Rock Rheology Research Articles

Microstructure of calcite deformed by high-pressure torsion: An X-ray line profile study

Calcite aggregates were deformed to high strain using high-pressure torsion and applying confining pressures of 1–6GPa and temperatures between room temperature and 450°C. The run products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and key microstructural parameters were extracted employing X-ray line profile analysis. The dominant slip system was determined as r{101¯4}⟨2¯021⟩ with edge dislocation character. The resulting dislocation density and the size of the coherently scattering domains (CSD) exhibit a systematic dependence on the P-T conditions of deformation. While high pressure generally impedes recovery through reducing point defect mobility, the picture is complicated by pressure-induced phase transformations in the CaCO3 system. Transition from the calcite stability field to those of the high-pressure polymorphs CaCO3-II, CaCO3-III and CaCO3-IIIb leads to a change of the microstructural evolution with deformation. At 450°C and pressures within the calcite stability field, dislocation densities and CSD sizes saturate at shear strains exceeding 10 in agreement with earlier studies at lower pressures. In the stability field of CaCO3-II, the dislocation density exhibits a more complex behavior. Furthermore, at a given strain and strain rate, the dislocation density increases and the CSD size decreases with increasing pressure within the stability fields of either calcite or of the high-pressure polymorphs. There is, however, a jump from high dislocation densities and small CSDs in the upper pressure region of the calcite stability field to lower dislocation densities and larger CSDs in the low-pressure region of the CaCO3-II stability field. This jump is more pronounced at higher temperatures and less so at room temperature. The pressure influence on the deformation-induced evolution of dislocation densities implies that pressure variations may change the rheology of carbonate rocks. In particular, a weakening is expected to occur at the transition from the calcite to the CaCO3-II stability field, if aragonite does not form.

Yardang geometries in the Qaidam Basin and their controlling factors

The hyperarid Qaidam Basin features extensive fields of yardangs (covering an area of ~40,000km2) sculpted in tectonically folded sedimentary rocks. We extracted the geometries of 16,749 yardangs, such as length-to-width ratio (L/W), spatial density, and spacing, from multi-source remote sensing data provided by Google Earth™. We classified the yardangs into four types based on their L/W: short-axis (1–2), whale-back (2–6), hogsback (6–10) and long-ridge (10−210). We interpreted the yardang geometries in the context of their geologic setting (bedding orientation, location along anticline crests or syncline troughs, and lithologic heterogeneity). Our results show that the yardang geometries in the Qaidam Basin are mainly controlled by the structural geology and rheology of the sedimentary rocks (e.g., strike and dip of bedding, the presence or absence of interbedded soft and hard beds, and structural position with folds), the angle between geomorphically-effective wind directions and the strike of bedding, and the relative cumulative wind shear force where two geomorphically-effective wind directions are present. Our analysis revealed the following: 1) nearly 69% of the yardangs with long-ridge and hogsback geometries are distributed in syncline areas whereas 73% of the yardangs with short-axis geometries are distributed in anticline areas; 2) the L/W ratio of yardangs exposed along the windward limbs of anticlines is lower than that of yardangs exposed along the leeward limbs; and 3) in the westernmost parts of the basin, yardangs are locally sculpted into mounds by two geomorphically-effective wind directions.

Evaluation of the depth to the bottom of magnetic sources and heat flow from high resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) data of part of Nigeria sector of Chad Basin

Understanding the thermal distribution within the crust and rheology of the earth’s lithosphere requires the knowledge of the Depth to the Bottom of Magnetic Sources (DBMS). This depth is an important parameter in this regard, which can be derived from aeromagnetic data and can be used as a representation for temperature at depth where heat flow values can be evaluated. In this work, high-resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) data of part of Chad Basin (covering about 80% of the entire basin), an area bounded by eastings 769,000 and 1,049,900 mE and northings 1,200,000 and 1,500,000 mN, were divided into 25 overlapping blocks and each block was analyzed using spectral fractal analysis method. The spectral analysis method was used to obtain the Depth to the Top of Magnetic Source (DTMS), centroid depth, and DBMS. From the calculated DBMS, the geothermal gradient and heat flow parameters were evaluated and the result obtained shows that DBMS varies between 18.18 and 43.64 km. Also the geothermal gradient was found to be varying between 13.29 and 31.90 °C/km and heat flow parameters vary between 33.23 and 79.76 mW/m2, respectively. The heat distribution of this area is one of the key parameters responsible for various geodynamic processes; therefore, this work is important for numerically understanding the thermal distribution in Chad Basin, Nigeria since rock rheologies depend on temperature, which is a function of depth.

