A unified kinematic model for the evolution of detachment folds

Detachment folds represent a major structural element in a number of fold belts. They are common in the Jura Mountains, the Zagros fold belt, the Central Appalachian fold belt, the Wyoming fold-belt, the Brooks Range, the Parry Islands fold belt, and parts of the SubAndean belt. These structures form in stratigraphic packages with high competency contrasts among units. The competent upper units exhibit parallel fold geometries, whereas the weak lower unit displays disharmonic folding and significant penetrative deformation. Two distinct geometric types, disharmonic detachment folds, and lift-off folds have been recognized. However, these structures commonly represent different stages in the progressive evolution of detachment folds. The structures first form by symmetric or asymmetric folding, with the fold wavelength controlled by the thickness of the dominant units. Volumetric constraints require sinking of units in the synclines, and movement of the ductile unit from the synclines to the anticlines. Continuing deformation results in increasing fold amplitudes and tighter geometries resulting from both limb segment rotation and hinge migration. Initially, limb rotation occurs primarily by flexural slip folding, but in the late stages of deformation, the rotation may involve significant internal deformation of units between locked hinges. The folds eventually assume tight isoclinal geometries resembling lift-off folds. Variations in the geometry of detachment fold geometry, such as fold asymmetry, significant faulting, and fold associated with multiple detachments, are related to variations in the mechanical stratigraphy and pre-existing structure.     

塔里木盆地塔北隆起英买2号背斜的成因机制与构造模型

英买力低凸起位于塔北隆起西部,是重要的含油气区域。英买2号背斜的研究与认识对于揭示区域构造演化及南部多个内幕型碳酸盐岩背斜的成因机制具有重要意义。本文运用断层相关褶皱原理及平衡剖面等方法,对英买2号背斜的地震剖面进行解释及复原。研究表明,英买2号背斜为固定翼长的滑脱褶皱,滑脱面位于中寒武统下部塑性层中,背斜演化经历了宽缓斜坡、起伏南倾、构造逆冲、稳定沉降掩埋和调整改造等5个阶段。背斜开始隆升时间为奥陶纪末期,地层缩短量为400～700 m,在海西末期隆升后遭受严重剥蚀,后期发育具传播性质的断层,伴有2期生长构造发育,背斜的前翼发生翼部旋转,发育生长三角,后翼有上超现象,体现了不同时期沉积速率的变化,也反映了后期构造活动的阶段性与持续性。     

孟加拉湾若开褶皱带晚新生代构造特征初步研究

孟加拉湾若开褶皱带位于印度-缅甸山脉西部山前,由NNW—SSE向带状分布的多排背斜构成,其构造特征研究仍然十分薄弱。本文通过钻井资料和二维地震反射剖面精细构造解析,尝试分析若开褶皱带晚新生代构造特征,重点关注若开褶皱带的滑脱层发育特征及背斜几何学及运动学特征,结果表明若开褶皱带发育多个滑脱层:①底部滑脱层,位于约6.5s(双程走时)处;②中部滑脱层,层位存在变化,可能位于第四系底部或上中新统下方约2.5s处。在区域挤压作用下,若开褶皱带发育与底部滑脱层和中部滑脱层相关的滑脱褶皱,构造变形主要受控于底部滑脱层,而中部滑脱层影响了局部构造变形。生长地层记录显示若开褶皱带构造变形自东往西迁移,变形前缘形成于第四纪。基于构造分析结果提出了若开褶皱带褶皱变形的两种运动学端元模型:模型1中不发育中部滑脱层,滑脱褶皱发育于底部滑脱层之上;模型2中发育中部滑脱层,滑脱褶皱发育于中部滑脱层和底部滑脱层之上,形成上、下两套构造层。若开褶皱带背斜几何学和运动学特征受下伏滑脱层控制,背斜在走向上叠置、分叉可能暗示着背斜下伏滑脱层在走向上发生了改变。流体超压可能是影响若开褶皱带构造变形的重要控制因素。     

