scholarly journals Strain localisation in mechanically Layered Rocks, insights from numerical modelling

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1165-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Le Pourhiet ◽  
B. Huet ◽  
P. Agard ◽  
L. Labrousse ◽  
L. Jolivet ◽  
...  

Abstract. Small scale deformation in stratified rocks displays a large diversity of micro-structures, from the microscopic scale to the scale of orogens. We have designed a series of fully dynamic numerical simulations aimed at assessing which parameters control this structural diversity and which underlying mechanisms lead to strain localisation. The influence of stratification orientation on the occurrence and mode of strain localisation is tested by varying the initial dip of inherited layering versus the large scale imposed simple shear. The detailed study of the models indicates that (1) the results are length-scale independent, (2) the new shear zones are always compatible with the kinematics imposed at the boundary (3) micro-structures formed encompass the full diversity of micro-structures observed in the field and chiefly depend on the direction of the initial anisotropy versus shear direction, (4) depending on the orientation of the anisotropy, the layers may deform along subtractive or additive shear bands, (5) the deformation in anisotropic media results in non-lithostatic pressure values that are on the order of the deviatoric stress in the strong layers and (6) the introduction of brittle rheology is necessary to form localised shear bands in the ductile regime.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara de Riese ◽  
Paul D. Bons ◽  
Enrique Gomez-Rivas ◽  
Albert Griera ◽  
Maria-Gema Llorens ◽  
...  

<p>Ice 1h shows a strong viscoplastic anisotropy, as the resistance to activate dislocation glide on basal planes is at least one order of magnitude smaller than on the other slip planes. During flow the viscoplastic anisotropy leads to the development of a crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO). The anisotropic behaviour of flowing ice can lead to strain localisation. Only when the ice is layered (e.g. due to cloudy bands) it may be possible to identify localisation structures, as ice otherwise has no readily recognisable strain markers.</p><p>We use the Viscoplastic Full-Field Transform (VPFFT; Lebensohn and Rollett, 2020) crystal plasticity code coupled with the modelling platform ELLE (http://www.elle.ws; Piazolo et al., 2019) to simulate the deformation of intrinsically anisotropic ice 1h with an initial single maximum CPO in dextral simple shear up to very high strains. The VPFFT-approach simulates deformation by dislocation glide, taking into account the different available slip systems and their critical resolved shear stresses. We use an anisotropy similar to that of ice 1h, systematically vary the orientation of the initial CPO, and use passive markers/layers to visualise deformation structures.</p><p>The localisation behaviour strongly depends on the initial CPO, but reaches a consistent steady state after very high shear strains of about 30. The fabric and stress evolution reach a steady-state situation as well. The orientation of the CPO controls the style of deformation, which varies from (1) synthetic shear zones with a stable shear-direction parallel orientation and that widen with ongoing strain to unstable, (2) rotating antithetic shear bands, (3) initial formation of antithetic shear bands and subsequent development of synthetic shear bands and (4) distributed localisation. Furthermore, evolving visual structures depend on the presence and orientation of a visual layering in the material. However, at very high strains, the material is almost always strongly mixed and any original layering would be destroyed.</p><p>Our results highlight the challenge to identify strain localisation in ice, yet they can help the ice community to identify and interpret deformation structures in large ice masses (e.g. the Greenland ice sheet). As strain localisation in anisotropic materials behaves scale independent (de Riese et al., 2019), large-scale equivalents may occur of the observed small-scale structures (Jansen et al., 2016).</p><p>References:</p><p>de Riese, T., Evans, L., Gomez-Rivas, E., Griera, A., Lebensohn, R.A., Llorens, M.G., Ran, H., Sachau, T., Weikusat, I., Bons, P.D. 2019. Shear localisation in anisotropic, non-linear viscous materials that develop a CPO: A numerical study. Journal of Structural Geology, 124, 81-90.</p><p>Jansen, D., Llorens, M.-G, Westhoff, J., Steinbach, F., Kipfstuhl, S., Bons, P.D., Griera, A., Weikusat, I. 2016. Small-scale disturbances in the stratigraphy of the NEEM ice core: observations and numerical model simulations. The Cryosphere 10, 359-370.</p><p>Lebensohn, R.A., Rollett, A.D. 2020. Spectral methods for full-field micromechanical modelling of polycrystalline materials. Computational Materials Science, 173, 109336.</p><p>Piazolo, S., Bons, P.D., Griera, A., Llorens, M.G., Gomez-Rivas, E., Koehn, D., ... Jessell, M.W. 2019. A review of numerical modelling of the dynamics of microstructural development in rocks and ice: Past, present and future. Journal of Structural Geology, 125, 111-123.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Io Ioannidi ◽  
Laetitia Le Pourhiet ◽  
Philippe Agard ◽  
Samuel Angiboust ◽  
Onno Oncken

