Styles and regimes of orogenic thickening in the Peloritani Mountains (Sicily, Italy): new constraints on the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Apennine belt

2008 ◽  
Vol 145 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
GIANLUCA VIGNAROLI ◽  
FEDERICO ROSSETTI ◽  
THOMAS THEYE ◽  
CLAUDIO FACCENNA
Keyword(s):  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Geothermal Gradient ◽  
Brittle Deformation ◽  
Metamorphic Evolution ◽  
Constituent Element ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
Tectonic Transport ◽  
History Of ◽  
Scale Shear

AbstractThe Peloritani Mountains constitute the Sicilian portion of the Calabria–Peloritani Arc (Italy), a tectono-metamorphic edifice recording the history of the subduction–exhumation cycle during Tertiary convergence between the African and European plates. Here, we describe the kinematic and the petrological characteristics of the major shear zones bounding the lowermost continental-derived metamorphic units cropping out in the eastern portion of the Peloritani Mountains. Both meso- and micro-scale shear sense criteria indicate a top-to-the-SSE tectonic transport, during a general evolution from ductile to brittle deformation conditions. Quantitative thermobarometry on texturally equilibrated phengite–chlorite pairs crystallized along the shear bands indicates pressure of 6–8 kbar at temperatures of 360–440 °C for the structurally highest units and 3–4 kbar at 380–440 °C for the lowest ones. This documents an overall inverse-type nappe arrangement within the tectonic edifice and a transition from an Alpine- (13–18 °C km−1) to a Barrovian-type (28–36 °C km−1) geothermal gradient during the progress of the Alpine orogenic metamorphism in the Peloritani Mountains. The integration of these results allows the Peloritani Mountains to be considered as a constituent element of the Apennine orogenic domain formed during the progressive space–time transition from oceanic to continental subduction at the active convergent margin.

scholarly journals Compressional and extensional tectonics in low-medium pressure granulites from the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica

1995 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Carson ◽  
P. G. H. M. Dirks ◽  
M. Hand ◽  
J. P. Sims ◽  
C. J. L. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
High Strain ◽  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
The South ◽  
Medium Pressure ◽  
Larsemann Hills ◽  
The North ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
Low Pressures ◽  
East West

AbstractMeta-sediments in the Larsemann Hills that preserve a coherent stratigraphy, form a cover sequence deposited upon basement of mafic–felsic granulite. Their outcrop pattern defines a 10 kilometre wide east–west trending synclinal trough structure in which basement–cover contacts differ in the north and the south, suggesting tectonic interleaving during a prograde, D1 thickening event. Subsequent conditions reached low-medium pressure granulite grade, and structures can be divided into two groups, D2 and D3, each defined by a unique lineation direction and shear sense. D2 structures which are associated with the dominant gneissic foliation in much of the Larsemann Hills, contain a moderately east-plunging lineation indicative of west-directed thrusting. D2 comprises a colinear fold sequence that evolved from early intrafolial folds to late upright folds. D3 structures are associated with a high-strain zone, to the south of the Larsemann Hills, where S3 is the dominant gneissic layering and folds sequences resemble D2 folding. Outside the D3 high-strain zone occurs a low-strain D3 window, preserving low-strain D3 structures (minor shear bands and upright folds) that partly re-orient D2 structures. All structures are truncated by a series of planar pegmatites and parallel D4 mylonite zones, recording extensional dextral displacements.D2 assemblages include coexisting garnet–orthopyroxene pairs recording peak conditions of ∼ 7 kbar and ∼ 780°C. Subsequent retrograde decompression textures partly evolved during both D2 and D3 when conditions of ∼ 4–5 kbar and ∼ 750°C were attained. This is followed by D4 shear zones which formed around 3 kbar and ∼ 550°C.It is tempting to combine D2–4 structures in one tectonic cycle involving prograde thrusting and thickening followed by retrograde extension and uplift. The available geochronological data, however, present a number of interpretations. For example, D2 was possibly associated with a clockwise P–T path at medium pressures around ∼ 1000 Ma, by correlation with similar structures developed in the Rauer Group, whilst D3 and D4 events occurred in response to extension and heating at low pressures at ∼ 550 Ma, associated with the emplacement of numerous granitoid bodies. Thus, decompression textures typical for the Larsemann Hills granulites maybe the combined effect of two separate events.