Key Technology Research on the Efficient Exploitation and Comprehensive Utilization of Resources in the Deep Jinchuan Nickel Deposit

To understand the resource features and geology in the deep Jinchuan nickel deposit, difficult geological conditions were systematically analyzed, including high stress, fragmentized ore rock, prevalent deformation, difficult tunnel support, complicated rock mechanics, and low mining recovery. An integrated technology package was built for safe, efficient, and continuous mining in a deep, massive, and complex nickel and cobalt mine. This was done by the invention of a large-area continuous mining method with honeycomb drives; the establishment of ground control theory and a technology package for high-stress and fragmented ore rock; and the development of a new type of backfilling cement material, along with a deep backfilling technology that comprises the pipeline transport of high-density slurry with coarse aggregates. In this way, good solutions to existing problems were found to permit the efficient exploitation and comprehensive utilization of the resources in the deep Jinchuan nickel mine. In addition, a technological demonstration in an underground mine was performed using the cemented undercut-and-fill mining method for stressful, fragmented, and rheological rock.

Perturbation effect of rock rheology under uniaxial compression

Soft and medium-hard rocks are subjected to high rheology under high stress, and they are prone to a relatively large-degree of deformation when perturbed by external impacting loads. The phenomenon where rock deformation is developed due to external impacting perturbation in the rheological state is defined as the rock rheological perturbation effect. This work presents a new experimental system for investigating the rock rheological perturbation effect with experiments on medium-hard red sandstone. Results from our analysis show that red sandstone changes under two mechanical mechanisms: deformation-hardening effects at low stress states, and damage-fracture effects at high stress states when impacted by certain external impacting loads. Red sandstone tested in our experiments has a strain threshold of about 90% of the ultimate strain under the perturbation effect; the red sandstone is sensitive to a perturbed load when its actual strain exceeds the threshold. The perturbed deformation process of the rock can be divided into three phases: decline, approximately constant speed and acceleration. The rock will be rapidly destroyed when the perturbed deformation accumulates to a certain degree. The perturbation effect of rock deformation under uniaxial compression is more obvious than that under axial compression. Based on our experiment, a constitutive relation of the rock rheological perturbation effect is developed.

Shear strain concentration mechanism in the lower crust below an intraplate strike-slip fault based on rheological laws of rocks

We conduct a two-dimensional numerical experiment on the lower crust under an intraplate strike-slip fault based on laboratory-derived power-law rheologies considering the effects of grain size and water. To understand the effects of far-field loading and material properties on the deformation of the lower crust on a geological time scale, we assume steady fault sliding on the fault in the upper crust and ductile flow for the lower crust. To avoid the stress singularity, we introduce a yield threshold in the brittle–ductile transition near the down-dip edge of the fault. Regarding the physical mechanisms for shear strain concentration in the lower crust, we consider frictional and shear heating, grain size, and power-law creep. We evaluate the significance of these mechanisms in the formation of the shear zone under an intraplate strike-slip fault with slow deformation. The results show that in the lower crust, plastic deformation is possible only when the stress or temperature is sufficiently high. At a similar stress level, sim100 MPa, dry anorthite begins to undergo plastic deformation at a depth around 28–29 km, which is about 8 km deeper than wet anorthite. As a result of dynamic recrystallization and grain growth, the grain size in the lower crust may vary laterally and as a function of depth. A comparison of the results with constant and non-constant grain sizes reveals that the shear zone in the lower crust is created by power-law creep and is maintained by dynamically recrystallized material in the shear zone because grain growth occurs in a timescale much longer than the recurrence interval of intraplate earthquakes. Owing to the slow slip rate, shear and frictional heating have negligible effects on the deformation of the shear zone. The heat production rate depends weakly on the rock rheology; the maximum temperature increase over 3 Myr is only about several tens of degrees.Graphical .

