scholarly journals Kinematics and Geochronology of Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic Ductile Deformation in the Alxa Block, NW China: New Constraints on the Evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Lithosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beihang Zhang ◽  
Jin Zhang ◽  
Heng Zhao ◽  
Junfeng Qu ◽  
Yiping Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Late Paleozoic ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
Early Mesozoic ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Dextral Shear ◽  
Ductile Shear

Abstract Strike-slip faults are widely developed throughout the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), one of the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogenic collages in the world, and may have played a key role in its evolution. Recent studies have shown that a large number of Late Paleozoic–Early Mesozoic ductile shear zones developed along the southern CAOB. This study reports the discovery of a NW–SE striking, approximately 500 km long and up to 2 km wide regional ductile shear zone in the southern Alxa Block, the Southern Alxa Ductile Shear Zone (SADSZ), which is located in the central part of the southern CAOB. The nearly vertical mylonitic foliation and subhorizontal stretching lineation indicate that the SADSZ is a ductile strike-slip shear zone, and various kinematic indicators indicate dextral shearing. The zircon U-Pb ages and the 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of the muscovite and biotite indicate that the dextral ductile shearing was active during Middle Permian to Middle Triassic (ca. 269–240 Ma). The least horizontal displacement of the SADSZ is constrained between ca. 40 and 50 km. The aeromagnetic data shows that the SADSZ is in structural continuity with the coeval shear zones in the central and northern Alxa Block, and these connected shear zones form a ductile strike-slip duplex in the central part of the southern CAOB. The ductile strike-slip duplex in the Alxa Block, including the SADSZ, connected the dextral ductile shear zones in the western and eastern parts of the southern CAOB to form a 3000 km long E-W trending dextral shear zone, which developed along the southern CAOB during Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic. This large-scale dextral shear zone was caused by the eastward migration of the orogenic collages and blocks of the CAOB and indicates a transition from convergence to transcurrent setting of the southern CAOB during Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic.

The influence of the heterogeneous asperity distribution on induced seismicity and permeability evolution during hydraulic fault zone stimulation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linus Villiger ◽  
Dominik Zbinden ◽  
Antonio Pio Rinaldi ◽  
Paul Antony Selvadurai ◽  
Hannes Krietsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
Permeability Evolution ◽  
Permeability Enhancement ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Injection Interval ◽  
Ductile Shear ◽  
Asperity Distribution

<p>Several decameter-scale in-situ stimulation experiments were conducted in crystalline rock at the Grimsel Test Site, Switzerland, with the aim to advance our understanding of the seismo-hydro-mechanical processes associated with deep geothermal reservoir stimulation. To allow comparability between the experiments, a standardized injection protocol was applied for all experiments. Induced seismicity was recorded using acoustic emission sensors and accelerometers, which were distributed along tunnel walls and within four boreholes. Hydro-mechanical responses of the fault zones were measured using grouted longitudinal fiberoptic strain sensors and open pressure monitoring borehole intervals. A total of four ductile shear zones (with brittle overprint) and two brittle-ductile shear zones have been stimulated during these experiments.</p><p>Here we present an analysis of heterogeneous permeability evolution within a target shear zone during ongoing stimulation. The shear zone in question is an originally ductile shear zone which contains a single fracture in the injection interval. The observed planar seismicity cloud indicates that most of the stimulation process was confined within the target shear zone. Hydraulic characterization of the injection interval before and after stimulation revealed an enhancement in interval transmissivity from 8.3<sup>-</sup>10<sup>-11</sup> m<sup>2</sup>/s to 1.5<sup>-7</sup> m<sup>2</sup>/s. Within the reservoir, the seismo-hydro-mechanical data (i.e. seismicity cloud, pressure peaks and local deformation) spatiotemporally coincide, suggesting that permeability enhancement along the shear zone is highly localized and heterogeneous. Thus, we argue that the permeability evolution is linked to asperity distribution and breakdown within the shear zone.</p><p>The conceptual model developed from the experimental analysis is implemented in a three-dimensional numerical model, with which we attempt to simulate the directional permeability creation observed in the experiment. The model accounts for a discrete planar fault zone of finite thickness with distributed low-permeability, brittle asperities embedded in a more permeable damage zone mimicking the ductile shear zone at Grimsel. The hydro-mechanical processes are modeled with the TOUGH-FLAC simulator, which sequentially couples fluid flow and poroelastic deformation within the fault and the surrounding medium. A Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion is used to simulate asperity reactivation, which can lead to permeability enhancement of the reactivated area.</p>

