Boundary Migration Recrystallization Research Articles

Full‐Field Numerical Simulation of Halite Dynamic Recrystallization From Subgrain Rotation to Grain Boundary Migration

AbstractFull‐field numerical modeling is a useful method to gain understanding of rock salt deformation at multiple scales, but it is quite challenging due to the anisotropic and complex plastic behavior of halite, together with dynamic recrystallization processes. This contribution presents novel results of full‐field numerical simulations of coupled dislocation glide and dynamic recrystallization of halite polycrystalline aggregates during simple shear deformation, including both subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration (GBM) recrystallization. The results demonstrate that the numerical approach successfully replicates the evolution of pure halite microstructures from laboratory torsion deformation experiments at 100–300°C. Temperature determines the competition between (a) grain size reduction controlled by dislocation glide and subgrain rotation recrystallization (at low temperature) and (b) grain growth associated with GBM (at higher temperature), while the resulting crystallographic preferred orientations are similar for all cases. The relationship between subgrain misorientation and strain follows a power law relationship with a universal exponent of 2/3 at low strain. However, dynamic recrystallization causes a progressive deviation from this relationship when strain increases, as revealed by the skewness of the subgrain misorientation distribution. A systematic investigation of the subgrain misorientation evolution shows that strain or temperature prediction from microstructures requires careful calibration.

Development of the Median Tectonic Line-related shear zone, southwest Japan: An analysis of strain localization processes

The development of a mylonite zone along the Median Tectonic Line (MTL), southwest Japan, which developed in the Cretaceous granitic rocks, was examined to understand strain localization during cooling. The mylonites are E-W trending, north-dipping, and represent the hanging wall of the MTL. The mylonite zone includes both protomylonite and mylonite, which were derived from two distinct protoliths: tonalite (protomylonite) and granite (mylonite) and occur at distances of c. 0–300 m and 300–700 m from the MTL, respectively. We used quartz microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) and two-feldspar thermometry to infer the spatiotemporal development of deformation conditions in the MTL mylonite zone. The mylonitic granite is sub-divided into southern and northern mylonite zones, which exhibit A- and B-type quartz microstructure formed by subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration recrystallization, respectively. In both the mylonitic granite and protomylonitic tonalite, quartz c-axis CPOs primarily display a moderate-temperature Y-maximum pattern, as well as a less common low-temperature type-I crossed-girdle pattern. In the northern zone, quartz deformation initially occurred at moderate temperatures of 435 °C–490 °C, forming mylonitic granite with B-type quartz microstructure. As temperature decreased to 355 °C–435 °C, the strain localized into the southern zone to form A-type quartz microstructure. The protomylonitic tonalite formed under similar temperature conditions. At temperatures below 355 °C, ductile deformation ceased in the majority of the granite and tonalite, with only a narrow zone of ultramylonite up to 50 m wide, deforming adjacent to the MTL at conditions approximating the brittle–ductile transition in quartz (c. 300 °C). Strain localization did not occur within a single shear zone, but in several deforming strands that formed in distinct protoliths, one of which developed into the narrow ultramylonite zone reworked as the brittle MTL, likely controlled by cooling.

Progressive Development of a Distributed Ductile Shear Zone beneath the Patagonian Retroarc Fold-Thrust Belt, Chile

Abstract The southern Patagonian Andes record Late Cretaceous–Paleogene compressional inversion of the Rocas Verdes backarc basin (RVB) and development of the Patagonian fold-thrust belt (FTB). A ductile décollement formed in the middle crust and accommodated underthrusting, thickening, and tectonic burial of the continental margin (Cordillera Darwin Metamorphic Complex (CDMC)) beneath the RVB. We present new geologic mapping, quartz microstructure, and crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) fabric analyses to document the kinematic evolution and deformation conditions of the décollement. Within the CDMC, the décollement is defined by a quartz/chlorite composite schistose foliation (S1-2) that is progressively refolded by two generations of noncylindrical, tight, and isoclinal folds (F3–F4). Strain intensifies near the top of the CDMC, forming a >5 km thick shear zone that is defined by a penetrative L-S tectonite (S2/L2) and progressive noncylindrical folding (F3). Younger kink folds and steeply inclined tight folds (F4) with both north- and south-­dipping axial planes (S4) overprint D2 and D3 structures. Quartz textures from D2 fabrics show subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration recrystallization equivalent to regime 3, and quartz CPO patterns indicate mixed prism <a> and [c] slip systems with c-axis opening angles indicative of deformation temperatures between ~500° and >650°C. Approximately 40 km toward the foreland, the shear zone thins (~1 km thick) and is defined by the L-S tectonite (S2/L2) and tightening of recumbent isoclinal folds (F3). Quartz textures and CPO patterns indicate subgrain rotation recrystallization typical of regime 2 and dominantly basal <a> slip, and c-axis opening angles are consistent with deformation temperatures between ~375° and 575°C. Deformation occurred under greenschist and amphibolite facies conditions in the foreland and hinterland, respectively, indicating that the shear zone dipped shallowly toward the hinterland. The Magallanes décollement is an example of a regional ductile shear zone that accommodated distributed middle to lower crustal thickening below a retroarc FTB.

