Thrust Shear Zones Research Articles

Genesis of LCT Pegmatites during Early Paleozoic Orogeny of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt, China: Emplacement Conditions and Structural Control

AbstractThe Guanpo pegmatite field in the North Qinling orogenic belt (NQB), China, hosts the most abundant LCT pegmatites. However, their emplacement conditions and structural control remain unexplored. In this contribution, we investigated it combining pegmatite orientation measurement with oxygen isotope geothermometry and fluid inclusion study. The orientations of type A1 pegmatites (Pf < σ2) are predominantly influenced by P‐ and T‐fractures due to simple shearing in Shiziping dextral thrust shear zone during D2 deformation, whereas type A2 pegmatites (contemporaneous with D4) are governed by hydraulic fractures aligned with S0 and S0+1 stemming from fluid pressure (Pf < σ2). Additionally, type B pegmatites (Pf ≤ σ2) exhibit orientations shaped by en echelon extensional fractures in local ductile shear zones (contemporaneous with D3). The albite‐quartz oxygen isotope geothermometry and microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions in elbaites from the latest pegmatites (including types B and A2) suggest that the crystallization P‐T for late magmatic and hydrothermal stages are 527.5–559.2°C, 320°C, 3.1–3.6 kbar and 2.0 kbar, respectively. Our observations along with previous studies suggest that the genesis of the LCT pegmatites was a long‐term, multi‐stage event during early Paleozoic orogeny (including the collision stage) of the NQB, and was facilitated by various local fractures.

Prolonged evolution of syn-collisional progressive deformation of the Trans-North China Orogen: Structural and geochronological evidence from the Xiaoqinling region, central China

Significant understanding of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) has been achieved through previous studies. However, the lack of structural analyses, especially for its southern part, has restricted our understanding of the structural evolution of the TNCO. In this contribution, we present new structural and geochronological data from the Taihua Complex of the Xiaoqinling region to reconstruct the collision-induced deformation history and provide constraints on the structural evolution of the TNCO. Paleoproterozoic collision-induced structures in the Xiaoqinling region are characterized by the development of penetrative, ductile deformation fabrics, localized ductile shear zones, and syn-shearing folds, notably sheath folds. The evolution of the folds and syn-tectonic migmatites records the occurrence of non-coaxial progressive shear deformation within ductile shear zones. Vorticity analysis confirms simple-shear-dominated general-shear deformation within the shear zones, with an increase in a pure shear component during the later stages. The integrated results, encompassing the geometry, kinematics, finite strain, and geochronology of these shear zones and folds, reveal the presence of the regional-scale, collision-induced sheath folds that were associated with low-angle thrust shear zones with WNW-directed kinematics. Deformation temperatures of 500–650 °C indicate that the ductile shear zones and simultaneous sheath folds formed during the exhumation process of the TNCO. New zircon U–Pb ages constrain the timing of the metamorphism and ductile deformation to between 1951 and 1840 Ma. Integration of this and previous dating results reveals a history of prolonged collision for the TNCO, lasting from as early as ∼ 1.97 Ga and continuing until as late as ∼ 1.84 Ga, with the earlier period of 1.97–1.88 Ga representing the continental subduction stage and the later period of 1.88–1.84 Ga corresponding to the subsequent exhumation stage. The protracted orogenic evolution for the TNCO supports the notion that large-scale collisional orogenesis can occur over such long durations (over 100 Mya). These structural and geochronological data support the orogenic model of SE-directed subduction polarity.

Superimposed mineralization in the Tongbai composite orogen, central China: Revealed from geological and geochronological data of the Yindongpo gold deposit

Multi-period mineralizations commonly form superimposed deposits in the orogenic belt, resulting in some disputes about the ore geneses and metallogenic background. Here, we present a comprehensive geological and geochronological study on the Yindongpo super-large gold deposit in the Tongbai composite orogen, central China, to reveal the ages of multi-period gold mineralizations and their links to the complex tectonic evolution framework of the Tongbai orogen. The Yindongpo gold deposit is located in the Weishancheng ore field in the northern segment of the Tongbai orogen and is mainly hosted in the carbonaceous schist of the Waitoushan Formation. Zircon U-Pb dating of leptynite (445 ± 3 Ma) from the Waitoushan Formation shows that it was deposited in the Ordovician, in an island arc or back-arc basin setting during the accretionary orogeny. Orebodies at Yindongpo are strictly controlled by the Zhuzhuang anticline and related fault systems, and are mainly distributed in the turning end, the collapsed part of the dipping end, and the conjugate thrust shear zone of the limbs. Based on field and petrographic observations, two periods of mineralization and four paragenetic stages (stage I to IV) are recognized: the early period consists of the laminated quartz-molybdenite-pyrite stage (I) and laminated-disseminated pyrite stage (II), whereas the late period consists of the quartz-pyrite vein stage (III) and the quartz-polymetallic sulfide vein stage (IV). Molybdenite from stage I has a Re-Os model age of 409 ± 6 Ma, which broadly matches the U-Pb age of intergrown rutile grains (396 ± 4 Ma). These two ages, in combination with the mineralization characteristics, indicate that the early-period gold mineralization was generated by the metamorphism of the accreted terranes during the Early Devonian northward subduction of the oceanic plate. The timing of the late-period mineralization is constrained by the U-Pb age of monazite (127 ± 2 Ma) intergrown with gold-bearing pyrite from stage III and the 40Ar/39Ar ages of ore-related sericite (131 ± 1 Ma) from stage IV and altered sericite (133 ± 1 Ma) from the carbonaceous schist. Combined with the extensive development of coeval granitoids and porphyry Mo deposits in the region, the late-period gold mineralization at Yindongpo belongs to a unified large-scale metallogenic event related to the Early Cretaceous intensive granitic magmatism in an extensional tectonic setting. The results presented here thus reveal two discrete mineralization processes at Yindongpo related to the Tongbai composite orogeny: the early mineralization of Devonian accretionary orogeny and the later mineralization of Cretaceous intracontinental orogeny. Our study contributes to the knowledge of superimposed metallogenesis in composite orogen, and also highlights the decisive role of multi-mineral isotopic dating in revealing the metallogenic epoch of superimposed deposits.