Delineating the structural controls on the genesis of iron oxide–Cu–Au deposits through implicit modelling: a case study from the E1 Group, Cloncurry District, Australia

Abstract Iron oxide–Cu–Au (IOCG) deposits encompass a range of ore body shapes, including strata-bound replacement ores and hydrothermal breccias. We use the implicit method to make a detailed three-dimensional geological model of a strata-bound IOCG in the Cloncurry District, the E1 Group, to elucidate structural controls on mineralization. This model is compared with the nearby, world-class, Ernest Henry breccia-hosted IOCG deposit. Cu–Au mineralization in the E1 Group occurs as structurally controlled, mainly strata-bound, replacement bodies hosted in metasedimentary and metavolcaniclastic rocks intercalated with barren meta-andesite. Replacement bodies in the E1 Group conform to a series of NNW-plunging folds formed in regional D 2 during peak metamorphism. Folding was followed by local D 3 /regional D 4 shortening, which formed a dextral, transpressional Riedel brittle to ductile system along the regional Cloncurry Fault Zone. Modelling suggests that much of the Cu–Au mineralization is controlled by synthetic R structures associated with this Riedel system. The deformation sequence at Ernest Henry is comparable, but differences in host rock rheology, permeability and fluid pressure may explain the variation in ore body types and total Cu–Au resource between the two deposits. The results carry implications for other districts containing these styles of IOCG mineralization.

Imaging the distribution of transient viscosity after the 2016 Mw 7.1 Kumamoto earthquake.

The deformation of mantle and crustal rocks in response to stress plays a crucial role in the distribution of seismic and volcanic hazards, controlling tectonic processes ranging from continental drift to earthquake triggering. However, the spatial variation of these dynamic properties is poorly understood as they are difficult to measure. We exploited the large stress perturbation incurred by the 2016 earthquake sequence in Kumamoto, Japan, to directly image localized and distributed deformation. The earthquakes illuminated distinct regions of low effective viscosity in the lower crust, notably beneath the Mount Aso and Mount Kuju volcanoes, surrounded by larger-scale variations of viscosity across the back-arc. This study demonstrates a new potential for geodesy to directly probe rock rheology in situ across many spatial and temporal scales.

On the meaning of peak temperature profiles in inverted metamorphic sequences

Inverted metamorphic sequences (IMS) are common features of main thrust systems on Earth. They exhibit an upwards continuous increase in peak temperature conditions and thereby constitute evidence of the close relationship between the thermal field evolution and tectonic processes. Heat advection and shear heating are known to allow the formation of such metamorphic signatures. Heat diffusion also plays an important role in temperature distribution on both sides of the thrust. Other advection processes such as erosion or accretion may also cause a local peak temperature inversion. Each one of these processes therefore affects the thermal field around the thrust. However, despite the crucial importance of all these processes for the interpretation of the inverted peak temperature signatures, their respective influences have never been quantified and compared all together. To address this issue, we propose an innovative coupled approach. (i) We use two-dimensional numerical models that simulate various thrust systems, allowing for a wide diversity of setups. To illustrate this study, we focus on intracontinental thrust systems for which all processes listed are likely to play a key role in the thermal evolution. We perform a parametric study including kinematic settings (i.e. convergence, erosion and accretion), thermal properties, mechanical strength and heat sources. (ii) Dimensionless numbers based on parameters are used to quantify the relative contributions of each process to the thermal budget evolution. Hence, the three thermal processes (i.e. heat diffusion, heat advection and shear heating) are compared with each other via three dimensionless combinations of the Peclet and Brinkman numbers: RDif, RAdv and RPro, respectively. Erosion and accretion are compared separately, based on a fourth dimensionless number Rea. (iii) We analytically examine the inverted peak temperature recorded along profiles that are perpendicular to the thrust zone defined in our numerical experiments. Each peak temperature profile presenting an inversion can then be characterized by a function of approximation involving six meaningful parameters: the location μFF and width σFF of the maximum peak temperature inversion, the characteristic peak temperature Tcte and gradient GLB beneath the inversion zone, and the inversion-related contrasts in the peak temperature ΔT and gradient ΔG. This coupled approach, linking numerical modelling and analytical treatment, allows to quantitatively interpret IMS in terms of the processes involved. The application of our method to intracontinental thrust systems demonstrates that shear heating and erosion support significant inversions, but that the relative contributions of each process have meaningful consequences. Our results reveal that competition between shear heating and heat diffusion on the one hand, and between erosion and accretion on the other hand have a high impact. In particular, the variability in the rock's mechanical strength strongly influences the features of peak temperature inversions. Consequently, none of these processes can be ignored. Our results highlight the major importance of the rheology of rocks in the thermal evolution of shear zones. Finally, our methodology is not only restricted to the analysis of numerical data but also constitutes a way of broad interest to analyse peak temperature signatures around any shear zone.