Microstructure and Crystallographic Preferred Orientations of an Azimuthally Oriented Ice Core from a Lateral Shear Margin: Priestley Glacier, Antarctica

A 58 m long azimuthally oriented ice core has been collected from the floating lateral sinistral shear margin of the lower Priestley Glacier, Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. The crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) and microstructures are described in order to correlate the geometry of anisotropy with constrained large-scale kinematics. Cryogenic Electron Backscatter Diffraction analysis shows a very strong fabric (c-axis primary eigenvalue ∼0.9) with c-axes aligned horizontally sub-perpendicular to flow, rotating nearly 40° clockwise (looking down) to the pole to shear throughout the core. The c-axis maximum is sub-perpendicular to vertical layers, with the pole to layering always clockwise of the c-axes. Priestley ice microstructures are defined by largely sub-polygonal grains and constant mean grain sizes with depth. Grain long axis shape preferred orientations (SPO) are almost always 1–20° clockwise of the c-axis maximum. A minor proportion of “oddly” oriented grains that are distinct from the main c-axis maximum, are present in some samples. These have horizontal c-axes rotated clockwise from the primary c-axis maximum and may define a weaker secondary maximum up to 30° clockwise of the primary maximum. Intragranular misorientations are measured along the core, and although the statistics are weak, this could suggest recrystallization by subgrain rotation to occur. These microstructures suggest subgrain rotation (SGR) and recrystallization by grain boundary migration recrystallization (GBM) are active in the Priestley Glacier shear margin. Vorticity analysis based on intragranular distortion indicates a vertical axis of rotation in the shear margin. The variability in c-axis maximum orientation with depth indicates the structural heterogeneity of the Priestley Glacier shear margin occurs at the meter to tens of meters scale. We suggest that CPO rotations could relate to rigid rotation of blocks of ice within the glacial shear margin. Rotation either post-dates CPO and SPO development or is occurring faster than CPO evolution can respond to a change in kinematics.

Test of the Effective Stress Law for Semibrittle Deformation Using Isostatic and Triaxial Load Paths

AbstractFor brittle friction and rock deformation, the coefficient α in the general effective stress relation σe = σ − αPp can be approximated as unity with sufficient accuracy. However, it is uncertain if α deviates from unity for semibrittle flow when both brittle and intracrystalline‐plastic deformation is involved. We conducted triaxial and isostatic compression experiments on synthetic salt‐rocks (∼300 ppm water) at room temperature to test the effective stress relation in the semibrittle regime using silicone oil and argon gas as pore fluids. Confining and pore pressures were cycled while their difference (differential pressure) was kept constant, such that changes in the mechanical behavior would indicate deviation of α from unity. Microstructural observations were used to determine the dependence of α on true area of grain contact from asperity yielding. In triaxial compression experiments, semibrittle flow involves grain boundary cracking and sliding, and intragranular dislocation glide and cracking. Flow strength remains constant for changes in pore fluid pressure of more than two orders of magnitude. In isostatic compression experiments, samples show combined processes of microcracking, grain boundary sliding, dislocation glide, and fluid‐assisted grain boundary migration recrystallization. Volumetric strain depends directly on the differential pressures (i.e., α equals one). Analysis of grain‐contact area in both experiments indicates that α is independent of the true area of contact defined by plastic yielding at grain boundaries. The observation of α effectively equals one may be explained by operation of pressure‐independent intracrystalline‐plastic mechanisms and transmission of pore pressure at grain boundaries through thin fluid films.

