Mylonitic Rocks Research Articles

Clay mineralogy in mylonite weathering products from Njimom (west Cameroon): origin and terracotta suitability

This study investigated the mineralogical assemblage of weathering products developed on mylonite rocks in west Cameroon. Smectite and vermiculite occurrence was studied, particularly to emphasize its origin and the potential of the samples in terracotta production. Samples characteristics were determined through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) methods. Weathering products were observed along road trenches of 450 m long and 50 m height on a syenitic basement rock intruded by magmatic rock veins. Clay minerals are mainly composed of kaolinite and illite. 2:1 swelling clay minerals (vermiculite, montmorillonite) occur in some samples mainly originated from the contact between weathering materials and quartzo feldspatic bands. The main oxides are SiO2 (46–72%), Al2O3 (16–31%), Fe2O3 (2–16%) and K2O (0.1–6%). Vermiculite may be formed by fluid-mineral interactions during alteration of the chlorite in the plasmic microsystems of the soil. Structural changes in the upper part of the saprolite leading to the transformation of vermiculite into smectite under supergene alteration control, which predominates in humid tropical zones. Heavy rainfall leads to the formation of kaolinite at the expense of 2:1 clay minerals. Empirical classification revealed that the studied weathering products can be used to produce common bricks.

Structural and chronological constraints for Longquan‐Badu ductile shear zone: Implication for Triassic intraplate orogeny in South China Block

The ductile shear deformation of Precambrian basement rocks in Wuyishan provides a crucial perspective on intraplate orogeny in the South China Block (SCB). This study focuses on the Longquan‐Badu ductile shear zone in southeastern Zhejiang, employing field observations, thin section analysis, quartz electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), zircon U–Pb dating and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Two distinct phases of deformation, referred to as D1 and D2, have been identified. D1 is primarily characterized by a WNW–ESE striking foliation within a NE‐plunging lineation, indicating top‐to‐SSW shearing. The paragneiss within the Badu complex that experienced D1 deformation has been dated to 247–239 Ma through zircon U–Pb analysis, corresponding to the prevalent high‐pressure metamorphic age in the region. This correlation suggests that the D1 deformation event coincided with crustal thickening during the Early Triassic. D2 deformation exhibits folds, foliation, S‐C fabrics and mylonitic microstructures and is mainly characterized by striking NNE–SSW with steeply dip, demonstrating a dominant dextral strike–slip component. Quartz c‐axis orientations in mylonitic rocks indicate deformation temperatures between 350°C and 550°C with asymmetric girdle patterns suggesting simultaneous basal and prism slip. The plateau ages of muscovite from mylonitic rocks obtained through 40Ar/39Ar dating are approximately ~228 Ma implying that the D2 deformation occurred under retrograde amphibolite to greenschist facies metamorphic conditions during Middle Triassic. Collectively these data along with regional geological evidence signify two distinct intracontinental orogenic processes occurring in eastern SCB. Considering Early Mesozoic tectonothermal events in Cathaysia Block, it can be inferred that intraplate orogeny in Wuyishan resulted from plate‐margin collisions between SCB and peripheral plates following scissors closure of Palaeo‐Tethys from east to west.

Hydrous shear zones are sites of melt transfer in the lower arc crust: A case study from Fiordland, New Zealand

