Crystallographic Preferred Orientation Patterns Research Articles

Early Paleozoic oblique convergence from subduction to collision: Insights from timing and structural style of the transpressional dextral shear zone in the Qilian orogen, northern Tibet of China

Transpressional shear zones commonly occur in ancient and modern convergent plate boundaries to accommodate oblique plate convergence. The early Paleozoic Qilian orogen in northeastern Tibet records the subduction of Proto-Tethyan Ocean lithosphere and the accretion-collision of various magmatic arcs and continental terranes. This study focused on the Datong ductile shear zone, which represents the central part of the WNW-ESE−striking ductile shear zone along the northern margin of the Qilian block in the Qilian orogen. This structure bears key information about the evolution of oblique convergence during the early Paleozoic orogeny. The kinematics and timing of the Datong ductile shear zone were investigated via field-based, microstructural, and mica 40Ar/39Ar dating analyses. Mesostructural and microstructural data showed predominantly dextral strike-slip shearing within the Datong ductile shear zone. Microstructural features and quartz c-axis crystallographic preferred orientation patterns indicated that dextral ductile shearing occurred under lower-amphibolite-facies conditions (∼500−550 °C and ∼5.6 kbar) within the shear zone. Microstructures of quartz showed subgrain rotation (SGR) and grain boundary migration (GBM), suggesting dislocation creep−dominated deformation. A strain rate of 10−12 s−1 and a differential stress of 25−39 MPa were estimated by the rheological flow law and quartz paleopiezometry. Finite strain measurements indicated that all deformed rocks of the Datong ductile shear zone exhibit a weakly oblate ellipsoid near the plane strain. Kinematic vorticity (ranging 0.47−0.83) analysis suggested the coexistence of simple shear and pure shear strains within the Datong ductile shear zone, indicating a transpressional setting. Biotite and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar data showed that transpressional shearing deformation started in the Ordovician (before 453 Ma) and lasted to the Silurian (ca. 430 Ma). Our new data combined with regional geological data show that the deformation type, kinematics, and dynamics of the Datong ductile shear zone were controlled by the southward oblique subduction of the Paleo-Qilian Ocean (Proto-Tethyan Ocean) and the following oblique collision between the Qilian block and the Alxa block. The intensive transpressional deformation along the northern Qilian block may reflect strong coupling between the subducting Paleo-Qilian oceanic slab and the overriding Qilian block as well as a high degree of convergence obliquity during the ongoing early Paleozoic convergence.

Crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) patterns in uniaxially compressed deuterated ice: quantitative analysis of historical data

AbstractStrain, temperature and strain rate are crucial factors governing the development of crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) in ice. To better understand how CPO patterns change in response to these variables, we performed quantitative analyses on neutron diffraction data between 2010 and 2019, collected in situ during uniaxial compression experiments on deuterium ice. At strains >10% and temperatures <−10°C, thec-axis pattern switches from a single maximum (‘cluster’) to small circle (‘cone’), both oriented parallel to shortening. The diameter and mean width of the cone pattern decrease as strain and/or strain rate increases. Prismatic axis (aandm) patterns are characterised by great circles parallel to the pole figure margin and may be distinguishable from the patterns in ice deformed under simple shear. While strain has the main influence on the degree of preferred orientation (or CPO ‘strength’), both temperature and strain rate have minor influences, which limits the extent to which CPOs can be used to measure strain. As cluster patterns can be observed in thec-axes of ice deformed under both pure and simple shear settings, this may complicate interpretations of flow geometry in terrestrial ice unless the prismatic axis patterns are also considered.

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.

