scholarly journals Unravelling the evolution of regional-scale shear zones with the aid of microstructures and textural analysis: an example from the central Himalaya

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Laura Nania
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Textural Analysis ◽  
Central Himalaya ◽  
Scale Shear

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>

Comparing 3D vs 2D approach in vorticity estimates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Montemagni ◽  
Stefano Zanchetta ◽  
Salvatore Iaccarino ◽  
Chiara Montomoli ◽  
Rodolfo Carosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Main Central Thrust ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
Scale Shear

<p>Kinematic analysis of flow is becoming a well-established methodology, increasingly applied for its capability to contribute to the solution of complex topics in structural geology and tectonics, such as shear zones deforming by general shear.</p><p>Vorticity evaluations based on stable porphyroclasts method have been used for many years to deduce large-scale tectonics of shear zones with different kinematics (Fossen & Cavalcante, 2017). However, limitations occur because a complex three dimensional problem, the motion of rigid clasts in a flowing matrix, is reduced to its two-dimensional analysis on the XZ plane of the finite strain ellipsoid (Iacopini et al., 2011; Mancktelow, 2013). Therefore vorticity estimates are limited by the extrapolation to three dimensions of two-dimensional data.</p><p>We propose a totally new 3D approach based on the use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (X-ray micro-CT) that reflects the real 3D geometry and orientation of the porphyroclasts population. X-ray micro-CT allows to face the loss of dimensionality information imaging the rock sample in three dimensions and produces stacks of 2D grey-scale value images, called “slices”, that combined in 3D allow observing the internal structure of the scanned sample.</p><p>We tested this approach chiefly on mylonitic orthogneiss from an intensively studied crustal scale shear zone: the Main Central Thrust zone (MCTz) of the Himalaya orogenic belt. Mylonites samples from other regional-scale shear zones in the Alps have been also used for comparison.</p><p>The first and foremost consideration is that the use of micro-CT certainly increases the number of investigated clasts because hand samples are scanned: all clasts are evaluated. Micro-CT minimizes the problems due to the isolation factor, as it becomes possible to only select the clasts that do not interact with each other. Moreover, observation in three dimensions allows a more realistic evaluation of the aspect ratios and radii of clasts, avoiding erroneous measurements that generate systematic errors in the vorticity evaluation.</p><p>We would like to stress that using the microCT we are able to evaluate all the clasts in the sample, avoiding those which do not meet the prerequisites of the method, otherwise not possible using classical 2D thin section based analysis.</p><p> </p><p>Fossen H. & Cavalcante G.C.G., 2017. Earth-Sci. Rev., <strong>171</strong>, 434–455.</p><p>Iacopini D. et alii, 2011. GSL Spec. Publ., <strong>360</strong>, 301–318.</p><p>Mancktelow N.S., 2013. J. Struct. Geol., <strong>46</strong>, 235-254.</p><p>Montemagni C. et alii, 2020. Terra Nova, <strong>32</strong>, 215-224.</p>

Chapter 8 Outboard-migrating accretionary orogeny at 1.9–1.8 Ga (Svecokarelian) along a margin to the continent Fennoscandia

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Base Metal ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Base Metal Sulphide ◽  
Metal Sulphide ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Strike Slip Movement

AbstractAn intimate lithostratigraphic and lithodemic connection between syn-orogenic rock masses inside the different lithotectonic units of the 2.0–1.8 Ga (Svecokarelian) orogen, Sweden, is proposed. A repetitive cyclic tectonic evolution occurred during the time period c. 1.91–1.75 Ga, each cycle lasting about 50–55 million years. Volcanic rocks (c. 1.91–1.88 Ga) belonging to the earliest cycle are host to most of the base metal sulphide and Fe oxide deposits inside the orogen. Preservation of relict trails of continental magmatic arcs and intra-arc basins is inferred, with differences in the depth of basin deposition controlling, for example, contrasting types of base metal sulphide deposits along different trails. The segmented geometry of these continental magmatic arcs and intra-arc basins is related to strike-slip movement along ductile shear zones during transpressive events around and after 1.88 Ga; late orogenic folding also disturbed their orientation on a regional scale. A linear northwesterly orogenic trend is suggested prior to this structural overprint, the strike-slip movement being mainly parallel to the orogen. A solely accretionary orogenic model along an active margin to the continent Fennoscandia, without any trace of a terminal continent–continent collision, is preferred. Alternating retreating and advancing subduction modes that migrated progressively outboard and southwestwards in time account for the tectonic cycles.