AbstractRecent studies of the Cretaceous lower arc crust exposed in Fiordland, New Zealand, conclude that shear zones are sites of melt migration and mass transfer through the deep crust. Here, we investigate the 4–10 km‐wide George Sound Shear Zone, which cuts the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss, comprising two main rock types: two‐pyroxene gneiss and hornblende gneiss. Previous studies infer a predominantly igneous origin for the two types of gneiss. However, this study finds that melt‐rock interaction within the George Sound Shear Zone formed the hornblende gneiss from the precursor two‐pyroxene gneiss. Petrographic analyses of samples collected in transects across the shear zone show hydration reaction textures ranging from rims of hornblende + quartz around pyroxene grains to complete replacement of pyroxene grains. Plagioclase is recrystallized and partially replaced by clinozoisite. Additionally, biotite mode increases towards the higher strain rocks in the shear zone. Backscatter images and polarized light microscopy show microstructures indicative of former melt‐present deformation, including (a) interconnected mineral films of quartz and K‐feldspar along grain boundaries, (b) grains that terminate with low apparent dihedral angles, (c) interstitial grains, with some (d) undulose extinction in plagioclase and (e) serrated grain boundaries. In addition, zircon microstructures are consistent with Zr mobility, further supporting the former presence of melt; geochemical data show enrichment of Zr in the hornblende gneiss as compared to the two‐pyroxene gneiss. From the above observations, it is inferred that a felsic to intermediate hydrous melt migrated through the George Sound Shear Zone reacting with the host two‐pyroxene gneiss of the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss. Melt migration along grain boundaries was deformation assisted, (i) causing hydration of pyroxene to hornblende + quartz, and plagioclase to clinozoisite, (ii) increasing proportions of biotite within the shear zone and (iii) causing depletion of Cr + Ni and Zr enrichment in the hydrated rock. Our interpretation is supported by published observations of pegmatite dyke swarms that intruded into the George Sound Shear Zone, the P‐T conditions of deformation and characterization of microstructures that contrast sharply with those typically found in mylonitic rocks formed under solid‐state metamorphic conditions. Our results confirm that hydrous shear zones within otherwise anhydrous country rock are retrogressive and may represent evidence of melt migration through zones of deformation.

Geology and ore fluids geochemistry of the Hamzeh–Gharanin orogenic gold deposit, NW Iran

The Hamzeh–Gharanin gold deposit (HGD) is located in the Qolqoleh–Kasnazan shear zone in the northwest of Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) and 40 km SW of Saqez. The main rock units are an assemblage of the Precambrian metasedimentary (pelitic) rocks and the Cretaceous phyllite associated with marble interlayers. The post–Cretaceous intrusive granitoids with NW–SE trends intruded within these two units. Mineralization occurs mainly within the NE–SW extensional veines and veinlets in proto–mylonitic, mylonitic and ultra–mylonitic rocks. Hydrothermal alterations consist of sericitization, carbonatization, silicification and chloritization. The main ore minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, galena, gold, magnetite and hematite. The fluid inclusions study from quartz minerals associated with the mineralization shows four different phases: single vapor phase (V; type I), single liquid phase (L; type II), liquid–vapor biphasic (LV; type III) and three phases (LLV; type IV). Microthermometric studies were performed on types III and IV of fluid inclusions. Homogenization temperatures (Th) for Types III and IV inclusions vary between 138 and 310 °C (mean 230 °C) and 250–335 °C (mean 300 °C) and their salinity varies between 0.52 and 13.87 and 4.79 to 9.58 (wt% NaCl), respectively. Moreover, the density of Types III and IV inclusions vary from 0.71 to 0.927 g/cm3 and 0.700–0.870 g/cm3, respectively. The oxygen (in quartz: 4.58–7.80 ‰; mean 5.82 ‰) and δ34S (in pyrite: 5.54–6.28 ‰; mean 5.91‰) isotope compositions of the mineralizing fluids indicate an insignificant meteoric water input during hydrothermal evolution and a magmatic origin of sulfur in the deposit which is broadly similar to those of orogenic gold deposits worldwide.

PT conditions of deformation of the Gol-e-Gohar shear Zone, SW Iran: Insights from analysis of quartz c-axis fabrics, recrystallization mechanisms and syndeformational fluid inclusions

