Calcite Twin Research Articles

Intragranular deformation mechanisms in calcite deformed by high-pressure torsion at room temperature

Polycrystalline calcite was deformed to high strain at room-temperature and confining pressures of 1–4 GPa using high-pressure torsion. The high confining pressure suppresses brittle failure and allows for shear strains >100. The post-deformation microstructures show inter- and intragranular cataclastic deformation and a high density of mechanical e left{01overline{1}8right} twins and deformation lamellae in highly strained porphyroclasts. The morphologies of the twins resemble twin morphologies that are typically associated with substantially higher deformation temperatures. Porphyroclasts oriented unfavorably for twinning frequently exhibit two types of deformation lamellae with characteristic crystallographic orientation relationships associated with calcite twins. The misorientation of the first deformation lamella type with respect to the host corresponds to the combination of one r left{10overline{1}4right} twin operation and one specific f left{01overline{1}2right} or e left{01overline{1}8right} twin operation. Boundary sections of this lamella type often split into two separated segments, where one segment corresponds to an incoherent r left{10overline{1}4right} twin boundary and the other to an f left{01overline{1}2right} or e left{01overline{1}8right} twin boundary. The misorientation of the second type of deformation lamellae corresponds to the combination of specific r left{10overline{1}4right} and f left{01overline{1}2right} twin operations. The boundary segments of this lamella type may also split into the constituent twin boundaries. Our results show that brittle failure can effectively be suppressed during room-temperature deformation of calcite to high strains if confining pressures in the GPa range are applied. At these conditions, the combination of successive twin operations produces hitherto unknown deformation lamellae.

Inversion of polyphase calcite twin data for deviatoric stress tensors: 1. A novel numerical approach

A new inversion method is developed in this paper to estimate deviatoric stress tensors from a certain population of polyphase calcite twins. It is both to minimize the number of the common incompatible (twinned and untwinned) e-planes and to maximize the sum of the resolved shear stresses along the compatible twinned e-planes under each reduced stress. The genetic algorithm is employed to resolve this optimization problem. A series of two-phase, equally-mixed artificial datasets, generated under the prescribed stresses, were taken to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. Results indicate a strong tendency to have an increasing accuracy of reduced stress with the ascent of the prescribed maximum differential stress, the difference between the prescribed stresses, and the number of twinned calcite crystals, respectively. What is more, the maximum differential stress becomes sufficiently large to permit an accurate estimate of reduced stress, even though the prescribed stresses are intermediately similar to each other. However, the method assumes a constant critical resolved shear stress value to rescale the stress tensors, and does not consider the influence on the critical resolved shear stress value of strain hardening, grain size, and temperature. It takes an enormous amount of time in calculation.

A Palaeoproterozoic dolomite (Vempalle Formation, Cuddapah Basin, India) showing Phanerozoic-type dolomitisation

The Palaeoproterozoic Vempalle Formation of the Cuddapah Basin, India, significantly adds to our understanding of the evolution of Precambrian marine carbonate systems and the redox state of the Earth’s early oceans. A facies-microfacies-diagenetic-geochemical examination of samples from a ∼1000-m long exposure in a freshly-cut canal section shows that 10–15% of precursor limestone is still preserved in the Vempalle Formation in the form of remnant patches of calcimicrite and ooids with calcite spar cement. The ooids, preserving primary radial and concentric fabrics and radial fractures, are considered to have been originally precipitated as calcite, which may have been low-Mg. In places the preserved calcite spar, that is partially replaced by fabric-destructive dolomite, shows Type I calcite twin lamellae. Petrographic observations demonstrate that Vempalle Formation dolomite formed through very early precipitation, which in stromatolites preserved microbial filaments, as well as through fabric-destructive dolomitization during shallow to moderate burial. Vempalle Formation dolomite is characterized by micritic dolomite crystals which suggest rapid early dolomitization of lime mud and micritic calcite from a supersaturated Mg-Ca-rich solution, probably near-surface or during shallow burial. Depletion of Na and Sr contents of Vempalle Formation dolomite along with negative δ18O values indicate dolomite recrystallisation during burial and further replacement. Dolomite δ13C values of −0.5 to 2‰ are likely inherited original marine values. Geochemical proxies (trace elements and rare earths) imply that Cuddapah Basin seawater and dolomitizing fluids were anoxic and ferruginous but not euxinic. Geochemical analyses also indicate that the burial diagenetic fluids evolved from Eu-enriched seawater that probably resulted from continental rifting around 1.9–2.0 Ga. This probable ocean chemistry is in contrast with the anoxic, ferruginous and extremely high Mg/Ca “dolomite oceans” that prevailed during Proterozoic time. The Vempalle dolomite shows more similarities with dolomitised Phanerozoic platform carbonates than typical Precambrian dolomite with its well-preserved textures and burial dolospar cements.

Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Sava-Klepa Massif, Republic of North Macedonia – Results from calcite twin based automated paleostress analysis

The Sava-Klepa Massif represents an approximately 5 × 2 km sized fault-bounded block of dominantly basaltic rocks located within the Sava-Zone, an important suture zone between the Eurasian (Europe) and Gondwana (Adria) continental plates in the Balkans. Its nature and tectonic evolution is controversial: It is either interpreted as a remnant of the youngest Tethyan oceanic realm left behind after the main closure in the Late Jurassic or as the delimiter of a diffuse tectonic boundary between Adria and Europe, which had already collided in the Late Jurassic and was dominantly controlled by transtensional tectonics during Cretaceous times.In order to strengthen one or the other model, we concentrate on the Sava-Klepa Massif enclosing Paleozoic basement rocks, which mainly consist of a layered sequence of metamorphic marbles and mica schists. The metamorphic basement shows deformation structures clearly related to the Klepa event. Our results are based on paleostress and paleostrain analysis of twinned calcite from deformed marbles, and field observations, microstructural analysis, and 40Ar/39Ar dating of white mica. Paleostress and paleostrain analysis was enhanced by using an automated fabric analyser microscope, and developing the herein presented freeware standalone Windows® executable PACT software (Paleostress Analysis with Calcite Twins).Our results support the hypothesis that the Sava-Klepa Massif was formed during transtension as a pull-apart basin in the Late Cretaceous. This could have happened either after the collision of the European and Adriatic plates, or along a transtentional zone in the fore-arc region during subduction of the last Tethyan oceanic lithosphere.

Uniaxial compression of calcite single crystals at room temperature: insights into twinning activation and development

Abstract. E-twinning is a common plastic deformation mechanism in calcite deformed at low temperature. Strain rate, temperature and confining pressure have negligible effects on twinning activation which is mainly dependent on differential stress. The critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) required for twinning activation is dependent on grain size and strain hardening. This CRSS value may obey the Hall–Petch relation, but due to sparse experimental data its actual evolution with grain size and strain still remains a matter of debate. In order to provide additional constraints on twinning activation and development, new mechanical tests were carried out at room temperature on unconfined single crystals of calcite, with different sizes and crystallographic orientations. Uniaxial deformation was performed at a controlled displacement rate, while the sample surface was monitored using optical microscopy and a high-resolution CCD (charge-coupled device) camera. The retrieved macroscopic stress–strain behavior of the crystals was correlated with the surface observations of the deformation process. Results show (1) the onset of crystal plasticity with the activation of the first isolated mechanical twins during the strain hardening stage, and (2) the densification and thickening of twin lamellae during the steady-state flow stress stage. Such thickening of twin lamellae at room temperature emphasizes that calcite twin morphology is not controlled solely by temperature. The different values for the CRSS obtained for the activation of isolated twins and for the onset of twin densification and thickening raises questions regarding the appropriate value to be considered when using calcite twin data for stress inversion purposes.

An integrated approach to determining 4D stress development at Castle Cove

Models for basin evolution and natural fracture development often contain many uncertainties. Multiscale approaches to structural analysis assist in reducing these by providing checkpoints for structural evolution to better constrain the development of paleostress phases through time. In this study, we integrate the analysis of calcite twins, magnetic fabrics, stylolites and natural fractures at Castle Cove in the eastern Otway Basin, producing a five-phase model for stress evolution consisting of: phase 1 ~NW–SE Mid-Cretaceous strike-slip or compression; phases 2 and 3 Late Cretaceous extension, coinciding with the development of ~NW–SE and ~NE–SW striking extensional fracture sets; phase 4 ~NE–SW strike-slip and compression, representing an enigmatic period of stress evolution with respect to the current understanding of the Otway Basin; and phase 5, present day ~NW–SE strike-slip stress. The results contribute to a 4D structural history construction for the eastern Otway Basin and suggest that the evolution of the region may require reassessing in order to determine the timing and nature of the detected ~NE–SW oriented compressional event. This study also demonstrates how the use of a calcite stress inversion technique can assist in providing mechanical checkpoints for the evolution of complex natural fracture networks, which can easily be expanded within the sub-surface.