Geophysical models of heat and fluid flow in damageable poro-elastic continua

A rather general model for fluid and heat transport in poro-elastic continua undergoing possibly also plastic-like deformation and damage is developed with the goal to cover various specific models of rock rheology used in geophysics of Earth’s crust. Nonconvex free energy at small elastic strains, gradient theories (in particular the concept of second-grade nonsimple continua), and Biot poro-elastic model are employed, together with possible large displacement due to large plastic-like strains evolving during long time periods. Also the additive splitting is justified in stratified situations which are of interest in modelling of lithospheric crust faults. Thermodynamically based formulation includes entropy balance (in particular the Clausius–Duhem inequality) and an explicit global energy balance. It is further outlined that the energy balance can be used to ensure, under suitable data qualification, existence of a weak solution and stability and convergence of suitable approximation schemes at least in some particular situations.

Metamorphic record of catastrophic pressure drops in subduction zones

When deeply buried in subduction zones, rocks undergo mineral transformations that record the increase of pressure and temperature. The fact that high-pressure metamorphic parageneses are found at the Earth’s surface proves that rock burial is followed by exhumation. Here we use analysis of available data sets from high-pressure metamorphic rocks worldwide to show that the peak pressure is proportional to the subsequent decompression occurring during the initial stage of retrogression. We propose, using a simple mechanical analysis, that this linear relationship can be explained by the transition from burial-related compression to extension at the onset of exhumation. This major switch in orientation and magnitude of principal tectonic stresses leads to a catastrophic pressure drop prior to actual rock ascent. Therefore, peak pressures are not necessarily, as commonly believed, directly dependent on the maximum burial depth, but can also reflect a change of tectonic regime. Our results, which are in agreement with natural data, have significant implications for rock rheology, subduction zone seismicity, and the magnitudes of tectonic pressures sustained by rocks. Current views of subduction dynamics could be reconsidered in that perspective. Rocks are altered by high pressure during subduction. Analysis of exhumed metamorphic rocks suggests that the peak pressures recorded within minerals mark a change in tectonic regime within a subduction zone, rather than burial depth.

Numerical modeling of mullions in the Taili high deformation zone, North China: Implications for the rheology of granitic rocks

This paper presents a combined field measurement and finite element modeling analysis of the mullions occurring on the contact of two granitic rocks with different grain size in the Taili High-Strain Deformation Zone (THDZ), West Liaoning of North China. All of the field data are located in the plot zone of the modeling results. Numerical modeling results indicate that: (1) The inter-angle between the tangent lines cross the cusp point and the ratio R of amplitude and width of mullions are the most effective parameters to describe the geometric shape and evolution of mullions, as well as useful indicators of the rheology of rocks. (2) The competence contrast controls the growth rate of mullions under shortening. It determines the possible ratio R of final mullions. Moreover, decreasing of the cusp angle in high competence contrast materials is faster than that in low competence contrast model. (3) The initial disturbance is an essential factor for the generation of mullions. Those contacts with higher initial disturbance will develop into mullions more easily and have a high growth rate during the same shortening deformation regime. (4) The rheology and deformation behavior of the granitic rocks in the study area are primarily controlled by the grain sizes of quartz and feldspar. The effective viscosity ratio of biotite adamellite and granitic gneisses is about 0.01–0.5. The deformation mechanisms of these granitic rocks should be dominated by a grain-size-sensitive diffusion creep.