Olivine Morphology and Fabric During Diffusion Creep: Pure Shear Experiments

AbstractWe deformed aggregates of Fe‐free olivine +20 vol% diopside in pure shear to study olivine grain morphology and fabric during diffusion creep. Samples were each deformed to a strain of around 0.7 at different temperatures and experimental durations, which resulted in different grain sizes among the samples due to grain growth. The sample microstructures were observed from each of the three principal stress directions, which revealed various 3D grain morphologies among the samples. Samples with tabular grains displayed a crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) in olivine, while samples with weakly anisotropic grains had uniform CPOs. The CPO patterns vary from AG‐type (i.e., a uniaxial [010] concentration in the direction of sample shortening) to A‐type (i.e [010] and [100] concentrations in the directions of sample shortening and stretching, respectively), with intermediate types being the most common. The transition from AG‐ to A‐type fabrics is accompanied by a change from oblate to prolate grain morphologies. We explain the direct correlation between the olivine morphology and fabrics based on preferential grain‐boundary sliding (GBS) at boundaries with fewer steps (ledges). Oblate morphologies with well‐developed grain boundaries oriented parallel to (010) provide easy GBS along (010) and [h0l] planes and directions, respectively, while relatively prolate morphologies with boundaries parallel to (010) that are elongated along [100] provide easy GBS along (010) and [100] planes and directions, respectively. Boundaries form parallel to a particular crystallographic plane through differential grain growth in the directions of the crystallographic axes. Such grain growth causes fabric transitions during diffusion creep.

Late Paleozoic deformation and tectonic significance of the South Central Tianshan Shear Zone, Kawabulake area, East Tianshan, NW China: Constraints from quartz fabrics and geochronologic data

The South Central Tianshan Shear Zone occurs along the southern margin of the Central Tianshan Block (CTB), NW China. This shear zone contains important information about the history of the amalgamation of various plates in the southwestern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. This study focuses on the deformation of the South Central Tianshan Shear Zone within the Kawabulake area in East Tianshan and provides insights into the late Paleozoic tectonic history of this region. Field observations indicate that the shear zone records at least two ductile deformation events (D1 and D2), where D1 is a sinistral strike-slip deformation event and D2 is dextral strike-slip. The shear zone contains four giant tectonic lenses that were formed during the D2 event. Microstructures and quartz crystallographic preferred orientation patterns indicate that D1 and D2 both occurred under low temperature conditions. We constrained the timing of deformation using mica 40Ar/39Ar and zircon U–Pb approaches. The timing of D1 deformation is constrained in the range of 400–290 Ma and the early and late stages of D2 deformation occurred at ca. 290 and 276–270 Ma, respectively. Regional comparisons indicate that D1 resulted from the clockwise rotation of the Tarim Craton and the oblique subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean crust beneath the CTB, the early stage of D2 was the result of the oblique collision between the Tarim Craton and the CTB, and the late stage of D2 records the convergence of the Tarim Craton and plates north of the CTB.

Effects of melt-percolation, refertilization and deformation on upper mantle seismic anisotropy: constraints from peridotite xenoliths, Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica

Abstract We report on the petrology, microstructure and seismic properties of 44 peridotite xenoliths extracted from the upper mantle beneath Marie Byrd Land (MBL), West Antarctica. The aim of this work is to understand how melt-rock reaction, refertilization, and deformation affected the seismic properties (velocities, anisotropy) of the West Antarctic upper mantle, in the context of MBL tectonic evolution and West Antarctic Rift System formation. Modal compositions, mineral major element compositions, microstructures, and crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) provide evidence for diachronous reactive melt percolation and refertilization. Olivine shows three main CPO patterns, the A-type, axial-[010], and axial-[100] texture types. Average seismic properties of the MBL mantle lithosphere are mainly controlled by the strength of olivine crystallographic texture. Reactive melt percolation and refertilization likely modified seismic velocities and anisotropy, as is suggested by a systematic decrease in maximum P-wave and S-wave anisotropies with increasing modal abundance of pyroxene. At larger spatial scales, the seismic properties of the MBL mantle xenoliths are dominated by the anisotropy resulting from the A-type olivine CPO. Variations between individual volcanic centres, however, attest to spatial variations in the mantle structure, potentially related to 3D deformation and the prolonged tectonic history of MBL.