Texture and Shape Analysis of Quartzite Mylonites of the Metamorphic Sole of the Samail Ophiolite (Oman): Evidence for Syn- and Post-Obduction Deformation

The metamorphic sole, tectonically welded to the base of the Samail ophiolite in a supra-subduction system, is assumed to play the main role in strain accumulation during later thrusting onto the Arabian Plate (i.e., during obduction). The present study deals with five quartzite samples representative of the upper amphibolite and lower greenschist facies parts of the sole. Whole-rock textures obtained by neutron time-of-flight technique were coupled with microstructural observation using electron backscatter diffraction analyses. The quartz microstructural fabrics and textures in the upper and lower parts of the sole represent grain boundary migration and [c]-in-Y textures and subgrain rotation recrystallization and {r}-in-Z textures, respectively. The shear sense in these samples points to top-to-the-SW to SSW shear. One sample of the upper part, yielding a higher calcite amount, is later overprinted by bulging and displays top-to-the-NNE shear. We postulate to differentiate two main deformation steps. The first is the overall present subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration recrystallization combined to top ~SW shear is related to the sole accretion to the ophiolite and the eventually following thrusting onto the Arabian Plate. The second is correlated to a post-obduction extensional top-to-the-NNE shearing, which is associated with tectonic thinning of the ophiolite and mainly documented in the underlying autochthonous units.

Thermomechanical Processing Map in Retaining {100}//ND texture via Strain-Induced Boundary Migration Recrystallization Mechanism

The feasibility of establishing thermomechanical conditions to promote {100}//ND fiber texture via strain-induced boundary migration (SIBM) recrystallization mechanism in a non-grain oriented (NGO) electrical steel was investigated. Single-hit uniaxial compression at various temperatures and strains has been applied on Fe-6 wt pct Si to establish the relationship between stored energy and the softening mechanisms. Recovery only and recrystallization by SIBM or by subgrain growth (SGG) have been observed depending on the stored energy level. A strong {100}//ND fiber recrystallization texture, i.e., 45 pct area fraction, was seen in the sample which was deformed to 0.2 strain at 650 °C and then annealed at 1000 °C for 15 minutes, whereas only 13 pct {100}//ND fiber component was observed after 0.4 strain at 500 °C followed by the same annealing treatment. By examining the same microstructural region before and after annealing via EBSD, it has been shown that {100}//ND textured recrystallized grains were formed adjacent to the {100}// ND textured deformed matrix. Low stored energy has been shown to favor the formation of {100}//ND texture recrystallized grains via SIBM recrystallization mechanism attributed to its slow recrystallization nucleation rate. The results from the deformation studies have been used to suggest a processing window map concept to define the recovery, SIBM, and SGG regions for the starting as-cast columnar microstructure.

Deformation mechanisms accommodating progressive simple shear thrusting of quartzite and metacarbonate in the southwestern Espinhaço Range, Brazil

The accommodation of low-temperature ductile deformation in foreland fold-and-thrust belts is often described in terms of outcrop-based geometric analysis, but microtextural observations are also important, as they relate stress, strain, fluids and temperature and thus the rheology in the peripheral part of the orogen. Such microtextural observations are lacking from the foreland part of the Araçuaí orogen in Brazil, and are here investigated through EBSD-based textural analysis of quartzites and metacarbonate samples from the southwestern Espinhaço Range. The quartzites overthrust the metacarbonates, and deform solely by the activation of dissolution-precipitation creep, whereas the metacarbonates show a much greater variety of deformation mechanisms that closely relate to grain-size, composition and strain, in the long (low-angle) and short (steep) limbs of shear-related folds. The metacarbonates show a centimeter-scale alternation of coarse-grained domains of calcite and quartz, and fine-grained domains of a mix of phases (calcite, dolomite, phyllosilicates, quartz, and apatite). In the strongly sheared long limbs, coarse calcite was deformed by dislocation creep with slip on (c)<a>, whereas fine calcite displays evidence of oriented dissolution-precipitation creep, with both cases displaying <c> axis orientations consistent with the top-to-the-west thrusting. Coarse calcite shows evidence of recovery by subgrain rotation and grain boundary migration. Coarse-grained calcite in the short limbs was deformed by dislocation creep, assisted by twin boundary migration recrystallization with twinning on {e}, indicating simple shear-dominated deformation. In contrast, fine-grained calcite was deformed by fluid-assisted grain boundary sliding. Dissolution-precipitation in both short and long limbs produced random textures, with the exception of coarse quartz in the short limbs, where dissolution-precipitation creep led to <c> axis orientation parallel to X. This study demonstrates that the foreland thrust zone of the Araçuaí orogen underwent consistent W-directed progressive thrusting, and that this deformation produced a wide variety of texture types in the metacarbonates while a simpler structural and textural pattern developed in adjacent quartzitic metasediments.