Cenozoic kinematic histories of the Tidding and Lohit thrusts in the northern Indo-Burma Ranges: Implications for crustal thickening and exhumation of Gangdese lower arc crust along the Indus-Yarlung suture zone

Crustal thickening has been a key process of collision-induced Cenozoic deformation along the Indus-Yarlung suture zone, yet the timing, geometric relationships, and along-strike continuities of major thrusts, such as the Great Counter thrust and Gangdese thrust, remain inadequately understood. In this study, we present findings of geologic mapping and thermo- and geochronologic, geochemical, microstructural, and geothermobarometric analyses from the easternmost Indus-Yarlung suture zone exposed in the northern Indo-Burma Ranges. Specifically, we investigate the Lohit and Tidding thrust shear zones and their respective hanging wall rocks of the Lohit Plutonic Complex and Tidding and Mayodia mélange complexes. Field observations are consistent with ductile deformation concentrated along the top-to-the-south Tidding thrust shear zone, which is in contrast to the top-to-the-north Great Counter thrust at the same structural position to the west. Upper amphibolite-facies metamorphism of mélange rocks at ∼9−10 kbar (∼34−39 km) occurred prior to ca. 36−30 Ma exhumation during slip along the Tidding thrust shear zone. To the north, the ∼5-km-wide Lohit thrust shear zone has a subvertical geometry and north-side-up kinematics. Cretaceous arc granitoids of the Lohit Plutonic Complex were emplaced at ∼32−40 km depth in crust estimated to be ∼38−52 km thick at that time. These rocks cooled from ca. 25 Ma to 10 Ma due to slip along the Lohit thrust shear zone. We demonstrate that the Lohit thrust shear zone, Gangdese thrust, and Yarlung-Tsangpo Canyon thrust have comparable hanging wall and footwall rocks, structural geometries, kinematics, and timing. Based on these similarities, we interpret that these thrusts formed segments of a laterally continuous thrust system, which served as the preeminent crustal thickening structure along the Neotethys-southern Lhasa terrane margin and exhumed Gangdese lower arc crust in Oligocene−Miocene time.

Geometry and growth of syn-tectonic plutons emplaced in thrust shear zones: Insights from Abu Ziran pluton, Egypt

Coupling of deformation and magmatism has been widely reported in several old orogenic belts, particularly along faults and shear zones. The syn-kinematic plutons in exhumed shear zones offer the best opportunity to understand the complex relationship between magmatism and regional deformation. The present paper investigates the geometry and internal structure of granite plutons emplaced in thrust faults and shear zones, and structural control on their emplacement mechanism. Abu Ziran pluton is an example of the intrusions emplaced in an active brittle-ductile thrust shear zone in the Nubian shield, and documents clear evidence on the interaction between magmatism and deformation during melt ascent and emplacement. Results from detailed geological mapping, remote sensing and structural analysis of the pluton permitted the constraining of the pluton's geometry, emplacement mechanism, and spatio-temporal evolution. Structural analysis indicates that pluton emplacement was syn-to-late-tectonic. The brittle-ductile fabrics in the wall rock are consistent with a sub-horizontal thrust shear zone with a top-to-NW shear sense. The activity of the shear zone was accompanied by an episode of a calc-alkaline magmatic pulse. Granitic magma ascended upward via non-exposed feeder dykes, or through ramps and flats in the thrust system and emplaced laterally along the shear zone, forming complex sub-horizontal sheet-shaped intrusion. The geometry and extent of pluton emphasize that inherited heterogeneities and regional stress states played important role in the emplacement processes. In addition, localization of pluton along or near the contact between ophiolitic nappes and mylonitic metasediments suggests that the rheological boundaries act as barriers that impede the rise of ascending magma, causing magma arrest and trigger lateral spreading and emplacement. The outcomes of this study allowed the reconstruction of the geometry and internal structure of Abu Ziran pluton and grasping its evolution in space and time.