Macro- and microstructural analysis of the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone, Hengshan Complex: Tectonic nature and geodynamic implications of the evolution of Trans−North China orogen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingchao He ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Changqing Yin ◽  
Jiahui Qian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
North China ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Slip Systems ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
Crustal Rocks ◽  
Ductile Shear ◽  
Lower Crustal

In worldwide orogenic belts, crustal-scale ductile shear zones are important tectonic channels along which the orogenic root (i.e., high-grade metamorphic lower-crustal rocks) commonly experienced a relatively quick exhumation or uplift process. However, their tectonic nature and geodynamic processes are poorly constrained. In the Trans−North China orogen, the crustal-scale Zhujiafang ductile shear zone represents a major tectonic boundary separating the upper and lower crusts of the orogen. Its tectonic nature, structural features, and timing provide vital information into understanding this issue. Detailed field observations showed that the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone experienced polyphase deformation. Variable macro- and microscopic kinematic indicators are extensively preserved in the highly sheared tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) and supracrustal rock assemblages and indicate an obvious dextral strike-slip and dip-slip sense of shear. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) was utilized to further determine the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of typical rock-forming minerals, including hornblende, quartz, and feldspar. EBSD results indicate that the hornblendes are characterized by (100) <001> and (110) <001> slip systems, whereas quartz grains are dominated by prism <a> and prism <c> slip systems, suggesting an approximate shear condition of 650−700 °C. This result is consistent with traditional thermobarometry pressure-temperature calculations implemented on the same mineral assemblages. Combined with previously reported metamorphic data in the Trans−North China orogen, we suggest that the Zhujiafang supracrustal rocks were initially buried down to ∼30 km depth, where high differential stress triggered the large-scale ductile shear between the upper and lower crusts. The high-grade lower-crustal rocks were consequently exhumed upwards along the shear zone, synchronous with extensive isothermal decompression metamorphism. The timing of peak collision-related crustal thickening was further constrained by the ca. 1930 Ma metamorphic zircon ages, whereas a subsequent exhumation event was manifested by ca. 1860 Ma syntectonic granitic veins and the available Ar-Ar ages of the region. The Zhujiafang ductile shear zone thus essentially record an integrated geodynamic process of initial collision, crustal thickening, and exhumation involved in formation of the Trans−North China orogen at 1.9−1.8 Ga.

Two Paleoproterozoic metamorphic events in the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone of the Hengshan Complex: Insights into the tectonic evolution of the North China Craton

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahui Qian
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
North China Craton ◽  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
North China ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
Garnet Amphibolite ◽  
Inclusion Type ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Ductile Shear

<p>Ductile shear zones <span>usually record mineralogical and isotopic changes that are not apparent in the surrounding host rocks and thus may preserve a complete evolutionary record in a single locale from relatively undeformed to highly deformed rocks. </span>The Zhujiafang ductile shear zone is situated in the central Hengshan Complex, a key area for understanding the Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen, North China Craton. Detailed metamorphic and geochronological analyses were carried out on metapelite and garnet amphibolite from the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone. The metapelite preserves two phases of mineral assemblages: early kyanite-rutile-bearing assemblage and late chlorite-staurolite-bearing assemblage in garnet–mica schist, and inclusion-type muscovite (high-Si) + kyanite assemblage and late sillimanite-bearing assemblage in sillimanite–mica gneiss. Garnet in the metapelite occasionally exhibits pronounced two-stage zoning characteristic of a diffusion core with irregular pyrope (X<sub>py</sub>) and grossular (X<sub>gr</sub>) contents and a growth rim with X<sub>py</sub> and X<sub>gr</sub> increasing outwards. The isopleths of the maximum X<sub>gr</sub> in garnet core and Si content in inclusion-type muscovite in the P–T pseudosections suggest that the early mineral assemblages underwent medium-high-pressure type metamorphism with pressures up to 12–14 kbar at 700–750 °C. The late assemblages and the growth zoning of garnet rim predict a late separated clockwise P–T path with peak conditions of 6.5 ± 0.2 kbar/620 ± 10 °C (medium-low-pressure type). The garnet amphibolite is mainly composed of garnet, hornblende, plagioclase, ilmenite and quartz, without overprinting of late mineral assemblages except for localized corona textures. Phase modeling suggests that the rock has experienced high-amphibolite facies metamorphism with peak conditions of 10.5 ± 0.8 kbar/770 ± 50 °C, which is broadly consistent with the early-phase metamorphism of metapelite. Zircon U–Pb dating on metapelite yields two metamorphic age groups of 1.96–1.92 Ga and 1.87–1.86 Ga which are interpreted to represent the timing of the two separated phases of metamorphism. Two separated orogenic events may have occurred respectively at ~1.95 Ga and ~1.85 Ga in the Hengshan–Wutai area. The older orogeny was resulted from continental collision and the younger one may be caused by within-plate deformation. The final exhumation of the high-grade rocks formed in the older (i.e. 1.95 Ga) orogeny should be related with the younger deformation/metamorphic event. For more details, please refer to <span>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2019.02.001.</span></p>