<p>Exhumed subduction shear zones often exhibit block-in-matrix structures comprising strong clasts within a weak matrix (mélanges). Inspired by such observations, we create synthetic models with different proportions of strong clasts and compare them to natural mélange outcrops. We use 2D Finite Element visco-plastic numerical simulations in simple shear kinematic conditions and we determine the effective rheology of a mélange with basaltic blocks embedded within a wet quartzitic matrix. Our models and their structures are scale-independent; this allows for upscaling published field geometries to km-scale models, compatible with large-scale far-field observations. By varying confining pressure, temperature and strain rate we evaluate effective rheological estimates for a natural subduction interface. Deformation and strain localization are affected by the block-in-matrix ratio. In models where both materials deform viscously, the effective dislocation creep parameters (A, n, and Q) vary between the values of the strong and the weak phase. Approaching the frictional-viscous transition, the mélange bulk rheology is effectively viscous creep but in the small scale parts of the blocks are frictional, leading to higher stresses. This results in an effective value of the stress exponent, n, greater than that of both pure phases, as well as an effective viscosity lower than the weak phase. Our effective rheology parameters may be used in large scale geodynamic models, as a proxy for a heterogeneous subduction interface, if an appropriate evolution law for the block concentration of a mélange is given.</p>


2007 ◽  
Vol 178 (6) ◽  
pp. 437-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Ganne ◽  
Jean-Michel Bertrand ◽  
Serge Fudral ◽  
Didier Marquer ◽  
Olivier Vidal

Abstract The basement domes of the central part of western Alps may result either from a multistage tectonic evolution with a dominant horizontal shortening component, an extensional behaviour, or both. The Ambin massif belongs to the “Briançonnais” domain and is located within the HP metamorphic zone. It was chosen for a reappraisal of the tectonic evolution of the Internal Alps in its western segment. Structural investigations have shown that Alpine HP rocks were exhumed in three successive stages. The D1 stage was roughly coeval with the observed peak metamorphic conditions and corresponds to a non-coaxial regime with dominant horizontal shortening and north movement direction. Petrological observations and P-T estimates show that the exhumation process was initiated during D1, the corresponding mechanism being still poorly understood. The D2 stage took place under low-blueschist facies conditions and culminated under greenschist facies conditions. It developed a retrogressive foliation and pervasive shear-zones at all scales that locally define major tectonic contacts. D2 shear zones show a top-to-east movement direction and correspond actually to large-scale detachment faults responsible for the juxtaposition of less metamorphic units above the Ambin basement and thus to a large part of the exhumation of HP rocks toward the surface. D2 shear zones were subsequently deformed by D3 open folds, large antiforms (e.g. the Ambin dome) and associated brittle-ductile D3 shear-bands. The D1 to D3 P-T conditions and P-T path of the blueschists occurring in the deepest part of the Ambin dome, was estimated by using the multi-equilibrium thermobarometric method of the Tweeq and Thermocalc softwares. Peak pressure conditions, estimated at about 14–16 Kb, 500oC, are followed by a nearly-isothermal decompression that occurred concurrently with the major D1–D2 change in the ductile deformation regime. Eastwards, the Schistes Lustrés units exhibit a similar geometry on top of the Gran Paradiso dome but exhibit opposite D2 movement direction. Lower-grade units are lying above higher-grade units, the shear zones occurring in between being similar to Ambin’s D2 detachments. Thus at regional scale, the D2 detachments seem to form together with the Ambin shear-zones, a network of conjugate detachments. Such a pattern suggests that the exhumation history is mostly controlled by a D2+D3 crustal-scale vertical shortening resulting in the thinning of the previous tectonic pile formed during D1. The slab-break off hypothesis may explain such an extensional behaviour within the western Pennine domain. It is suggested that the thermo-mechanical rebound of the residual European slab initiated between 35 and 32 Ma the fast exhumation of the previously thickened orogenic wedge (stack of D1 HP slices). It was immediately followed by a collapse of the wedge that may correspond to the E-W Oligocene extensional event responsible for the opening of rifts in the West European platform.