Full crystallographic orientation (<i>c</i> and <i>a</i> axes) of warm, coarse-grained ice in a shear-dominated setting: a case study, Storglaciären, Sweden

Abstract. Microstructures provide key insights into understanding the mechanical behavior of ice. Crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) develops during plastic deformation as ice deforms dominantly by dislocation glide on the basal plane, modified and often intensified by dynamic recrystallization. CPO patterns in fine-grained ice have been relatively well characterized and understood in experiments and nature, whereas CPO patterns in “warm” (T>-10∘C), coarse-grained, natural ice remain enigmatic. Previous microstructural studies of coarse-grained ice have been limited to c-axis orientations using light optical measurements. We present the first study of a axes as well as c axes in such ice by application of cryo-electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and do so in a shear-dominated setting. We have done this by developing a new sample preparation technique of constructing composite sections, to allow us to use EBSD to obtain a representative, bulk CPO on coarse-grained ice. We draw attention to the well-known issue of interlocking grains of complex shape and suggest that a grain sampling bias of large, branching crystals that appear multiple times as island grains in thin sections may result in the typical multimaxima CPOs previously identified in warm, coarse-grained ice that has been subjected to prolonged shear. CPOs combined from multiple samples of highly sheared ice from Storglaciären provide a more comprehensive picture of the microstructure and yield a pronounced cluster of c axes sub-normal to the shear plane and elongate or split in a plane normal to the shear direction as well as a concomitant girdle of a axes parallel to the shear plane with a maximum perpendicular to the shear direction. This pattern compares well with patterns produced by subsampling datasets from ice sheared in laboratory experiments at high homologous temperatures up to strains of ∼1.5. Shear strains in the margin of Storglaciären are much higher than those in experimental work. At much lower natural strain rates, dynamic recrystallization, particularly grain boundary migration, may have been more effective so that the CPO represents a small, final fraction of the shear history. A key result of this study is that multimaxima CPOs in coarse-grained ice reported in previous work may be due to limited sample sizes and a sampling bias related to the presence of island grains of a single host that appear several times in a thin section.

Sinistral strike-slip shearing along the Jiali shear zone around the Eastern Himalaya syntaxis region: Evidences for oligocene eastward limited translation of Tibet

In and around the Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis (EHS), the metamorphic complex and its structural boundaries are key tectonics to investigate the kinematics and thermal evolution of the continental collision. We provide new structural, kinematic and geochronological data along the northeastern boundary of the EHS, namely the Jiali strike-slip shear zone. Structures and various kinematic indicators record sinistral strike-slip shearing in the zone. Based on the microstructural features, crystallographic preferred orientation patterns of quartz and their slip systems, coupled with Raman Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Materials (RSCM) geothermometry, the ductile sinistral shearing fabrics formed at upper greenschist and amphibolite facies (>500 °C). Two hornblende, one muscovite and five biotite separates from the mylonites in the shear zone were dated by the 40Ar/39Ar method. A hornblende plateau age of 23.7 Ma is interpreted as representing or being close to the time of sinistral movement. Muscovite and biotite 40Ar/39Ar ages from 22.9 to 16.9 Ma represent cooling ages following sinistral shearing. It is concluded on the basis of these data that the Jiali sinistral strike-slip shear zone was active in latest Oligocene. This sinistral movement on the Jiali shear zone is considered to link with the Ailao Shan-Red River shear zone, and form a unique, continuous structural boundary around the EHS. The Jiali-Ailao Shan-Red River sinistral shear zone and Gaoligong dextral shear zone formed a huge conjugate strike-slip shear pair around the EHS to accommodate the N–S shortening corresponding to northward indentation of the folded Indian continent. The conjugate strike-slip shear systems also contribute to transporting Tibet southeastward in a limited scale.