Synthetic slip plane, a hybrid kind of calcite twin data in dynamic analysis

This paper defines a synthetic slip plane as the linear combination of a pair of twinned and untwinned e-planes in a single calcite crystal. This auxiliary slip plane is dependent upon neither the twinned e-plane nor the untwinned e-plane. It can be used together with the twinned e-plane either to further constrain the extents of the compression and tension axes in graphic dynamic analysis or to better estimate the reduced stress in numerical dynamic analysis.Highlights•The linear combination of twinned and untwinned e-planes in a calcite crystal defines the synthetic slip plane.•The synthetic slip plane can be incorporated into graphic and numerical dynamic analysis.

4D modelling of fault reactivation using complete paleostress tensors from the Cooper–Eromanga Basin, Australia

ABSTRACTDetermining fault activity through time has typically utilised high-resolution seismic data to identify stratigraphic thickness changes or displacement vs distance plots; however, this approach is not possible in regions with low-resolution seismic data. We present a new approach for determining fault reactivation (tensile and shear) through time by integrating three-dimensional seismic data, geomechanical modelling and complete paleostress tensors from calcite twin stress inversion. The Cooper–Eromanga Basin is used as a case study to model the stress conditions present during six tectonic events that have affected the basin and, in doing so, constrain the effective paleostress magnitudes through time. Results show that the likelihood of dilation and shear reactivation of individual fault sets varies through time, with N–S- and E–W-striking faults likely to have been open to fluid flow after the critical moment in the hydrocarbon system. These results have substantial implications for hydrocarbon migration pathway models and structural and stratigraphic models for the Cooper–Eromanga Basin. This approach would benefit other provinces with low-resolution seismic data preventing fault growth analysis, or in regions where hydrocarbon migration pathways are poorly defined.

Effect of Mica and Hematite (001) Surfaces on the Precipitation of Calcite

The substrate effect of mica and hematite on the nucleation and crystallization of calcite was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) methods. On mica, we found, in the absence of Mg2+, the substrates’ (001) surfaces with hexagonal and pseudo-hexagonal two-dimensional (2-D) structure can affect the orientation of calcite nucleation with calcite (001) ~// mica (001) and calcite (010) ~// mica (010) to be the major interfacial relationship. On hematite, we did not observe frequent twinning relationship between adjacent calcite gains, but often saw preferentially nucleation of calcite at surface steps on hematite substrate. We suggest that calcite crystals initially nucleate from the Ca2+ layers adsorbed on the surfaces. The pseudo-hexagonal symmetry on mica (001) surface also leads to the observed calcite (001) twinning. A second and less common orientation between calcite {104} and mica (001) was detected but could be due to local structure damage of the mica surface. Results in the presence of Mg2+ show that the substrate surfaces can weaken Mg toxicity to calcite nucleation and lead to a higher level of Mg incorporation into calcite lattice.

Determining paleo-structural environments through natural fracture and calcite twin analyses: a case study in the Otway Basin, Australia

The structural history of the Otway Basin has been widely studied; however, previous works have focussed on large kilometre scale, basin and seismic structures, or have over-simplified natural fracture analysis with an excessive focus on fracture strike direction and a disregard for 3D geometry, a crucial characteristic when considering states of stress responsible for natural fracture formation. In this paper, we combine techniques of natural fracture analysis and calcite twin stress inversion to investigate the meso (outcrop and borehole) and micro (crystal) scale evidence for structural environments that have contributed to basin evolution. Our results indicate that basin evolution during the post-Albian may be markedly more complex than the previously thought stages of late Cretaceous inversion, renewed rifting and long-lived mid-Eocene to recent compression, with evidence for up to six structural environments detected across the basin, including; NE–SW and NW–SE extension, NW–SE compression, a previously undetected regime of NE–SW compression, and two regimes of strike-slip activity. By constraining structural environments on the meso- and micro-scale we can deliver higher levels of detail into structural evolution, which in turn, provides better-quality insights into multiple petroleum system elements, including secondary migration pathways and trap formation. Our research also shows that the Otway Basin presents a suitable environment for additional micro-scale structural investigations through calcite twin analyses.