同沉积褶皱生长地层中沉积与构造关系

生长地层详细记录了褶皱变形的运动学特征及发展演化过程。对同沉积褶皱的生长地层进行详细的几何学分析,结合地层年代学资料,可以揭示沉积与构造的相互影响,确定沉积速率与构造抬升速率的细微变化,及褶皱的活动期次。构造抬升速率和沉积速率的变化,可引起生长地层的上超、超覆和退覆。褶皱的形成可分为膝折带迁移和翼部旋转2种模式。以膝折带迁移为变形机制的褶皱,发展过程中翼部倾角不变,褶皱顶部与翼部的抬升速率相同,形成翼部平行状生长地层;以翼部旋转为变形机制的褶皱,发展过程中翼部长度不变,沿翼部各点的抬升速率呈线性变化,形成翼部楔状的生长地层。     

The determination of ‘buckling rotation’ and its application to theoretical and experimental models of buckle folds

The quantity ‘buckling rotation’ is defined, for buckle folds, as the total rotation of a fold limb minus the rotation that would occur due to pure shear if no competence contrast existed. Using existing models (theoretical and experimental) of buckle-fold development, the quantity ‘buckling rotation’ has been calculated for successive small increments of strain and plotted against strain or limb dip. The resulting curves are skewed and bell-shaped, indicating an initial sharp increase in buckling rotation early in fold development followed by a gentle, asymptotic decrease. The curve height and position are dependent on the competence contrast and, in multilayer systems, on the ratio of competent to incompetent layer thickness. The initial sharp increase in buckling rotation corresponds to the period of most active layer-parallel shortening during fold development.     

库车褶皱冲断带前缘盐层厚度对滑脱褶皱构造特征及演化的影响

库车褶皱冲断带前缘发育一系列滑脱褶皱,虽然卷入变形的新生代地层及底部滑脱层(古近系盐层)相同,但滑脱褶皱的构造特征及演化存在显著差异。文中结合野外地质调查结果以及钻井资料和高品质二维地震反射剖面解析,以南喀背斜和米斯坎塔克背斜为例,估算出盐层初始厚度,并讨论其对于滑脱褶皱样式及其演化过程的影响。结果表明,南喀背斜和米斯坎塔克背斜下伏盐层初始厚度不同,估算出前者厚度介于0.1~0.5 km,主要为0.1~0.3 km,而后者却大约为1.0 km。与此同时,南喀背斜和米斯坎塔克背斜均表现出分段差异变形特征。南喀背斜为低缓的滑脱褶皱,其东段隐伏地下,变形方式为褶皱作用;而西段出露地表,背斜核部发育隐伏的逆冲断层,变形方式为褶皱作用和断层作用。背斜西段平均隆升速率大于东段,导致西段隆升出露地表。米斯坎塔克背斜表现为大规模滑脱褶皱,根据变形特征的不同可以分为3段,东段背斜倾向北,盐岩在其核部及北翼下方聚集加厚;而中-西段背斜倾向南,其中中段背斜核部位置盐岩聚集加厚,两翼下伏盐岩减薄甚至形成盐焊接。而在西段背斜呈箱状,两翼下方盐岩厚度至少为1.0 km。笔者总结出库车褶皱冲断带前缘发育的7种滑脱褶皱变形样式,通过构造分析得出,研究区滑脱褶皱的变形主要受盐层厚度、构造缩短量及盐岩流动变形共同控制,其中盐层厚度起主导作用,控制了滑脱褶皱的发育位置,并影响了滑脱褶皱的变形样式。研究结果将为其他褶皱冲断带中滑脱褶皱的相关研究提供重要参考,特别是在缺少高品质地震资料,或者构造变形强烈、地震资料品质较差的地区。     

Kinematic evolution of fold-and-thrust belts in the Yubei-Tangbei area:Implications for tectonic events in the southern Tarim Basin