Crystallographic preferred orientations of plagioclase via grain boundary sliding in a lower-crustal anorthositic ultramylonite

To clarify the rheological properties and deformational mechanisms that operate within lower-crustal shear zones, we analyzed deformation microstructures and fabrics in plagioclase grains from high-strain regions of intrafolial drag folds of an anorthositic ultramylonite from Langoya, Vesteralen, northern Norway. These grains have developed weak crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs). Other than deformation twinning, they do not show any indications of intracrystalline plasticity or dynamic recrystallization. In some domains of the drag fold, plagioclase CPOs are more distinct, but the majority of inferred slip systems are not consistent with the main slip systems in plagioclase. These suggest that neither dislocation creep nor dislocation-accommodated grain boundary sliding (GBS) produced the plagioclase CPOs but rather grain rotation via GBS along specific grain boundaries parallel or subparallel to crystallographic planes of (010), (100) or (110), which led to an alignment of the easy-slip grain boundaries in the flow direction that produced the observed CPO patterns. The anisotropy of dissolution and growth rates may have been responsible for the development of the specific grain boundaries.

Quartz fabric variations across the greenschist facies shear zone separating the Zermatt-Saas and combin ophiolitic zones, Upper Val Gressoney, Western Alps

The Gressoney Shear Zone (GSZ) consists of a ca. 500 m thick, intensely deformed rock panel located at the top of the high-pressure ophiolitic rocks of the Zermatt-Saas Zone in the Western Alps. This greenschist-facies shear zone accommodated multiple non-coaxial deformation events with contrasting kinematics. In this study, detailed field mapping and structural analysis were integrated with the study of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) from mylonites associated with the GSZ. Quartz CPO displays a systematic variation across the shear zone: moving from the basal shear zone boundary, the c-axes pattern changes from type II cross-girdle distribution, to an asymmetric pattern characterized by clustering of c-axes on one side of the Z-direction (inclined single girdle), to a central cluster in the Y-direction. The observed CPO patterns are consistent with increasing shear strain toward the basal contact, which probably controls the transition from broad peripheral maxima indicative of basal slip to an inclined single girdle with no maxima, which is indicative of prism slip, and finally an elongate single maximum at the girdle centre produced by a combination of prism and rhomb slip. Our results further indicate that basal slip is dominant in pure quartz domains, whereas with increasing proportion of second phases, prism slip is activated. These features confirm that CPOs obtained from the almost pure quartzites analysed in most published studies, and generally associated with the activation of distinct slip systems controlled by temperature, cannot be straightforwardly applied to the analysis of heterogeneous shear zones and/or polymineralic mylonites. From a regional point of view, the structures observed in the field and the fabric analyses are consistent with top-to-the-SE extension post-dating subduction-related high-pressure metamorphism and collisional nappe stacking in the studied sector of the Western Alps.

Quartz preferred orientation in naturally deformed mylonitic rocks (Montalto shear zone–Italy): a comparison of results by different techniques, their advantages and limitations

In the geologic record, the quartz c-axis patterns are widely adopted in the investigation of crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) of naturally deformed rocks. To this aim, in the present work, four different methods for measuring quartz c-axis orientations in naturally sheared rocks were applied and compared: the classical universal stage technique, the computer-integrated polarization microscopy method (CIP), the time-of-flight (TOF) neutron diffraction analysis , and the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Microstructural analysis and CPO patterns of quartz, together with the ones obtained for feldspars and micas in mylonitic granitoid rocks, have been then considered to solve structural and geological questions related to the Montalto crustal scale shear zone (Calabria, southern Italy). Results obtained by applying the different techniques are discussed, and the advantages as well as limitations of each method are highlighted. Importantly, our findings suggest that patterns obtained by means of different techniques are quite similar. In particular, for such mylonites, a subsimple shear (40% simple shear vs 60% pure shear) by shape analysis of porphyroclasts was inferred. A general tendency of an asymmetric c-maximum near to the Z direction (normal to foliation) suggesting dominant basal slip, consistent with fabric patterns related to dynamically recrystallization under greenschist facies, is recognized. Rhombohedral slip was likely active as documented by pole figures of positive and negative rhombs (TOF), which reveal also potential mechanical Dauphine twinning. Results showed that the most complete CPO characterization on deformed rocks is given by the TOF (from which also other quartz crystallographic axes can be obtained as well as various mineral phases may be investigated). However, this use is restricted by the fact that (a) there are very few TOF facilities around the world and (b) there is loss of any domainal reference, since TOF is a bulk type analysis. EBSD is a widely used technique, which allows an excellent microstructural control of the user covering a good amount of investigated grains. CIP and US are not expensive techniques with respect the other kind of investigations and even if they might be considered obsolete and/or time-consuming, they have the advantage to provide a fine and grain by grain “first round” inspection on the investigated rock fabric.