1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Coniglio

The Cow Head Group, interpreted as a southeast-dipping base-of-slope carbonate apron, contains intraformational truncation surfaces and slide masses. Synsedimentary shear zones are formed (1) below intraformational truncation surfaces; (2) in the basal parts of slide masses; and (3) in the shallow subsurface because of downslope creep. Shear zones are characterized by a variety of synsedimentary deformation structures. Limestones are subject to folding, brecciation, rotation of fragmented beds, and the development of fitted-lenticular bedding. In the interbedded shales, there is both disruption of fine laminations and small-scale isoclinal folding and faulting. Outcrops characterized by these features and the lack of truncation surfaces or slide masses may reflect minor downslope creep. The presence of truncation surfaces, slide masses, and shear zones indicates deposition on an unstable sloping surface.The recognition of intraformational truncation surfaces and slide masses usually requires extensive strike exposure, which when lacking, (e.g., drill cores), limits the potential of these large-scale features as useful indicators of slope deposition. In the Cow Head Group, the recognition and proper interpretation of the common, small-scale deformation structures of synsedimentary shear zones provides evidence for slope deposition that is independent of other sedimentologic, stratigraphic, and regional data.In some parts of the Cow Head Group, "wrinkled" limestones characterized by a prominent dome-and-basin morphology reflect layer-parallel shortening related to tectonic deformation. The deformation of these limestones was previously considered to be synsedimentary, but their association with late-diagenetic precipitates and tectonic stylolites, in conjunction with their continuity and regularity, distinguishes these folds from those produced during synsedimentary deformation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Renyi Cao ◽  
Duowang Tan ◽  
Bin Wang

In this study, two different scale projectile high velocity penetration experiments with concrete targets that had an average compressive strength of 35 MPa were conducted in order to find the velocity limits and nose erosion properties. We conducted the penetration experiments for the small-scale (48 mm diameter, 195 mm long, 2 kg) and the large-scale (144 mm diameter, 680 mm long, 50 kg) ogive-nose projectiles with the hard steel 4340 whose dynamic compression strength is 2.2 GPa. A 100-mm-diameter powder gun was used to launch the five tests of the 2 kg projectiles with striking velocities between 1100 m/s and 1600 m/s and a 320-mm-diameter Davis gun was used to launch the two tests of the 50 kg projectiles with striking velocities 1100 m/s and 1300 m/s. The experimental results showed that the nose material was missing, indicating an apparent eroding process when the striking velocity exceeded 1400 m/s, where the rigid body penetration made a transition into the elastic-plastic hydrodynamics regime and penetration depth begin to decrease when the striking velocity exceeds 1400 m/s. Furthermore, nose changes and mass loss due to nose erosion did not significantly affect the penetrating ability before rigid body penetration made a transition into the hydrodynamic regimes. In addition, nose erosion was analyzed with SEM surface microstructures, and the SEM image showed that the mass loss of projectiles was due to the shear cracks preceded by adiabatic shear bands.


1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard R. Williams

Development of tectonic subprovinces as shear-bounded granite–greenstone and sediment-dominated terranes during the late Archaean is reviewed and interpreted from relationships between portions of the Wabigoon, Wawa, and Quetico subprovinces.Greenstone-dominated subprovinces (Wabigoon and Wawa) are complex successions of tholeiites, 2.76–2.70 Ga calc-alkaline volcanic centres, and derived sediments. Supracrustal rocks aggregated on a scale of tens of kilometres, forming homoclines, locally upright folded, intruded by granitoids, exhibiting variable fabric trends and strains, and cut by transcurrent shear zones. Small-scale (10–100 km) accretion juxtaposed these varied supracrustal sequences, which were engulfed granitoid magmas, to form greenstone belts.Sediment-dominated subprovinces (Quetico) are metamorphosed wacke sequences deposited during and after the volcanic climax in the period 2.70–2.69 Ga. Overthrust imbrication at both the Wabigoon–Quetico and the Quetico–Wawa contacts occurred along north-dipping shears, now vertical. Continued right-lateral convergence at subprovince margins induced progressive shortening within the Quetico Subprovince, producing a regional planar fabric. Abukuma–style metamorphism, migmatite formation, and S-type granite intrusions occurred during the period 2.67–2.65 Ga.Greenstone-belt developments, terminated during large-scale (100–1000 km) late neo-Archæan accretion, are preserved within elongate, batholith-dominated terranes separated by metasedimentary migmatite belts. Geochronological, lithotectonic, and metamorphic patterns on a scale of hundreds of kilometres are permissive of an accretionary model of greenstone terrane coalescence in which formation of long-lived, complex volcanic arcs and a complementary fore-arc accretionary prism culminated in large-scale accretion and the formation of stable continental crust.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Pini ◽  
Gloria Arienti ◽  
Matteo Pozzi ◽  
Bruno Monopoli ◽  
Andrea Bistacchi