Deformation history of the Marmara Granitoid and implications for a dextral shear zone in NW Anatolia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim Birkan Bayrak ◽  
Işıl Nur Güraslan ◽  
Alp Ünal ◽  
Ömer Kamacı ◽  
Şafak Altunkaynak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Boundary Migration ◽  
Microstructural Analysis ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Brittle Deformation ◽  
Deformation History ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dextral Shear

<p>Marmara granitoid (47 Ma) is a representative example of the Eocene post-collisional magmatism which produced several granitic plutons in NW Anatolia, Turkey. It is a W-E trending sill-like magmatic body which was concordantly emplaced into the metamorphic basement rocks of Erdek Complex and Saraylar Marble. The granitoid is represented by deformed granodiorite which displays well-developed lineation and foliation in meso-scale defined by the elongation of mica and feldspar crystals and recrystallization of quartz however, in some places, magmatic textures are preserved. Deformed granodiorite is broadly cut by aplitic and pegmatitic dikes and contains mafic enclaves which display the same deformation indicators with the main granitoid.</p><p>Microstructural analysis shows that the solid-state deformation of the Marmara granitoid is classified as ductile deformation with high temperatures and ductile-to-brittle deformation with relatively lower temperatures. Evidence for the ductile deformation of the granitoid is represented by chessboard extinction of quartz, grain boundary migration (GBM) and subgrain rotation recrystallisation (SGR) which exhibits that the deformation temperature changed from 600 <sup>o</sup>C to 400<sup>o</sup>C. Bulging recrystallization (BLG), grain size reduction of amphibole, biotite and plagioclases and microcracks on plagioclases were considered as overlying ductile-to-brittle deformation signatures which develop between 300-<250 <sup>o</sup>C temperatures.</p><p>All of these field and micro-structural data collectively suggest that the shear sense indicators such as micafish structures and δ type mantled porphyroclasts displayed stair-steppings pointing out to a right lateral movement, indicating that the structural evolution and deformation history of Marmara granitoid was controlled by a dextral shear zone.</p>

The role of regional-scale shear zones in paleogeographic reconstructions: the case study of the Variscan belt in the Mediterranean area

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Simonetti ◽  
Rodolfo Carosi ◽  
Chiara Montomoli ◽  
Salvatore Iaccarino
Keyword(s):  
Earth Sciences ◽  
Shear Zone ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Variscan Belt ◽  
Metamorphic Evolution ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Shear

<p>Paleogeographic reconstruction and recognition of the tectono-metamorphic evolution of ancient orogenic belt is often complex. The combination of an adequate amount of paleomagnetic, metamorphic, structural and geochronological data is necessary. Fundamental data derive from the study of regional-scale shear zones, that can be directly observed, by combining detailed field work with structural analysis, microstructural analysis and petrochronology. The Southern European Variscan Belt in the Mediterranean area was partially overprinted by the Alpine cycle (Stampfli and Kozur, 2006) and correlations are mainly based on lithological similarities. Little attention has been paid to the compatibility of structures in the dispersed fragments. A main debate is the connection among the Corsica-Sardinia Block (CSB), the Maures-Tanneron Massif (MTM) and the future Alpine External Crystalline Massifs (ECM) (Stampfli et al., 2002; Advokaat et al., 2014) and if these sectors were connected by a network of shear zones of regional extent, known as the East Variscan Shear Zone (EVSZ).</p><p>We present a multidisciplinary study of shear zones cropping out in the CSB (the Posada-Asinara shear zone; Carosi et al., 2020), in the MTM (the Cavalaire Fault; Simonetti et al., 2020a) and in the ECM (the Ferriere-Mollières and the Emosson-Berard shear zones; Simonetti et al., 2018; 2020b).</p><p>Kinematic and finite strain analysis allowed to recognize a transpressional deformation, with a major component of pure shear and a variable component of simple shear, coupled with general flattening deformation. Syn-kinematic paragenesis, microstructures and quartz c-axis fabrics revealed that shear deformation, in all the studied sectors, occurred under decreasing temperature starting from amphibolite-facies up to greenschist-facies. A systematic petrochronological study (U-Th-Pb on monazite collected in the sheared rocks) was conducted in order to constrain the timing of deformation. We obtained ages ranging between ~340 Ma and ~320 Ma. Ages of ~340-330 Ma can be interpreted as the beginning of the activity of the EVSZ along its older branches while ages of ~320 Ma, obtained in all the shear zones, demonstrate that they were all active in the same time span.</p><p>The multidisciplinary approach revealed a similar kinematics and tectono-metamorphic evolution of the studied shear zones contributing to better constrain the extension and timing the EVSZ and to strength the paleogeographic reconstructions of the Southern Variscan belt during Late Carboniferous time, with important implications on the evolution of the Mediterranean area after the Late Paleozoic. This case study demonstrates how paleogeographic reconstructions could benefit from datasets obtained from large-scale structures (i.e., shear zones) that can be directly investigated.</p><p> </p><p>Advokaat et al. (2014). Earth and Planetary Science Letters 401, 183–195</p><p> </p><p>Carosi et al. (2012). Terra Nova 24, 42–51</p><p> </p><p>Carosi and Palmeri (2002). Geological Magazine 139.</p><p> </p><p>Carosi et al. (2020). Geosciences 10, 288.</p><p> </p><p>Simonetti et al (2020a). International Journal of Earth Sciences 109, 2261–2285</p><p> </p><p>Simonetti et al. (2020b). Tectonics 39</p><p> </p><p>Simonetti et al. (2018). International Journal of Earth Sciences. 107, 2163–2189</p><p> </p><p>Stampfli and Kozur (2006). Geological Society, London, Memoirs 32, 57–82</p><p> </p><p>Stampfli et al. (2002). Journal of the Virtual Explorer 8, 77</p>