Shear zone fabrics and their significance in curved, inverted basin-derived thrust systems

In this study, we report how criteria inferred from structural and kinematic analysis of shear zone fabrics can be instrumental in deciphering events of positive or negative inversion tectonics. Mesoscopic structural and kinematic analyses are performed on well-exposed brittle-ductile thrust shear zones within curved thrust systems in the Central-Northern Apennines of Italy.The structural and kinematic features of thrust-related tectonites make it possible to outline a history of positive inversion. S/C- and S-tectonites/fabrics are distinctive of frontal or oblique thrust ramps, respectively. In particular, S-fabrics result from selective transpressional-reactivation of pre-thrusting normal faults. By contrast, more complex composite fabrics, characterized by folded cleavage, reveal a history of negative inversion tectonics. Mesocopic cleavage folding is ascribed to shear-sense reversal along the shear surfaces during extensional reactivation of pre-existing thrusts; or to synthetic reactivation by listric foreland-dipping normal faults, merging downwards on former thrust surfaces during protracted episodes of gravitational collapse.Shear zone fabrics identification criteria, here illustrated from thrusts of different size, if systematically used, may be diagnostic of different deformation paths, and hence provide useful tools to elucidate the tectonic history of curved thrust systems in orogens that have experienced multiple episodes of inversion.

Imbrication and Erosional Tectonics Recorded by Garnets in the Sikkim Himalayas

The Sikkim region of the Himalayas (NE India) may form an important microplate between Nepal and Bhutan. Here we report high-resolution pressure-temperature (P-T) paths taken from garnet-bearing rocks across the northern and eastern portion of the region’s Main Central Thrust (MCT) shear zone. The MCT separates units affiliated with the Greater Himalayan Crystallines (GHC) in its hanging wall from the Lesser Himalayan Formation (LHF). Late Miocene monazite ages are reported from the LHF (10–14 Ma), whereas those from the GHC are Miocene (18–20 Ma). Some paths from the LHF and GHC show a P decrease before burial, consistent with erosion before compression. MCT shear zone and GHC rocks show a P increase and then decrease over a short T interval. This hairpin P-T path is consistent with an imbrication model for the Himalayas. LHF P-T path conditions and those obtained using conventional thermobarometry are best in agreement. These paths also are consistent with observed mineral assemblages and garnet zoning. Although we have the most confidence in LHF results, MCT shear zone and GHC P-T path shapes suggest processes to establish imbrication tectonics may have occurred here as early as the Miocene.

Tectonic Underplating and Dismemberment of the Maclaren‐Kluane Schist Records Late Cretaceous Terrane Accretion Polarity and ~480 km of Post‐52 Ma Dextral Displacement on the Denali Fault

AbstractTerrane accretion introduces irregular geometry and allochthonous material to obliquely convergent margins, which create opportunities to quantify strike‐slip displacement along otherwise margin‐parallel fault systems. We present new bedrock geologic mapping and U‐Pb and40Ar/39Ar geochronology from the Alaska Range suture zone in the eastern Alaska Range, which confirm a long‐hypothesized correlation between the Maclaren Glacier metamorphic belt (Alaska, USA) and the Kluane metamorphic assemblage (Yukon Territory, Canada) across the right‐lateral Denali fault. The new data inform a palinspastic reconstruction showing that the dissected metamorphic belts and associated plutons record ~480 km of dextral displacement along the Denali fault since ca. 52 Ma. Before strike‐slip separation, the Maclaren‐Kluane schist formed by west‐vergent forearc underplating in the waning stage of the ca. 100–90 Ma arc built upon the Yukon‐Tanana terrane. The prograde structural and metamorphic evolution of the Maclaren‐Kluane schist records the final collision of the Wrangellia composite terrane at ca. 75–65 Ma along a set of east‐dipping thrust shear zones, which we infer to record the polarity of the Late Cretaceous plate boundary between the composite terrane and North America. Paleogene extension partially exhumed the schists to the upper crust and may be a consequence of regionally distributed strike‐slip faulting at that time. Localization of the modern Denali fault after ca. 52 Ma dismembered the schists and four neighboring belts of plutonic, metasedimentary, and volcanic rocks. The transition to Yakutat oblique flat slab subduction at ca. 30–25 Ma marks the onset of transpressional deformation in the Denali fault system, which reactivated Late Cretaceous collisional structures bounding the Maclaren schist. Neogene reactivation of the Totschunda fault reduced strike‐slip motion on the Denali fault east of the Denali‐Totschunda intersection and continues to transfer residual plate boundary slip onto the Denali fault west of the intersection. Key outcomes of our synthesis include: (a) Much of the ~480 km of displacement on the Denali fault accumulated after strike‐slip on the neighboring Tintina and Border Ranges fault systems had largely shut down; (b) The modern Denali fault system should not be grouped with strike‐slip faults credited with large‐scale margin‐parallel transport of Cordilleran terranes in the Cretaceous. Instead, a poorly understood proto‐Denali fault system may be a candidate for large‐scale Cretaceous translation; and (c) the longevity (≥33 Myr) of the highly localized Denali fault master strand (≤1 km wide) implies that it occupies a major mechanical boundary that penetrates the lithosphere.