An investigation into the correlation between microstructural characteristics and deformation temperatures of quartz in the middle crust is of utmost importance in yielding substantial knowledge of the nature of deformation zones. Mylonitic rocks from the Gol-e-Gohar Shear Zone were investigated to infer innovative insights into the ductile deformation pressure–temperature (PT) conditions of the Sanandaj–Sirjan metamorphic rocks within the Zagros, southwest Iran. This approach used a multi-method strategy including quartz c-axis fabrics, recrystallization mechanisms and fluid inclusions (Fls) data. Geothermobarometric analysis based on these data highlight deformational PT conditions ranging from ∼400 to ∼500 °C and P < 5 kbar that correspond to ductile deformation with greenschist to lower-amphibolite conditions at depth of ∼ 12–19 km. Measured opening angles of quartz c-axis fabric and dominance of basal < a > slip system indicate crystal plastic deformation occurred in T > 400 °C. Microstructures highlighting the occurrence of Grain Boundary Migration (GBM) confirm temperature of 500–600 °C. The deduced P–T–salinity Fls history of deformation-related fluid inclusions is highlighted by Fls (B-type) with H2O-CO2–rich metamorphic fluids. These fluids were trapped during ductile deformation in temperatures ranging from ∼ 355 to ∼ 535 °C and pressure of P < 5 kbar. The petrofabric analyses show that the mylonitic rock in the Gol-e-Gohar shear zone have undergone metamorphism at the amphibolite facies condition, and then followed by a retrograde greenschist facies metamorphism. These results emphasize the utility of microstructural and fluid inclusion techniques to constrain the history of mylonitic rocks exhumation in the deformation zones.

Geochemical study of rare earth elements, uranium and thorium in mylonitic rocks of north Abu Rusheid, Egypt using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Geochemical study of rare earth elements, uranium and thorium in mylonitic rocks of north Abu Rusheid, Egypt using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Deformation conditions and kinematic vorticity within the footwall shear zone of the Wildhorse detachment system, Pioneer metamorphic core complex, Idaho

Detailed analysis of numerous sequential fabrics and microstructures preserved in the footwall shear zones of detachment fault systems can be used to clarify the spatial relationships and timing of deformation related to emplacement and exhumation of metamorphic core complexes. To quantify the kinematics during deformation, we conducted microstructural analyses along two ∼300 m transects across mylonitic sections of the footwall of the Eocene Wildhorse Detachment system within the Pioneer metamorphic core complex. These results enable comparison of deformation at different structural levels during exhumation and between monomineralic and polymineralic lithologies.In both transects, mylonitic rocks preserve normal-sense asymmetric structures such as recrystallized quartz oblique foliation, S/C–C′ structures, and asymmetric feldspar porphyroclasts. Quartz microstructures, CPO patterns, and kinematic vorticity analyses consistently indicate simple shear-dominated deformation, which is predicted for late stage, shallow-level deformation within a rolling hinge detachment system exhuming a metamorphic core complex. Variations in c-axis patterns and active slip systems are associated with temperature, influenced by structural level, and grain boundary processes related to lithology. To determine the degree of non-coaxiality and minimize limitations and uncertainties with kinematic vorticity methods, we used two methods to evaluate flow vorticity. Kinematic vorticity ranges from 0.55 to 0.95 for the oblique quartz foliation (δ/β) and C′-type shear bands (C′-c) methods. Quartz recrystallized grain size ranges from 10 to 37 μm, indicating maximum differential stresses of 80–110 MPa, which is consistent with the footwall shear zones of numerous metamorphic core complex detachment systems.

Microfabric, 3D-strain geometry and kinematic vorticity analysis of Au-bearing shear zone, Central Domain of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil

In the Central Domain of the Borborema Province, mineralized quartz veins type lode-gold deposits (orogenic gold deposits) occur hosted in shear zones. The gold mineralizations are associated with medium-grade metamorphic country rocks, mainly gneisses, and mica schists, consisting of several occurrences and small deposits closely related to the deformational fabric. The Itapetim Shear Zone (ISZ) is one of these shear zones hosting gold mineralizations, which is characterized by heterogeneous and asymmetric deformation fabric. Gold mineralizations occur in laminated quartz veins (shear veins), generally restricted to the innermost portion of the shear zone, extending along the strike for a few kilometers. The microstructures in mineralized quartz veins and mylonitic rocks show evidence of crystal plastic deformation and annealing, indicating that static recrystallization took place after deformation ceased. The strain magnitude, strain symmetry, and kinematic vorticity data show that the shear zone has experienced a deformation history of flattening to plane strain with contributions of both simple (Wm ≥ 0.9) and pure shear (Wm ≤ 0.6) deformation components. It is concluded that the partitioning of kinematic flow contributed to the localized occurrence of mineralized veins preferentially along a segment of the shear zone marked by a dominant simple shear deformation regime.