Microstructural shear bands in mylonites dated using muscovite sub-spectra from high-definition ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) argon diffusion experiments with phengitic white mica

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marnie Forster ◽  
Ruoran Nie ◽  
Sonia Yeung ◽  
Gordon Lister
Keyword(s):  
High Vacuum ◽  
Microstructural Analysis ◽  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
White Mica ◽  
Ultra High Vacuum ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ar Geochronology

<p>With excellent outcrop, the eclogite-blueschist belt exposed in the Cycladic archipelago in the Aegean Sea, Greece, offers a spectacular natural laboratory in which to decipher the structural geology of a highly extended orogenic belt and to ascertain the history of the different fabrics and microstructures that can be observed. Using phengitic white mica we demonstrate a robust correlation of age with microstructure, once again dispelling the myth that <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar geochronology using this mineral, produces cooling ages alone.</p><p>Further, we show that high-definition ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) <sup>39</sup>Ar diffusion experiments using phengitic white mica routinely allow the extraction of muscovite sub-spectra in the first 10-30% of <sup>39</sup>Ar gas release during <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar geochronology. The muscovite sub-spectrum is distinct and separate to the main spectrum which is dominated by mixing of gas released from phengite as well as muscovite. The muscovite sub-spectra allow consistent estimates of the timing of the formation of microstructural shear bands in various mylonites, as well as allowing quantitative estimates of temperature variation with time during the cooling history of the eclogite-blueschist belt. Our new data reveals hitherto unsuspected variation in the timing of exhumation of individual slices of the eclogite-blueschist belt, caused by Eocene and Miocene detachment-related shear zones.</p><p>This study thus illustrates a new method for the quantitative determination of the timing of movement in mylonites and/or in strongly stretched metamorphic tectonites. Shear bands formed in such structures are rarely coarsely crystalline enough to allow mineral grains that can be individually dated using laser spot analysis. Where phengitic white mica is involved, interlaying is usually so fine as to preclude the application of laser methods. In any case, laser methods do not have the capability of extracting exact and detailed age-temperature spectra, and can never achieve the definition of the multitudinous steps of the age spectrum evident from our high-definition UHV diffusion experiments.</p><p>Previous work in the Cycladic eclogite-blueschist belt has incorrectly assumed that the diffusion parameters for phengitic white mica were the same as for muscovite. Arrhenius data suggest this is not the case, and that phengitic white mica is considerably more retentive of argon than muscovite. Previous workers have also erred in dismissing microstructural variation in age as an artefact, supposedly as the result of the incorporation of excess argon. This has led to inconsistencies in interpretation, because phengite is able to retain argon at temperatures that exceed those estimated using metamorphic mineral parageneses. In consequence, we discover a robust correlation between microstructure and age, even down to the detail present in complex tectonic sequence diagrams produced during fabric and microstructural analysis of individual thin-sections.</p><p>A critical factor is that the recognition of muscovite sub-spectra requires Arrhenius data in order to recognise the steps dominated by release of <sup>39</sup>Ar from muscovite. In turn this requires precise measurement of temperature during each heating step. To apply percentage-release formula for the estimation of diffusivity, there must be a sharp rise to the temperature in question, then that temperature must be maintained at a constant value, then dropped sharply to relatively low values.</p>

scholarly journals The Alps-Apennines Interference Zone: A Perspective from the Maritime and Wester Ligurian Alps

Geosciences ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Piana ◽  
Luca Barale ◽  
Carlo Bertok ◽  
Anna d’Atri ◽  
Andrea Irace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Western Alps ◽  
Structural Systems ◽  
Early Oligocene ◽  
Ligurian Alps ◽  
Tectonic Transport ◽  
The Alps ◽  
Southwestern Alps ◽  
Transfer Zone ◽  
Scale Shear