scholarly journals Eburnean deformation pattern of Burkina Faso and the tectonic significance of shear zones in the West African craton

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Chardon ◽  
Ousmane Bamba ◽  
Kalidou Traoré
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Shear Zone ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Kinematic Model ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
West African ◽  
Deformation Pattern ◽  
The West ◽  
West African Craton ◽  
Regional Flow

Shear zones of the Paleoproterozoic Eburnean accretionary Orogen (West African craton) are investigated by means of large-scale structural mapping. Regional scale (10-100 km) mapping was based on the aeromagnetic survey of Burkina Faso and craton-scale (1000 km) mapping on a compilation of fabric data. At both scales, shear zones are arranged as an anastomosed transpressional network that accommodated distributed shortening and lateral flow of the orogenic lithosphere between the converging Kénéma-Man and Congo Archean provinces. Structural interference patterns at both scales were due to three-dimensional partitioning of progressive transpressional deformation and interactions among shear zones that absorbed heterogeneities in the regional flow patterns while maintaining the connectivity of the shear zone network. Such orogen-scale kinematic patterns call for caution in using the deformation phase approach without considering the “bigger structural picture” and interpreting displacement history of individual shear zones in terms of plate kinematics. The West African shear zone pattern is linked to that of the Guiana shield through a new transatlantic correlation to produce an integrated kinematic model of the Eburnean-Transamazonian orogen.

Three-dimensional strain accumulation and partitioning in an arcuate orogenic wedge: An example from the Himalaya

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 3-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suoya Fan ◽  
Michael A. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Central Himalaya ◽  
Structural Style ◽  
Orogenic Wedge ◽  
Oblique Convergence ◽  
Thickness Variations

Abstract In this study, we use published geologic maps and cross-sections to construct a three-dimensional geologic model of major shear zones that make up the Himalayan orogenic wedge. The model incorporates microseismicity, megathrust coupling, and various derivatives of the topography to address several questions regarding observed crustal strain patterns and how they are expressed in the landscape. These questions include: (1) How does vertical thickening vary along strike of the orogen? (2) What is the role of oblique convergence in contributing to along-strike thickness variations and the style of deformation? (3) How do variations in the coupling along the megathrust affect the overlying structural style? (4) Do lateral ramps exist along the megathrust? (5) What structural styles underlie and are possibly responsible for the generation of high-elevation, low-relief landscapes? Our model shows that the orogenic core of the western and central Himalaya displays significant along-strike variation in its thickness, from ∼25–26 km in the western Himalaya to ∼34–42 km in the central Himalaya. The thickness of the orogenic core changes abruptly across the western bounding shear zone of the Gurla Mandhata metamorphic core complex, demonstrating a change in the style of strain there. Pressure-temperature-time results indicate that the thickness of the orogenic core at 37 Ma is 17 km. Assuming this is constant along strike from 81°E to 85°E indicates that, the western and central Nepal Himalaya have been thickened by 0.5 and 1–1.5 times, respectively. West of Gurla Mandhata the orogenic core is significantly thinner and underlies a large 11,000 km2 Neogene basin (Zhada). A broad, thick orogenic core associated with thrust duplexing is collocated with an 8500 km2 high-elevation, low-relief surface in the Mugu-Dolpa region of west Nepal. We propose that these results can be explained by oblique convergence along a megathrust with an along-strike and down-dip heterogeneous coupling pattern influenced by frontal and oblique ramps along the megathrust.

scholarly journals The crossdip correction as a tool to improve imaging of crooked line seismic data: A case study from the post-glacial Burträsk fault, Sweden

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Beckel ◽  
Christopher Juhlin
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Correction Term ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Line Geometry ◽  
Processing Methods ◽  
Processing Scheme ◽  
Noise Tolerant

