Lack of low-grade metamorphism in the Triassic formations of the Argana basin, Morocco: an illite crystallinity re-evaluation

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Leikine ◽  
F. Medina ◽  
M. Ahmamou
1985 ◽  
Vol 49 (352) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. S. Kemp ◽  
G. H. J. Oliver ◽  
J. R. Baldwin

AbstractPrevious studies of low-grade metamorphism in the Southern Uplands accretionary terrain indicated prehnite-pumpellyite facies/anchizone conditions developed throughout the area, except for local preservation of trench-slope sediments and an accreted seamount at zeolite facies/advanced diagenetic grade. New graptolite reflectance data are presented that show a general northward increase in temperature in the Southern Uplands. The results from two cross-strike traverses in the southern and central belts in contemporaneous sequences, using illite crystallinity, illite lateral spacing (bo) , and graptolite reflectance, indicate the development of systematic accretion-related low-grade metamorphism. Well-developed and constant anchizone conditions occur throughout the NE (Langholm) traverse, associated with common, F1 accretion-related folding and a regionally penetrative S1 cleavage. In the SW (Kirkcudbright) traverse, however, the youngest, last accreted packets are preserved at a transitional diagenetic stage and lack a penetrative S1 cleavage. Illite crystallinity, graptolite reflectance, and bo increase systematically northward through earlier accreted packets, reaching values of the NE traverse only at the northern end. The concomitant increase of bo with illite crystallinity suggests the relatively high P-low T trajectory characteristic of subduction zones. Integration of metamorphic and structural data relates increasing intensity of aceretion-related F1 folding, developmertt of S1 fabric, and onset of later fold phases to grade of metamorphism and structural level within the accretionary pile.


2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
TANG Yan ◽  
SANG Longkang ◽  
YUAN Yanming ◽  
YU Jishun ◽  
ZHANG Yunpeng ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
R. J. Merriman ◽  
B. Roberts

ABSTRACTSystematic studies of metapelitic grade linked with the geological re-survey of the Southern Uplands have been used to generate a contoured metamorphic map currently covering nearly two-thirds of the terrane. These studies, based on approximately one pelite sample per 2·5 km2, have used XRD measurements of clay mineral reaction progress, particularly illite crystallinity, to delineate zones of diagenesis and low-grade metamorphism in the imbricated Ordovician and Silurian strata. The regional pattern revealed by metapelitic zonal sequences does not agree with earlier observations that grade increases across the strike, from SE to NW. Instead, the map shows considerable variations in metamorphic trends, including patterns of grade increasing from older into younger strata, indicative of accretionary burial. Other patterns identified include those generated by high strain rates in the Moniaive Shear Zone (MSZ), and by extensive low-temperature cryptic aureoles associated with late granitic intrusions. The present pattern is the result of uplift that generated normal movement on reactivated thrust faults and differential block movement on NW-trending faults.Regional metamorphic patterns were generated by burial and underplating in an accretionary thrust stack. Subduction was initiated in the early Caradoc and probably ceased in the early Wenlock. Metapelitic patterns suggest that two levels of accretion are exposed in the terrane. Strata accreted to the toe of the prism and stacked above the décollement zone are typically at late diagenetic grade. Underplated strata below the décollement are typically at anchizonal grades with moderate to well-developed slaty cleavage. Coherent thrust-bounded tracts of strata at both levels were rotated and buried to produce a syntectonic depth-controlled pattern of meta-morphism. Shear zone metamorphism at depths of 12 km or more was probably confined to the underplated lower level of the thrust stack, and Devonian granitic intrusions were also emplaced mainly within the underplated strata.


Clay Minerals ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Giorgetti ◽  
I. Memmi ◽  
D. R. Peacor

AbstractAn XRD-TEM study was carried out on low-grade metapelites (Transantarctic Mountains) to determine the cause of apparent inconsistences in grade as determined by IC and independent geologic relations. The illite crystallinity (IC) data indicate that the three units investigated (BT, RBT, MS) were affected by very low- (IC = 0.24°Δ2θ in BT) to low-grade metamorphism (0.19°Δ2θ in MS). In all three samples, mica crystals are of a size typical of the epizone, but the mean size increases from BT to RBT and MS, due to the increasing strain features from BT to MS. These results indicate that strain-induced reduction in crystal size was retained in BT samples (with anomalously high IC values). Microtextures in RBT and MS (with smaller IC) samples suggest a recovery of sub-grain boundaries. A decrease in crystal size may occur with increasing grade where strain rates are high relative to the rate of recrystallization.


1994 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 1471-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urs Schaltegger ◽  
Peter Stille ◽  
Naoual Rais ◽  
Alain Piqué ◽  
Norbert Clauer

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