GEOLOGICAL STUDIES OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS IN THE VICINITY OF M.C.T./LESSER HIMALAYAN SHEAR ZONE, PARTS OF SIKKIM HIMALAYAS

GEOLOGICAL STUDIES OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS IN THE VICINITY OF M.C.T./LESSER HIMALAYAN SHEAR ZONE, PARTS OF SIKKIM HIMALAYAS     

黔西北纳雍-水城一带构造变形特征及其演化

黔西北纳雍-水城一带位于扬子板块西南缘,区内断裂和褶皱极为发育。通过详细野外地质调查,并结合沉积地层接触关系,对区内构造行迹及其组合特征、构造变形期次和构造演化进行探讨。研究表明,震旦纪末至中侏罗世纳雍-水城一带经历了多次构造事件,特别是广西构造事件和印支期构造事件,导致明显的差异剥蚀,但均未造成地层褶皱变形,地层间表现为平行不整合接触。晚侏罗世以后的燕山构造期和喜山构造期才是区内发生构造变形的重要时期。纳雍-水城一带发育的NE-SW、NW-SE及近E-W向三组构造以及在NE-SW、NW-SE向两组构造交接转换部位发育的穹窿构造、构造盆地,均为侏罗纪晚期至早白垩世时期强烈构造事件的产物。其中NE-SW向褶皱及近E-W向断层先期形成,NW-SE向褶皱后期形成,并对先期形成的NE-SW向褶皱进行叠加改造。     

辽吉古裂谷内带顺层构造片岩的变形构造与变形机制

本文从变形构造,尤其是变形显微构造研究入手,探讨了广泛发育于辽吉古裂谷内带的泥质构造片岩的形成与演化。对石榴石、石英和黑云母的变形亚结构及岩石变形构造分析揭示出,构造片岩的形成主要包含了伸展环境下出现的剪切作用、挤压作用以及扩散蠕变过程。同时还应用变形轨迹图展示了构造片岩的形成及形成后的改造过程。     

皖南地区加里东运动构造特征

前人认为皖南地区加里东运动仅表现为抬升造陆运动.文中从构造运动不整合接触关系证据、盖层构造、劈理及变形变质程度,以及古构造应力场特征等方面开展研究.于皖南地区多处发现了上泥盆统与下伏志留系呈角度不整合接触,表明了区内发育加里东褶皱.通过区域地质调查和构造解剖,揭示了区内复式褶皱为加里东和印支两期褶皱叠加的产物.其中,加里东期构造样式主要为区域性开阔褶皱,规模巨大,其轴迹呈北东东向或近东西向延伸,然而,印支期构造样式为线性中常褶皱,规模较小,其轴迹主要呈北东向展布.应用赤平极射投影法对研究区内的褶皱轴面产状、劈理产状要素进行统计分析,结果显示发育加里东期、印支期等多期变形构造;并利用该法求得褶皱两翼优势产状,应用数学计算法计算出区内3期构造应力场特征值,显示华南地块自南而北向扬子地块俯冲挤压的陆内造山动力学过程.早古生代盖层造山属性为陆内造山.区内加里东期褶皱构造属性的厘定和深入研究,对区域构造格架的建立具有重要意义.     

Deformation Mechanisms of Darreh Sary Metapelites,Sanandaj‒Sirjan Zone,Iran

The Darreh Sary metapelitic rocks are located in the northeast of Zagros orogenic belt and Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone. The lithological composition of these rocks includes slate, phyllite, muscovitebiotite schist, garnet schist, staurolite-garnet schist and staurolite schist. The shale is the protolith of these metamorphic rocks, which was originated from the continental island arc tectonic setting and has been subjected to processes of Zagros orogeny. The deformation mechanisms in these rocks include bulging recrystallization (BLG), subgrain rotation recrystallization (SGR) and grain boundary migration recrystallization (GBM), which are considered as the key to estimate the deformation temperature of the rocks. The estimated ranges of deformation temperature and depth in these rocks show the temperatures of 275–375, 375–500, and >500°C and the depths of 10 to 17 km. The observed structures in these rocks such as faults, fractures and folds, often with the NW-SE direction coordinate with the structural trends of Zagros orogenic belt structures. The S-C mylonite fabrics is observed in these rocks with other microstructures such as mica fish, σ fabric and garnet deformation indicate the dextral shear deformation movements of study area. Based on the obtained results of this research, the stages of tectonic evolution of Darreh Sary area were developed.     

