The eastern Tonale fault zone: a ‘natural laboratory’ for crystal plastic deformation of quartz over a temperature range from 250 to 700 °C

Near the eastern end of the Tonale fault zone, a segment of the Periadriatic fault system in the Italian Alps, the Adamello intrusion produced a syn-kinematic contact aureole. A temperature gradient from 250 to 700 °C was determined across the Tonale fault zone using critical syn-kinematic mineral assemblages from the metasedimentary host rocks surrounding deformed quartz veins. Deformed quartz veins sampled along this temperature gradient display a transition from cataclasites to mylonites (frictional–viscous transition) at 280±30 °C. Within the mylonites, zones characterized by different dynamic recrystallization mechanisms were defined: Bulging recrystallization (BLG) was dominant between 280 and 400 °C, subgrain rotation recrystallization (SGR) in the 400–500 °C interval, and the transition to dominant grain boundary migration recrystallization (GBM) occurred at 500 °C. The microstructures associated with the three recrystallization mechanisms and the transitions between them can be correlated with experimentally derived dislocation creep regimes. Bulk texture X-ray goniometry and computer-automated analysis of preferred [c]-axis orientations of porphyroclasts and recrystallized grains are used to quantify textural differences that correspond to the observed microstructural changes. Within the BLG- and SGR zones, porphyroclasts show predominantly single [c]-axis maxima. At the transition from the SGR- to the GBM zone, the texture of recrystallized grains indicates a change from [c]-axis girdles, diagnostic of multiple slip systems, to a single maximum in Y. Within the GBM zone, above 630±30 °C, the textures also include submaxima, which are indicative of combined basal a- and prism [c] slip.     

Microstructure mechanism map of dynamically recrystallized marble

The relative nucleus density (RND) model of dynamically recrystallized grain size [Sakai, T., Jonas, J.J. 1984. Dynamic recrystallization: mechanical and microctructutal consideration. Acta metallurgica, 32, 198–209] was applied to experimentally and to naturally deformed marbles that have undergone dynamic recrystallization. The model shows that a relationship between initial grain size (D₀) and stable dynamically recrystallized grain size (D_S) for a given value of temperature-corrected strain-rate (Z) controls grain size evolution during dynamic recrystallization. New microstructural mechanism maps (MM-maps) for experimentally and naturally deformed marbles (based on previously published data) were defined in log grain size–log Z space and show two distinct regions of grain reduction and grain coarsening. The boundary between these two regions corresponds to an equation relating dynamically recrystallized grain size and temperature corrected strain rate, as proposed in this work. The new MM-map was used to trace semi-quantitatively microstructural and grain size evolution in naturally deformed marbles that underwent dynamic recrystallization at different thermal conditions. The boundary between grain coarsening and grain reduction does not necessarily coincide with the boundary between rotation and migration recrystallization mechanisms. Assessment of available natural data shows that the boundary condition D₀ = 2D_S between grain-coarsening and grain-reduction introduced by Sakai and Jonas [Sakai, T., Jonas, J.J. 1984. Dynamic recrystallization: mechanical and microctructutal consideration. Acta metallurgica, 32, 198–209] is not required for naturally deformed marble.     

Structural and textural development in Singhbhum shear zone,eastern India

The rocks within the Singhbhum shear zone in the North Singhbhum fold belt, eastern India, form a tectonic melange comprising granitic mylonite, quartz-mica phyllonite, quartz-tourmaline rock and deformed volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. The granitic rocks show a textural gradation from the least-deformed variety having coarse-to medium-grained granitoid texture through augen-bearing protomylonite and mylonite to ultramylonite. Both type I and type II S-C mylonites are present. The most intensely deformed varieties include ultramylonite. The phyllosilicate-bearing supracrustal rocks are converted to phyllonites. The different minerals exhibit a variety of crystal plastic deformation features. Generation of successive sets of mylonitic foliation, folding of the earlier sets and their truncation by the later ones results from the progressive shearing movement. The shear sense indicators suggest a thrust-type deformation. The microstructural and textural evolution of the rocks took place in an environment of relatively low temperature, dislocation creep accompanied by dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization being the principal deformation mechanisms. Palaeostress estimation suggests a flow stress within the range of 50–190 MPa during mylonitization.     