Axial‐type olivine crystallographic preferred orientations: The effect of strain geometry on mantle texture

AbstractThe effect of finite strain geometry on crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) is poorly constrained in the upper mantle. Specifically, the relationship between shape preferred orientation (SPO) and CPO in mantle rocks remains unclear. We analyzed a suite of 40 spinel peridotite xenoliths from Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica. X‐ray computed tomography allows for quantification of spinel SPO, which ranges from prolate to oblate shape. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis reveals a range of olivine CPO patterns, including A‐type, axial‐[010], axial‐[100], and B‐type patterns. Until now, these CPO types were associated with different deformation conditions, deformation mechanisms, or strain magnitudes. Microstructures and deformation mechanism maps suggest that deformation in all studied xenoliths is dominated by dislocation‐accommodated grain boundary sliding. For the range of temperatures (780–1200°C), extraction depths (39–72 km), differential stresses (2–60 MPa), and water content (up to 500 H/106Si) of the xenolith suite, variations in olivine CPO do not correlate with changes in deformation conditions. Here we establish for the first time in naturally deformed mantle rocks that finite strain geometry controls the development of axial‐type olivine CPOs; axial‐[010] and axial‐[100] CPOs form in relation to oblate and prolate fabric ellipsoids, respectively. Girdling of olivine crystal axes results from intracrystalline slip with activation of multiple slip systems and grain boundary sliding. Our results demonstrate that mantle deformation may deviate from simple shear. Olivine texture in field studies and seismic anisotropy in geophysical investigations can provide critical constraints for the 3‐D strain in the upper mantle.

Petrofabric and seismic properties of lithospheric mantle xenoliths from the Calatrava volcanic field (Central Spain)

The microstructural and petrofabric study of peridotite xenoliths from the El Aprisco (Neogene Calatrava Volcanic Field) has provided new information on deformation mechanisms, ambient conditions and seismic properties of the central Iberian subcontinental mantle. Olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, amphibole and spinel constitute the mineral assemblage in equilibrium. Their microstructure indicates that they accommodated crystal-plastic deformation under high water fugacity conditions. Crystallographic preferred orientation patterns of key minerals were determined with the EBSD technique. The xenoliths exhibit B, C and A olivine fabrics. B-type fabrics, involving the (010)[001] slip system, may develop in domains where deformation occurs under comparatively lower temperature, higher water-content and faster strain rates. They are interpreted here as the result of deformation in a suprasubduction mantle setting triggered by changing conditions imposed by a cooler subducting slab that incorporated fluids into the system. Xenoliths with olivine C-type fabrics involve activation of the dominant (100)[001] slip system, denote intracrystalline slip at higher temperatures and water-contents. They are here interpreted to sample lithospheric mantle domains where the impact of those new conditions was not so strong. Finally, the A-type fabrics, characteristic of the (010)[100] slip system, are frequent in the mantle under moderate to high temperature. These fabrics are considered here as characteristic of the mantle prior to subduction. The olivine fabrics constrain heterogeneous seismic properties. Propagation orientation of P waves (8.27–8.51km/s) coincides with olivine [100] axis concentrations, whereas the fastest S1 waves (5.13–5.22km/s) propagate parallel to [010] axis minima. The maximum shear wave birefringence (VS1–VS2=0.17–0.37km/s) is close to the direction of the macroscopic lineation. Heterogeneity of calculated seismic properties would concur with preservation of fossil flow perturbations, reworking and metasomatism in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle of central Spain, likely related to changes in the ambient conditions close to paleosubductions.