南天山基性麻粒岩中变形石英和石榴子石的TEM研究

基性麻粒岩产于大陆地壳深部,它的研究可以为大陆岩石圈的性质、组成、演化和深部动力学过程提供重要信息。南天山库米什榆树沟地区发育总厚达1000多米的基性麻粒岩构造岩片,走向南东,朝北东推覆。剖面上和石炭纪蛇绿混杂岩共存,并发生了石榴子石的旋转变形和强烈的石英-长石矿物相韧性变形。然而它们的变形条件至今尚未被研究。本文运用透射电镜(TEM)超微组构技术对榆树沟基性麻粒岩中石英和石榴子石进行了详细研究,结果表明,石英中存在着丰富的超显微变形构造,自由位错、亚颗粒和位错网非常发育,这表明研究区基性麻粒岩在折返抬升过程中曾遭受过较强的石英-长石相韧性变形作用;石榴子石中的超微变形构造则极为少见,只在其中发现几根自由位错,并在其颗粒边缘发现少量亚颗粒构造,说明该矿物主体属于脆性变形。这两种矿物变形性质的差异,反映了石榴子石的晶体结构在该条件下比石英更稳定,而且说明石榴子石的变质温度没有超过900℃,也就是说,本区麻粒岩的变质作用并非发生在极高温度的条件下。     

Pressure, Temperature, and Structural Evolution of the Orfordville Belt, West-Central New Hampshire

Metamorphic P-T paths have been derived for staurolite-kyanitegrade and garnet grade rocks from the Orfordville Belt, west-centralNew Hampshire. P-T paths calculated from garnet zoning are consistentwith parageneses observed in amphibolites as determined froma petrogenetic grid derived for amphibolites. The P-T pathsfrom the staurolite-kyanite zone show a pressure maximum at6.5 to 7.5 kb and {small tilde} 500?C followed by heating anddecompression to approximately 5 kb, 580?C, and a final phaseof near isobaric cooling. The path from the garnet zone is similar,but does not show the final phase of isobaric cooling. Both nappe-stage and dome-stage folds are observed in the OrfordvilleBelt. Comparison of mesoscale structures with mineral growthindicates that the nappe stage deformation occurred near orbefore the pressure maximum and dome stage deformation tookplace along the decompression-heating path. The last phase ofnear isobaric cooling may have resulted from rapid verticalreadjustment of the Orfordville Belt.     

内蒙古哈达门沟金矿构造演化及成矿控矿构造特征

哈达门沟金矿是内蒙古迄今最大的金矿床,具有超大型金矿床规模。金的成矿作用对岩性没有明确的选择性,而主要是受褶皱断裂构造的控制。成矿流体主要来自深源,在有利的构造扩容带中聚积成矿。研究表明,该区的构造变形从早到晚,力学性质往往从塑性到脆性,构造规模从小到大,构造类型则是褶皱与剪切带同时形成,或相间发育。该区主要经历了4个期次的强烈褶皱剪切作用,并形成了主要的成矿控矿构造。第一期构造变形时岩石的流变性较强,褶皱幅度较小,一般多表现为小规模的塑性流变褶皱,并产生了小规模韧性剪切带;第二期(主期)褶皱以乌拉山主峰为主的东西向区域规模的复式背、向斜(形),并在主期褶皱的倒转翼发育了一系列与褶皱同向延伸的脆韧性剪切带,它们构成了区域性构造薄弱带;第三期为横跨叠加褶皱,使近东西向褶皱发生了南北向蛇形弯曲,伴随该期褶皱作用形成了低绿片岩相韧脆性剪切带,为深源成矿流体的贯入与集聚成矿提供了很好的赋存空间,是主要的成矿控矿构造;第四期构造变形则以区域性隆升作用为主,使早期褶皱发生横弯褶皱的同时,还将深部形成的金矿体抬升至浅部。文中在成矿控矿构造研究的基础上,探讨了矿床成矿规律,提出了找矿远景。     