A lithospheric-scale thrust-wedge model for the formation of the northern Tibetan plateau margin: Evidence from high-resolution seismic imaging

The Tibetan plateau is one of the best field laboratories to investigate mechanisms of continental-lithosphere deformation, which contrasts sharply with the typical rigid-plate behavior of the oceanic lithosphere. Several end-member processes have been proposed for the plateau formation involving vertically coherent pure-shear shortening, decoupled upper- and lower-crustal shortening, oblique continental subduction, and crustal channelized flow. In order to test the above models, we conducted an integrated broadband and dense-nodal seismic-array investigation along two traverses across the northern Tibetan plateau margin in the Qilian Shan and its foreland region. The integrated observation provides the first coherent structural image of the lithosphere in general and shallow crust correlative to surface geology in particular in northern Tibet with an updated resolution. Our seismic imaging shows that the surface-exposed south-dipping Qilian Shan frontal thrust zone is closely associated with a low-velocity zone with concentrated seismicity in the upper crust, and along an inclined convertor can be extended downward into the middle-lower crust near a >10-km Moho offset beneath the Haiyuan Fault zone. This dipping feature and an inferred lithospheric detachment zone with oriented anisotropic fabrics constitute a lithospheric-scale thrust zone that bounds crustal-scale thick-skinned thrusts above, coupled with the development of distributed thrust shear zones that cut across the lowermost crust and uppermost mantle. We interpret the bounding lithospheric-scale thrust zone as the basal thrust of a thrust-wedge system across the northern Tibetan plateau margin. A minimum ∼26% bulk shortening strain is accommodated in the thrust-wedge system, which is compatible with the surface-geology constraints. Together with magnetotelluric data, our seismic imaging reveals stark contrasts in the crustal structure and rheology across the left-slip Haiyuan Fault. The involvement of strain partitioning across this regional structure in the thrust wedge supports the earlier proposed transpressional continental underthrusting of North China beneath the Tibetan plateau.

Mapping New IOCG Mineral Systems in Brazil: The Vale do Curaçá and Riacho do Pontal Copper Districts

The Vale do Curaçá and Riacho do Pontal copper districts are located within the northern part of the Archaean São Francisco Craton and represent two pulses of mineralization. The copper districts have been identified as Iron-Oxide-Copper-Gold (IOCG) classes of deposits. An older metallogenic event associated with the Caraíba copper deposit, which is located in the Vale do Curaçá district, is related to Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 2 to 2.2 Ga) hydrothermal processes. A younger Neoproterozoic (ca. 750 to 570 Ma) episode of volcanism and associated plutonism is represented by the Riacho do Pontal mineral district. Seismic tomography data from across east-central Brazil show that the multiage Carajás province and Vale do Curaçá and Riacho do Pontal copper districts sit along either side of a prominent NW-trending upper lithospheric high-velocity zone. The edges of the high-velocity zone point to long-lived subparallel transcrustal structures that have been the focus of multiple reactivations and copper mineralization events. Regional gravity and magnetic maps show that the Vale do Curaçá copper district extends over an area greater than 110 km by 22 km. The magnetic and gravity values show significant variations correlated with this area. The district includes high gravity values associated with the Caraíba copper mine (>−35 mGal), which has a greater density (3.13 g/cm3) than the nonmineralized host rock density (2.98 g/cm3). The gravity anomaly signature over the Riacho do Pontal copper district is characterized by a 40-km long NW–SE trending Bouguer gravity low. The Ria4 occurrences of the Riacho do Pontal copper district are situated in these regional low-gravity domains. Data from regional airborne magnetic and ground gravity surveys were inverted to obtain a 3D magnetic susceptibility and density model, respectively, for the known districts. The results show that the Caraíba deposit is characterized by a both dense and magnetic source showing structural control by thrust shear zones. The 2D and 3D geological models show two main NNW prospective trends. Trends I and II have a sigmoidal shear shape and are positioned in the contact zone between domains with high magnetic susceptibility (SI > 0.005) and density > 0 g/cm3). Trend I is 40 km × 10 km in size and hosts the Caraíba, Surubim, and Vermelho copper mines and other minor deposits. The results obtained from the 3D magnetic inversion model for the region of the Riacho do Pontal district show weak magnetic anomaly highs extending along a NW–SE magnetic gradient trend. The gradient is related to mapped shear zones that overprint older and deeper NE–SW features of the São Francisco cratonic root. The area includes high gravity values associated with the Caraíba copper deposit, which has a greater density (3.13 g/cm3) than the nonmineralized host rock density (2.4 g/cm3).