Subgrain rotation and dynamic recrystallization of olivine, upper mantle diapirism, and extension of the basin-and-range province

On the basis of an abrupt change of olivine grain size at certain depths in the upper mantle beneath the Basin-and-Range province in the western U.S.A., Mercier (1980b) proposed that subgrain rotation (SGR) recrystallization had taken place above the grain size discontinuity, and grain boundary migration (GBM) recrystallization at depths greater than the discontinuity.The rotation of subgrains and the characteristics of dynamically recrystallized neoblasts of olivine were analyzed in a series of dunite samples deformed experimentally to compressive strains of about 15–60%. Whereas the rotation angle between adjacent subgrains increases with strain, the mean rotation angle did not exceed 2° even in the most heavily deformed samples. Rotation angles between kink bands, which formed at all experimental conditions, also increase with strain; at the highest strains rotations of up to 110° are not uncommon. At low strains the dominant rotation axis between kinks is [001] and less frequently [ovw]; at high strains [uvw] rotation axes are common. Neoblasts did form mainly on old grain boundaries and less frequently within old grains. Rotation axes between intragranular neoblasts and their hosts are of the type [uvw] and the rotation angles are always large, features which seem to be inconsistent with SGR recrystallization and suggest GBM recrystallization. Neoblasts may have formed in highly strained regions of old grains where slip occurs with [uvw] rotation axes.The olivine textures and fabrics of lherzolite nodules originating in the uppermost mantle above the grain size discontinuity are similar to those of nodules from the Dreiser Weiher, Germany (Mercier, 1980b). A study of Dreiser Weiher samples shows, however, that they have features difficult to reconcile with the SGR mechanism.It is proposed here that GBM recrystallization occurred throughout a rising upper mantle diapir beneath the Basin-and-Range extension zone. As the upward flow crossed the regional lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary at about 65 km depth, it diverged causing flow velocities to decrease abruptly and the strain rate dropped approximately by an order of magnitude. As a consequence the differential stress decreased by about a factor of two and the olivine grain size increased by a factor of two.     

藏南超基性岩的塑性流变

随着深部构造研究的不断深入,岩石流变作用日益受到人们重视,普遍认为塑性流变是地壳深部构造形成的主要机制。超基性岩的流变作用目前已成为研究上地幔流变、岩石圈板块动力学和热对流,甚至震源机制的重要内容。 本文拟通过对构成雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩套底部的藏南超基性岩的研究,重点划分塑性流变的结构类型,探讨不同结构类型中橄榄石的组构特征及实际存在的滑动系,用不同方法计算超基性岩形成和侵位过程中的流动应力值,并认为由于橄榄石塑性流变而获得的晶格方位排列是造成地震波速度不连续性的主因,岩石的塑性流动有可能是深部能量释放和诱发     

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

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

Marble decay induced by thermal strains: simulations and experiments

Thermoelastic behavior of different marble types was analyzed using computational modeling and experimental measurements. Eight marble samples with different composition, grain size, grain boundary geometry, and texture were investigated. Calcitic and dolomitic marbles were considered. The average grain size varies from 75 μm to 1.75 mm; grain boundary geometry differs from nearly equigranular straight grain boundaries to inequigranular-interlobate grain boundaries. Four typical marble texture types were observed by EBSD measurements: weak texture; strong texture; girdle texture and high-temperature texture. These crystallographic orientations were used in conjunction with microstructure-based finite element analysis to compute the thermoelastic responses of marble upon heating. Microstructural response maps highlight regions and conditions in the marble fabric that are susceptible to degradation phenomena. This behavior was compared to the measured thermal expansion behavior, which shows increasing residual strains upon repetitive heating–cooling cycles. The thermal expansion behavior as a function of temperature changes can be classified into four categories: (a) isotropic thermal expansion with small or no residual strain; (b) anisotropic thermal expansion with small or no residual strain; (c) isotropic thermal expansion with a residual strain; and (d) anisotropic thermal expansion with residual strain. Thermal expansion coefficients were calculated for both simulated and experimental data and also modeled from the texture using the MTEX software. Fabric parameters control the amount and directional dependence of the thermal expansion. Marbles with strong texture show higher directional dependence of the thermal expansion coefficients and have smaller microstructural values of the maximum principal stress and strain energy density, the main precursors of microcracking throughout the marble fabric. In contrast, marbles with weak texture show isotropic thermal expansion behavior, have a higher propensity to microcracking, and exhibit higher values of maximum principal stress and strain energy density. Good agreement between the experimental and computational results is observed, demonstrating that microstructure-based finite-element simulations are an excellent tool for elucidating influences of rock fabric on thermoelastic behavior.     