Recrystallization fabrics of sheared quartz veins with a strong pre-existing crystallographic preferred orientation from a seismogenic shear zone

Microstructural investigations were carried out on quartz veins in schist, protomylonite, and mylonite samples from an ancient seismogenic strike-slip shear zone (Sandhill Corner shear zone, Norumbega fault system, Maine, USA). We interpret complexities in the microstructural record to show that: (1) pre-existing crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) in the host rock may persist in the new CPO patterns of the shear zone and (2) the inner and outer parts of the shear zone followed diverging paths of fabric development.The host rocks bounding the shear zone contain asymmetrically-folded quartz veins with a strong CPO. These veins are increasingly deformed and recrystallized with proximity to the shear zone core. Matrix-accommodated rotation and recrystallization may position an inherited c-axis maximum in an orientation coincident with rhomb <a> or basal <a> slip. This inherited CPO likely persists in the shear zone fabric as a higher concentration of poles in one hemisphere of the c-axis pole figure, leading to asymmetric crossed girdle or paired maxima c-axis patterns about the foliation plane.Three observed quartz grain types indicate a general trend of localization with decreasing temperature: (1) large (>100μm), low aspect ratio (<~5) and (2) high aspect ratio (~5–20) grains overprinted by (3) smaller (<~80μm), low aspect ratio (<~4) grains through subgrain rotation-dominated recrystallization. In the outer shear zone, subgrain rotation recrystallization led to a well-developed c-axis crossed girdle pattern. In the inner shear zone, the larger grains are completely overprinted by smaller grains, but the CPO patterns are relatively poorly developed and are associated with distinctively different misorientation angle histogram profiles (“flat” neighbor-pair profile with similar number fraction for angles from 10 to 90°). This may reflect the preferential activation of grain size sensitive deformation processes in the inner-most part of the shear zone where transient deformation associated with the seismic cycle may have localized.

Fabric transitions in quartz via viscoplastic self-consistent modeling part I: Axial compression and simple shear under constant strain

Quartz is a common crustal mineral that deforms plastically in a wide range of temperatures and pressures, leading to the development of different types of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) patterns. In this contribution we present the results of an extensive modeling of quartz fabric transitions via a viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) approach. For that, we have performed systematic simulations using different sets of relative critical resolved shear stress of the main quartz slip systems. We have performed these simulations in axial compression and simple shear regimes under constant Von Mises equivalent strain of 100% (γ=1.73), assuming that the aggregates deformed exclusively by dislocation glide. Some of the predicted CPOs patterns are similar to those observed in naturally and experimentally deformed quartz. Nevertheless, some classical CPO patterns usually interpreted as result from dislocation glide (e.g. Y-maxima due to prism <a> slip) are clearly not developed in the simulated conditions. In addition we reported new potential preferred orientation patterns that might happen in high temperature conditions, both in axial compression and simple shear. We have demonstrated that CPOs generated under axial compression are usually stronger that those predicted under simple shear, due to the continuous rotation observed in the later simulations. The fabric strength depends essentially on the dominant active slip system, and normally the stronger CPOs result from dominant basal slip in <a>, followed by rhomb <a> and prism [c] slip, whereas prism <a> slip does not produce strong fabrics. The opening angle of quartz [0001] fabric used as a proxy of temperature seems to be reliable for deformation temperatures of ~400°C, when the main slip systems have similar behaviors.