Pure shear-dominated transpression and vertical extrusion in a strike-slip fault splay from the Itapirapuã Shear Zone, Ribeira Belt, Brazil

The Itapirapuã Shear Zone is a major NE-trending dextral transcurrent zone from the southern Ribeira Belt (Brazil), which was active during the Neoproterozoic Brasiliano-Pan African Orogeny, related with West Gondwana assembly. Macroscopic sigmoid-shaped blocks in its northernmost splay termination present a NE-trending subvertical tectonic foliation and subvertical stretching lineation suggesting a transpressional tectonics. This paper investigates this splay termination using integration of data from geological mapping, thermodynamic modeling, microtectonics, quartz c-axis fabrics, kinematic vorticity and finite strain analysis. Distinct rock assemblages are placed in tectonic contacts along the splay termination, including Statherian sillimanite-biotite paragneiss and granitic orthogneiss (Apiaí-Mirim Complex), Statherian phyllites (Bairro dos Prestes Formation), Calymmian chlorite-epidote-actinolite metabasites (Fazenda Velha Suite), Ediacaran phyllites, metalimestone and quartzite (Itaiacoca Group) and Ediacaran granite (Três Córregos Suite). Isochemical phase diagrams constrain synkinematic metamorphic conditions of 490–510 °C and 11–12.5 kbar (chlorite-biotite-phengite phyllite), 520–560 °C and 9–10 kbar (biotite-phengite phyllite) and 680–690 °C and 5–6 kbar (sillimanite-biotite paragneiss), with isothermal decompression paths. Microstructural evidence suggests that increase in metamorphic temperatures were accompanied by changes in the dominant deformation mechanism in quartz aggregates from subgrain rotation to grain boundary migration recrystallization. Significant contribution of dissolution-precipitation creep indicates water-abundant deformational conditions. Strain ellipsoids are oblate-shaped and present NE-trending subvertical XY planes and subvertical X-axes in agreement with field tectonic fabric. Quartz c-axis fabrics in XZ sections of the strain ellipsoid are dominated by symmetrical crossed girdles, while the fabrics present dextral asymmetry in horizontal YZ sections, consistent with macroscopic structural deflection, indicating a subvertical vorticity axis. Vorticity results indicate 48–59% of pure shear contribution. The data indicate that strain in the Itapirapuã Shear Zone northern termination was accommodated by a pure shear-dominated transpression with vertical extrusion at mid-crustal conditions, which contrasts with a transtensional deformation in the southeastern block.

Structural setting of a transpressive shear zone: insights from geological mapping, quartz petrofabric and kinematic vorticity analysis in NE Sardinia (Italy)

AbstractThe Posada–Asinara Line is a crustal-scale transpressive shear zone affecting the Variscan basement in northern Sardinia during Late Carboniferous time. We investigated a structural transect of the Posada–Asinara Line (Baronie) with the aid of geological mapping and structural analysis. N-verging F2 isoclinal folds with associated mylonitic foliation (S2) are the main deformation features developed during the Posada–Asinara Line activity (D2). The mineral assemblages and microstructures suggest that the Posada–Asinara Line was affected by a retrograde metamorphic path. This is also confirmed by quartz microstructures, where subgrain rotation recrystallization superimposes on grain boundary migration recrystallization. Crystallographic preferred orientation data, obtained using electron backscatter diffraction, allowed analysis of quartz slip systems and estimation of the deformation temperature, vorticity of flow and rheological parameters (flow stress and strain rate) during the Posada–Asinara Line activity. Quartz deformation temperatures of 400 ± 50 °C have been estimated along a transect perpendicular to the Posada–Asinara Line, in agreement with the syn-kinematic post-metamorphic peak mineral assemblages and the late microstructures of quartz. The D2 phase can be subdivided in two events: an early D2early phase, related to the metamorphic peak and low kinematic vorticity (pure shear dominated), and a late D2late phase characterized by a lower metamorphic grade and an increased kinematic vorticity (simple shear dominated). Palaeopiezometry and strain rate estimates associated with the D2late deformation event showed an intensity gradient increasing towards the core of the shear zone. The D2early deformation developed under peak temperature conditions, while the D2late event was active at shallower structural levels.