Texture development of recrystallised quartz polycrystals unravelled by orientation and misorientation characteristics

The development of microstructures and textures (i.e. crystallographic preferred orientations) during recrystallisation of naturally deformed quartz polycrystals has been studied via electron diffraction techniques in the scanning electron microscope. In the investigated sample series of quartz-rich rocks originating from different deformation regimes, the microstructural and textural changes in quartz have been significantly influenced by dynamic recrystallisation. Based on microstructural observations paired with orientation and misorientation analyses down to the scale of grains and subgrains, criteria could be established which characterise the dominant recrystallisation process and its influence on texture development. It is shown that the texture development during dynamic recrystallisation is controlled by a differential activation of slip systems in grains of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ orientations. The analyses provide further evidence that specific grain orientations are preferred during crystal plastic deformation, recrystallisation and grain growth. The influence of twinning after the Dauphiné law was also investigated. Observations of a progressive reduction in the population of Dauphiné-twin boundaries during recrystallisation and a penetrative deformation in both hosts and twins indicate a generation prior to deformation and recrystallisation. A mechanical origin for twinning and possible influence on texture development was therefore discarded.     

P-T path development derived from shearband boudin microstructure

This work focuses on the development of a regional P-T-path from the Malpica-Lamego Ductile Shear Zone, NW Portugal, based on the microstructures of shearband boudins evolved during progressive simple shear. The combination of microstructural analysis, fluid inclusion studies, crystallographic preffered orientation and fractal geometry analyses, allows to link several stages in the internal evolution of the boudin to regional P-T conditions. The boudinage process is initiated under differential stress after the original layer achieved sufficient viscosity contrast relative to the surrounding matrix. Two main transformations occur simultaneously: i) change in the external shape with continuous evolution from tabular rigid body to sigmoidal asymmetric morphology (shearband boudin) and ii) localized dynamic recrystallization in the sharp-tips of the structure (acute edge of shearband boudin), and along the boudin's margin and grain boundaries. Smaller recrystallized grains, particularly in the sharp-tip domains, accommodate most of the external strain, and larger relict grains are preserved in the centre. Dynamic recrystallization under constant strain rates and strain partitioning inside the boudins is indicated by fractal geometry based on grain boundary and grain area analysis. Progressive deformation leads to the generation of structural and textural heterogeneous domains inside the boudins, and is recorded by quartz c-axis orientation analysis and fluid inclusion studies. The last deformation episode shows the final formation of the blunt-tip domain and internal secondary shear planes. The regional P-T path begins with the crystallization of andalusite after an internal shearband boudin dilation event and ends with quartz dynamic recrystallization on boudin tips. The main deformation stage (310/315 Ma) led to reactivation of internal secondary shear zones with sillimanite crystallization.     

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].     