Microfabric memory of vein quartz for strain localization in detachment faults: A case study on the Simplon fault zone

This manuscript deals with the adaptation of quartz-microfabrics to changing physical deformation conditions, and discusses their preservation potential during subsequent retrograde deformation. Using microstructural analysis, a sequence of recrystallization processes in quartz, ranging from Grain-Boundary Migration Recrystallization (GBM) over Subgrain-Rotation Recrystallization (SGR) to Bulging Nucleation (BLG) is detected for the Simplon fault zone (SFZ) from the low strain rim towards the internal high strain part of the large-scale shear zone. Based on: (i) the retrograde cooling path; (ii) estimates of deformation temperatures; and (iii) spatial variation of dynamic recrystallization processes and different microstructural characteristics, continuous strain localization with decreasing temperature is inferred. In contrast to the recrystallization microstructures, crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) have a longer memory. CPO patterns indicative of prism <a> and rhomb <a> glide systems in mylonitic quartz veins, overprinted at low temperatures (≤400 °C), suggest inheritance of a high-temperature deformation. In this way, microstructural, textural and geochemical analyses provide information for several million years of the deformation history. The reasons for such incomplete resetting of the rock texture is that strain localization is caused by change in effective viscosity contrasts related to temporal large- and small-scale temperature changes during the evolution of such a long-lived shear zone. The spatially resolved, quantitative investigation of quartz microfabrics and associated recrystallization processes therefore provide great potential for an improved understanding of the geodynamics of large-scale shear zones.

Effect of strain geometry on the petrophysical properties of plastically deformed aggregates: experiments on Solnhofen limestone

Abstract Specimens of Solnhofen limestone were deformed under conditions where calcite deforms plastically using four experimental configurations: extension, torsion, direct shear and axisymmetric shortening. All experiments were run on dry specimens at the same temperature (600 °C), confining pressure (200 MPa) and comparable strain rates ( c. 10 −4 s −1 ). The different experimental settings and the heterogeneity of deformation within some of the specimens provided a large range of strain geometries. They allowed locally imposed strain geometries to be related to the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) patterns of calcite and the orientation of the shape fabric of calcite grains. CPO in calcite was measured using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) in scanning electron microscopy. The development of CPO during deformation under the dominance of intracrystalline plasticity contains information about the strain geometry accumulated in rocks in 3D, although in nature the strain geometry can be modified by dynamic recrystallization that was not seen in the experiments. The different CPO patterns have a significant effect on the velocity structure of the deformed aggregates. Seismic properties inferred from CPO show that the orientation of the fastest V p wave aligns with principal strain directions that are not equivalent in different strain geometries.

A database of plagioclase crystal preferred orientations (CPO) and microstructures – implications for CPO origin, strength, symmetry and seismic anisotropy in gabbroic rocks

Abstract. This study presents a unique database of 172 plagioclase Crystallographic Preferred Orientations (CPO) of variously deformed gabbroic rocks. The CPO characteristics as a function of the deformation regime (magmatic or crystal-plastic) are outlined and discussed. The studied samples are dominantly from slow- and fast-spread present-day ocean crust, as well as from the Oman ophiolite. Plagioclase is the dominant mineral phase in the studied samples. Plagioclase CPOs are grouped into three main categories: Axial-B, a strong point alignment of (010) with a girdle distribution of [100]; Axial-A, a strong point maximum concentration of [100] with parallel girdle distributions of (010) and (001); and P-type, point maxima of [100], (010), and (001). A majority of CPO patterns are Axial-B and P-type, in samples showing either magmatic or crystal-plastic deformation textures. Axial-A CPOs are less common; they represent 21% of the samples deformed by crystal-plastic flow. Although fabric strength (ODF J index) does not show any consistent variation as a function of the CPO patterns, there is a significant difference in the relationship between the ODF and pole figures J indices; the magmatic type microstructures have high (010) pole figures J indices, which increase linearly with ODF J index, whereas the high [100] pole figures J indices of plastically deformed samples vary in a more scattered manner with ODF J index. The multistage nature of plastic deformation superposed on a magmatic structure compared with magmatic flow, and the large number of possible slip-systems in plagioclase probably account for these differences. Calculated seismic properties (P wave and S wave velocities and anisotropies) of plagioclase aggregates show that anisotropy (up to 12% for P wave and 14% for S wave) tends to increase as a function of ODF J index. In comparison with the olivine 1998 CPO database, the magnitude of P wave anisotropy for a given J index is much less than olivine, whereas it is similar for S wave anisotropy. Despite a large variation of fabric patterns and geodynamic setting, seismic properties of plagioclase-rich rocks have similar magnitudes of anisotropy. There is a small difference in the aggregate elastic symmetry, with magmatic microstructures having higher orthorhombic and hexagonal components, whereas plastic deformation microstructures have a slightly higher monoclinic component, possibly correlated with predominant monoclinic simple shear flow in plastically deformed samples. Overall, plots for CPO strength (ODF J index), pole figure strength, CPO symmetry and seismic anisotropy show significant scattering. This could be related to sampling statistics, although our database is a factor of ten higher than the olivine database of 1998, or it could be related to the low symmetry (triclinic) structure of plagioclase resulting in the addition of degrees of freedom in the processes creating the CPOs.