<p>We present preliminary results on the meso- and micro-structural evolution of high-strain rocks of the Houillère Zone and Pierre-Avoi Unit outcropping along the Swiss-Italy boundary ridge, to the west of the Grand Saint Bernard Pass.</p><p>The stack of Middle and External Pennidic units is folded by polyphasic folds, developed at least partly under low-grade metamorphic conditions. Different generations of folds show isoclinal to open geometries. Fold axes are subhorizontal, trending NE-SW, and the overall fold interference pattern can be generally classified as a type 3 (Ramsay). At the microscale, an important deformation mechanism is pressure solution cleavage, consistent with relatively low-temperature conditions.</p><p>Brittle-ductile shear zones, characterized by anastomosing bands of very fine-grained fault rocks, with pressure solution seams and SCC’ shear bands, exploit the weak and strongly anisotropic phyllosilicate-rich layers, particularly in the black schists of the Houillère Zone.</p><p>Brittle high-angle faults crosscut ductile and semi-brittle features and show an oblique-normal kinematics. These faults are particularly well developed in the more competent rocks of the Pierre-Avoi Unit (e.g. massive carbonates, metaconglomerates and metasandstones).</p><p>A continuous horizon, a few metres thick, with a high density of quartz veins, can be followed in the internal and upper part of the Houillère Zone. This horizon is folded, at least by the younger open folds, and constitutes a major marker to study the large-scale structure of this unit.</p>


Author(s):  
J-F. Moyen ◽  
M. Cuney ◽  
D. Baratoux ◽  
P. Sardini ◽  
S. Carrouée

Abstract We describe the multi-scale distribution of K, Th and U in the ca. 3.1 Ga Heerenveen batholith of the Barberton Granite-Greenstone Terrain. Data were obtained with a combination of tools, including a portable gamma-ray spectrometer from the scale of the whole batholith to the scale of outcrops, and autoradiography for the thin section scale. U is concentrated preferentially in minor phases in the border shear zones of the batholith and, within these shear zones, in late pegmatites as well as fractures. The processes responsible for the concentration of U in the Heerenveen batholith is discussed in terms of magmatism, hydrothermalism (redistribution of U in fissures associated with magmato-hydrothermal fluids), and supergene alteration. The statistical properties of K, Th and U concentrations are different. K shows spatial correlation over large distance, largely mirroring mappable rock types, with increased variability at larger scales. In contrast, U is dominated by small-scale variations (“nugget effect”) and its variability is, averaged and smoothed by large-scale integration. Spatial and statistical features thus offer useful and complementary insights on petrogenetic and metallogenic processes in granitoids in addition to standard approaches (petrography, geochemistry).


1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1301-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghislain Tourigny ◽  
Francis Chartrand

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.


Galaxies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
M. Belén Mari ◽  
Denise R. Gonçalves ◽  
Stavros Akras

In addition to large-scale structures, planetary nebulae (PNe) show small-scale structures that emit mainly in low-ionization species such as [N ii], [S ii], [O ii], and [O i], known as LISs. Here, we present the analysis of optical long-slit spectra, for three slit positions, of the PN IC 4593, which possesses a pair of knots and an isolated low-ionization knot. The motivation for this work is the need to characterize LISs completely to evaluate their impact on the PNe studies. These data allow us to derive the physical properties and ionization state for each morphological component of the nebula, including its pair of knots and individual knot. Due to the large uncertainties in the [S ii] derived electron densities, we cannot confirm any contrast between the LISs’ electron densities and the surrounding nebula, found in numerous other LISs. Though the lack of spatially-resolved physical parameters in the literature prevents further comparisons, in general, our results derived for the entire nebula agree with previous studies.


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