Metamorphic textures and deformation: A new mechanism for the development of syntectonic porphyroblasts and its implications for interpreting timing relationships in metamorphic rocks

The formation and growth of porphyroblasts is treated in detail, with particular reference to garnet. Previous explanations for included fabrics in porphyroblasts, and mechanisms of syntectonic growth leading to sigmoidal inclusion patterns, are shown to be based on invalid assumptions and are unacceptable. The following new mechanism for garnet porphyroblast growth is proposed. During deformation, fluid filled veins open, particularly where micaceous foliae open in folds associated with crenulation cleavages and kink bands. Garnet nucleates in these veins as they develop. The geometry of the veins depends on variability of strain rates, fluid diffusivity and the sequence of progressive deformation. In areas of low strain rate and high diffusivity, long and widely spaced macroscopic garnet veins form. These may be buckled during the continuous deformation process. Conversely, where strain rates are high, and diffusivity is low, short and closely spaced microscopic garnet veins form. Buckling and shear may alter the vein shapes during their formation and sigmoidal veins can result. Veins join and coalesce to form single porphyroblasts, leaving a selvage of quartz and other minerals as an included fabric. The finite geometry of the included fabric ranges from helicitic to sigmoidal, which is interpreted to reflect the local deformation history during vein propagation. The fabric geometry is finalized when the veins fail to respond individually to the deformation due to their coalescence and formation into a single porphyroblast. Continuous vein propagation without significant deformation of the veins could lead to augen textures, whilst a process of continuous vein formation and rotation is shown to explain apparent syntectonic rotations of more than 180°. This new hypothesis has the merit of being very simple, but it does require a new approach. This approach necessarily questions a number of previously well established “facts”, such as pre-, syn-, and post-tectonic textures. It is argued that extreme care must be taken, when relating deformation episodes and metamorphic growth periods.     

准噶尔盆地南缘构造变形特征及其主控因素

本文通过地面地质调查和地震资料的构造解释,研究了准噶尔盆地南缘构造变形特点及变形主控因素。认为准噶尔盆地南缘构造变形具有南北分带、东西分段和上下分层的变形特点,构造样式为逆冲断层相关褶皱,包括断冲褶皱、断展褶皱、滑脱褶皱、断弯褶皱和断束褶皱。构造形成时间主要是在第四纪,其中喜马拉雅运动Ⅲ幕主要影响到变形后缘山前推举带的变形,早更新世末期的新构造运动使准噶尔盆地南缘全面变形,形成现今构造格局。研究证明,在构造变形中起决定作用的是侏罗系煤层,其分布范围决定了变形范围,其厚度决定了变形强度和应力向前传递的远近程度。     

P–T–t–d evolution of orogenic middle crust of the Roc de Frausa Massif (Eastern Pyrenees): a result of horizontal crustal flow and Carboniferous doming?