The Yubei-Tangbei area in the southern Tarim Basin is one of the best-preserved Early Paleozoic northeast-southwest trending fold-and-thrust belts within this basin.This area is crucial for the exploration of primary hydrocarbon reservoirs in northwestern China.In this study,we constructed the structural geometric morphology of the Yubei-Tangbei area using geophysical logs,drilling,and recent two-and three-dimensional(2-D and 3-D)seismic data.The Early Paleozoic fault-propagation folds,the Tangnan triangle zone,fault-detachment folds,and trishear fault-propagation folds developed with the detachment of the Middle Cambrian gypsum-salt layer.According to a detailed chronostratigraphic framework,the growth strata in the Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian layer formed by onlapping the back limb of the asymmetric fault-propagation folds,which therefore defines the timing of deformations.The changes in kink band hinges and amplitudes in the Permian-Carboniferous and Cenozoic folding strata suggest that the evolution of the fold-and-thrust belts followed a sequential evolution process rather than a simultaneous one.Above the pre-existing Precambrian basement structure,the Yubei-Tangbei fold-and-thrust belts can be divided into four tectonic evolution stages:Late Cambrian,Late Ordovician to Early Carboniferous,Carboniferous to Permian,and Cenozoic.The northwestern-verging Cherchen Fault is part of the piedmont fold-and-thrust system of the southern Tarim foreland basin.We interpreted its strata as a breakthrough trishear fault-propagation fold that developed in three phases:Mid-Late Ordovician,Silurian to Middle Devonian,and Triassic to present.These tectonic events are responses of the Altyn-Tagh and Kunlun collisional orogenic belts and the Indian-Eurasian collision.The inherited deformation and structural modification in the southern Tarim Basin may be an indicator of the growth and evolution of peripheral orogens.     

Early formed regional antiforms and synforms that fold younger matrix schistosities: their effect on sites of mineral growth

In the metamorphic cores of many orogenic belts, large macroscopic folds in compositional layering also appear to fold one or more pervasive matrix foliations. The latter geometry suggests the folds formed relatively late in the tectonic history, after foliation development. However, microstructural analysis of four examples of such folds suggests this is not the case. The folds formed relatively early in the orogenic history and are the end product of multiple, near orthogonal, overprinting bulk shortening events. Once large macroscopic folds initiate, they may tighten further during successive periods of sub-parallel shortening, folding or reactivation of foliations that develop during intervening periods of near orthogonal shortening. Reactivation of the compositional layering defining the fold limbs causes foliation to be rotated into parallelism with the limbs.Multiple periods of porphyroblast growth accompanied the multiple phases of deformation that postdated the initial development of these folds. Some of these phases of deformation were attended by the development of large numbers of same asymmetry spiral-shaped inclusion trails in porphyroblasts on one limb of the fold and not the other, or larger numbers of opposite asymmetry spirals on the other limb, or similar numbers of the same asymmetry spirals on both limbs. Significantly, the largest disparity in numbers from limb to limb occurred for the first of these cases. For all four regional folds examined, the structural relationships that accompanied these large disparities were identical. In each case the shear sense operating on steeply dipping foliations was opposite to that required to originally develop the fold. Reactivation of the folded compositional layering was not possible for this shear sense. This favoured the development of sites of approximately coaxial shortening early during the deformation history, enhancing microfracture and promoting the growth of porphyroblasts on this limb in comparision to the other. These distributions of inclusion trail geometries from limb to limb cannot be explained by porphyroblast rotation, or folding of pre-existing rotated porphyroblasts within a shear zone, but can be explained by development of the inclusion trails synchronous with successive sub-vertical and sub-horizontal foliations.     