Retaining {100} fibre texture in electrical steel via strain-induced boundary migration recrystallisation.

In this paper, the feasibility of retaining the preferred {100} fibre texture for non-grain oriented (NGO) electrical steel from the as-cast columnar {100} grains by encouraging recrystallisation via the strain induced boundary migration (SIBM) mechanism was investigated. Rolling with intermediate annealing stages before the final anneal was used to reduce the stored energy through recovery before the final recrystallisation step. A strong {100} fibre recrystallisation texture, i.e. 32% area fraction, was seen in the sample which was warm deformed to 1.6 strain with 5 intermediate annealing stages then annealed at 950 °C for 5 minutes (to observe the early stages of recrystallisation) or 1 hour. Whereas only 12 - 14% {100} fibre component was observed after 1.2 strain with a single or with no intermediate annealing stage. It was found that the {100} fibre recrystallisation texture was formed in regions adjacent to parental deformed grains with {100} fibre texture due to the SIBM recrystallisation mechanism. EBSD imaging analysis was used to follow the recrystallisation process in the same microstructural region using interrupted heat treatments and it was seen that the {100} texture grains carried very low stored energy after deformation, which meant the subgrains in these grains bulged into the surrounding grains with higher stored energy. Due to its slow recrystallisation nucleation rate, a low overall stored energy is preferred to encourage {100} texture recrystallised grains to form via the SIBM recrystallisation mechanism.

Deformation conditions and quartz c-axis fabric development along nappe boundaries: The Andrelândia Nappe System, Southern Brasília Orogen (Brazil)

The Liberdade and Andrelândia nappes, SE Brazil, record the western Gondwana amalgamation in the Southern Brasília Orogen during the Ediacaran. The Liberdade Shear Zone acted as the boundary between these two overlapping nappes. Quartz c-axis fabrics and strain data from quartzite samples and petrological data from hosting metapelite rocks were analyzed to investigate the tectonic processes involved in nappe development. Further constraints were achieved by conducting petrological modeling and geothermobarometry using P–T isochemical phase diagram approaches. Quartz axis plots show consistency with different kinematic criteria verified in the field in meso and macroscale. The fabrics are associated to both coaxial deformation and non-coaxial deformation. Quartz microstructures, metamorphic assemblages and c-axis concentrations primarily around Y and X structural directions suggest that deformation was accommodated by grain boundary migration recrystallization under temperature above 500 °C. Disregarding pressure effects the opening angles of quartz c-axis fabrics suggest temperatures between 480 and 640 °C (muscovite quartzite) and 650–720 °C (sillimanite quartzite). Considering pressure data, the opening angles indicate conditions of 550–650 °C and 7–10 kbar (muscovite quartzite) and 600–730 °C and 4–7 kbar (sillimanite quartzite), reflecting primarily distinct baric regimes. Sillimanite-bearing samples estimatives are supported by ubiquitous presence of chessboard subgrain patterns in quartz and by modeled isochemical phase diagrams that constrain conditions of 660–730 °C and 6–7 kbar for garnet-sillimanite-biotite schist samples. Altogether, these results indicate progressive tectonic evolution linked to oblique convergence between tectonic units represented by the Andrelândia and Liberdade nappes and the Paleoproterozoic basement. Besides recording distinct thermal and baric regimes, the nappes also present different structural styles, suggesting that pressure and temperature are important boundary conditions for the nappe structural style.

TitaniQ deformed: Experimental deformation of out-of-equilibrium quartz porphyroclasts

The role of deformation on the equilibration of Ti concentrations in quartz was investigated by running experiments on out-of-equilibrium quartz crystals embedded as porphyroclasts within quartz aggregates. Quartz crystals were first grown from a hydrostatic fluid to set the initial Ti content; crystals grown at temperatures above (925 °C) and below (875 °C) the deformation temperature (900 °C) contain Ti contents ∼60 ppm higher or lower than the equilibrium solubility. These out-of-equilibrium quartz crystals were then deformed as porphyroclasts by embedding them in a matrix composed of either dry or wet quartz to induce two end-member deformation regimes, high-stress or low-stress, respectively. In high-stress experiments, quartz porphyroclasts contain deformation bands and undulose extinction, with some grains showing evidence for grain boundary bulging (BLG) recrystallization. In low-stress experiments, some grains deformed to high strains with minimal evidence for dynamic recrystallization, resulting in ribbon grains, whereas others recrystallized by dislocation creep processes, showing microstructural evidence for subgrain rotation (SGR) and grain boundary migration (GBM) recrystallization. By comparing quartz microstructures with patterns of Ti re-distribution in variably deformed and recrystallized porphyroclasts, we find that grains deformed to high strain with minimal recrystallization show little to no evidence for re-equilibration, whereas grains that recrystallized via grain boundary processes have equilibrated Ti contents that reflect the pressure-temperature conditions of deformation.