Structural Evolution of the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil: Influence of Proterozoic Orogenies on Its Western Archean Gold Deposits

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero region is located in the extreme southeast of the Brasiliano São Francisco craton, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. It is composed of (i) Archean TTG granite-gneaissic terranes; (ii) the Archean Rio das Velhas greenstone belt; (iii) the Proterozoic metasedimentary and metavolcano-sedimentary covers. The Rio das Velhas rocks were deposited in the synformal NW–SE-directed Nova Lima basin. The Archean deformation converted the Nova Lima basin into an ample synclinorium with an eastern inverted flank. Archean orogenic gold mineralization within the Rio das Velhas greenstone belt rocks is controlled by NNW–SSE-directed, Archean regional shear zones subparallel to the strata of the Nova Lima synclinorium borders. Transamazonian and Brasiliano orogenies are superposed onto the Archean structures that control gold mineralization. In the eastern domain, Brasiliano fold-and-fault belts prevail, whereas in the western domain Archean and Transamazonian structures abound. The present study focus mainly is the western domain where the Cuiabá, Morro Velho, Raposos, Lamego and Faria deposits are located. Gold orebodies plunge to the E–NE and are tectonically controlled by the Archean D1–D2 deformation. The D3 Transamazonian compression—Which had a SE–NW vector sub-parallel to the regional mineralized Archean foliation/bedding—Buckled these structures, resulting in commonly open, synformal and antiformal regional folds. These are well documented near the gold deposits, with NE–SW axial traces and fold axes plunging to E–NE. Such folds are normal to inverted, NW-verging, with an axial planar foliation dipping moderately to the SE. The Transamazonian compression has only been responsible for the reorientation of the mineralized Archean gold ores, due to coaxial refolding characterized by an opposite tectonic transport. It has therefore not caused any other significant changes. Thrust shear zones, sub-parallel to the strong Transamazonian foliation, have given rise to localized metric segmentation and to the dislocation of gold orebodies. Throughout the region, along the towns of Nova Lima to Sabará, structures pertaining to the Brasiliano Araçuaí orogeny are represented only by gentle folding and by a discrete, non-pervasive crenulation cleavage. Thrust-shear zones and small-scale normal faults have caused, at most, metric dislocations along N–S-oriented planes.

Timing and Metamorphic Evolution of the Ross Orogeny in and around the Mountaineer Range, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica

The Ross(–Delamerian) Orogeny significantly impacted the formation of the tectonic structure of the Pacific Gondwana margin during the early Paleozoic era. Northern Victoria Land (NVL) in Antarctica preserves the aspect of the Ross Orogeny that led to the union of the Wilson (WT)–Bowers (BT)–Robertson Bay Terrane. The aspect of the Ross Orogeny in the NVL is characterized by subduction of oceanic domains toward the continental margin (continental arc) and the accretion of the associated marine–continental substances from 530–480 Ma. In the Mountaineer Range in NVL, the Ross Orogeny strain zone is identified at the WT/BT boundary regions. In these areas, fold and thrust shear zones are observed and aspects of them can be seen at Mt. Murchison, the Descent Unit and the Black Spider Greenschist zone. The Dessent Unit corresponds to a tectonic slice sheared between the WT and BT. The metamorphic evolution phase of the Dessent Unit is summarized in the peak pressure (M1), peak temperature (M2) and retrograde (M3). The sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) zircon U–Pb ages of 514.6 ± 2.0 Ma and 499.2 ± 3.4 Ma obtained from the Dessent Unit amphibolite are comparable to the M1 and M2 stages, respectively. The Dessent Unit underwent intermediate pressure (P)/temperature (T)-type metamorphism characterized by 10.0–10.5 kbar/~600 °C (M1) and ~7 kbar/~700 °C (M2) followed by 4.0–4.5 kbar/~450 °C (M3). Mafic to intermediate magmatism (497–501 Ma) within the WT/BT boundary region may have given rise to the M2 stage of the Dessent Unit, and this magmatism is synchronous with the migmatization period of Mt. Murchison (498.3 ± 3.4 Ma). This indicates that a continuous process of fold-shearing–magmatic intrusion–partial melting, which is typically associated with a continental arc orogeny, occurred before and after c. 500 Ma in the Mountaineer Range. During the Ross Orogeny, the Dessent unit was initially subducted underneath the WT at depth (10.0–10.5 kbar, ~35 km) and then thrust into the shallow (~7 kbar, ~23 km), hot (≥700 °C) magmatic arc docking with the Mt. Murchison terrain, where migmatization prevailed.