Crystal plasticity and fluid availability govern the ability of titanite to record the age of deformation

Here, we study the relationships of titanite-hosting microdomains, intragrain chemical variations, microstructure and fluids with the aim of deciphering the reliability of titanite U–Pb dating to constrain the age of deformation in mylonitic rocks. We investigate these relationships in a post-Variscan amphibolite-facies shear zone developed in the mid-low continental crust (Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Southern Alps, Italy). Quantitative orientation analyses along with textural imaging of titanite are combined with trace-element analyses and U–Pb age dating. Titanite is studied in mm- to cm-scale layered rocks showing compositional variation consisting of alternating ‘amphibole-rich’ (i.e., amphibolites) and ‘clinopyroxene/plagioclase-rich’ domains (i.e., calc-silicates). Titanite from amphibole-rich domains shows predominance of crystal–plastic deformation features, as abrupt or progressive core-to-rim structures characterized by increasing lattice distortion and local dislocation density, associated with the development of abundant subgrains and rare newly nucleated grains. We suggest that these microstructures form while interacting with small amounts of fluids circulating along the grain boundaries. Consequently, locally the chemistry of titanite is changing. In the clinopyroxene/plagioclase-rich domains, titanite is mostly undeformed and rarely shows bending localized in discontinuous narrow rims/tips. In these domains, fluid-mediated replacement reactions are either rare or absent, as also indicated by weak chemical variations across and among grains. These observations suggest different reactivities with respect to the same P-T-fluid conditions of the two compositional domains, which coexist within the same sample at the thin section scale. U–Pb data show correlations with chemical and microstructural domains that differ as function of the composition of the microdomain. This correlation is more apparent within amphibole-rich domains where microstructures characterized by high lattice distortion/dislocations and/or subgrains show significant variations of REE, Zr, Y, Nb, U with respect to the low deformed portion of grains. These titanite domains define an isotopic population providing the youngest (Jurassic) lower intercept age. A less clear correlation between titanite chemistry and microstructures is observed in clinopyroxene/plagioclase-rich domains. Here, the rare titanites showing lattice distortion and minor Sr depletion define a population providing a similar Jurassic lower intercept age. Therefore, our results demonstrate that microstructurally and chemical calibrated U–Pb dating of titanite provides realistic ages of shear zone activity, only in case of predominance of crystal-plastic processes and of local interaction of titanite with small amounts of fluids focused along grain boundaries. Finally, the different footprints recorded by titanite grains strongly depend on the composition of cm- or mm-scale interlayered domains in which titanite occurs.

Tonian Continental Arc Magmatism of the Porongos Complex, Dom Feliciano Belt, Southern Brazil

This study provides new information on the deformation, metamorphism, and tectonic setting of the metavolcanic rocks of the southern portion of the Porongos Complex, southern Brazil. The structural analysis enabled the identification of three deformational phases, formed under ductile to semi-ductile conditions. D1 progressed through deformation partitioning, comprising closed to isoclinal folds and an axial plane foliation. Then, simple shear prevailed, resulting in isoclinal folds, sigma-type porphyroclasts, foliation transposition, and mylonitic rocks. D2 comprises open to gentle folds and an axial plane cleavage. The formation of shear bands is ascribed to the semi-ductile D3. The mineral assemblage represented by phengite + chlorite + clinozoisite-epidote + actinolite + albite + quartz associated with the temperatures obtained through the chlorite geothermometer (316°C) indicates greenschist facies conditions. The protoliths of these metavolcanic rocks are geochemically discriminated as calc-alkaline, dacite-to-rhyodacite, with peraluminous compositions. The bulk trace element compositions show enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and light rare-earth elements and depletion in heavy rare-earth elements. Also, negative Nb, P, Ti, and Ta anomalies are observed in the multielement diagram. All these geochemical features are typical of rocks formed in continental magmatic arcs. Geochemical comparison with other pre-collisional Tonian orthometamorphic rocks from the Dom Feliciano Belt demonstrates strong similarities, which corroborates the prior interpretation of a continental arc setting for the origin of these Tonian rocks.