Structural, petrological and textural studies are combined with phase equilibria modelling of metapelites from different structural levels of the Roc de Frausa Massif in the Eastern Pyrenees. The pre‐Variscan lithological succession is divided into the Upper, Intermediate and Lower series by two orthogneiss sheets and intruded by Variscan igneous rocks. Structural analysis reveals two phases of Variscan deformation. D1 is marked by tight to isoclinal small‐scale folds and an associated flat‐lying foliation (S1) that affects the whole crustal section. D2 structures are characterized by tight upright folds facing to the NW with steep NE–SW axial planes. D2 heterogeneously reworks the D1 fabrics, leading to an almost complete transposition into a sub‐vertical foliation (S2) in the high‐grade metamorphic domain. All structures are affected by late open to tight, steeply inclined south‐verging NW–SE folds (F3) compatible with steep greenschist facies dextral shear zones of probable Alpine age. In the micaschists of the Upper series, andalusite and sillimanite grew during the formation of the S1 foliation indicating heating from 580 to 640 °C associated with an increase in pressure. Subsequent static growth of cordierite points to post‐D1 decompression. In the Intermediate series, a sillimanite–biotite–muscovite‐bearing assemblage that is parallel to the S1 fabric is statically overgrown by cordierite and K‐feldspar. This sequence points to ~1 kbar of post‐D1 decompression at 630–650 °C. The Intermediate series is intruded by a gabbro–diorite stock that has an aureole marked by widespread migmatization. In the aureole, the migmatitic S1 foliation is defined by the assemblage biotite–sillimanite–K‐feldspar–garnet. The microstructural relationships and garnet zoning are compatible with the D1 pressure peak at ~7.5 kbar and ~750 °C. Late‐ to post‐S2 cordierite growth implies that F2 folds and the associated S2 axial planar leucosomes developed during nearly isothermal decompression to <5 kbar. The Lower series migmatites form a composite S1–S2 fabric; the garnet‐bearing assemblage suggests peak P–T conditions of >5 kbar at suprasolidus conditions. Almost complete consumption of garnet and late cordierite growth points to post‐D2 equilibration at <4 kbar and <750 °C. The early metamorphic history associated with the S1 fabric is interpreted as a result of horizontal middle crustal flow associated with progressive heating and possible burial. The upright F2 folding and S2 foliation are associated with a pressure decrease coeval with the intrusion of mafic magma at mid‐crustal levels. The D2 tectono‐metamorphic evolution may be explained by a crustal‐scale doming associated with emplacement of mafic magmas into the core of the dome.     

On the relationship between kilometer-scale sheath folds, ductile thrusts and minor structures in the basal high-pressure units of the Cabo Ortegal complex (NW Spain)

Large sheath folds in the basal high-pressure nappes of the Cabo Ortegal complex are described and a kinematic interpretation provided. The principal penetrative and map structures relate to regional D2 deformation, which produced foliations (S2) bearing mineral and stretching lineations (L2) and several types of folds (a-type, sheath-like and ‘folded folds’). The latter structures are subparallel to the trend of the orogen. Their attitude suggests that the units involved shared a common tectonic evolution during progressive ductile deformation of an anisotropic medium. Reconstruction of major geological structures was accomplished through projection of map-scale features onto the ductile flow plane and the plane perpendicular to the ductile flow direction. The structures reconstructed illustrate their development in the deeper structural levels of an orogenic channel subjected to high-pressure metamorphism during the early phases of the Hercynian orogeny in NW Iberia. We argue that orogen-normal tectonic displacements (of up to a few hundreds of kilometers) represent the minor components of the transpression with possibly thousands of kilometers along-strike dextral displacement between the intervening plates (during subduction/collision).     