Deformation Mechanisms of Darreh Sary Metapelites, Sanandaj‒Sirjan Zone, Iran

The Darreh Sary metapelitic rocks are located in the northeast of Zagros orogenic belt and Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone. The lithological composition of these rocks includes slate, phyllite, muscovitebiotite schist, garnet schist, staurolite-garnet schist and staurolite schist. The shale is the protolith of these metamorphic rocks, which was originated from the continental island arc tectonic setting and has been subjected to processes of Zagros orogeny. The deformation mechanisms in these rocks include bulging recrystallization (BLG), subgrain rotation recrystallization (SGR) and grain boundary migration recrystallization (GBM), which are considered as the key to estimate the deformation temperature of the rocks. The estimated ranges of deformation temperature and depth in these rocks show the temperatures of 275–375, 375–500, and >500°C and the depths of 10 to 17 km. The observed structures in these rocks such as faults, fractures and folds, often with the NW-SE direction coordinate with the structural trends of Zagros orogenic belt structures. The S-C mylonite fabrics is observed in these rocks with other microstructures such as mica fish, σ fabric and garnet deformation indicate the dextral shear deformation movements of study area. Based on the obtained results of this research, the stages of tectonic evolution of Darreh Sary area were developed.

Crystallographic control and texture inheritance during mylonitization of coarse grained quartz veins

Quartz veins within Rieserferner pluton underwent deformation during post-magmatic cooling at temperature around 450°C. Different crystallographic orientations of cm-sized quartz vein crystals conditioned the evolution of microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) during vein-parallel simple shear up to high shear strains (γ≈10). For γ<2, crystals stretched to ribbons of variable aspect ratios. The highest aspect ratios resulted from {m}<a> glide in ribbons with c-axis sub-parallel to the shear zone vorticity Y-axis. Ribbons with c-axis orthogonal to Y (XZ-type ribbons) were stronger and hardened more quickly: they show lower aspect ratios and fine (grain size ~10–20μm) recrystallization along sets of microshear zones (μSZs) exploiting crystallographic planes. Distortion of XZ-type ribbons and recrystallization preferentially exploited the slip systems with misorientation axis close to Y. New grains of μSZs initiated by subgrain rotation recrystallization (SGR) and thereupon achieved high angle misorientations by a concurrent process of heterogeneous rigid grain rotation around Y associated with the confined shear within the μSZ. Dauphiné twinning occurred pervasively, but did not play a dominant role on μSZ nucleation. Recrystallization became widespread at γ>2 and pervasive at γ≈10. Ultramylonitic quartz veins are fine grained (~10μm, similar to new grains of μSZ) and show a CPO banding resulting in a bulk c-axis CPO with a Y-maximum, as part of a single girdle about orthogonal to the foliation, and orientations at the pole figure periphery at moderate to high angle to the foliation. This bulk CPO derives from steady-state SGR associated with preferential activity, in the different CPO bands, of slip systems generating subgrain boundaries with misorientation axes close to Y. The CPO of individual recrystallized bands is largely inherited from the original crystallographic orientation of the ribbons (and therefore vein crystals) from which they derived. High strain and pervasive recrystallization were not enough to reset the initial crystallographic heterogeneity and this CPO memory is explained by the dominance of SGR. This contrast with experimental observation of a rapid erasure of a pristine CPO by cannibalism from grains with the most favourably oriented slip system under dominant grain boundary migration recrystallization.