Magnetic fabric in carbonatic rocks from thrust shear zones: A study from the Northern Apennines (Italy)

We present the results of an integrated structural and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) investigation in calcareous and marly rocks from thrust shear zones. A total of 17 sites from six localities along the frontal and oblique ramp of the Olevano-Antrodoco-Sibillini thrust and back thrust (Northern Apennines, Italy) were studied to investigate both magnetic fabric and structural characteristics of Cretaceous to Neogene calcareous and marly rocks. In most of the sites AMS is controlled by the paramagnetic minerals (prevailingly phyllosilicates), with minor contribution of ferromagnetic (sensu latu) ones. Structural analysis shows the presence of SC- and S-tectonites associated to predominant simple and pure shear, respectively. The combination of density diagrams and cluster analysis allowed discriminating the contributions of sedimentary and tectonic processes to the bulk magnetic fabric. Six different subfabrics were distinguished, related to the structural data and associated to deformation stages and regimes: A. sedimentary fabric; B. intersection lineation; C. magnetic foliation parallel to S planes with k1 parallel to the S/C intersection; D. k1 moving toward the slip vector; E. magnetic foliation parallel either to the S or the C planes, with k1 parallel to the slip vector or the transport direction; F. k1 parallel to extensional planes intersection. The magnetic foliation has a double tendency to parallelize to pressure solution cleavage (S) and shear planes (C), while the magnetic lineation tends to progressively align with the slip vector, except for pure-shear-dominated sites at less than 15–20 cm from the thrust, where it aligns with the transport direction. The magnetic fabric is dominated by simple shear deformation. The protocol applied for AMS analysis shows a great potential to unravel mixed sedimentary and/or tectonic features in magnetic fabrics. AMS can be considered as a useful tool in unravelling the variation of simple-pure shear deformation regime in shear zones.

Thermochronology of the highest central Asian massifs (Khan Tengri - Pobedi, SE Kyrgyztan): Evidence for Late Miocene (ca. 8 Ma) reactivation of Permian faults and insights into building the Tian Shan

Geological study of the Khan Tengri and Pobedi massifs highlights two phases of compressional fault displacements. A Late Permian/Triassic displacement phase is highlighted (1) by biotite 40Ar/39Ar ages of 265–256 Ma, suggestive of cooling of Pobedi mid-crustal granulites during > 8 km of top-to-the-north motion of the Pobedi Thrust; (2) by 40Ar/39Ar dating of syn-kinematic phengite at 249–248 Ma, which suggests a crystallization age during top-to-the-south motion of the Khan Tengri Thrust shear zone; (3) by Apatite Helium (AHe) ages of 280–240 Ma on the crystalline basement below the Mesozoic peneplain, which gives insight into the final exhumation stage. Cenozoic reactivation of the Pobedi Thrust is indicated by AHe thermochronology with a mean age of 8.3 ± 2.5 Ma, in agreement with ~3 km exhumation and ~4.2 km of top-to-the-north motion in the Late Miocene. Along a north–south transect of the west Tian Shan range from Issyk-Kul Lake to Tarim Basin, compiled thermochronological data outline out-of-sequence deformation beginning with the activation of north-directed crustal-scale faults at 22–15 Ma along the northern margin of the north Tian Shan, followed by 20–10 Ma motion at the boundary between the Middle and the South Tian Shan, and ending with the < 10 Ma reactivation of the Pobedi Thrust in the South Tian Shan. This latter coincided with south-directed motion on the South Tian Shan Front (the Maidan Fault) and fold and thrust belt propagation towards the Tarim Basin.

Geology, geochronology Pb-Pb, U-Pb-Hf zircon and Sm-Nd TDM of the Uruburetama batholith, Northern Borborema Province: contextualization in the Santa Quitéria Magmatic Arc