Inversion of calcite twin data for paleostress orientations and magnitudes: A new technique tested and calibrated on numerically-generated and natural data

The inversion of calcite twin data is a powerful tool to reconstruct paleostresses sustained by carbonate rocks during their geological history. Following Etchecopar's (1984) pioneering work, this study presents a new technique for the inversion of calcite twin data that reconstructs the 5 parameters of the deviatoric stress tensors from both monophase and polyphase twin datasets. The uncertainties in the parameters of the stress tensors reconstructed by this new technique are evaluated on numerically-generated datasets. The technique not only reliably defines the 5 parameters of the deviatoric stress tensor, but also reliably separates very close superimposed stress tensors (30° of difference in maximum principal stress orientation or switch between σ3 and σ2 axes). The technique is further shown to be robust to sampling bias and to slight variability in the critical resolved shear stress. Due to our still incomplete knowledge of the evolution of the critical resolved shear stress with grain size, our results show that it is recommended to analyze twin data subsets of homogeneous grain size to minimize possible errors, mainly those concerning differential stress values. The methodological uncertainty in principal stress orientations is about ±10°; it is about ±0.1 for the stress ratio. For differential stresses, the uncertainty is lower than ±30%.Applying the technique to vein samples within Mesozoic limestones from the Monte Nero anticline (northern Apennines, Italy) demonstrates its ability to reliably detect and separate tectonically significant paleostress orientations and magnitudes from naturally deformed polyphase samples, hence to fingerprint the regional paleostresses of interest in tectonic studies.

Using neutron diffraction to examine the onset of mechanical twinning in calcite rocks

Experimental calibration of the calcite twin piezometer is complicated by the difficulty of establishing the stresses at which the twins observed in the final deformation microstructures actually formed. In principle, this difficulty may be circumvented if the deformation experiments are performed in a polychromatic neutron beam-line because this allows the elastic strain (and hence stress) in differently oriented grains to be simultaneously monitored from diffraction patterns collected as the experiment is proceeding. To test this idea small strain (<0.3%), uniaxial compression experiments have been performed on Carrara marble (grain size 150 μm) and Solnhofen limestone (5 μm) at temperatures of 20°–600 °C using the ENGIN-X instrument at the ISIS neutron facility, UK. At the lowest temperatures (25 °C Carrara; 200 °C Solnhofen) the deformation response was purely elastic up to the greatest stresses applied (60 MPa Carrara; 175 MPa Solnhofen). The sign of the calcite elastic stiffness component c14 is confirmed to be positive when the obverse setting of the calcite rhombohedral lattice in hexagonal axes is used. In the Carrara marble samples deformed at higher temperatures, elastic twinning was initiated at small stresses (<15 MPa) in grains oriented such that the Schmid factor for twinning was positive on more than one e-twin system. At greater stresses (65 MPa at 200 °C decreasing to 41 MPa at 500 °C) there was an abrupt onset of permanent twinning in grains with large Schmid factors for twinning on any one e-twin system. No twinning was observed in the Solnhofen limestone samples deformed at 200° or 400 °C at applied stresses of <180 MPa. These results highlight the potential of this approach for detecting the onset of twinning and provide, through experiments on samples with different microstructures, a strategy for systematically investigating the effects of microstructural variables on crystallographically-controlled inelastic processes.

Combining geophysical data and calcite twin stress inversion to refine the tectonic history of subsurface and offshore provinces: A case study on the Cooper-Eromanga Basin, Australia

The use of core samples, borehole image logs, and seismic data is common practice for obtaining valuable structural data; however, these data are often obtained in isolation from other methods and not usually used for paleostress inversion processes. Therefore, for the first time, we present a new approach for constraining paleoprincipal stress orientations and regimes by integrating geophysical data (seismic and well data) with calcite twin principal stress orientation inversion analysis to refine the evolution of entirely subsurface or offshore basins; a case study on the subsurface Cooper-Eromanga Basin, Australia. Calcite samples were collected from oriented core, natural fracture data collected from borehole image logs, and fault data interpreted from three-dimensional seismic surveys. The analysis of microscale, mesoscale and macroscale data constrained the paleoprincipal stress orientations and regimes of six successive tectonic events: (1) NNW-SSE oriented strike-slip Carboniferous Alice Springs event; (2) SE-NW oriented compressional Mid-Permian event; (3) NE-SW oriented strike-slip Late Permian Daralingie event; (4) E-W compressional Late Triassic Hunter-Bowen event; (5) E-W compressional Late Cretaceous event; and (6) N-S compressional Paleogene event. This study shows the applicability of integrating geophysics with calcite twin stress inversion to decipher the tectonic evolution of entirely subsurface and offshore provinces.