Petrochemistry, rare metals-bearing minerals and spectrometric exploration in Khour Abalea, Abu Rusheid area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

On the Red Sea coast, Abu Rusheid area is located south Marsa Alam City (90 km) in the south Eastern Desert. Khour Abalea as a part of the Abu Rusheid area extends for about 1.0 km in E-W direction. It is subdivided into two main branches; the first one (the longest) extends about 0.7 km in E-W direction with 10–30 m in passing through mylonites, whereas the second branch extends about 0.5 km in ENE-WSW with about 5–20 m in width and passing through mylonites and ultra-mylonites. Microscopically, this rock is composed mainly of k-feldspars, plagioclases, biotite, and quartz as the main minerals, while the accessories include fluorite, allanite, secondary uranium (kasolite), and zircon. The hydrothermal alteration that occurs during the interaction of hydrothermal fluid and rock results in an M-W type tetrad effect range of 1.72–3.66 in the normalized REE chondrite patterns of the Khour Abalea mylonite rocks. The identified heavy minerals associated with Khour Abalea mylonite rocks can be categorized as a) radioactive minerals (soddyite, kasolite, thorite and uranothorite), b) rare earth minerals (monazite, xenotime and rare earth silicate), c) Nb–Ta minerals (columbite, fergusonite, ishikawaite and aeschynite), d) precious metals (gold, silver minerals (argentite, arcubisite and matildit), e) base metals (cassiterite, wolframite, chalcocite, galena, sphalerite pyrite and Bi minerals (bismite, bismuthinite and perite) and f) accessory mineral (zircon). According to the uranium mobilization equations, there are uranium enrichment in Khour Abalea mylonite.

Distribution of natural radionuclides in NORM samples from North Abu Rusheid area, Egypt

The North Abu Rusheid area in Egypt is a well-known high background natural radiation area (HBNRA) due to the existence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) in mylonitic rocks. In this study, 27 rock samples were selected for dose estimation studies. 238U and 232Th were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and 40K was measured using sodium iodide (thallium) gamma-ray spectroscopy. The ranges of activity concentrations (Bq/kg) of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the samples varied from 270 ± 2 to 2120 ± 29, 350 ± 2 to 1840 ± 27 and 20 ± 2 to 1390 ± 35 with mean values of 980 ± 349, 770 ± 351, and 640 ± 402 Bq/kg, respectively. The radiological hazard parameters were estimated from activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K and compared to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) values. The present study revealed that the hazard parameters were several times higher than the worldwide averages. The U/Th concentration ratio ranged from 0.7 to 3 and could be attributed to the presence of kasolite, uranothorite, zircon, and columbite in mylonitic rocks. From the radiological protection viewpoint, it is necessary to monitor natural radionuclides in these rocks prior to their use in residential and commercial construction materials.

Mapping of surface radiogenic heat production from in situ gamma spectrometry and chemical data of exhumed mantle peridotites at the St. Peter and St. Paul archipelago (equatorial Atlantic)

This work presents the first mapping of the radiogenic heat production (RHP) and the respective radiogenic heat flow (RHF) of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA) located at 1°N in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean. Using radiogenic heat producing elements (RPE) we inferred a radiogenic heat production ranging 0.08–0.68 μW/m3 (Median: 0.21 μW/m3 and Geometric mean: 0.25 μW/m3) by whole-rock chemical analysis and between 0.08 and 0.48 μW/m3 (Median: 0.19 μW/m3; Geometric mean: 0.19 μW/m3) by in situ Gamma radiation spectrometry. The mean of radiogenic heat production of mylonite rocks from SPSPA (0.22 μW/m3) is significantly higher than predicted values for ultramafic rocks as those largely outcropping in the SPSPA. This is probably due to the pervasive alteration of these rocks and the incorporation of little magma fractions during mylonitization. By converse, the average surface radiogenic heat flow (49.7 μW/m2) is lower than that predicted for the oceanic lithosphere, suggesting that the upper mantle contribution to the heat flow is also low in the SPSPA region. Based on the acquired data and the peculiar tectonics of the SPSPA we propose that the lithospheric mantle around the SPSPA area is colder than that surrounding the Equatorial Atlantic region.