Ductile shear zones – future perspectives

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Schrank
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Rheological Behaviour ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
In Situ Experiments ◽  
Ductile Shear ◽  
Physical Consequences

<p>About 50 years ago, John Ramsay and colleagues established the thorough foundation for the field-scale observational and mathematical description of the structures, deformation, and kinematics in ductile shear zones. Since then, these probably most important instabilities of the ductile lithosphere enjoyed an almost explosive growth in scientific attention. It is perhaps fair to say that this tremendous research effort featured four main themes:</p><p> </p><p>[1] The historic scientific nucleus – quantification of shear-zone geometry, strain and associated kinematic history from field observations</p><p> </p><p>[2] Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microphysical deformation mechanisms in the field and the laboratory</p><p> </p><p>[3] Shear-zone rheology</p><p> </p><p>[4] The development of physically consistent mathematical models for shear zones, mainly using continuum mechanics.</p><p> </p><p>In concert, these four cornerstones of shear-zone research enabled tremendous progress in our understanding of why and how ductile shear zones form. So, what are some of the outstanding problems?</p><p> </p><p>A truly comprehensive model for ductile shear zones must account for the vast range of length and time scales involved, each easily covering ten orders of magnitude, as well as the associated intimate coupling between thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, and chemical processes. The multi-scale and multi-physics nature of ductile shear zones generates scientific challenges for all four research themes named above. This presentation is dedicated to highlighting exciting challenges in themes 2, and 3 and 4.</p><p> </p><p>In the microanalytical arena [2], the nano-scale is an exciting new frontier, especially when it comes to the interplay between metamorphism and ductile deformation. The nano-frontier can be tackled with new synchrotron methods. I showcase some applications to fossil shear-zone samples and discuss opportunities for in-situ experiments. In the domain of rheology [3], I present some simple experiments with strain-softening materials and field observations that support the notion: transient rheological behaviour is very important for shear localisation. In the modelling domain [4], some recent examples for the intriguing physical consequences predicted by new multi-physics and cross-scale coupling terms in ductile localisation problems are illustrated.</p>

Complex kinematics in a major ductile shear zone, NW Shetland: Evidence of ductile extrusion during Caledonian transpression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Armitage ◽  
Robert Holdsworth ◽  
Robin Strachan ◽  
Thomas Zach ◽  
Diana Alvarez-Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
White Mica ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Amphibolite Facies ◽  
Lateral Extrusion ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
Ductile Shear