Layer shortening and fold-shape development in the buckling of single layers

The progressive development of folds by buckling in single isolated viscous layers compressed parallel to the layering and embedded in a less viscous host is examined in several ways; by use of experiments, an analogue model to simulate simultaneous buckling and flattening and by an application of finite-element analysis.The appearance of folds with a characteristic wavelength in an initially flat layer occurs in the experiments for viscosity ratios (μ_layer/μ_host = μ₁/μ₂) of between 11 and 100; progressive fold development after the initial folds have appeared is similar in the experiments and in the finite-element models. Except for the finite-element model for μ₁/μ₂ = 1,000 layer-parallel shortening occurs in the early stages of folding and a stage is reached where little further changes in arc length occur. The amount of layer-parallel shortening increases with decreasing viscosity contrast, and becomes relatively unimportant after the folds have attained limb dips of about 15°–25°.Thickness variations with dip are only significant here for the finite-element model with μ₁/μ₂ = 10, and in experiments for μ₁/μ₂ = 5 where the layer is initially in the form of a moderate-amplitude sine wave. The variations range from a parallel to a near-similar fold geometry, and in general depend on the viscosity contrast, the degree of shortening and the initial wavelength/thickness ratio. They are very similar to the variations predicted by the analogue model of combined buckling and flattening. The difference between the thickness/dip variations in a fold produced by buckling at low viscosity contrast and one produced by flattening a parallel fold is marked at high limb dips and very slight at low limb dips.Many natural folds in isolated rock layers or veins show thickness/dip relationships expected for a flattened parallel fold, and some show relationships expected for buckling at low viscosity contrasts. Studies of the wavelength/thickness ratios in natural folds have suggested that competence contrast is often low. Many folds in isolated rock layers or veins whose geometry may vary between parallel and almost similar, and may be indistinguishable from those of flattened parallel folds, have probably developed by a process of buckling at low viscosity contrasts.     

柴达木盆地西部新生代构造演化及其对青藏高原北部生长过程的制约

柴达木盆地是青藏高原北部的一个中新生代山间陆相含油气盆地,盆地内新生代地层的构造变形记录了青藏高原北部生长、地壳缩短及其形成过程的重要信息.本文运用高精度卫星影像资料、地球物理资料剖面和磁性地层年代学数据等多种学科资料的综合研究,重点对柴达木盆地西部逆冲-褶皱构造带的形成机制和演化过程进行了详细的解析.研究结果表明:(1)由北向南依次发育分布的红三旱、尖顶山-黑梁子、南翼山和油砂山褶皱构造带均由不对称的直立褶皱或同斜褶皱构成,并且显示出背斜相对紧闭、向斜宽缓的”侏罗山式”褶皱特征,表明其下部滑脱构造带的存在;(2)红三旱、尖顶山-黑梁子逆冲-褶皱构造SW翼缓NE翼陡的不对称褶皱形态显示出是由南向北的逆冲作用形成的;两翼相对较对称的南翼山褶皱形态是由NE-SW向双向逆冲作用形成的;SW翼陡(或地层倒转)NE翼缓的油砂山褶皱带是由NE-SW向双向逆冲挤出作用形成的反映出由北向南的逆冲作用的存在;(3)红三旱、尖顶山-黑梁子和南翼山褶皱构造带的初始生长地层依次为始新统下干柴沟组、上新统狮子沟组和更新统七个泉组,高精度磁性地层限定其沉积时代依次为～39.5Ma、～8.2Ma和～2.5Ma,这不仅代表了这些褶皱的初始形成时代,而且代表了其逆冲断裂的形成时代;油砂山褶皱构造带中七个泉组初始生长地层以及上地表发育的一系列现代水系发生了弯曲,表明该逆冲-褶皱构造带从～2.5Ma形成以来一直持续到现在迄今仍在生长;红山旱地区近SN向的直立褶皱以及柴西地区似穹窿状的叠加褶皱,反映出阿尔金断裂带走滑过程中伴随的近EW向挤压的结果;(4)综合柴西地区逆冲-褶皱带构造地貌、生长地层、地球物理剖面、磁性地层年代学等证据,表明柴西存在的一系列逆冲-褶皱带是由南向北的滑脱构造产生,具有后退式生长演化特征,表明印度/欧亚板块碰撞以来,～40Ma其远程效应已到达柴达木盆地北部,并形成红山旱逆冲-褶皱构造带,随后的持续挤压,高原北部呈现出局部向南后退生长特征,依次形成尖顶山、南翼山和油砂山逆冲-褶皱带,其中～2.5Ma以来强烈的近南北向挤压作用产生的南翼山和油砂山逆冲-褶皱带构成了现今的”英雄岭”;～ 8Ma以来的阿尔金断裂带的强烈走滑活动波及到了柴达木盆地.     