In SW Piemonte the Western Alps arc ends off in a narrow, E-W trending zone, where some geological domains of the Alps converged. Based on a critical review of available data, integrated with new field data, it is concluded that the southern termination of Western Alps recorded the Oligocene-Miocene activity of a regional transfer zone (southwestern Alps Transfer, SWAT) already postulated in the literature, which should have allowed, since early Oligocene, the westward indentation of Adria, while the regional shortening of SW Alps and tectonic transport toward the SSW (Dauphinois foreland) was continuing. This transfer zone corresponds to a system of deformation units and km-scale shear zones (Gardetta-Viozene Zone, GVZ). The GVZ/SWAT developed externally to the Penninic Front (PF), here corresponding to the Internal Briançonnais Front (IBF), which separates the Internal Briançonnais domain, affected by major tectono-metamorphic transformations, from the External Briançonnais, subjected only to anchizonal metamorphic conditions. The postcollisional evolution of the SW Alps axial belt units was recorded by the Oligocene to Miocene inner syn-orogenic basin (Tertiary Piemonte Basin, TPB), which rests also on the Ligurian units stacked within the adjoining Apennines belt in southern Piemonte. The TPB successions were controlled by transpressive faults propagating (to E and NE) from the previously formed Alpine belt, as well as by the Apennine thrusts that were progressively stacking the Ligurian units, resting on the subducting Adriatic continental margin, with the TPB units themselves. This allows correlation between Alps and Apennines kinematics, in terms of age of the main geologic events, interference between the main structural systems and tectonic control exerted by both tectonic belts on the same syn-orogenic basin.

Taconian and Acadian transpression between the internal Humber Zone and the Gaspé Belt in the Gaspé Peninsula: tectonic history of the Shickshock Sud fault zone

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul E Sacks ◽  
Michel Malo ◽  
Walter E Trzcienski, Jr ◽  
Alix Pincivy ◽  
Patrice Gosselin
Keyword(s):  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Tectonic History ◽  
Movement Kinematic ◽  
Deformation Features ◽  
History Of ◽  
Laurentian Margin ◽  
Strike Slip Movement

The Shickshock Sud fault has a history of Ordovician (Taconian), Silurian (Salinic), and Devonian (Acadian) movements. Taconian deformation involving ductile dextral oblique-slip faulting is recorded in Cambrian rocks in the footwall of the Shickshock Sud fault. Metabasalt and metaarkose at amphibolite grade are converted into phyllonite and mylonitic schist. Shear bands, asymmetric garnet porphyroclasts, C–S fabrics, and mica-fish textures indicate dextral shearing. The regional sense of shear is top to west and southwest on generally southeast dipping shear zones. Hornblende of metabasalt yielded an 40Ar/39Ar age of 455.9 ± 2 Ma, and muscovite from the mylonitic schist yielded an 40Ar/39Ar age of 454.3 ± 0.9 Ma, which indicate metamorphism and deformation during the Taconian orogeny. Evidence for Silurian activity is indicated by the Salinic unconformity to the south related to normal block-faulting. Deformation features in the Ordovician and Silurian–Devonian rocks in the hanging wall were predominantly brittle and involved dextral transpression. Kinematic indicators point to predominantly dextral strike-slip movement. Kinematic analysis of brittle fault-slip data indicates that the shortening axis direction during strike-slip deformation was northwest–southeast and subhorizontal, which is essentially coaxial to the average pole of Acadian cleavage. Deformation in the hanging wall of the Shickshock Sud fault is Acadian-related. The irregular geometry of the Laurentian margin, including the Grenville basement, might be the cause for Taconian and Acadian transpression in the Gaspé Appalachians.

Kinematic evolution of metre-scale shear zones in foliated low-grade tectonites: an example from the Bousquet gold district, Quebec

1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1301-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghislain Tourigny ◽  
Francis Chartrand
Keyword(s):  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Acute Angle ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Plan View ◽  
Kinematic Indicators ◽  
Kinematic Evolution ◽  
Dextral Shear ◽  
Scale Shear

Small-scale subvertical shear zones developed parallel to a regional preexisting S2 schistosity exhibit evidence of a complex shearing history recorded by conflicting kinematic indicators in both crosssection and plan view. The concordant schistosity internal to the shear zones contains a steeply plunging stretching lineation. Coexisting kinematic indicators of non-coaxial deformation parallel to this lineation are compatible with reverse dip-slip. This earliest shearing event was characterized by (1) the development of several shear discontinuities along selected preexisting S2 foliation surfaces, (2) subvertical transposition of both bedding and the oldest (S1) flat-lying foliation, and (3) by the emplacement of shear veins along the S2 foliation planes. The youngest shearing event reactivated the foliation-parallel shear discontinuities as dextral shear planes, thereby causing concomitant subhorizontal retransposition, east–west subhorizontal stretching, and emplacement of en echelon extension veins. A single set of shear bands occurring at a clockwise acute angle to the slipping foliation indicates that small-scale shear zones were transpressional during the late dextral shearing.