Metamorphism and tectonics of a Pan-African terrain in southeastern Sinai

The Precambrian crystalline basement of Sinai represents a low-pressure metamorphic terrain intruded by large volumes of granitic rock. Based on detailed fieldwork, a general assessment of the metamorphic and tectonic history of the Wadi Kid area, southeastern Sinai, is presented. Three lithostratigraphic units can be traced over the whole area; the Umm Zariq Formation (arkoses, greywackes, pelites), the Tarr Formation (dolomitic-calcareous rocks) and, unconformably overlying the previous two units, the Heib Formation (flows, pyroclastics, conglomerates). D₁ deformation of this 3.5 km thick sequence resulted in upright folds, with changing strike of the axial planes from NE to NW across the area. Low-grade conditions prevailed during this phase. D₂ produced recumbent folds and a subhorizontal cleavage, leading to transposition of D₁ structures in the higher grade parts of the area. Metamorphism reached its peak conditions around D₂. Pressures are estimated at 2.5–3.5 kb, whereas temperatures vary from 450–660°C. In the central Wadi Kid area, garnet, staurolite, cordierite and andalusite occur in metapelitic rocks. Highest grade rocks are syn-D₂ andalusite—K-feldspar gneiss diapirs. Metamorphic zones are shallow dippin and form a domed pattern. Most of the metavolcanics and the syntectonic and late tectonic plutonic rocks belong to the calc-alkaline suite.The Kid Group sediments and volcanics were deposited in a shallow basin and subaerially, respectively, probably on older sialic basement. This basement is at present not exposed because post-orogenic uplift directly after the Pan-African event was relatively small (3–6 km). Metamorphism and the D₂ formation phase can both be related to a rising (mafic?) diapir. The Sinai Peninsula may have been a continental margin or a cratonized, mature island arc, in Late Proterozoic times.     

Les structures de la couverture Néoprotérozoïque terminal et Paléozoïque de la région de Tata, Anti-Atlas centre-occidental, Maroc: déformation polyphasée, ou interactions socle/couverture pendant l'orogenèse hercynienne?

The western Anti-Atlas was formed by a Precambrian basement in the core of anticlines, surrounded by a Neoproterozoic and Palæozoic cover. The structural study of the Tata regional rocks shows a heterogeneous deformation, characterised especially by two types of folds in two orthogonal directions: north-south to north-northeast-south-southwest-trending and east-west-trending.The north-south structures are present in all of the Palæozoic cover and belong to the major Variscan compression of Late Carboniferous age by a comparison of the other domains of the western Anti-Atlas. Alternatively, east-west folding is assigned only to the lower part of the cover and consists of a ductile heterogeneous deformation, especially marked at the basement-cover interface. These folds are associated with a subhorizontal cleavage, indicating a southern vergence of the structures. A discussion of the age and the tectonic style of these structures is proposed, as well as their significance within the Variscan belt along the northern margin of the West African Craton.     

青海赛什塘矿区叠加褶皱特征及其构造意义——叠加褶皱区的矿区构造研究

新的资料揭示,青海赛什塘铜矿区是褶皱叠加变形区。为矿山勘探工作提供基础地质支撑,采用露头构造解析基础上的构造综合分析方法,在露头条件欠佳的矿区中下三叠统中首次厘定出4期褶皱组合样式,形成露头和区域尺度上的各类叠加构造。第二期褶皱(F2)叠加在第一期褶皱(F1)之上,主要形成Ramsy(Ramsay et al.,1987)的第三类叠加,表明二者可能是同一构造事件中连续的2阶段变形作用的结果,代表了从分层剪切到横向缩短的地壳变形机制转换过程,其间同时发生了印支期岩浆杂岩的侵入就位,推测是对区域上印支期西秦岭地块与柴达木地块之间从俯冲向碰撞转换的远程效应的响应。褶皱构造对赛什塘铜多金属矿的形成、改造和保存都起了重要作用。     

Late-Stage Ductile Deformation in Xiongdian-Suhe HP Metamorphic Unit, North-Western Dabie Shan, Central China