Whole rock and mineral chemistry of the rare metals-bearing mylonitic rocks, Abu Rusheid borehole, south Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abu Rusheid area represents one of the typical rare metals-bearing rocks in the Northern Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield. The current work reports a new detailed lithologic description, petrographic, and mineralogical studies integrated with a geochemical investigation of the borehole no.5 to discern the petrological features, rare metals enrichment and their origin. Abu Rusheid mylonitic rocks are composed mainly of quartz, K-feldspars (Or62-98), plagioclase (Ab98-99), primary muscovite, and neoformed biotite of annite type as well as some accessories such as zircon, columbite, tantalite, fluorite, allanite, xenotime, monazite, and kasolite. They have a noticeable high content of rare earth elements and a conspicuous enrichment of Zr (up to ∼ 4400 ppm), Nb (up to ∼ 2150 ppm), Ta (up to ∼ 270 ppm), Hf (up to ∼ 190 ppm), Zn (up to ∼ 5600 ppm), U (up to ∼ 175 ppm), Pb (up to ∼ 900 ppm) and Th (up to ∼ 1000 ppm) trace elements. REE patterns revel M-type tetrad effect (t1) with an absence of the W-type tetrad segment in the third tetrad (t3). Further constrains, lambda method (where τ2 can be detected) yield a positive values of τ1 (av. 0.534), τ2 (0.487), τ3 (0.498) and τ4 (0.28) for the examined rocks, reflecting M-type tetrads. The rare metals enrichment are related to magmatic as well as the extrusion of lamprophyre dykes yielding alteration processes that led to the remobilization and enrichment of these elements through joints, faulting and their deposition along contacts with the ophiolitic mélange.

Natural Radioactivity and Radioelement Potentiality of Mylonite Rocks in Nugrus Area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

Natural Radioactivity and Radioelement Potentiality of Mylonite Rocks in Nugrus Area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

TitaniQ temperatures and textural analysis as a record of the deformation history in a major continental shear zone system, Borborema Province, Brazil

We combine quartz textural analysis with Titanium-in-quartz (TitaniQ) geothermometry to investigate the late stages of deformation in mylonitic rocks from the Sucuru dike swarm in the Borborema Province. The wide range in TitaniQ temperatures (>340 to 740 °C) closely related to grain sizes are attributed to inefficient Ti resetting during bulging (BLG) and subgrain rotation (SGR) recrystallization. The highest temperature values (>500–740 °C) occur in the core of quartz ribbons and porphyroclasts. They are interpreted as the record of early-stage plastic deformation, likely during the intrusion of magmatic bodies, and are progressively overprinted during a lower-temperature stage (>340–500 °C) associated with intense dynamic recrystallization and production of a large amount of fine-grained matrix. The dominantly weak crystallographic preferred orientations (CPOs) can be attributed to a large variety in crystallographic orientations of parent grains, which control to a large extent the CPO evolution of daughter grains, and to activation of multiple slip systems in the <a > direction (basal, rhomb and prism) due to synkinematic temperature decrease. The CPOs are consistent with strain localized by operation of dislocation creep-accommodated grain boundary sliding (DisGBS) during the low-temperature stage. DisGBS seems to be less important in coarse pure quartz domains, where moderate to strong CPOs indicate the dominance of dislocation creep. Several evidence of intracrystalline deformation in quartz ribbons and porphyroclasts point to dominant activation of dislocation creep at the early high-temperature stage of deformation, with activation of prism <c>. The dike orientations, geometry and evidence of solid-state deformation in their margins, fit well with progressive E-W dextral shearing, where they intrude and crystallize in a NW-SE direction and rotate clockwise during shearing. This implies that the dextral shear regime that dominated the Borborema province from ca. 600 Ma was still in effect into the Cambrian some 60–70 million years later.