单斜辉石中石英出溶体的显微结构和成因机制

矿物出溶结构保存有早期母体矿物的物理化学条件信息,对其开展研究不仅有助于了解寄主岩石的来源深度,而且有助于研究减压折返的动力学演化过程.在世界许多高压-超高压带的榴辉岩和石榴辉石岩中,人们普遍发现单斜辉石中有定向排列的针状或棒状SiO₂析出物,其矿物相主要为α石英,有时会伴生钙质角闪石等含水矿物.这些定向针状或棒状体通常平行于单斜辉石c[001]轴方向延伸,石英长轴可以为其c[0001]轴或a[1120]轴.电子背散射衍射(EBSD)测试结果表明,多数石英(96%)析出物与寄主单斜辉石具有结晶学取向关系:(1) 50%的石英c轴平行,并且[0001]_Qz//[001]_Cpx;(2)35%的石英至少有一个a轴平行,并且[1120]_Qz//[001]_Cpx;(3)11%的石英至少有一个s{1121}面平行,并且(1121)_Qz//(100)_Cpx.钙质角闪石析出物与寄主单斜辉石也具有密切结晶学取向关系:(100)_Amp//(100)_Cpx、[010]_Amp//[010]_Cpx、[001]_Amp//[001]_Cpx、[100]_Amp∧[100]_Cpx≈32°.上述定量显微构造证据表明,单斜辉石中定向石英析出物是由出溶作用所形成,并且多数石英出溶体形成于α石英稳定域.已有高温高压实验研究数据表明,单斜辉石中空位的形成和钙埃斯科拉组分(CaEs)的含量均受化学组成、压力、温度等多种因素综合影响:单斜辉石中CaEs含量对化学组成非常敏感,并受到共生矿物体系中自由SiO₂相和蓝晶石的共同缓冲;相同化学组成和等压条件下,CaEs含量总体上随温度升高缓慢降低;相同化学组成和等温条件下,CaEs含量在＜6 GPa区间随压力升高而增加,在＞6 GPa区间随压力升高而降低.单斜辉石定向SiO₂析出物的形成可能涉及多种因素,高压只是其中必要条件之一.榴辉岩质单斜辉石中“石英±角闪石”析出物很可能形成于开放体系,与熔流体活动密切相关,涉及多阶段物质扩散、晶体成核生长、重结晶、退变质反应等复杂作用过程.单斜辉石中定向SiO₂析出物的显微结构特征并非超高压岩石的必要条件,这种特殊显微结构也不能作为证明超高压的充分条件.      

Behaviour of granites and limestones subjected to slow and homogeneous temperature changes

We have studied the evolution of the texture in two granites and two limestones subjected to slow and uniform temperature change. Each granite has a different grain size and each limestone a different texture: Carrare crystalline limestone and Crepey oolitic limestone. Temperature was varied from 200°C to 700°C. Scanning Electron Microscope observations of different rock samples show that during thermal cycling intercrystalline boundaries in granites widen out progressively and porosity increases. New microcracks appear in crystals between 500°C and 600°C. In Carrare crystalline limestone, intercrystalline cracks appear at temperatures as low as 200°C. Due to its heterogeneous cracks appear at temperatures as low as 200°C. Due to its heterogeneous increasing temperature. Longitudinal wave velocity and intrinsic permeability show good correlation with the Scanning Electron Microscope observations.     

Microstructure and texture formation in extruded lead sulfide (galena)

Lead sulfide (galena) of different purity and grain size was extruded through a round and rectangular die at temperatures between 773 and 923 K. Global and local lattice preferred orientations (here referred to as textures) were measured by neutron and electron back-scattering diffraction. Tension leads to a <100> <111> double fibre texture. Pure shear deformation yields texture components near the ideal face-centered cubic metal brass, copper, Goss and cube positions. The intensity of the components depends on the purity and/or grain size. The microstructure is partially recrystallized. Electron back-scattering diffraction indicates that in tension the <100> and in pure shear the Goss and cube components are associated with dynamic recrystallization. The deformation texture can be qualitatively explained by the full and relaxed constraints Taylor model using slip on {100}<110>, {110}<110> and {111}<110> systems. The texture formation in lead sulfide compares well with that observed for other ionic crystals with the NaCl-structure as well as for face-centered cubic metals with a high stacking fault energy.     

The influence of stress history on the grain size and microstructure of experimentally deformed quartzite