New structural and petrological data unveil a very complicated ductile deformation history of the Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit, north-western Dabie Shun, central China. The finegrained symplectic amphibolite-facies assemblage and coronal structure enveloping eclogite-facies garnet,omphacite and phengite etc., representing strain-free decompression and retrogressive metamorphism,are considered as the main criteria to distinguish between the early-stage deformation under HP metamorphic conditions related to the continental deep subduction and collision, and the late-stage deformation under amphibolite to greenschist-facies conditions occurred in the post-eclogite exhumation processes.Two late-stages of widely developed, sequential ductile deformations D3 and D4, are recognized on the basis of penetrative fabrics and mineral aggregates in the Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit, which shows clear, regionally, consistent overprinting relationships. D3 fabrics are best preserved in the Suhe tract of low post-D3 deformation intensity and characterized by steeply dipping layered mylonitic amphibolites associated with doubly vergent folds. They are attributed to a phase of tectonism linked to the initial exhumation of the HP rocks and involved crustal shortening with the development of upright structures and the widespread emplacement of garnet-bearing granites and felsic dikes. D4 structures are attributed to the main episode of ductile extension (D^24) with a gently dipping foliation to the north and common intrafolial, recumbent folds in the Xiongdian tract, followed by normal sense top-to-the northductile shearing (D^24) along an important tectonic boundary, the so-called Majiawa-Hexiwan fault (MHF), the westward continuation of the Balifan-Mozitan-Xiaotian fault (BMXF) of the northern Dabie Shan. It is indicated that the two stages of ductile deformation observed in the Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit, reflecting the post-eclogite compressional or extrusion wedge formation, the subhorizontal ductile extension and crustal thinning as well as the top-to-the north shearing along the high-angle ductile shear zones responsible for exhumation of the HP unit as a coherent slab, are consistent with those recognized in the Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP metamorphic belts, suggesting that they were closely associated in time and space. The Xiongdian-Suhe HP metamorphic unit thus forms part of the Triassic(250-230 Ma) collision orogenic belt, and can not connect with the South Altun-North Qaidam-North Qinline UHP metamorphic belt formed durin~ the Early Paleozoic (500-400Ma).     

断层调整与控制作用下的叠加构造变形:以贵州地区燕山期构造为例

褶皱叠加方式与其形成的构造现象极为复杂。常见3种叠加方式为共轴叠加、横跨叠加和斜跨叠加。如果地质体均一,断层不发育,即会形成理想型叠加褶皱的构造样式。如果发育区域性大型断层,在不同方向的区域应力场作用下,加上地质体的不均一,就会在不同的区块内形成更为复杂的叠加褶皱与构造组合。贵州境内自古生代-中生代先后发育了5条切割基底的区域性断裂,至早中中生代,这些断层将区内切割为6个主要构造块体。在三叠纪之后的燕山构造运动期间,发生了强烈的构造叠加变形,早燕山期与晚燕山期区域应力场方向不同,使得不同区域断层的性质、位移发生变化,断层的多次活动起到了应力释放与调整作用,再加上块体地质结构的不均一性与软弱层的滑脱作用,最终在不同区块内发生了不同的褶皱叠加作用,形成了不同的褶皱构造样式与构造组合。     

Genesis of folds in external zones: application of fault propagation fold model. Gafsa Basin example (southern central Tunisia)

The evolution of geological structures is related particularly to reactivation of preexisting fault, thus the importance of tectonic inheritance. Basing on stratigraphic and structural data in external zones leaving the example of Gafsa Basin (southern central Tunisia), we study the evolution of folds during tectonic phases. The structural and stratigraphic data prove that Gafsa Basin is subject for more than one tectonic phase where beginning by Cretaceous extension and reactivated by Atlasic compression. The combination of field results associated to that geomorphology confirms the application of “fault propagation model” as evolution mode of folds. The balanced of cross section, using numerical software Ramp E.M. 1.5.2, shows the importance of tectonic inheritance to interpret evolution of structures reliefs. The deformation increases related to reactivation of old normal fault. The most important deformation is observed in Jbal At Taghli presenting folds in the form of duplex resulted from conjugate activity of tear fault; it is the first interpretation of tear fault activity in surface in the scale of Tunisia. The application of fault propagation fold model to interpret fold genesis confirms the field data and proves the role of tectonic inheritance and reactivation of preexisting faults in the evolution of structures during different tectonic phases.     