Abstract. Understanding the development of post-glacial faults and their associated seismic activity is crucial for risk assessment in Scandinavia. However, imaging these features and their geological environment is complicated due to special challenges of their hardrock setting, such as weak impedance contrasts, sometimes high noise levels and crooked acquisition lines. A crooked line geometry can cause time shifts that seriously de-focus and deform reflections containing a crossdip component. Advanced processing methods like swath 3D processing and 3D pre-stack migration can, in principle, handle the crooked line geometry, but may fail when the noise level is too high. For these cases, the effects of reflector crossdip can be compensated for by introducing a linear correction term into the standard processing flow. However, existing implementations of the crossdip correction rely on a slant stack approach which can, for some geometries, lead to a duplication of reflections. Here we present a module for the crossdip correction that avoids the reflection duplication problem by shifting the reflections prior to stacking. Based on tests with synthetic data, we developed an iterative processing scheme where a sequence consisting of crossdip correction, velocity analysis and DMO correction is repeated until the stacked image converges. Using our new module to reprocess a reflection seismic profile over the post-glacial Burträsk Fault in Northern Sweden increased the image quality significantly. Strike and dip information extracted from the crossdip analysis helped to interpret a set of southeast dipping reflections as shear zones belonging to the regional scale Burträsk Shear Zone (BSZ), implying that the BSZ itself is not a vertical, but a southeast dipping feature. Our results demonstrate that the crossdip correction is a highly useful alternative to more sophisticated processing methods for noisy datasets. This highlights the often underestimated potential of rather simple, but noise-tolerant methods, in processing hardrock seismic data.

scholarly journals Progressive Deformation Patterns from an Accretionary Prism (Helminthoid Flysch, Ligurian Alps, Italy)

Geosciences ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Mueller ◽  
Matteo Maino ◽  
Silvio Seno
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Kinematic Model ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Accretionary Prism ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Progressive Deformation ◽  
Complex Deformation ◽  
Ligurian Alps ◽  
Deformation Patterns

This paper reports the results of a field-based structural investigation of a well-exposed paleo-accretionary prism, which experienced complex deformation in a low-grade metamorphic setting. Field analyses focused on the description of structural fabrics, with the main emphasis upon parameters like the orientation, style and kinematics of foliations, folds and shear zones. We address the research to the south-westernmost part of the Alpine chain, the Ligurian Alps, where, despite their origin as turbidite sequences deposited into the closing Alpine Tethys Ocean, the Helminthoid Flysch Nappes are presently distributed in the outer part of the chain, above the foreland. The new dataset highlights different deformation patterns related to the different spatial distribution of the flysch units. This regional-scale partitioning of strain is hence associated with progressive deformation within a two-stage geodynamic evolution. Correlations among the different orogenic domains allow the proposal of a kinematic model that describes the motion of the Helminthoid Flysch from the inner to the outer part of the orogen, encompassing the shift from subduction- to collision-related Alpine geodynamic phases.

scholarly journals The cross-dip correction as a tool to improve imaging of crooked-line seismic data: a case study from the post-glacial Burträsk fault, Sweden

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 581-598
Author(s):  
Ruth A. Beckel ◽  
Christopher Juhlin
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Correction Term ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Line Geometry ◽  
Processing Methods ◽  
Processing Scheme ◽  
The Cross

Abstract. Understanding the development of post-glacial faults and their associated seismic activity is crucial for risk assessment in Scandinavia. However, imaging these features and their geological environment is complicated due to special challenges of their hardrock setting, such as weak impedance contrasts, often high noise levels and crooked acquisition lines. A crooked-line geometry can cause time shifts that seriously de-focus and deform reflections containing a cross-dip component. Advanced processing methods like swath 3-D processing and 3-D pre-stack migration can, in principle, handle the crooked-line geometry but may fail when the noise level is too high. For these cases, the effects of reflector cross-dip can be compensated for by introducing a linear correction term into the standard processing flow. However, existing implementations of the cross-dip correction rely on a slant stack approach which can, for some geometries, lead to a duplication of reflections. Here, we present a module for the cross-dip correction that avoids the reflection duplication problem by shifting the reflections prior to stacking. Based on tests with synthetic data, we developed an iterative processing scheme where a sequence consisting of cross-dip correction, velocity analysis and dip-moveout (DMO) correction is repeated until the stacked image converges. Using our new module to reprocess a reflection seismic profile over the post-glacial Burträsk fault in northern Sweden increased the image quality significantly. Strike and dip information extracted from the cross-dip analysis helped to interpret a set of southeast-dipping reflections as shear zones belonging to the regional-scale Burträsk Shear Zone (BSZ), implying that the BSZ itself is not a vertical but a southeast-dipping feature. Our results demonstrate that the cross-dip correction is a highly useful alternative to more sophisticated processing methods for noisy datasets. This highlights the often underestimated potential of rather simple but noise-tolerant methods in processing hardrock seismic data.

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