Plastic deformation and post-deformation annealing in chromite: Mechanisms and implications

Plastic deformation in chromite is not frequently reported in literature. We present a detailed microstructural analysis of this mineral from the massive chromitite of the Neoarchaean Sittampundi Complex, southern India. The study reveals intracrystalline plasticity is dominantly active in this mineral, and it produces distinctive features corresponding to at least two different microstructural regimes. The Regime 1 is deformation-related and it commenced with recovery of strained grains and formation of new grains, corresponding to subgrain rotation recrystallization. This was followed by nucleation of strain-free new grains in regions of high strain. The Regime 2 appears to be post-deformational and dominantly temperature-controlled, producing distinctive features of static annealing of already deformed grains. This regime corresponds to grain boundary migration recrystallization resulting coarsening of strain-free facetted, new grains at the expense of high-dislocation density subgrains. The resultant micro-features resemble closely what is known as “abnormal grain growth,” not yet documented for chromites. These coarse grains, in places, also feature accommodation of deformation by displaying very low-angle subgrain boundaries. The movement of high-angle grain boundaries in Regime 2 through precursor strained grains provided high diffusivity paths for the rapid exchange of components, producing compositional heterogeneity between grains dominated by deformation features and facetted new grains. These microstructural observations coupled with chemical heterogeneity provide new directions in interpreting the deformation mechanism of chromite and its annealing history at the post-deformation stage.

An experimental study on creep of partially molten granulite under high temperature and wet conditions

Samples of natural granulite were deformed in a gas medium apparatus to evaluate the flow strength of the lower crust. The sample consists of ∼52vol% plagioclase, ∼40vol% pyroxene, ∼3vol% quartz, ∼5vol% magnetite and ilmenite. Water content was ∼0.17±0.05wt% in the deformed samples. 40 creep tests were performed on 13 samples at 300MPa confining pressure, temperatures of 900–1200°C, and strain rates between 3.13×10−6 and 5×10−5/s, resulting in axial stresses of 12–764MPa and the total strain up to 7.8–20.5%.At low temperatures of 900–1000°C, the microstructural observations show that the granulite samples were deformed in semi-brittle deformation regime, mainly by dislocation glide and intragranular microcracking. At medium temperatures (MT) of 1050–1100°C, deformation was observed to be dominated by grain boundary migration recrystallization, corresponding to stress exponent nMT of 5.7±0.1, activation energies QMT of 525±34kJ/mol, logAMT of 1.3. At high temperatures (HT) of 1125–1150°C, the samples was deformed mainly by grain boundary migration recrystallization accommodated by partial melting and metamorphic reactions characterized by neo-crystallization of fine-grained olivine, with nHT of 4.8±0.1, QHT of 1392±63kJ/mol, and logAHT of 37.5. Partial melting at high temperatures of 1125–1200°C, which induces grain boundaries slip and enhances diffusion, has a significant weakening effect on the rheology of granulite, with an estimated strain rate enhancement by 5 times at melt fraction of ∼2vol%. Reaction from pyroxene to olivine may affect the flow law parameters and deformation mechanism. Based on our data, a wet and cool continental lower crust may still be in brittle deformation regime, whereas a hot lower crust may likely have a weak layer with plastic deformation.

Rio Maria granodiorite and associated rocks of Ourilândia do Norte – Carajás province: Petrography, geochemistry and implications for sanukitoid petrogenesis

Ourilândia do Norte rocks are located near Rio Maria-Carajás domains boundary and are associated to Rio Maria Mesoarchean sanukitoid. Two groups were defined on the basis of geochemistry: (i) quartz-monzodiorites and granitoids (tonalite and granodiorite) which match to the sanukitoid (stricto sensu); and (ii) enclaves and (quartz) diorites that do not. Despite this, these rocks are spatially and temporally associated and they develop microstructures under three dynamic recrystallization regimes: (i) bulging recrystallization (300–700 °C); (ii) subgrain rotation recrystallization (<700 °C); (iii) grain boundary migration recrystallization (>600 °C). Furthermore, they belong to medium to high potassium calc-alkaline series, being magnesian and mainly metaluminous. The Mg#, Cr and Ni abundances point out an ultramafic mantle source. Variation of LILE, Nb/Y, (La/Yb)N and Sr/Y contents indicate a metasomatized mantle by two independent agents, namely TTG-like melt and aqueous fluids, at different depths. In this way, quartz-monzodiorites and granitoids were derived from fractionation of a mafic magma, whose source is a TTG-metasomatized mantle, at greater depths, while enclaves and (quartz) diorites were generated from a fluid-metasomatized mantle, at shallower depths. The close spatial and temporal association of rocks with sanukitoid (quartz-monzodiorites and granitoids) and BADR (enclaves and (quartz) diorites) signature suggest that Ourilândia do Norte granitoids were generated in close spatial and temporal association with active subduction.

