P - T paths and tectonic evolution of shear zones separating high-grade terrains from cratons: examples from Kola Peninsula (Russia) and Limpopo Region (South Africa)

2000 ◽  
Vol 69 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 109-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Perchuk ◽  
T. V. Gerya ◽  
D. D. Van Reenen ◽  
C. A. Smit ◽  
A. V. Krotov
Geology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben A. van der Pluijm ◽  
Klaus Mezger ◽  
Michael A. Cosca ◽  
Eric J. Essene

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Barnes ◽  
Katarzyna Walczak ◽  
Emilie Janots ◽  
David Schneider ◽  
Jarosław Majka

The Vestgӧtabreen Complex exposed in the Southwestern Caledonian Basement Province of Svalbard comprises two Caledonian high-pressure units. In situ white mica 40Ar/39Ar and monazite Th-U-total Pb geochronology has resolved the timing of the tectonic evolution of the complex. Cooling of the Upper Unit during exhumation occurred at 476 ± 2 Ma, shortly after eclogite-facies metamorphism. The two units were juxtaposed at 454 ± 6 Ma. This was followed by subaerial exposure and deposition of Bullbreen Group sediments. A 430–400 Ma late Caledonian phase of thrusting associated with major sinistral shearing throughout Svalbard deformed both the complex and the overlying sediments. This phase of thrusting is prominently recorded in the Lower Unit, and is associated with a pervasive greenschist-facies metamorphic overprint of high-pressure lithologies. A c. 365–344 Ma geochronological record may represent an Ellesmerian tectonothermal overprint. Altogether, the geochronological evolution of the Vestgӧtabreen Complex, with previous petrological and structural studies, suggests that it may be a correlative to the high-pressure Tsäkkok Lens in the Scandinavian Caledonides. It is suggested that the Vestgӧtabreen Complex escaped to the periphery of the orogen along the sinistral strike-slip shear zones prior to, or during the initial stages of continental collision between Baltica and Laurentia.


Author(s):  
Lingchao He ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Changqing Yin ◽  
Jiahui Qian ◽  
...  

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.


1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander F.M. Kisters ◽  
E. Guy Charlesworth ◽  
Roger L. Gibson ◽  
Carl R. Anhaeusser

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Hambrey ◽  
Julian A. Dowdeswell ◽  
Tavi Murray ◽  
Philip R. Porter

Bakaninbreen, a 17 km long glacier terminating in fjord waters in central Spitsbergen (77°45′ N, 17°20′E), began to surge between the springs of 1985 and 1986. By summer 1994 the surge front had reached a position 3 km from the terminus and had almost ceased propagation. Structural investigations were undertaken to characterise the tectonic evolution of this thermally complex surge-type glacier, and the role played by thrusting and its effect on debris entrainment. Much of the glacier surface, particularly within and below the surge front, displayed transverse high-angle thrusts, defined by discrete fractures bounded by coarse clear ice. Some fractures were associated with a film of mud, whereas in others a discrete laver of diamicton, with interstitial ice several decimetres thick, was evident. Within the surge front, and genetically related to the thrusts, was a number of shear zones several metres wide. These were defined by fine-grained ice that was the product of the grinding up of crystals during shear (mylonitization). Three main sedimentary facies are associated with the thrusts: mud, gravelly mud and clast-rich muddy diamicton. The diamicton has the character of basal glacial debris: grain-size distribution ranging from clay to cobble size, clasts with a predominance in the sub-angular and sub-rounded classes, and striated and faceted clasts. Hot-water drilling through the glacier revealed several englacial layers above the surge front, and debris brought up on the drill stem suggests a basal origin. At least some of these englacial layers are probably the sub-surface continuations of the thrusts. The observed facies indicate that the glacier is moving over a soft, deformable bed and that thrusting is an important process in transferring debris to the surface, especially when the surge front is propagating down-glacier.


1974 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1586-1593 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Dallmeyer

Biotite and hornblende from high-grade, granitic gneisses exposed between the Matagami-Chibougamau and Frotet-Troilus greenstone belts in Quebec have been affected by Kenoran metamorphism. Biotites record total gas 40Ar/39Ar ages of 2308 ± 30 m.y. and 2338 ± 30 m.y. Incrementally released gas fractions yield similar plateau ages, suggesting that the biotites have been totally degassed as a result of the thermal event. The ages are interpreted as reflecting the time of post-metamorphic cooling when radiogenic 40Ar began to be retained within biotite. Hornblendes record total gas 40Ar/39Ar ages of 2517 ± 40 m.y. and 2610 ± 40 m.y. Incrementally released gas fractions show a wide deviation from the total gas ages, with a continuous increase in age from low to high temperature release fractions. This lack of correlation suggests that the hornblendes have been only partially degassed by Kenoran metamorphism. However, lack of a high-temperature release plateau indicates that original meramorphic crystallization was older than the ages recorded by the highest temperature release fractions (2599 ± 40 and 2801 ± 40 m.y.). Recognition of an older sialic terrain between these greenstone belts supports recent models proposed for the tectonic evolution of the supracrustal orogenic belts in the Superior Province.


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