Computer experiments to investigate complex fibre patterns in natural antitaxial strain fringes

Antitaxial non‐deforming strain fringes from Lourdes, France, show complex quartz, calcite and chlorite fibre patterns that grew around pyrite in a slate during non‐coaxial progressive deformation. Development of these fringes was modelled using a computer program ‘Fringe Growth 2.0’ which can simulate incremental growth of crystal fibres around core‐objects of variable shape. It uses object‐centre paths as input, which are obtained from fibre patterns in thin section. The numerical experiments produced fibre patterns that show complex intergrowth of displacement‐controlled, face‐controlled and intermediate fibres similar to those in the natural examples. The direction of displacement‐controlled growth is only dependent on the relative movement between core‐object and fringe, so that core‐object rotation with respect to the fringe influences the fibre patterns and produces characteristic asymmetric fibre curvature. Object‐centre paths should be used for kinematic analysis of strain fringes instead of single fibres since these paths represent the fringe as a whole. The length along the path can be interpreted in terms of finite strain and path curvature in terms of rigid body rotation of fringes with respect to an external reference frame.     

Tectonic evolution of the Karakoram metamorphic complex (NW Himalayas) reflected in the 3D structures of spiral garnets: Insights from X-ray computed micro-tomography

Spiral garnet porphyroblasts are known to record lengthy periods of deformation and metamorphism by preserving single or multiple FIAs (Foliation Intersection Axis) formed normal to tectonic shortening directions. Thanks to technological advances in X-ray computed micro-tomography (XCMT), FIAs can now be readily determined in relatively large samples in contrast to previous methods that require the preparation of a set of radial vertical and horizontal thin sections of samples. XCMT scanning not only alleviates tedious thin section based procedures but also illuminates the complete internal architecture of a rock sample allowing three-dimensional (3D) quantitative shape analysis of an individual porphyroblast as well as precise measurement of FIAs. We applied the technique to a sample from the Hunza Valley in the Karakoram metamorphic complex (KMC), NW Himalayas, containing numerous garnet porphyroblasts with spiral-shaped inclusion trails. The XCMT imaging reveals an E–W trending FIA within the sample, which is consistent with orthogonal N–S collision of the India-Kohistan Island Arc with Asia. Garnet long axes (X_GT) have variable plunges that define a broad sub-vertical maximum and a small sub-horizontal maximum. The X_GT principle maxima lie at N-090 and N-120. Smaller maxima lie at N-020 and N-340. Geometric relationships between X_GT axes and FIA orientation in the sample suggest that porphyroblast shapes are controlled by the geometry of the lens-shaped microlithons in which they tend to nucleate and grow. The orientation of inclusion trails and matrix foliations in the sample are correlated with three discrete tectono-metamorphic events that respectively produced andalusite, sillimanite and kyanite in the KMC. Late staurolite growth in the sample reveals how the rocks extruded to the surface via a significant role of roll-on tectonics, which can be correlated with the Central Himalayas.     

Transposition of foliations and superposition of lineations during polyphase deformation in the Nevado-Filabride complex: tectonic implications

International Journal of Earth Sciences - Detailed structural analysis in a ca. 80 km2 area of the western Nevado-Filabride complex (Betic Cordillera) reveals a heterogeneous internal...