Deformation mechanisms in some cover thrust sheets from the external French Alps

Rocks from two parts of the Ultradauphinois Zone of the external French Alps have been examined, and the mechanisms by which they were deformed have been assessed from petrographic data. Jurassic and Triassic limestones deformed by pressure solution, dissolving non-ferroan-calcite and precipitating ferroan-calcite. Calcite pressure shadows are usually less elliptical in shape than pyrite pressure shadows, and grain boundary sliding is therefore thought to have played a significant role. Eocene rocks deformed by a variety of mechanisms. Limestones show mylonitic textures, whereas limestone conglomerates with a quartz-sandstone matrix deformed by pressure solution of calcite and grain boundary sliding of quartz. A model for enhanced diffusion of silica along mica seams is proposed to account for planar quartz-mica boundaries. Greywackes deformed by incongruent pressure solution, involving the metamorphic reaction of feldspar to mica and quartz, coupled with the replacement of feldspar by calcite.