Mazatzal–Labradorian-age (1.7–1.6 Ga) ductile deformation of the South Range Sudbury impact structure at the Thayer Lindsley mine, Ontario

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 1491-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Bailey ◽  
B Lafrance ◽  
A M McDonald ◽  
J S Fedorowich ◽  
S Kamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Impact Structure ◽  
The South ◽  
Tectonic Event ◽  
Southern Province ◽  
Sudbury Igneous Complex ◽  
Shear Sense

The Thayer Lindsley mine is located in the South Range of the Sudbury impact structure, near the contact between the 1.85 Ga Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) and the Paleoproterozoic Southern Province. Ni–Cu ore zones at the mine are strongly deformed within a southeast-dipping, lower amphibolite-grade shear zone, which offsets the contact between the SIC and Southern Province rocks. Numerous shear sense indicators, including shear bands, drag folds, and δ- and σ-type rotated porphyroclasts, consistently indicate south-over-north, reverse, dip-slip movement parallel to the mineral stretching lineation in the shear zone. The attitude, slip direction, and metamorphic grade of the shear zone are similar to those of the regional northeast-striking South Range Shear Zone that formed during post-impact, northwest-directed ductile contraction of the Sudbury impact structure. The South Range Shear Zone is generally interpreted as a ca. 1.9–1.8 Ga Penokean structure. Anhedral brown titanite grains from the Thayer Lindsley shear zone yield a mean 207Pb/206Pb Penokean age of 1815 ± 15 Ma. These grains are mantled by younger, syntectonic, colourless titanite, which have a mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 1658 ± 68 Ma. This younger age suggests that the South Range and Thayer Lindsley shear zones may have formed during a 1.7–1.6 Ga collisional tectonic event that is recorded along the southeast margin of Laurentia from the southwest USA. (Mazatzal Orogeny), through the mid-continent to Wisconsin, and as far northeast as Labrador (Labradorian Orogeny). 40Ar/39Ar analyses indicate post-tectonic thermal resetting of biotite occurred at 1477 ± 8 Ma during felsic plutonism across the Sudbury area.

Timing of fluorite mineralization and exhumation events in the east Central Alborz Mountains, northern Iran: constraints from fluorite (U–Th)/He thermochronometry

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Behnam Shafiei Bafti ◽  
István Dunkl ◽  
Saeed Madanipour
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Relaxation ◽  
Geothermal Gradient ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Lower Amount ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
East Central ◽  
Central Alborz ◽  
Ore Mineralization ◽  
History Of

Abstract The recently developed fluorite (U–Th)/He thermochronology (FHe) technique was applied to date fluorite mineralization and elucidate the exhumation history of the Mazandaran Fluorspar Mining District (MFMD) located in the east Central Alborz Mountains, Iran. A total of 32 fluorite single-crystal samples from four Middle Triassic carbonate-hosted fluorite deposits were dated. The presented FHe ages range between c. 85 Ma (age of fluorite mineralization) and c. 20 Ma (erosional cooling during the exhumation of the Alborz Mountains). The Late Cretaceous FHe ages (i.e. 84.5 ± 3.6, 78.8 ± 4.4 and 72.3 ± 3.5 Ma) are interpreted as the age of mineralization and confirm an epigenetic origin for ore mineralization in the MFMD, likely a result of prolonged hydrothermal circulation of basinal brines through potential source rocks. Most FHe ages scatter around the Eocene Epoch (55.4 ± 3.9 to 33.1 ± 1.7 Ma), recording an important cooling event after heating by regional magmatism in an extensional tectonic regime. Cooling of the heated fluorites, as a result of thermal relaxation in response to geothermal gradient re-equilibration after the end of magmatism, or exhumation cooling during extensional tectonics characterized by lower amount of erosion are most probably the causes of the recorded Eocene FHe cooling ages. Oligocene–Miocene FHe ages (i.e. 27.6 ± 1.4 to 19.5 ± 1.1 Ma) are related to the accelerated uplift of the whole Alborz Mountains, possibly as a result of the initial collision between the Afro-Arabian and Eurasian plates further to the south.

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