrystallized. For this type of fine-grained aggregates an alternative nucleation model is discussed. Due to penetrative dislocation glide in connection with short range diffusion and the resulting lattice rotation, primary growth zones are strongly disturbed.Since for the considered rock unit of the Münchberg Massif peak metamorphic temperatures between 630 and 670 °C can be assumed, this study clearly demonstrates that the inferred processes of ductile garnet deformation can occur not only in HT regimes as often suggested in the literature even if embedded within a matrix of “low-strength” minerals like quartz, feldspars and micas.     

Dolomite microstructures between 390° and 700 °C: Indications for deformation mechanisms and grain size evolution

Dolomitic marble on the island of Naxos was deformed at variable temperatures ranging from 390 °C to >700 °C. Microstructural investigations indicate two end-member of deformation mechanisms: (1) Diffusion creep processes associated with small grain sizes and weak or no CPO (crystallographic preferred orientation), whereas (2) dislocation creep processes are related with larger grain sizes and strong CPO. The change between these mechanisms depends on grain size and temperature. Therefore, sample with dislocation and diffusion creep microstructures and CPO occur at intermediate temperatures in relative pure dolomite samples. The measured dolomite grain size ranges from 3 to 940 μm. Grain sizes at T_max >450 °C show an Arrhenius type evolution reflecting the stabilized grain size in deformed and relative pure dolomite. The stabilized grain size is five times smaller than that of calcite at the same temperature and shows the same Arrhenius-type evolution. In addition, the effect of second phase particle influences the grain size evolution, comparable with calcite. Calcite/dolomite mixtures are also characterized by the same difference in grain size, but recrystallization mechanism including chemical recrystallization induced by deformation may contribute to apparent non-temperature equilibrated Mg-content in calcite.     

How does shear zone nucleate? An example from the Suretta nappe (Swiss Eastern Alps)

In order to address the question of the processes involved during shear zone nucleation, we present a petro-structural analysis of millimetre-scale shear zones within the Roffna rhyolite (Suretta nappe, Eastern central Alps). Field and microscopic evidences show that ductile deformation is localized along discrete fractures that represent the initial stage of shear zone nucleation. During incipient brittle deformation, a syn-kinematic metamorphic assemblage of white mica + biotite + epidote + quartz precipitated at ca. 8.5 ± 1 kbar and 480 ± 50 °C that represent the metamorphic peak conditions of the nappe stacking in the continental accretionary wedge during Tertiary Alpine subduction. The brittle to ductile transition is characterized by the formation of two types of small quartz grains. The Qtz-IIa type is produced by sub-grain rotation. The Qtz-IIb type has a distinct CPO such that the orientation of c-axis is perpendicular to the shear fracture and basal and rhombhoedric slip systems are activated. These Qtz-IIb grains can either be formed by recrystallization of Qtz-IIa or by precipitation from a fluid phase. The shear zone widening stage is characterized by a switch to diffusion creep and grain boundary sliding deformation mechanisms. During the progressive evolution from brittle nucleation to ductile widening of the shear zone, fluid–rock interactions play a critical role, through chemical mass-transfer, metasomatic reactions and switch in deformation mechanisms.