Evidence of phase nucleation during olivine diffusion creep: A new perspective for mantle strain localisation

For the past decades, grain size reduction leading to diffusion creep in olivine is believed to be a very important process for strain localisation in the lithospheric mantle. However, the mechanisms of grain size reduction in this regime are still poorly understood (e.g., Platt, 2015). Here we show new experimental results that document grain size reduction and material weakening during wet olivine diffusion creep. While occurring for both, mono-phase and two-phase aggregates, grain size reduction is coeval with strain localisation and local phase mixing in olivine–pyroxene aggregates. Based on evidence of fluid inclusions and cracks filled with a fine-grained phase mixture, we conclude that grain size reduces as a result of fluid-assisted nucleation that takes place in the presence of an aqueous fluid during diffusion creep. Cavitation induced by grain boundary sliding (creep cavitation) can be inferred, and may play a critical role for olivine grain size reduction. Amongst their implications for rock rheology in general, our findings highlight a key process for strain localisation in the ductile uppermost mantle.

Influence of microscale weak zones on bulk strength

AbstractShear zones have different rheological properties than the surrounding rocks, indicating that the bulk strength of regions containing shear zone networks cannot be determined by considering the host rock rheology alone. We demonstrate the value of this concept at the microscale. We first consider the phase arrangements in naturally deformed rocks and document that weak phases exhibit little interconnection within a microstructure. Rather, three‐dimensional weak zones, analogous to viscous shear zones, can interconnect or bridge weak phases. These zones typically form at high stress sites, comprise multiple minerals, and deform by mechanisms independent of those in the surrounding minerals. The presence of weak zones strongly affects the bulk strength of the rock, disproportionate to the mode of the weak zones. For example, the development of 1% mode of a weak zone at a high stress site can reduce the bulk strength of the rock nearly an order of magnitude. Calculation of the bulk strength of the rock by some averaging algorithm of the deformation mechanisms operating outside the weak zones will overestimate strength. Instead, accurate calculations and predictions of bulk strength require accounting for the presence and geometry of weak zones. For this reason, we advocate use of the scale‐independent conceptual rheological model of interconnected weak zones or layers rather than that of interconnected weak phases. More generally, the way forward in improving quantification of the mechanical properties of the lithosphere requires recognizing and explicitly accounting for the spatial and temporal distribution of deformation mechanisms operating throughout a rock.

Reaction enhanced channelised fluid-flux along mid- crustal shear zone: An example from Mesoproterozoic Phulad Shear Zone, Rajasthan, India

Fluid infiltration at great depth during regional metamorphism plays a major role in mass transport and is responsible for significant rheological changes in the rock. Calc-silicate rocks of the Kajalbas area of Delhi Fold Belt, Rajasthan, are characterised by foliation parallel alternate bands of amphibole-rich and clinopyroxene–plagioclase feldspar-rich layers of varying thicknesses (mm to decimetre thick). Textural relation suggests that the amphibole grains formed from clinopyroxene and plagioclase in the late phase of regional deformation. Algebraic analysis of the reaction textures and mineral compositions was performed with the computer program C-Space to obtain the balanced chemical reactions that led to the formation of amphibole-rich bands. The computed balanced reaction is 70.74 Clinopyroxene + 27.23 Plagioclase + 22.018 H2O + 5.51 K++ 1.00 Mg2++ 27.15 Fe2+ = 22.02 Amphibole + 67.86 SiO2 aqueous + 36.42 Ca2++ 8.98 Na+. The constructed reaction suggests that aqueous fluid permeated the calc-silicate rock along mm to decimetre thick channels, metasomatized the clinopyroxene–plagioclase bearing rocks to form the amphibole-rich layers. The regional deformation presumably created the fluid channels thereby allowing the metasomatic fluid to enter the rock system. The above reaction has large negative volume change for solid phases indicating reaction-induced permeability. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the fluid–rock interaction occurred at 665 ±05∘C and 6.6 ±0.25 kbar (corresponding to ∼20 km depth). Textural modeling integrating the textural features and balanced chemical reaction of the calc-silicate rocks of Mesoproterozoic Phulad Shear Zone thus indicate that extremely channelled fluid flow was reaction enhanced and caused major change in the rock rheology.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF INFLUENCE OF WATER ON CREEP PROPERTIES OF SILTY MUDSTONE UNDER TRIAXIAL COMPRESSION