川东多套滑脱层褶皱构造带形成物理模拟

川东地区发育典型的"侏罗山式"褶皱构造带,以北东走向的齐岳山断裂为界,南东侧为隔槽式褶皱,北西侧为隔挡式褶皱.中生代川东地区经历了自南东向北西的陆内递进变形,受多套滑脱层（基底拆离面、下寒武统页岩、志留系泥页岩和三叠系膏盐）的共同控制.但是,关于川东褶皱带的形成机制及其整体和分段形成时间仍存在较大争议.应用构造物理模拟方法,再现了川东"侏罗山式"褶皱带的形成过程,并分析了先存断裂及其倾角对川东褶皱构造变形的影响.模拟结果表明,川东褶皱带是齐岳山断裂、华蓥山断裂、志留系滑脱层和基底拆离面组成的阶梯状体系在构造挤压下发生断层相关褶皱作用的结果.基底拆离面（深度约16 km）控制隔槽式褶皱的发育,志留系页岩主要控制隔挡式褶皱的形成.中生代（165~75 Ma）川东地区的构造缩短率约为32%.齐岳山断裂是隔槽式褶皱向隔挡式褶皱过渡的重要枢纽,是先存高角度断裂浅部向北西迁移后的产物.华蓥山断裂的倾角控制着隔挡式褶皱的波长,当倾角较陡时（45°）更有利于发育典型的隔挡式褶皱.      

A detachment fold model for fault zones in the Late Archean Abitibi greenstone belt

The Abitibi belt is one of the largest and most extensively studied Late Archean greenstone belts. The structural geology of the Abitibi belt consists of one generation of upright to slightly overturned, doubly plunging first-order folds with half-wavelengths of 20–60 km, and E–W-striking, steeply dipping fault zones that are parallel to the fold limbs. Two of the main fault zones are continuous for hundreds of kilometers. Previous tectonic models for the Abitibi belt interpret the fault zones to have formed as extensional growth faults bounding a volcanic-sedimentary basin, which were reactivated as thrusts during subsequent crustal shortening. Other models propose that the fault zones represent tectonic sutures, implying that the Abitibi belt is a collage of exotic terranes. However, distinct geological terranes have not been geologically demonstrated. We propose a new detachment fold model for the deformational history of the southern Abitibi belt, in Ontario, that explains the formation of the fault zones during the single, well-documented folding event that deformed the entire region. The internal structure of the fault zones, documented here with emphasis on the Porcupine–Destor fault zone, consists of isoclinally folded, strongly schistose, highly metamorphosed rock, cross-cut by numerous fault segments. We interpret that the upper crust (greenstones) was folded above a proposed detachment in the lower part of the volcanic stratigraphy. The fault zones would be, in essence, highly evolved detachment anticlines. Ultramafic metavolcanic rock that crops out within the fault zones would represent material from the detachment horizon that was emplaced in the cores of the detachment anticlines. The numerous segments that make up the mapped fault zones would be linked faults that formed within the isoclinal detachment anticlines to accommodate folding of the rheologically complex greenstones. The detachment fold model is compared to the results of analogue experiments designed to investigate crustal-scale folding, using viscous and frictional materials. Detachment folds are produced in the brittle upper crustal analogue on the limbs of folds formed in the ductile middle and lower crust analogues. The experimentally produced structures scale to the structures in the study area and indicate the detachment fold model for the southern Abitibi is mechanically viable.     