<p>Ductile shear zones are heterogeneous areas of strain localisation which often display variation in strain geometry and combinations of coaxial and non-coaxial deformation. One such heterogeneous shear zone is the c. 2 km thick Uyea Shear Zone (USZ) in northwest Mainland Shetland (UK), which separates variably deformed Neoarchaean orthogneisses in its footwall from Neoproterozoic metasediments in its hanging wall (Fig. a). The USZ is characterised by decimetre-scale layers of dip-slip thrusting and extension, strike-slip sinistral and dextral shear senses and interleaved ultramylonitic coaxially deformed horizons. Within the zones of transition between shear sense layers, mineral lineations swing from foliation down-dip to foliation-parallel in kinematically compatible, anticlockwise/clockwise-rotations on a local and regional scale (Fig. b). Rb-Sr dating of white mica grains via laser ablation indicates a c. 440-425 Ma Caledonian age for dip-slip and strike-slip layers and an 800 Ma Neoproterozoic age for coaxial layers. Quartz opening angles and microstructures suggest an upper-greenschist to lower-amphibolite facies temperature for deformation. We propose that a Neoproterozoic, coaxial event is overprinted by Caledonian sinistral transpression under upper greenschist/lower amphibolite facies conditions. Interleaved kinematics and mineral lineation swings are attributed to result from differential flow rates resulting in vertical and lateral extrusion and indicate regional-scale sinistral transpression during the Caledonian orogeny in NW Shetland. This study highlights the importance of linking geochronology to microstructures in a poly-deformed terrane and is a rare example of a highly heterogeneous shear zone in which both vertical and lateral extrusion occurred during transpression.</p><p><img src="https://contentmanager.copernicus.org/fileStorageProxy.php?f=gepj.0cf6ef44e5ff57820599061/sdaolpUECMynit/12UGE&app=m&a=0&c=d96bb6db75eed0739f2a6ee90c9ad8fd&ct=x&pn=gepj.elif&d=1" alt=""></p>

Development of C- shear bands in brittle-ductile shear zones: Insights from analogue and numerical models.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnab Roy ◽  
Nandan Roy ◽  
Puspendu Saha ◽  
Nibir Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Shear Bands ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Rheological Parameters ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Analogue Models ◽  
Ductile Shear

<p>Development of brittle and brittle-ductile shear zones involve partitioning of large shear strains in bands, called C-shear bands (C-SB) nearly parallel to the shear zone boundaries. Our present work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the rheological factors in controlling such SB growth in meter scale natural brittle- ductile shear zones observed in in Singbhum and Chotonagpur mobile belts.  The shear zones show C- SB at an angle of 0°- 5° with the shear zone boundary. We used analogue models, based on Coulomb and Viscoplastic rheology to reproduce them in experimental conditions.</p><p>These models produce dominantly Riedel (R) shear bands. We show a transition from R-shearing in conjugate to single sets at angles of ~15<sup>o</sup> by changing model materials. However, none of the analogue models produced C-SB, as observed in the field. To reconcile the experimental and field findings, numeral models have been used to better constrain the geometrical and rheological parameters. We simulate model shear zones replicating those observed in the field, which display two distinct zones: drag zone where the viscous strains dominate  and the core zone, where both viscous and plastic strains come into play.  Numerical model results suggest the formation of  C- SB for a specific rheological condition. We also show varying shear band patterns as a function of the thickness ratio between drag and core zones.</p>

Strain-partitioned dextral transpression in the Great Boundary Fault Zone around Chittaurgarh, NW Indian Shield

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Deepak C. Srivastava ◽  
Ajanta Goswami ◽  
Amit Sahay
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Damage Zone ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Indian Shield ◽  
Boundary Fault ◽  
The Core ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Shear

Abstract Delimiting the Aravalli mountain range in the east, the Great Boundary Fault (GBF) occurs as a crustal-scale tectonic lineament in the NW Indian Shield. The structural and tectonic characteristics of the GBF are, as yet, not well-understood. We attempt to fill this gap by using a combination of satellite image processing, high-resolution outcrop mapping and structural analysis around Chittaurgarh. The study area exposes the core and damage zone of the GBF. Three successive phases of folding, F1, F2 and F3, are associated with deformation in the GBF. The large-scale structural characteristics of the GBF core are: (i) a non-coaxial refolding of F1 folds by F2 folds; and (ii) the parallelism between the GBF and F2 axial traces. In addition, numerous metre-scale ductile shear zones cut through the rocks in the GBF core. The damage zone is characterized by the large-scale F1 folds and the mesoscopic-scale strike-slip faults, thrusts and brittle-ductile shear zones. Several lines of evidence, such as the inconsistent overprinting relationship between the strike-slip faults and thrusts, the occurrence of en échelon folds and the palaeostress directions suggest that the GBF is a dextral transpression fault zone. Structural geometry and kinematic indicators imply a wrench- and contraction-dominated deformation in the core and damage zone, respectively. We infer that the GBF is a strain-partitioned dextral transpression zone.