Subduction related antigorite CPO patterns from forearc mantle in the Sanbagawa belt, southwest Japan

Antigorite (Atg) is stable throughout large parts of the wedge mantle of most subduction zones. Atg shows strong acoustic anisotropy and crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) patterns of this mineral may contribute significantly to seismic anisotropy in convergent margins. Atg CPO patterns from the Higashi-Akaishi (HA) forearc mantle body of southwest Japan adds to the data set suggesting the most common Atg CPO pattern has a c-axis perpendicular to the foliation and a b-axis parallel to the stretching lineation. Statistical analysis using the eigenvector method of Atg CPO from two mutually perpendicular directions in the same sample ( YZ-section and XZ-section) shows no significant differences implying sample preparation has no significant affect on the resulting Atg CPO. Reuss (uniform stress) averages of anisotropy for the Higashi-Akaishi samples are approximately treble the values for Voigt (uniform strain) averages. When comparing calculated anisotropy of hydrated mantle peridotite samples—such as the Higashi-Akaishi unit—with observed S-wave delay times in convergent margins, the appropriate averaging method needs to be considered.

Seismic velocities, anisotropy and deformation in Siberian cratonic mantle: EBSD data on xenoliths from the Udachnaya kimberlite

The study presents microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) of minerals obtained by electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) in a suite of 23 fresh mantle xenoliths (20 peridotites, 2 eclogites and 1 pyroxenite) from the Udachnaya kimberlite in central Siberian craton. The suite includes coarse spinel- and garnet-facies peridotites equilibrated at 760–1000 °C from the upper part of the mantle lithosphere (45–160 km) and porphyroclastic garnet peridotites from the base of the lithosphere (160–210 km; 1200–1320 °C). The data indicate that dislocation creep is the main deformation mechanism in the peridotites and eclogites. The CPO patterns of olivine suggest a dominant activation of the (010) [100] slip system. Within this general pattern, coarse peridotites show a better alignment of [100]-olivine while porphyroclastic rocks have a better alignment of [010]-olivine. Recrystallization in the porphyroclastic peridotites reduces olivine grain size and facilitates the development of a mosaic matrix that leads to a decrease in the CPO strength. Orthopyroxene in peridotites slips parallel to (100) [001]; clinopyroxene shows a clear slip direction on [001] in both peridotites and eclogites. Seismic properties estimated from the CPO data and modal abundances of major minerals show significant differences between peridotites, eclogites and pyroxenites; some differences also exist between peridotite types. Importantly, coarse peridotites have much higher anisotropy than eclogites and may yield higher P-wave velocities in the fast direction (V p ≥ 8.8 km/s). Thus, the extremely high sub-Moho velocities (V p > 8.7 km/s) reported from some seismic profiles in the Siberian craton can be better explained by strong anisotropy of coarse peridotites in a horizontally foliated mantle rather than by the presence of abundant eclogites.