Palaeostress magnitudes in the Khao Khwang fold-thrust belt, new insights into the tectonic evolution of the Indosinian orogeny in central Thailand

Using the Khao Khwang fold–thrust belt in central Thailand as case study, we handled data from calcite twinning analysis in order to propose the quantification of the effective principal palaeostresses magnitudes since the onset of the early stages of the Indosinian orogeny. We also combined the differential stress estimates from mechanically-induced calcite twins with geochronological data in order to constrain the timing of the palaeoburial depth and subsequent uplift by folding within the Khao Khwang fold–thrust belt. The proposed mechanical scenario is based on the time-constrained kinematic sequence of fracturing, faulting, and folding in the strata of the carbonate formations of the Saraburi Group. Cross-checking the data on the palaeostress orientations, regimes, and differential stress magnitudes with rock mechanics analysis; we provided data on the principal stress magnitudes for each tectonic stage that developed during the Indosinian orogeny. Further, 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb geochronological data allowed to place reliable constraints on the amount and rate of vertical uplift of the carbonate formations of the Saraburi Group.

Petrogenesis of polygenic marbles, Baqi-Abad region, Yazd, central Iran

Mineralogy, minerals paragenesis and evolution of polygenic marbles were investigated in the Baqi-Abad region (Yazd province). The area is located in the central Iran. Studied marbles are classified as calcitic marbles, brucite-bearing marbles and forsterite- serpentine bearing marbles. The following mineral assemblages have been determined: calcite + dolomite + forsterite + serpentine + talc + brucite + hydromagnesite. Based on calcite twin's geometry, marbles underwent the temperature formation between 200 and 300°C. Two mineral assemblages which have been defined in marbles are related to two stages of contact- metamorphism and metasomatism. In the first stage, de-carbonation reactions have been taken place in high fCO2 so anhydrous minerals are formed. The Second stage is characterized by invading H2O bearing fluids, leading to the formation of hydrous paragenesis. Brucite is probably formed by the de-silicification of serpentines at the first stage. On the other hand, due to the influence of hydrothermal fluids, olivines can be directly altered to brucite. It is obvious that hydromagnesite was formed at the expense of dolomite, brucite and serpentine. Its formation is associated with final carbonation reactions. As a whole, it can be concluded that based on the paragenetic relationships of minerals, there are four stages in mineral evolution system including carbonation, dehydration, de-carbonation and final dehydration processes.

Fingerprinting stress: Stylolite and calcite twinning paleopiezometry revealing the complexity of progressive stress patterns during folding—The case of the Monte Nero anticline in the Apennines, Italy

AbstractIn this study we show for the first time how quantitative stress estimates can be derived by combining calcite twinning and stylolite roughness stress fingerprinting techniques in a fold‐and‐thrust belt. First, we present a new method that gives access to stress inversion using tectonic stylolites without access to the stylolite surface and compare results with calcite twin inversion. Second, we use our new approach to present a high‐resolution deformation and stress history that affected Meso‐Cenozoic limestone strata in the Monte Nero Anticline during its late Miocene‐Pliocene growth in the Umbria‐Marche Arcuate Ridge (northern Apennines, Italy). In this area an extensive stylolite‐joint/vein network developed during layer‐parallel shortening (LPS), as well as during and after folding. Stress fingerprinting illustrates how stress in the sedimentary strata did build up prior to folding during LPS. The stress regime oscillated between strike slip and compressional during LPS before ultimately becoming strike slip again during late stage fold tightening. Our case study shows that high‐resolution stress fingerprinting is possible and that this novel method can be used to unravel temporal relationships that relate to local variations of regional orogenic stresses. Beyond regional implications, this study validates our approach as a new powerful toolbox to high‐resolution stress fingerprinting in basins and orogens combining joint and vein analysis with sedimentary and tectonic stylolite and calcite twin inversion techniques.

Determination of the stress conditions of the ductile-to-brittle regime along the Asuke Shear Zone, SW Japan

The stress conditions of the ductile-to-brittle regime have been assessed along the Asuke Shear Zone (ASZ), which strikes NE–SW in the Cretaceous Ryoke granite terrain in SW Japan. Along the ASZ, pseudotachylyte and mylonitized pseudotachylyte are locally developed together with cataclasite. The simultaneous operation of dislocation creep and grain-size-sensitive creep, as indicated by the coexistence of the Z-maximum and relatively random c-axis lattice preferred orientations as well as the sizes of dynamically recrystallized quartz grains (6.40–7.79 μm) in the mylonitized pseudotachylyte, suggest differential stresses of 110–130 MPa at ∼300 °C. The e-twin morphology, twinning ratio, and distribution of the glide direction on the e-twin plane of the twinned calcite in the amygdules of the pseudotachylyte suggest the stress conditions of the σ1 and σ3 axes trend 228° and 320° and plunge 55° and 1°, respectively, and indicate differential stresses of 40–80 MPa at 150–200 °C. Based on kinematic indicators in the fault rocks, the stress conditions estimated from calcite twins, and the cooling history of the granitic protolith, the ASZ is inferred to have been activated under a stress state that caused sinistral normal movements before and after pseudotachylyte formation at 70–50 Ma.