Role of inherited compositional and structural heterogeneity in shear zone development at mid-low levels of the continental crust (the Anzola shear zone; Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Southern Alps)

The formation of shear zones is crucial to understand the deformation of the crust and the evolution of rifted margins. However, despite their intrinsic importance, a detailed characterization of the compositional and structural patterns of shear zones is often lacking, resulting in poorly constrained models of shear initiation. In this contribution, we reconstruct the pre-shearing lithological, structural and metamorphic proprieties of rocks forming a major, rift-related shear zone with the aim to assess the conditions promoting the strain localization. We focus on the Anzola shear zone, a major extensional structure from one of the best-preserved cross-sections through the middle to lower continental crust of a fossil passive margin, the Ivrea-Verbano Zone (Southern Alps, Italy). Until now, the Anzola shear zone is believed to have developed within a rheologically hard and isotropic gabbro rather than in the surrounding weaker and anisotropic volcano-sedimentary metamorphic sequence. New geological mapping shows that significant pre-existing heterogeneities related to the composition and deformation structures, characterize the Anzola shear zone. Field relationships and geochemistry reveal that the (ultra-)mylonitic rocks overprinted a multi-lithological sequence that have already experienced Variscan deformation and late Variscan High-Temperature metamorphism, at the boundary between amphibolite and granulite facies. Our in-depth trace elements study is shown to be a powerful tool in reconstructing the pre-shearing relationships between wall rocks and mylonites and determining the protoliths of tectonites. Estimated P-T conditions indicate that mylonitic deformation started at high temperature (~820 °C) with presence of melt and continued as solid-state deformation down to amphibolite facies (~650 °C), following a retrograde path. We argue that strain localization was promoted by the combination of rheological boundaries derived from pre-existing conditions, including: i) compositional and structural anisotropies of the volcano-sedimentary metamorphic sequence contrasted by ii) the close intrusion of a nearly isotropic gabbro and iii) the presence of melt within the metamorphic boundary depicted by the transition between granulites (dominated by anhydrous minerals) and amphibolite facies (dominated by hydrous minerals). Our findings finally suggest that pre-existing significant heterogeneities relate to rock composition, deformation and metamorphism represent the preferential loci for strain localization controlling the initiation and development of rift-related structures in the mid to lower crust of passive margins. • Field mapping and chemical analysis of an extensional shear zone from middle/lower crust. • Trace element analysis reveals composite protoliths of the mylonites. • Anisotropic and/or hydrated rocks are folded with isotropic and/or anhydrous layers. • Mylonites postdates folding and upper-amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism. • Pre-existing contrasted rheological boundaries promoted strain localization.

Strain pattern and vorticity analysis in the transpressional Kamandan area within the Sanandaj-Sirjan Metamorphic Belt, Iran

New structural data on radiolarite and quartz mylonite rocks from the well-exposed Kamandan area are presented with the aim to shed light on the quantitative finite strain and vorticity analyses and strain partitioning along the Zagros transpression zone. Duplex structures, imbricate fans, thrust sheets and shear zones are well developed in the Kamandan region, located in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Metamorphic Belt, western Iran. Kinematic shear sense indicators associated with Kamandan shear zone show top-to-the-NE sense of ductile shearing deformation. Integrated quantitative finite strain and kinematic vorticity analyses of deformed rocks indicate deformation pattern and geometry. The strain parameter measurements vis. strain ratios and strain ellipsoid shape (k) show that radiolarite and quartz mylonite rocks have deformed in the constrictional to approximately plane-strain conditions. The quartz mylonite rocks highlight general-shear (sub-simple shear) deformation (Wm = 0.68–0.81) associated with the spatial increase in simple-shear component (47%–60%) from NE to SW. Our results of structural, strain, and vorticity analyses confirm a dextral transpression with strain partitioning into the pure-shear and simple-shear components in the Kamandan shear zone. Estimated Wm-values display the θ angle between the transpressional boundary and the maximum instantaneous strain axis (ISA) is the range from 63 to 69°. Accordingly, the oblique convergence angle (α) between the flow apophyses was estimated at about 35–48° that causes a horizontal shortening of ∼32–42% perpendicular to the boundaries of the Kmandan shear zone.