北天山北缘构造剖面测量及多期构造变形

天山北缘为典型的大陆内部活动构造特征,发育准噶尔盆地南缘逆冲带,主要表现为新生代时期形成的多排平行山体的背斜和逆冲断层。为了详细研究该区主要构造变形特征和变形形成时间,2005年我们对天山北缘进行了详细的地表地质剖面测量,之后进行了多年地表地质区域调查,落实了关键砾岩地层时代,充分结合卫星遥感影像资料、二维三维地震剖面和钻井测井资料,应用断层相关褶皱理论,完成了一条近SN向的长度50 km的金钩河-安集海河构造地质大剖面。野外观察和地质测量以及生长地层和生长地层不整合分析表明,安集海深层背斜初始形成时间为中新世早期,在第四纪西域组（Q1x）、乌苏群(Q2)和第四纪中晚期(Q4)最终定型的浅表背斜,深层为断层转折褶皱和中浅层反冲的楔形构造叠加组合而成;霍尔果斯深层背斜初始形成时间为中新世晚期,在第四纪中晚期Q4最终定型,构造样式为深层断层转折褶皱、中深层楔形构造和浅层断层扩展背斜叠加组合而成。区域地质调查发现一条近东西走向285°,发育在中生界地层的准南走滑断层,该断层位于准南边界逆冲断裂以北,形成时间最晚（Q4）。根据准南安集海背斜、霍尔果斯背斜和准南边界逆冲断裂初始形成时间,可以认为准南构造初始逆冲次序为后展式,然后整个逆冲带从第四纪早期西域组晚期开始一直活动到现今。     

中下部地壳拆离断层带演化中的褶皱作用:以辽南变质核杂岩为例

作为变质核杂岩构造的重要组成部分,拆离断层带内广泛发育的褶皱构造与其寄主岩石一样记录了中下地壳拆离作用过程。选取辽南变质核杂岩金州拆离断层带内褶皱构造作为研究对象,基于叶理与褶皱构造关系分析,划分了褶皱期次与阶段性;通过形态组构分析、结晶学组构分析及石英古温度计等技术方法的应用,初步分析了拆离断层内褶皱的形成机制,为辽南地区拆离作用过程提供约束。根据褶皱形成与拆离作用的时间关系,将拆离带内褶皱分为拆离前褶皱、拆离同期褶皱和拆离后褶皱;拆离作用同期的褶皱按时间早晚分为早期(a1)阶段、中期(a2)阶段、晚期(a3)阶段。不同阶段褶皱的野外形态、叶理与褶皱关系等方面的差异,以及形态组构与结晶学组构的特征,为判断和恢复褶皱的形成机制提供了佐证,揭示出拆离断层带褶皱是在纵弯压扁和顺层流变的共同作用下递进剪切变形的产物。在拆离作用过程中, a1阶段和a2阶段褶皱以纵弯、压扁褶皱作用为主,a3阶段褶皱以弯滑作用为主。褶皱作用记录了拆离断层一定温度范围内(主要集中在380~500 ℃)的变形特征,拆离作用从早期到晚期的演化整体处于相对稳定的应变状态下。对金州拆离断层带而言,在区域NW-SE向伸展过程中,还伴随着NE-SW向微弱的收缩。     