Records of large crustal masses in the northwest of Borborema Province (BP) spread over more than 300 km are found as numerous granitic bodies amid a high-grade metamorphic gneissic-migmatitic terrain. The Tamboril-Santa Quitéria Complex (TSQC) is a Neoproterozoic example of these records; it is located in the north of the Ceará Central Domain (CECD) and its origin is related to a continental magmatic arc at different evolutionary stages of the arc. The Uruburetama Granite (UG), object of this study, fits into this context and constitutes one of the most representative batholiths occupying an area of 1,500 km2. Dozens of other similar plutons have been recorded in cartographic works that show similarities which suggests the grouping of these bodies in the Uruburetama Granitic Suite (UGS), previously included in the TSQC. The UG consists of a variety of plutonic rocks associated with mafic-dioritic dikes and its metamorphic products. Six petrographic facies were identified among the plutonic rocks: biotite-hornblende monzogranites and syenogranitic varieties, biotite-hornblende granodiorites, in addition to quartz syenite, leucomonzogranites, and diorites rocks. These rocks are affected by deformation, with greater intensity at the edges of the batholith, where thrust shear zones with transcurrent components were installed, generating tectonic fabrics (mylonitic foliations, stretch lineation, almond feldspar porphyroclasts, and ribbon quartz). Despite the superimposed deformational effects, magmatic relict textures are partially preserved, mainly toward the central portion of the pluton. The UG and the associated plutons are hosted by migmatized orthogneisses, paragneisses with garnet, sillimanite or kyanite, marbles, calcium-silicate gneisses, micaschists, sillimanite quartzites, and amphibolite lenses. The contact relations are diffuse with gradation for migmatites, and in rare cases, intrusive contacts with gneiss mega-xenolites are registered. The geochronological data obtained by Pb-evaporation zircon in two samples of the UG show average ages of 655 ± 2 and 656 ± 1 Ma. U-Pb zircon data for the same samples showed slightly younger age values of 559 ± 10 and 634 ± 10 Ma, respectively. The ages obtained are considered as representative of the magmatic phases of UG crystallization in the context of the evolution of the Santa Quitéria Magmatic Arc (SQMA), with the main magmatic phase of the UG in the Cryogenian. However, the age of 559 Ma would represent a younger magmatic event in the evolution of the arch. Overall, these ages correspond to the “Pre-Collisional I” or “Early-Sin-Orogenic” phase of a large collisional belt in the west of BP, and the younger ages must represent events related to the continuity of the orogen convergence of the Latest-Pre-collisional I (634 Ma) and Post-Collisional I (559 Ma) phases. Sm-Nd whole-rock isotopes data showed εNd(t) values predominantly negative (-25.6 and −0.9), and Nd-TDM model ages of 2.90 and 1.2 Ga. The results of the Lu–Hf isotopes analysis for the Bt-Hbl monzogranite sample showed negative εHf values (-26.75 to −35.48) and Hf-TDMC model ages of 3.12 to 3.65 Ga while the results for Bt-Hbl granodiorite showed εHf values of −2.07 to +1.08 and Hf-TDMC model ages of 1.46 to 1.66 Ga. These data point to the existence of two distinct and older crustal sources in the generation of these granitoids, one in the Mesoarchean, and the other in the Mesoproterozoic. The Archean ages correspond to the basement in the south of the CECD (Tróia Massif and Granjeiro Complex); on the other hand, the Mesoproterozoic ages are up for discussion, since terrains with this type of age do not occur adjacent to the BP. On the other hand, it can be interpreted as a mixture of sources, one of them probably juvenile, neoproterozoic, with contamination of the Archean crust. Thus, the UG is considered one of the most important records of the beginning of the evolution of the Santa Quitéria Magmatic Arc associated with a wide collisional belt in the “West Gondwana Orogen” in the west of Borborema Province.

Transpressional deformation during Ediacaran accretion of the Paranaguá Terrane, southernmost Ribeira Belt, Western Gondwana

The Paranaguá Terrane is mainly constituted by an Ediacaran arc-related granitic complex, spread in a NE-SW trending elongated stripe, located in the Southern Ribeira Belt, South-Southeastern Brazil. The basement of these granites occurs as a disrupted folded belt composed of metasedimentary and gneissic-migmatitic rocks. The integration of structural and geophysical (gamma spectrometry and magnetometry) data from the Paranaguá Terrane and the adjacent tectonic units, suggests that the deformation in the study area is partially controlled by the geometry of the Luis Alves Cratonic Block, as well as the northern part of Dom Feliciano Belt. The irregular shape of this cratonic unit associated with N-NW tectonic transport direction caused strain partitioning in the area and the development of two structural domains: southern and northern Paranaguá. The southern part is characterized by sinistral transpressional shear zones, while the northern sector is dominated by thrust shear zones that represent a large frontal collision with oblique components. The hierarchy of the structural and microstructural features in the Paranaguá Terrane associated with geochronologic data suggest two deformational phases (D1 and D2) during a transpressive collisional system. The D1 progressive deformational stage is correlated to the main period of granitic crystallization during the Ediacaran and was divided in two moments: i) early D1 (640–610) associated with the regional metamorphism and thrust and folding tectonics with N-NW tectonic transport and; ii) late D1 (610-580 Ma) linked to the strain partitioning and development of the southern (simple-shear dominated) and northern (pure-shear dominated) structural domains with sinistral kinematics, granite emplacement and high-temperature mylonites. The D2 deformation stage (540–500 Ma) is mainly represented by the low-temperature mylonites and deformation under retrograde conditions.

Accretion Tectonics in Western Gondwana Deduced From Sm‐Nd Isotope Mapping of Terranes in the Borborema Province, NE Brazil

AbstractWhole rock Sm‐Nd isotope mapping of metaplutonic and metasedimentary rocks in the Tranversal Sub‐province of the Borborema Province (central Western Gondwana) is used to verify the role of crustal processes in the region. The region contains the Meso‐Neoproterozoic Alto Pajeú and Archean‐Paleoproterozoic Alto Moxotó terranes, which are separated by the Serra de Jabitacá thrust shear zone, the main terrane boundary. The distribution of TDM model ages on histograms and gridded maps reveals contrasting isotopic sources. The older terrane shows model ages ranging from Paleoarchean to Paleoproterozoic, whereas the younger presents ages ranging from late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic. Contrasting ages are even more evident away from the boundary. Calculated εNd(t) using well‐known U‐Pb zircon ages reveals a complex tectonic scenario. First manifestations of crustal growth are evident in Neoarchean tonalite‐trondhjemite‐granodiorite rocks of the Alto Moxotó Terrane. This terrane was subjected to severe crustal reworking during the early to late Paleoproterozoic. The tectonic evolution of the Alto Pajeú Terrane is considerably younger, characterized by Neoproterozoic reworking of old crust during the Cariris Velhos Orogeny (1,025–900 Ma). Our large Nd data set indicates that the Serra de Jabitacá Shear Zone separates two distinct crustal blocks exhibiting contrasting isotopic character, marking the onset of the terrane assembly in this part of Western Gondwana.