Activation of Ad Damm shear zone, western Saudi Arabian margin, and its relation to the Red Sea rift system

Abstract The Ad Damm shear zone (ADSZ) is a major mylonitic right-lateral structure that bounds the Jeddah terrane to the north from the Asir terrane to the south. High-resolution field mapping coupled with petrological and geochemical analyses indicate that Jeddah terrane is characterized by heterogeneous magmatism with extensive meta-basalt intruded by silicic plutons of varying size. South of the ADSZ, Asir terrane is characterized by larger scale granitic batholiths. A younger generation of Eocene–Miocene basaltic dikes cut the mylonitic shear zone at a high angle. Petrographic analyses of the ADSZ mylonitic rocks indicate dynamic recrystallization and grain-size reduction, suggesting high-temperature recrystallization. Field observations also found a lack of low-temperature fault zone rocks (e.g. gouge) except for isolated brittle slickensides. Spider diagrams of Jeddah, Asir terranes, and ADSZ rocks are characterized by an arc-related signature, which related to the amalgamation of Jeddah and Asir terranes and defined ADSZ as Neoproterozoic structure. In contrast, Eocene–Miocene basaltic dikes and southern basaltic flow are represented by a rift-related signature, which associated with the development of the Red Sea rift system. Offshore, south of the ADSZ, the Red Sea rift exhibits well-developed linear magnetic anomalies and large topographic escarpment perpendicular to the rift margin, but they are not present north of it. In addition, recent seismicity recorded along the ADSZ and differences in the crustal thickness and characteristics of Asir and Jeddah terranes, collectively, make ADSZ acted as an active crustal boundary and still influence the ongoing tectonic evolution of the Red Sea rift.

Magnetic fabric and geomorphic characteristic of Neotectonic activity along strike direction of North Almora Thrust, Kumaun Lesser Himalaya, India

Structurally, the North Almora Thrust (NAT), is placed in the northern proximity of the Almora Nappe (AN) in the Kumaun Lesser Himalaya. The NAT is characterized by the presence of a zone of mylonitic rocks of basal Saryu Formation (1800 ± 100 Ma) in the hanging wall and the metasedimentaries of Inner Lesser Himalayan rocks as the footwall block. The NAT has been dextrally offset by two estabilished major faults i.e. Saryu River Fault (SRF) in Saryu Valley and Dwarahat-Chaukhutia Fault (DCF) in Ramganga valley. In present study, we identified four new faults, based on field study, geomorphic landform and magnetic fabric analysis. These faults are N–S trending Pancheshwar Fault, NE–SW Rameshwer Fault, NNE-SSW trending Kosi Fault, and NNE-SSW trending Gagas Fault (GF). Our results show that the zone is bound by cross cutting relation with NAT and these fault zones are comparatively more active than other regions. Furthermore, we suggest that the steep and NW–SE orientation of magnetic foliation within the NAT zone is a result of NE–SW oriented progressive regional compression. The magnetic foliations represent the unseen internal foliations in the rocks developed due to preferred alignment of magnetic minerals and can be found through the Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) study. Variation in the alignment of the field and magnetic foliations are developed due to superimposed brittle deformation along the faults over the pre-existing field foliations. Magnetic foliations represent the impact of last stage deformation and significant to find brittle deformation and finite strain in the rocks of the study area. The lowering of anisotropy (Pj) away from the fault zone represents distribution of strain across the NAT zone. AMS fabric confirms the presence of faults developed across the NAT zone and also explains the deformation pattern along these faults. The geomorphic anomalies and steepness changes across the NAT zone are correlated with active deformation along the NAT and associated transverse faults.