Deformation of middle crustal shear zones likely varies with time as a result of the stress build-up and release associated with earthquakes and post-seismic deformation, but the processes involved and their microstructural signature in the rock record are poorly understood. We conducted a series of experiments on quartzite at 900 °C to characterize microstructures associated with changes in stress and strain rate, and to investigate the feasibility of carrying out grain size piezometry in natural rocks that experienced analogous changes. Differential stress (referred to simply as “stress”) was varied in two-stage experiments by changing strain rate and by stopping the motor and allowing stress to relax. The two-stage samples preserve a microstructural record that can be interpreted quantitatively in terms of stress history. The microstructure associated with a stress increase is a bimodal distribution of recrystallized grain sizes. The smaller grains associated with the second deformation stage accurately record the stress of the second stage, and the surviving coarse grains remain similar in size to those formed during the earlier stage. The transient microstructure associated with stress decrease is a “partial foam” texture containing a larger concentration of stable 120° triple junctions than occur in samples deformed at a relatively constant strain rate. Our results indicate that microstructures preserved in rocks that experienced relatively simple, two-stage deformation histories can be used to quantitatively assess stress histories.Grain growth rates during deformation are similar to rates observed in previous isostatic growth experiments, supporting theoretical approaches to recrystallized grain size, such as the wattmeter theory (Austin and Evans, 2007), that incorporate static growth rates. From an analysis of the experimental data for quartz recrystallized grain size, we find: 1) Recrystallized grain size quickly reaches a value consistent with ambient deformation conditions. We argue that this explains a good match between average grain sizes predicted by the wattmeter after complete recrystallization and the recrystallized grain sizes of the experiments. 2) The present formulation of the wattmeter overestimates the rates at which porphyroclasts recrystallize by as much as an order of magnitude, and 3) owing to problems with extrapolation of grain growth data for quartz, the wattmeter is not presently applicable to natural samples deformed at low temperatures. We present a simplified flow law for quartz, and suggest that the change in slope of the quartz piezometer at high stress (regime 1) is related to a switch to a linear viscous rheology.     

Microstructural evolution and grain boundary structure during static recrystallization in synthetic polycrystals of Sodium Chloride containing saturated brine

The effects of brine on recrystallization in halite are well known. However, properties of brine such as morphology, connectivity, diffusivity and the resulting influences on deformation mechanisms are still a matter of debate. This paper presents a microstructural study of dense, statically recrystallizing synthetic polycrystalline halite containing small amounts of brine. We used powders of two different grain size classes: <10 µm and 200–355 µm. The aggregates were compacted to brine-filled porosities less than about 2% and annealed at room temperature, without an external stress field.Coarse-grained samples undergo recrystallization manifested by the growth of large (up to 300 µm) strain-free grains into the deformed old grains. The new grains are frequently euhedral, with mobile grain boundaries moving at rates up to 6 nm/s. Their mobility is interpreted to be high due to the presence of water. Grain surfaces are smooth and the width of the water-rich zones is usually below the resolution of the SEM (less than 50 nm).The evolution of fine-grained samples starts with primary recrystallization and a reorganization of grain boundaries. After this stage, which lasts a few hours, normal grain growth effectively stops, and no significant increase of grain size is observed even after several months. Microstructural observations indicate contact healing at the grain boundaries, with dihedral angles ranging between 20 and 110°. We interpret these boundaries to be fluid-free, with the brine residing in a network of triple junction tubes. This system of triple junctions is interconnected and associated with significant permeability.While grain growth is inhibited in the fine-grained samples, after a few hours of annealing exaggerated grain growth is commonly initiated. This is manifested by the growth of large, euhedral grains replacing the fine-grained matrix. These grains also grow with low-index facets and their boundaries are also interpreted to be mobile due to the existence of a water-rich phase.Editorial Responsibility: J. Hoefs     

Atypical textures in quartz veins from the Simplon Fault Zone

Samples of monomineralic quartz veins from the Simplon Fault Zone in southwest Switzerland and north Italy generally have asymmetric, single girdle c-axis patterns similar to textures measured from many other regions. Several samples have characteristically different textures, however, with a strong single c-axis maximum near the intermediate specimen axis Y (the direction within the foliation perpendicular to the lineation X) and a tendency for the other crystal directions to be weakly constrained in their orientation about this dominant c-axis maximum. This results in ‘streaked’ pole figure patterns, with an axis of rotation parallel to the c-axis maximum. These atypical samples also have a distinctive optical microstructure, with advanced recrystallization and grain growth resulting in a strong shape fabric (S_B) oblique to the dominant regional foliation (S_A), whereas typical samples have a strong S_A fabric outlined by very elongate, only partially recrystallized, ribbon grains. The recrystallized grains of the atypical samples are themselves deformed and show strong undulose extinction and a core-mantle recrystallization structure. The streaked texture is likely to be a direct consequence of lattice bending and kinking during heterogeneous slip on the favoured first-order prism (10 0) (a) system, the heterogeneity itself being due to problems in maintaining coherence across grain boundaries when insufficient independent easy-slip systems are available for homogeneous strain by dislocation glide. Such bending would be particularly prevalent in very elongate, thin ribbon grains, resulting in high internal strain energy and promoting recrystallization. Thus both the texture and the microstructure could be significantly modified by later strain increments affecting quartz grains with an already developed, nearly single-crystal texture.     