An experimental study on the brittle–plastic transition during deformation of granite

Naturally and experimentally deformed samples of granite show that the deformation mechanisms of plagioclase and K-feldspar are different. To investigate these mechanisms and the brittle–plastic transition that takes place in granitic rocks composed of quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar, five leucosome granite samples were deformed with a constant strain rate of 10−5s−1 at different temperatures from 850°C to 1050°C and confining pressure (CP) of 300MPa using a Paterson-type gas deformation apparatus. To consider pressure effects, two more samples were deformed at 950°C but with different CPs, one with CP=100kPa and the other with CP=100MPa. In addition, an eighth sample was deformed under torsion shear at 950°C with CP=400MPa. Microstructures of an undeformed sample and experimentally deformed samples were analyzed using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The granite is composed of about 36 volume percent quartz, ∼26% plagioclase, ∼34% microcline, ∼3% muscovite, and ∼1% chlorite.The stress–strain curves for all but two samples display weakening. The two exceptions are the sample that deformed with steady-state creep under a CP of 100MPa and the sample that displayed brittle fracture under a CP of 100kPa. For the other samples, peak strengths decreased with increasing temperature or lower CP. Microstructures show that samples underwent a brittle–plastic transition with increasing temperature. Samples fractured by cataclastic flow at 850°C with CP=300MPa and at 950°C with CP=100kPa. Microcline deformed by cataclastic flow at 900–1050°C with CP=100–400MPa accompanied by dislocation glide at temperatures of 1000°C and 1050°C. At 900–1050°C with CP=100–400MPa, plagioclase displayed bulging recrystallization and grain boundary migration recrystallization and quartz deformed by subgrain rotation recrystallization. Diffusion rims were observed between quartz, plagioclase, and microcline grain boundaries at 900–1050°C with CP=100–400MPa. Partial melting appeared around plagioclase, microcline, and quartz grains at 1000°C and 1050°C. Exsolution of albite from microcline took place in a sample deformed at 950°C and CP=100MPa. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis showed that quartz has a lattice preferred orientation in both undeformed and experimentally deformed samples. The basal 〈a〉 slip of the quartz c-axis was found in undeformed samples. The c-axis of quartz closes to the rhomb 〈a〉 slip with a secondary in the basal 〈a〉 slip in samples deformed at 900°C and 950°C with CP’s of 300MPa and 100MPa respectively. The c-axis of quartz changes to prism 〈a〉 slip in samples deformed at 950–1050°C with CP=300MPa and does the same for a sample deformed with torsion shear at 950°C with CP=400MPa.Microstructures show that plagioclase and microcline deform differently. Microcline is a strong phase compared with quartz and plagioclase. Therefore, microcline is important for the brittle–plastic transition in granitic rocks and the depth of that transition in the middle crust will be greater where the granitic rocks in the crust contain large amounts of microcline.

Dislocation creep of dry quartz

AbstractSmall‐scale shear zones within the Permian Truzzo meta‐granite developed during the Alpine orogeny at amphibolite facies conditions. In these shear zones magmatic quartz deformed by dislocation creep and recrystallized dynamically by grain boundary migration with minor subgrain rotation recrystallization to a grain size of around 250–750 µm, consistent with flow at low differential stresses. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reveals very low water contents in the interior of recrystallized grains (in the form of discrete OH peaks, ~20 H/106Si and very little broad band absorption, &lt;100 H/106Si). The spectral characteristics are comparable to those of dry Brazil quartz. In FTIR spectra, magmatic quartz grains show a broad absorption band related with high water concentrations only in those areas where fluid inclusions are present while other areas are dry. Drainage of fluid inclusions and synkinematic growth of hydrous minerals indicates that a hydrous fluid has been available during deformation. Loss of intragranular water during grain boundary migration recrystallization did not result in a microstructure indicative of hardening. These FTIR measurements provide the first evidence that quartz with extremely low intragranular water contents can deform in nature by dislocation creep at low differential stresses. Low intragranular water contents in naturally deformed quartz may not be necessarily indicative of a high strength, and the results are contrary to implications taken from deformation experiments where very high water contents are required to allow dislocation creep in quartz. It is suggested that dislocation creep of quartz in the Truzzo meta‐granite is possible to occur at low differential stresses because sufficient amounts of intergranular water ensure a high recovery rate by grain boundary migration while the absence of significant amounts of intragranular water is not crucial at natural conditions.