The creep tests of dry and saturated silty mudstone are conducted using rock rheology testing equipment under triaxial compression. Based on the test results, the effects of water on the creep strain, the long-term strength are investigated. Burgers model is selected to describe the creep properties of dry and saturated silty mudstone. Then using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, the Burgers creep model parameters of dry and saturated silty mudstone are obtained. According to the identification results, the effects of water on Burgers creep model parameters are studied. The results show that:(1) Water has little effect on the instantaneous strains of silty mudstone and a great effect on the creep strains of the rock under the same stress level. (2) The long-term strength of saturated silty mudstone is only 39.3 percent of that of the dry rock, so the long-term strength of the rock decrease remarkably owing to the influence of water. (3) The effect of water on the η1 of the Burgers creep model is the highest, followed by the G1, and that on the G2 and η2 is the lowest, which shows water has a greater effect on the series elements than on the parallel elements of Burgers model. (4) The time that the rock needs to reach the steady creep stages significantly increases, and the steady-state creep rate of the rock also increases remarkably owing to the influence of water. (5) Water has very significant effect on the creep properties of silty mudstone, and water greatly enhances the time characteristics of silty mudstone, which change the creep properties of silty mudstone. Therefore, the effect of water on the creep properties of silty mudstone can not be ignored in the engineering design and construction of major project.

Syntectonic fluids redistribution and circulation coupled to quartz recrystallization in the ductile crust (Naxos Island, Cyclades, Greece)

The presence of external fluids in metamorphic rocks has been shown to have a profound impact on rock rheology as high fluid pressure processes promote embrittlement and favor ductile deformation by recrystallization. Moreover, it has been proposed that brittle deformation guides fluid circulation and that intracrystalline deformation is responsible for fluid redistribution at the grain scale. Nevertheless, the amount of fluid present in the metamorphic ductile crust is debated and the nature of the interaction between fluids and recrystallization processes are not clearly identified. The aim of this study is to document the spatial distribution of fluid inclusions relative to microstructures in quartz grains and aggregates from veins sampled in amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks, exposed in the island of Naxos in the center of the Attic-Cycladic Metamorphic Complex in Greece. The veins, ranging from discordant structures with sharp contacts to totally transposed structures into the metamorphic foliation, display a large variety of microstructures and fluid evidences interpreted as recording exhumation processes through the ductile/brittle transition: (i) remnants of primary quartz grains contain abundant CO2-H2O fluid inclusions, decrepitated for the most part, distributed in clusters and in fluid inclusion trails, (ii) fluid inclusions with a similar composition are less abundant in recrystallized zones and in subgrains but are concentrated along grain boundaries indicating that grain boundary migration is responsible for redistribution of CO2-H2O fluids, (iii) subgrains of the last generation are almost devoid of fluid inclusions and are characterized by thick grain boundaries with abundant metamorphic fluids locally forming a continuous film. CO2-H2O fluid inclusions aligned in parallel, regularly spaced intragranular trails, locally rooted into grain boundaries, are interpreted as reflecting the spatial redistribution of these fluids in quartz slip planes owing to the increase of fluid pressure in grain boundaries. This proposition is corroborated by the parallelism between slip planes and fluid inclusion trails. Perpendicular sets of fluid inclusion trails formed at the junctions of subgrains suggest that redistribution of fluids along quartz slip planes contributes to the initiation of subgrain rotation recrystallization. Transgranular fluid inclusion planes oriented perpendicular to the regional mineral and stretching lineations of the host metamorphic rocks mark a transition from grain to rock scale brittle behavior associated with the infiltration of H2O fluid, mixing to various degrees with the initial CO2-H2O fluid already present in the metamorphic rocks. These features indicate that, in the ductile-metamorphic crust, fluid redistribution is intimately linked to recrystallization mechanisms allowing fluids circulation under lithostatic pressure.