Calcite Twinning in the Ordovician Martinsburg Formation, Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey, USA: Implications for Cleavage Formation and Tectonic Shortening in the Appalachian Piedmont Province

A traverse across the Stone Church syncline in the Ordovician Martinsburg turbidites reveals an axial planar cleavage (N40°E, SE dips) in regional thrust-related folds (N40°E, shallow plunges) and five phases of sparry calcite. Calcite fillings are bedding-parallel, cleavage-parallel, and one vein set cross-cuts both earlier phases; the youngest calcite filling is a bedding-parallel fault gouge that crosscuts the cleavage and preserves top-down-to-the-southeast normal fault kinematics. Calcite veins unique to disharmonically-folded calcareous siltstones (Maxwell, 1962) were also analyzed. Stable isotopic analysis (O, C) of all of the calcite phases indicates a uniform fluid source (δ13C −2.0, δ18O −13.3 VPDB) and, potentially, a similar precipitation and mechanical twinning age. The twinning strains (n = 1341; average Δσ = −32 MPa; average ε1 = −2.9%) in the calcite suite are consistent with SE-NW thrust shortening, and sub-horizontal shortening perpendicular to evolving axial planar cleavage planes in the Stone Church syncline. Calcareous siltstone layers within the Martinsburg Fm. turbidites share concordant bedding planes and are unique, chemically (XRF), but folded and cleaved differently than the surrounding clay-rich Martinsburg turbidites. Neither sediment type yielded detrital zircons. Electron backscatter X-ray diffraction (EBSD) and calcite twinning results in a folded calcareous siltstone layer preserving a layer-normal SE-NW shortening strain and Lattice Preferred Orientation (LPO). Shortening axes for the five-phase calcite suite trends ~N40°W, consistent with tectonic transport associated with crystalline nappe emplacement of the Reading Prong within the Piedmont province.

Generalized Hough transform for the stress inversion of calcite twin data

Since the mechanical twinning along calcite e-planes has a critical resolved shear stress, not only principal stress axes but also differential stress can be determined from the orientations of twin lamellae. Based on the five-dimensional stress space that fulfills the principle of coordinate invariance, it is shown in this article that the inversion of twin and untwin data is comparable with fitting a spherical cap to data points on a unit sphere in the space. The principal stress orientations and stress ratio are indicated by the center of the cap, whereas differential stress is denoted by the size of the cap. Based on this geometrical interpretation, the generalized Hough transform was applied to the inversion of the data in this study. The new method is demonstrated to be robust to sampling bias, variability in the critical resolved shear stress. The determination of differential stress was difficult when the differential stress to be detected was ∼10 times larger than the critical resolved shear stress. Stresses were separated by the method from heterogeneous data successfully as long as the spherical caps corresponding to the stresses to be detected had no or a small intersection.

Determination of the tectonic evolution from fractures, faults, and calcite twins on the southwestern margin of the Indochina Block

In polyphase tectonic zones, integrating a study of fault and fracture with calcite twin analysis can determine the evolving paleostress magnitudes and principle stress directions that affected the area. This paper presents the results of the analyses of fractures, striated faults, and calcite twins collected within the Khao Khwang Fold-Thrust Belt in central Thailand (SE Asia). Here we attempt to reconstruct the orientation of the principal stresses that developed during the tectonic evolution of this highly deformed, polyphase orogen. Tectonic data were collected in the Permian carbonates of the Khao Khad Formation of the Saraburi Group, and five successive tectonic stages are determined that are interpreted to have developed before, during, and after, the Triassic Indosinian Orogeny. The first three stages predate the main deformation event: the first stage is interpreted as a pre-Indosinian N-S extensional stage, the second stage described a N-S strike-slip and compressional regime, largely perpendicular to the fold axes of the main structures, while the third stage is associated with an E-W compressional strike-slip phase. A further two stages took place after, or during, the main folding event and correspond to N-S compression and to an E-W composite strike-slip/contractional stage, the latter which is interpreted to represent Cenozoic deformation related to the India-Asia collision.