江南造山带北部早中生代岳阳—赤壁断褶带构造特征及变形机制研究

早中生代(晚印支-早燕山期)岳阳-赤壁断褶带位于江南造山带与中扬子前陆盆地交界地带.作者对该构造带进行了地表地质调查,以此为基础探讨了构造剖面结构及构造变形动力机制.岳阳-赤壁断褶带自南而北可分为岳阳-临湘基底滑脱-逆冲带,桃花泉-肖家湾盖层滑脱褶皱带,以及赤壁-嘉鱼前陆盆地断-褶-盆构造带.岳阳-临湘基底滑脱-逆冲带自南而北依次有郭镇向斜、官山背斜、临湘倒转向斜和聂市背斜,组成隔槽式褶皱组合.褶皱轴面多向南倾,褶皱变形面为南华系盖层与冷家溪群褶皱基底间的角度不整合面和顺界面的滑脱断裂面.桃花泉-肖家湾盖层滑脱褶皱带主要发育轴面南倾倒转褶皱,褶皱波长较小,卷入地层为南华系-志留系以及上石炭统-中三叠统沉积盖层.赤壁-嘉鱼前陆盆地断-褶-盆构造带以南倾蒲圻断裂(江南断裂)为南部边界,发育T3-J2前陆盆地沉积,带内褶皱与断裂卷入地层包括沉积盖层以及T3-J2地层:南部断裂与褶皱轴面南倾.北部轴面近直立.自南西至北东,研究区内构造线走向由EW向渐变为NEE-NE向.上述构造分带及变形特征反映出自南向北的运动指向,表明岳阳-赤壁断褶带具前陆冲断带构造性质.从断裂相关褶皱理论出发,以地表构造特征为依据,厘定了岳阳-赤壁地质剖面结构并进行了变形动力机制分析,认识如下:①自南而北、自下而上的多个滑脱层及其间的南倾逆断裂或断坡(主要为江南断裂)组成近似台阶状的逆冲断裂系统,从总体上控制了构造块体的滑移、逆冲以及相应的构造格架或变形分区.②郭镇向斜为基底滑脱褶皱,官山背斜具滑脱褶皱和断裂传播褶皱双重成因,聂市背斜为断裂转折褶皱;临湘向斜为受两侧背斜控制的被动向斜,由于弯滑褶皱作用在其两翼沿不整合界面形成滑脱断裂.③岳阳-临湘基底滑脱-逆冲带隔槽式褶皱的形成主要受控于褶皱基底的滑脱和基底整体的水平压缩,其形成机制类似于肿缩式褶皱.最后讨论认为湘东北-鄂东南地区不存在大规模、长距离的逆冲推覆构造.     

Foliation development and refraction in metamorphic rocks: reactivation of earlier foliations and decrenulation due to shifting patterns of deformation partitioning

Abstract Reactivation of early foliations accounts for much of the progressive strain at more advanced stages of deformation. Its role has generally been insufficiently emphasized because evidence is best preserved where porphyroblasts which contain inclusion trails are present. Reactivation occurs when progressive shearing, operating in a synthetic anastomosing fashion parallel to the axial planes of folds, changes to a combination of coarse- and finescale zones of progressive shearing, some of which operate antithetically relative to the bulk shear on a fold limb. Reactivation of earlier foliations occurs in these latter zones. Reactivation decrenulates pre-existing or just-formed crenulations, generating shearing along the decrenulated or rotated pre-existing foliation planes. Partitioning of deformation within these foliation planes, such that phyllosilicates and/or graphite take up progressive shearing strain and other minerals accommodate progressive shortening strain, causes dissolution of these other minerals. This results in concentration of the phyllosilicates in a similar, but more penetrative manner to the formation of a differentiated crenulation cleavage, except that the foliation can form or intensify on a fold limb at a considerable angle to the axial plane of synchronous macroscopic folds. Reactivation can generate bedding-parallel schistosity in multideformed and metamorphosed terrains without associated folds. Heterogeneous reactivation of bedding generates rootless intrafolial folds with sigmoidal axial planes from formerly through-going structures. Reactivation causes rotation or ‘refraction’of axial-plane foliations (forming in the same deformation event causing reactivation) in those beds or zones in which an earlier foliation has been reactivated, and results in destruction of the originally axial-plane foliation at high strains. Reactivation also provides a simple explanation for the apparently ‘wrong sense’, but normally observed ‘rotation’of garnet porphyroblasts, whereby the external foliation has undergone rotation due to antithetic shear on the reactivated foliation. Alternatively, the rotation of the external foliation can be due to its reactivation in a subsequent deformation event. Porphyroblasts with inclusion trails commonly preserve evidence of reactivation of earlier foliations and therefore can be used to identify the presence of a deformation that has not been recognized by normal geometric methods, because of penetrative reactivation. Reactivation often reverses the asymmetry between pre-existing foliations and bedding on one limb of a later fold, leading to problems in the geometric analysis of an area when the location of early fold hinges is essential. The stretching lineation in a reactivated foliation can be radically reoriented, potentially causing major errors in determining movement directions in mylonitic schistosities in folded thrusts. Geometric relationships which result from reactivation of foliations around porphyroblasts can be used to aid determination of the timing of the growth of porphyroblasts relative to deformation events. Other aspects of reactivation, however, can lead to complications in timing of porphyroblast growth if the presence of this phenomenon is not recognized; for example, D₂-grown porphyroblasts may be dissolved against reactivated S₁ and hence appear to have grown syn-D₁.     