Microstructure,metamorphism, thermochronology and P-T-t-deformation history of the Port aux Basques gneisses,south-west Newfoundland,Canada*

Abstract The Port aux Basques gneisses comprise three lithostratigraphic units separated by major fault zones: the Grand Bay Complex; the Port aux Basques Complex; and the Harbor le Cou Group. A similar regionally developed polyphase history of penetrative deformation characterizes each of these units. Thickening during D1 produced rare recumbent folds (F1) and an axial planar schistosity (S1), overprinted by D2 recumbent folds (F2), and transposed during development of a locally penetrative, differentiated crenulation cleavage (S2). In western sectors of the area, D2 was associated with NW-directed reverse shearing. The NE-trending structural grain reflects D3 transpression, partitioned into dextral transcurrent movement along major shear zones and development of upright-to-steeply inclined, periclinal folds (F3) and a variably penetrative schistosity (S3). Amphibolite facies metamorphism increases in grade from west to east across the area. Microstructures, including porphyroblast-matrix foliation relations and internal textural unconformities in garnet, indicate episodic porphyroblast nucleation and growth, which reflect a prograde traverse sequentially across univariant reactions during syntectonic metamorphism. Garnet, kyanite and staurolite porphyroblasts are wrapped by the S2 foliation, but each may contain trails of inclusions that define S1; commonly these trails preserve early stages of S2 crenulation cleavage development. Progressive and sequential reaction out of kyanite, staurolite and muscovite in favour of sillimanite, garnet, biotite and K-feldspar, and the development of an increasing volume of anatectic migmatite in south-eastern sectors of the area record syn- to late-D2 peak metamorphic conditions. Microstructural relationships and petrogenetic grid considerations indicate clockwise trajectories in P-T space for units of the Port aux Basques gneisses. Peak metamorphic conditions are estimated to have been 620–650° C at ≤8kbar in the west and 700–750° C at ≤8 kbar in the east. Titanite from an upper amphibolite facies calc-silicate gneiss yields U-Pb ages of c. 420 Ma, interpreted to date cooling shortly after the thermal peak in these gneisses. Variable D3 strain was associated with some recrystallization of hornblende and micas. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar hornblende plateau isotope correlation ages range from c. 419 to c. 393 Ma, from east to west across the area, and are interpreted to record cooling through c. 500° C coeval with or soon after D3 deformation. The range in ages may record the effects of heterogeneous D3 deformation and differential uplift from south-east to north-west associated with displacement on major shear zones. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar muscovite plateau ages cluster at c. 390 Ma, and date cooling through c. 375° C during regional exhumation. Cooling rates are moderate to fast and may indicate a component of tectonic exhumation. The Port aux Basques gneisses are a product of Silurian collisional tectonics. The higher grade of metamorphism in comparison with adjacent areas of the Canadian Appalachians is interpreted to reflect greater thickening due to juxtaposition of the St Lawrence promontory (Laurentian margin) with the Cabot promontory (Avalonian margin) during closure of the Iapetus Ocean.     

内蒙古北山小红山岩组变形特征及地质意义

为了研究红石山—百合山—蓬勃山古生代构造带(蛇绿岩带)物质组成和变形特征,利用数字填图方法,在内蒙古北山地区大红山一带,开展1:5万区域地质调查。发现大红山南出露一套变质基底,主要岩石组合为一套海相细碎屑岩夹中基性火山岩及磁铁石英岩组合,以含硅铁建造及变质基性火山岩为特征。该岩石组合无底无顶,变形变质强烈,分不出层序,故称之为小红山岩组。各类中低级变质岩说明变质作用达到了高绿片岩—低角闪岩相。该组北部被上石炭统白山组角度不整合覆盖,南部被早泥盆世、晚石炭世侵入岩侵入。区内出露面积约140 km²,厚约2 890 m。明显有4次变形: 前3次变形为韧性变形,形成了透入性面理S₁、大型褶皱、韧性剪切带等构造形迹; 后一次变形以脆性变形为特征,形成了较大规模的断层带。小红山岩组多期次变形、变质说明了红石山—百合山—蓬勃山古生代构造带(蛇绿岩带)确实存在,并经历了多期次变形和变质。