Strain localization and large‐scale block rotation in the lower continental crust, Kataragama area, Sri Lanka

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn Sri Lanka a suite of rocks is regionally exposed which once formed a part of the middle to lower crust of a collisional orogen with about doubled crustal thickness. A subhorizontal to gently west‐dipping major thrust zone (Highland Basal Thrust) crosses Sri Lanka from NNE to SSW. It separates a granulite facies upper unit, the Highland Complex from an amphibolite facies lower unit, the Vijayan Complex with a displacement of more than 300 km. The basal Highland Complex was migmatized during thrusting. Rheological contrasts between dry granulites and migmatites were high in the presence of partial melts. Granulite facies fragments within the migmatites vary from the decimetre to kilometre scale. Granulites in the area of Kataragama, formerly interpreted as the Kataragama Klippe, are now identified as a large‐scale raft within the migmatites, which is completely separated from the overriding Highland Complex. During thrusting strain was concentrated in the migmatized basal parts of the Highland Complex. After crystallization of the migmatites thrusting continued, and strain was still localized within the migmatites. Therefore, granulite facies parageneses, structures and textures are preserved in the granulite rafts. The deviation of the granulite facies structures in the Kataragama raft from the general trend in the Highland Complex is interpreted to indicate counterclockwise rotation of the whole raft by about 90° around a subvertical rotation axis.