A thin-skinned thrust model for Variscan Pembrokeshire, Wales

The east and west coasts of Pembrokeshire (SW Wales) provide two sections through the Variscan fold and thrust belt. The evolution of these structures is interpreted in terms of a thin-skinned tectonic model. Balanced cross-sections are constructed for the high-level imbricate sequences, and these allow reasonably accurate estimates of shortening to be made. Basement control on structures developed in the Upper Carboniferous cover rocks is minimal, though some thrust ramp positions may be determined by the location of earlier normal faults.The thrust belt may be divided into two parts, according to the depth to the décollement horizon. In the north, imbricate fans developed from a shallow-level detachment (<1 km) which dips gently south. In the southern part, a deeper level of décollement and thicker sedimentary pile gave rise to large-amplitude folds.Shortening is heterogeneous, and both thrust periodicity and fold style are partly determined by rheology. Cumulative tectonic displacement increases to the west across Pembrokeshire, resulting in a net clockwise rotation of about 40°.     

川东“侏罗山式”褶皱的数值模拟及成因探讨

本文通过采用有限差分法（FLAC）对“侏罗山式”褶皱进行数值模拟发现,层间粘聚力差异和上覆压力是控制隔档式褶皱、隔槽式褶皱样式的主要因素,即层间的能干性差异和埋深的控制。当地层在埋深较浅时,层间能干性差异对褶皱样式起主控作用,能干性差异小时出现隔槽式褶皱,差异大时出现隔档式褶皱。随着埋深加大,压力逐渐起主要作用,这时仅出现隔槽式褶皱。川东东带褶皱地层总体上层间能干性差异小,因而盖层的深部与浅部皆出现隔槽式褶皱,与模拟结果一致。西带褶皱地层总体层间能干性差异大,因而浅部出现隔档式褶皱。而其深部的下古生界地层主要受上覆压力控制,根据模拟推测应为隔槽式褶皱。     

Simple derivation of a shortening/rotation relation for straight limbs on symmetrical folds

Buckling of geological materials can lead to angular folds if the materials are foliated (schistose or multilayered). For symmetrical folds, the change of limb length that accompanies limb rotation is given ideally by:

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(1) i, f denote initial and final values over a finite deformation; R = length of a rotating limb segment; θ = inclination of the limb segment to the perpendicular to the axial plane; k = a parameter showing the degree of anisotropy of the material or multilayered assembly; k = 0 implies isotropic material and the R, θ curve becomes a hyperbola; k = 1 implies extreme anisotropy and the curve becomes a circle (Bayly, 1964, eq. 10; Cobbold, 1976, eq. 38). A derivation is given from first principles that is shorter and simpler than either of the original derivations.