Anomalous Complex Electrical Conductivity of a Graphitic Black Schist From the Himalayas of Central Nepal

AbstractWe analyzed in the laboratory the frequency‐dependent, complex‐valued, electrical conductivity of a graphitic black schist and an augen gneiss, both collected in the Main Central Thrust shear zone in the Himalayas of central Nepal, which was heavily affected by the deadly Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake in 2015. We focused on anisotropy and salinity dependence of both cores and crushed material as well as the impact of CO2 on conductivity. This black schist possesses an extraordinarily high polarizability and a highly frequency‐dependent conductivity. Its anisotropy is very pronounced. The investigations can relate the main polarization feature to disseminated, aligned plates of graphite. By contrast, the augen gneiss shows low polarizability and a moderately anisotropic conductivity dominated by the pore‐filling brine. We further demonstrate that neglecting the complex and frequency‐dependent nature of conductivity can lead to serious misinterpretation of magnetotelluric data during inversion if highly polarizable rocks are present.

West-directed thrusting south of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis indicates clockwise crustal flow at the indenter corner during the India-Asia collision

Whether continental deformation is accommodated by microplate motion or continuum flow is a central issue regarding the nature of Cenozoic deformation surrounding the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. The microplate model predicts southeastward extrusion of rigid blocks along widely-spaced strike-slip faults, whereas the crustal-flow model requires clockwise crustal rotation along closely-spaced, semi-circular right-slip faults around the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Although global positioning system (GPS) data support the crustal-flow model, the surface velocity field provides no information on the evolution of the India-Asia orogenic system at million-year scales. In this work, we present the results of systematic geologic mapping across the northernmost segment of the Indo-Burma Ranges, located directly southeast of the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Early research inferred the area to have experienced either right-slip faulting accommodating northward indentation of India or thrusting due to the eastward continuation of the Himalayan orogen in the Cenozoic. Our mapping supports the presence of dip-slip thrust faults, rather than strike-slip faults. Specifically, the northern Indo-Burma Ranges exposes south- to west-directed ductile thrust shear zones in the hinterland and brittle fault zones in the foreland. The trends of ductile stretching lineations within thrust shear zones and thrust sheets rotate clockwise from the northeast direction in the northern part of the study area to the east direction in the southern part of the study area. This clockwise deflection pattern of lineations around the eastern Himalayan syntaxis mirrors the clockwise crustal-rotation pattern as suggested by the crustal-flow model and contemporary GPS velocity field. However, our finding is inconsistent with discrete strike-slip deformation in the area and the microplate model.

Aspectos tectônicos do emplacement da borda leste do Complexo Granítico Três Córregos, Cerro Azul (PR)

Grandes quantidades de rochas graníticas foram geradas durante a evolução do Ciclo Brasiliano, destacando-se o Complexo Granítico Três Córregos (CGTC), um importante complexo ígneo do Neoproterozoico, intrudido nas rochas metassedimentares mesoproterozoicas da Formação Água Clara. No âmbito da Formação Água Clara reconheceram-se duas associações litológicas: uma constituída por rochas calciossilicáticas e outra composta por mármores calcíticos intercalados a carbonato xistos e filitos. O padrão estrutural observado nessas rochas é caracterizado por duas foliações, onde S1 configura uma clivagem ardosiana que evolui para uma xistosidade contínua, subparalela ao bandamento composicional, observada nos micrólitons de foliação S2, esta desenvolvida em um sistema de transposição parcial a total de S1 em uma tectônica de cavalgamento, resultando em paralelismo entre as duas estruturas. As fácies graníticas Arrieiros-Cerro Azul e São Sebastião reconhecidas na borda leste do CGTC apresentam foliação de fluxo magmático definida pela orientação de máficos da matriz e/ou orientação de fenocristais de feldspato potássico, com atitudes concordantes com os contatos e com as foliações das rochas metassedimentares. Foram reconhecidas paragêneses das fácies xisto verde e anfibolito superior, com gradiente expresso por uma distribuição consistente de minerais índices de temperaturas relativamente mais elevadas em toda a área de estudo. As paragêneses compatíveis com a zona da sillimanita em rochas pelito-aluminosas e calciossilicáticas, a relação dos aspectos petrotectônicos dos granitos com suas encaixantes, bem como os padrões estruturais observados nos granitos e rochas metassedimentares concordantes podem ser explicados pela sobreposição, ao menos parcial, entre os eventos de instalação do CGTC e do desenvolvimento da foliação S2, indicando que os processos iniciais de abertura de espaço para a colocação do CGTC estão relacionados à tectônica de baixo ângulo.