scholarly journals Protracted deformation during cooling of the Paleoproterozoic arc system as constrained by 40Ar/39Ar ages of muscovite from brittle faults: the Transamazonan Bacajá Terrane, Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-440
Author(s):  
Edimar Perico ◽  
Carlos Eduardo de Mesquita Barros ◽  
Fernando Mancini ◽  
Sidnei Pires Rostirolla
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Tectonic Stress ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Geochronological Data ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Shear

ABSTRACT: In the Paleoproterozoic Transamazonas Province, synkinematic granitogenesis has taken place synchronously with compressive tectonic stress. The synkinematic character of the granites is marked by their WNW elongate shape, and by the presence of pervasive and concordant synmagmatic foliation. Ductile shear zones are concordant to the previous regional WNW structures, and tend to be accommodated along contacts between Rhyacian synkinematic granitoids and both Archean orthogneisses and Siderian metabasites. Locally phyllonitic shear zones and brittle-ductile shear zones with cataclasites are oriented subparallel to the preexisting ductile foliation. Late orogenic brittle faults N30E-trending strike-slip faults are either sinistral or destral. 40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovite developed on fault planes gave ages of 1977 ± 8 Ma and 1968 ± 11 Ma. Structural and geochronological data from rocks of the Transamazonas Province permit to conclude that most mylonites and brittle structures were controlled by preexisting structures such as geological contacts and petrographic facies boundaries. Compressive tectonic stress would have initiated at ca. 2100 Ma, since the former magmatic arc (Bacajaí complex), still present at 2070 Ma when syntectonic granites were emplaced and remained until 1975 Ma after granite plutonism and regional cooling.

scholarly journals Polyphase deformation along the South Bohemian Batholith-Moldanubian nappes boundary – The Freyenstein Fault System (Bohemian Massif/Austria)

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 139-153
Author(s):  
Gerit E. U. Griesmeier ◽  
Christoph Iglseder ◽  
Ralf Schuster ◽  
Konstantin Petrakakis
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Bohemian Massif ◽  
Potassium Feldspar ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Greenschist Facies ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
The South ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
Ductile Shear

AbstractThis work describes the Freyenstein Fault System, which extends over 45 km in the southeastern part of the Bohemian Massif (Lower Austria). It represents a ductile shear zone overprinted by a brittle fault located at the eastern edge of the South Bohemian Batholith towards the Moldanubian nappes. It affects Weinsberg- and a more “fine-grained” granite, interlayered aplitic granite and pegmatite dikes as well as paragneiss of the Ostrong Nappe System. The ductile shear zone is represented by approximately 500 m thick greenschist-facies mylonite dipping about 60° to the southeast. Shear-sense criteria like clast geometries, SCC`-type shear band fabrics as well as abundant microstructures show top to the south/ southsouthwest normal shearing with a dextral strike-slip component. Mineral assemblages in mylonitized granitoid consist of pre- to syntectonic muscovite- and biotite-porphyroclasts as well as dynamically recrystallized potassium feldspar, plagioclase and quartz. Dynamic recrystallization of potassium feldspar and the stability of biotite indicate upper green-schist-facies metamorphic conditions during the early phase of deformation. Fluid infiltration at lower greenschist-facies conditions led to local sericitization of feldspar and synmylonitic chloritisation of biotite during a later stage of ductile deformation. Finally, a brittle overprint by a north-south trending, subvertical, sinistral strike-slip fault that shows a normal component is observed. Ductile normal shearing along the Freyenstein Shear Zone is interpreted to have occurred between 320 Ma and c. 300 Ma. This time interval is indicated by literature data on the emplacement of the hostrock and cooling below c. 300°C inferred from two Rb-Sr biotite ages measured on undeformed granites close to the shear zone yielding 309.6 ± 3 Ma and 290.9 ± 2.9 Ma, respectively. Brittle sinistral strike-slip faulting at less than 300°C presumably took place not earlier than 300 Ma. Early ductile shearing along the Freyenstein Fault System may be genetically, but not kinematically linked to the Strudengau Shear Zone, as both acted in an extensional regime during late Variscan orogenic collapse. A relation to other major northeast-southwest trending faults of this part of the Bohemian Massif (e.g. the Vitis-Pribyslav Fault System) is indicated for the phase of brittle sinistral movement.

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