Ductile deformation and its geological implications for retrograded eclogites from the Hongqiyingzi Complex in Chicheng, northern Hebei, China

The rheology of rocks at depth remains a key point in earth sciences. Deformation of high-temperature–high-pressure rocks from the subduction zone has not been fully studied; in particular, the deformation behavior of eclogites remains poorly understood. This research is focused on the microstructure and fabric of retrograded eclogites from the Hongqiyingzi Complex in Chicheng, north Hebei, China, based on photomicrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The analytical results show that plastic deformation occurred in the garnets during exhumation, but they do not show an obvious lattice preferred orientation (LPO). This can be interpreted as being caused by the simultaneous activation of multiple slip systems in the garnets during deformation by dislocation creep. The plagioclases have a special fabric; the (001) LPO presents a maximum in Z direction which can be correlated with a new [100](001) slip system. The misorientation angle distribution (MAD) of the plagioclases in the deformed retrograded garnet augens shows a special bimodal distribution with peaks in both a low-angle range ( 140°). In the retrograded garnet augens (i.e. “white eye socket” garnets) the maximum peak moves from a high-angle range to a low-angle range when we analyze only those plagioclases surrounding the residual garnet porphyroclast. Deformation behavior is controlled by the crystallographic orientation of the host grain and the grain boundary sliding process. Hornblendes in different layers and the retrograded garnet augens show almost the same strong LPO patterns, which are correlated with the [001](010) slip system; and MAD diagrams show a peak in a low-angle range (<40°). Integrating recent studies on metamorphism and geochronology, we argue that ductile deformation occurred during the exhumation periods together with retrograded metamorphism.

Rheological mechanical properties of altered-rock

In order to investigate the rheological properties of altered-rock in Xiaowan Hydropower Project, triaxial creep tests were carried out on altered-rock specimens using a rock rheology testing machine. The rheological test results show that the time-dependent rheological properties of altered-rock are very significant. Based on the triaxial rheological test results, the relationship between axial strain and time under different confining pressures is investigated. The rheological effect on the stress–strain curve of altered-rock is discussed. Moreover, the relationship between axial strain rates and deviatoric stress under different stress levels is discussed in detail. The rheological failure mechanism under different confining pressures is also analysed. The triaxial rheological law of altered-rock specimen is achieved. The Burgers rheological model is used to fit the creep curves, and its parameters are obtained. The result shows that Burgers model can exactly describe the rheological properties of altered-rocks in Xiaowan Hydropower Project.

Exhumation-Driven Devolatilization as a Fluid Source for Orogenic Gold Mineralization at the Damang Deposit, Ghana

Gold mineralization at the Damang deposit is unique among currently known orogenic gold deposits in Ghana, comprising gold hosted within metasediments of the Tarkwaian System and contained in a subhorizontal, extensional quartz vein array that formed during regional compression. The Damang region has an extended paragenesis involving numerous structural, metamorphic, igneous, and metasomatic events. Orogenic gold mineralization occurred late in the geologic paragenesis at Damang, postdating regional metamorphism and an earlier episode of hydrothermal alteration, locally termed ”pink hematite” alteration, associated with the intrusion of mafic sills and dikes. This earlier pink hematite alteration event involves extensive silicification that changed the rheology of the altered rocks and promoted later fracturing. Following peak regional metamorphism at around 2005 Ma, the Damang region underwent a short period of rapid exhumation, as constrained through numerical thermal modeling of existing pressure-temperature-time data. This exhumation triggered the generation of a subhorizontal fracture array that was fed by fluids released through decompression-driven metamorphic devolatilization. The interaction between these fluids and the host rock resulted in precipitation of gold in association with sulfide-carbonate-potassic alteration halos around quartz veins. Such postpeak metamorphic, exhumation-driven, devolatilization is unlikely to be a singular occurrence and represents a potentially important source of fluid for orogenic gold deposits elsewhere in Ghana, West Africa, and globally.