Microstructural analysis and P–T conditions of the Azul megashear zone, Tandilia, Buenos Aires province, Argentina

A microstructural analysis was carried out on mylonitic rocks of the Azul megashear zone (AMSZ), Tandilia, which were formed in a range of metamorphic conditions from lower greenschist to amphibolite facies. Tailed porphyroclasts are common and mostly symmetric. Scarce asymmetric rotated porphyroclasts show both sinistral and dextral senses of shear. In sections parallel to the mylonitic foliation, porphyroclasts are round. The AMSZ is probably related to the late Transamazonian orogenic cycle and may be due to NNE–SSW-directed convergence. In weakly deformed protolith and protomylonites, quartz deforms by dynamic recrystallization, mainly subgrain rotation in dislocation creep Regime 2. K-feldspar porphyroclasts and plagioclase show scarce fracturation and deform by dynamic recrystallization along grain boundaries. Quartz microstructures in mylonites indicate predominantly Regime 3 grain boundary migration recrystallization. Feldspar structures indicate recrystallization through the nucleation and growth of new grains at grain boundaries. The temperatures of deformation from mineral assemblages in the CNKFMASH system in four bulk compositions are in the range of 400–450 °C, and the pressures are more than 6 kb.     

Deformation and recrystallisation of orthopyroxene from the giles complex, Central Australia

The microstructures and fabrics of naturally deformed orthopyroxenites from the Giles Complex, central Australia are described in some detail. Coarse grained enstatite is deformed and recrystallised where it is incorporated in planar gneissic (mylonite) zones which show a gradation in strain from their margins inwards. Deformation takes place by slip on (100) [001] to produce regular lattice bending and kinking, and recrystallisation takes place preferentially along grain boundaries and kink band boundaries (KBB's). The microstructures and preferred orientation of recrystallised grains along KBB's are interpreted in terms of possible nucleation mechanisms, and both bulge nucleation (Bailey and Hirsch, 1962) and subgrain coalescence (Hu, 1963) are likely contributors. Electron microprobe analyses have indicated a small compositional difference between new (recrystallised) and host (deformed) grains, which is related to the nucleation mechanism. The total preferred orientation patterns for host and new grains are discussed with special reference to previous measurements and interpretations.     

An electron microscopy study of deformation microstructures in granitic mylonites from southwestern Sweden, with special emphasis on the micas

Summary ¶The lithology, age, geological setting, structural and metamorphic history of the granitic mylonites from the Mylonite Zone (MZ) in southwestern Sweden have been studied extensively. The deformation history, growth of microstructures, intensity of deformation, changes in mineral compositions, and pressure-temperature conditions of deformation have, however, not been addressed. In this study, powder X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and transmission electron microscopy of micas, chlorite, and plagioclase are combined to understand the physical and textural changes experienced by the rocks during mylonitization. It is shown that the occurrence of foliated micas in shear bands, recrystallization of quartz and biotite, and undulatory extinction in quartz grains were not uniform throughout the samples studied. Occurrence of dislocations and low-angle grain boundaries confirm that deformation occurred largely by glide dislocations. The low-angle grain boundaries observed are formed by the re-arrangement of these dislocations during grain size reduction processes. The micas show a high degree of spatial stacking order, but spatial stacking disorder in micas and chlorites has also been found.Ordered stacking faults are formed during low strain while disordered stacking faults are formed under high strain conditions. Occurrence of both ordered and disordered stacking faults indicates that the intensity of deformation was not uniform through the entire MZ. Moreover, the chemical composition of plagioclase shows that the exsolution lamellae observed with optical and electron microscopy are due to Ca-subsolidus reactions during low temperature deformation. Several substitution reactions occurring in the micas indicate that deformation took place between 0.3 and 0.4GPa, at a temperature higher than 500°C.Received October 15, 2001; revised version accepted December 25, 2002 Published online June 2, 2003