A method for the determination of the initial shapes of deformed xenoliths in granitoids

Measuring strain from deformed xenoliths is problematic due mainly to the large initial shape variations of these markers. A method is described which allows mean initial shape to be determined for a number of xenolith populations by displaying their logarithmic ranges (log R_fmax — log R_fmax) on a Range diagram. The diagram contains a check on validity and allows bad samples to be recognised. Xenolith data from a deformed granite in northwest Ireland is analysed using the method.