Structural evolution of the eastern Amisk collage, Trans-Hudson Orogen, Manitoba

1999 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J Ryan ◽  
Paul F Williams

Deformation recorded in the Amisk collage in the central part of the Paleoproterozoic Flin Flon Belt (southeastern Trans-Hudson Orogen) is divided into pre-, early, late, and post-Hudsonian orogeny, distinguished by significant changes in metamorphic conditions and the orientation of structures. Detailed structural analysis, petrography, and high-precision geochronology, combined with previous mapping and geochemical studies, indicate a structural history spanning 180 Ma in the Amisk collage, and the database provides an excellent opportunity to study the structural evolution of Precambrian greenstone belts. Accretion of the 1.92-1.88 Ga tectono-stratigraphic assemblages in the Amisk collage began prior to 1.868 Ga. The deformational history records six generations of ductile structures (F1-F6), followed by development of brittle-ductile and brittle structures (F7), which may have continued as late as 1.690 Ga, during exhumation of the collage. The steep, generally north-northeast macroscopic structural grain is dominated by two regional foliations (S2 and S5), and contrasts strongly with the less steeply inclined, east-west grain in the adjacent Kisseynew Domain. Maximum displacements between tectono-stratigraphic assemblages occurred along early rather than late shear zones. Vertical extension was important in post-D1 deformations, even in the later stages. Postorogenic, low-angle extensional features that are common to many mountain belts appear to be absent, possibly indicating that erosion was the dominant unroofing mechanism.

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lacroix ◽  
E. W. Sawyer

An integration of structural field data and Lithoprobe seismic reflection line 28 in the northwestern Abitibi Greenstone Belt (AGB) reveals a crustal-scale, south-to southwest-vergent thrusting event that developed "in sequence" above a shallowly (15°) north-dipping sole thrust at a mid-crustal level. Seismic reflector geometry above this décollement suggests a mid crust (6–20 km depth) dominated by low-angle thrusts with smooth trajectory ramps and culmination folds or antiformal stacks, similar to the structural style of neighbouring high-grade plutonic–gneissic (Opatica) and sedimentary (Pontiac) subprovinces. In contrast, low-to high-angle east–west-trending thrusts at the upper-crust greenstone belt level (6–9 km depth) are interpreted to be listric. They occur in two fault systems, the Chicobi and Taibi, that resemble "imbricate fan" systems. The contrasting structural geometry of the upper and mid crust is interpreted as variations in level through the thrust stack, and resembles Paleozoic mountain belts where the upper AGB would represent a ductile–brittle fold–thrust belt. However, the structural evolution of the AGB has been complicated by earlier intrusive–metamorphic contacts or set of thrusts beneath it, and (or) younger out-of-sequence thrusts with north-vergent backthrusts. Also, south-to southwest-vergent thrusts were reactivated, folded, and steepened during a younger dextral strike-slip event.


1994 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1064-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Moser

The amphibolite-facies central Wawa gneiss domain (CWGD) preserves structures that developed at the mid-crustal level of the ca. 2.7 Ga Abitibi–Wawa orogen in the southern Superior Province. The relative ages of these domainal structures are documented and brackets on their absolute ages established using existing U–Pb age data. Correlation of tectonic events within the CWGD, and comparison of these events with the evolution of other structural levels of the orogen, has led to subdivision of orogenesis into five stages. During stage 1 (2700–2680 Ma), 2.9 and 2.7 Ga rocks were tightly folded and (or) thrusted at all crustal levels in at least one thick-skinned compression event. During stage 2 (2680–2670 Ma), folding and thrusting of Timiskaming-age sediments at high levels of the orogen was thin-skinned and had no effect on CWGD gneisses. During stage 3 (2670–2660 Ma), while the upper crust was relatively stable, a 1 km thick package of volcanics and sediments, the Borden Lake belt, was underthrust northwards to depths of 30 km and in-folded with orthogneiss of the CWGD. During stage 4 (2660–2637 Ma), coeval east–west extension and granulite metamorphism of the middle crust produced gently dipping shear zones that overprinted earlier fold structures in the CWGD and lower structural levels of the orogen. This took place with minimal effect on the upper crust. Stage 5 (2630–2580 Ma) marks a period of east–west shortening and (or) fault reactivation in the Kapuskasing uplift and upper-crustal greenstone belts that allowed penetration of deep-crustal metamorphic fluids into the latter. In general, analysis of the structural evolution of the CWGD indicates that deformation and metamorphism in the middle crust of the Abitibi–Wawa orogen outlasted that at upper-crustal levels, resulting in the generally shallower dips of planar fabrics in the deeper structural levels of the Kapuskasing uplift crustal cross section.


1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1024-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Hubert ◽  
Pierre Trudel ◽  
Léopold Gélinas

Structural analysis of the Blake River Group volcanic rocks in the Rouyn–Noranda region shows the formations to be distributed largely in Z shapes, resulting from the interference of two early fold systems oriented west-northwest–east-southeast and east–west, respectively. The first of these two fold systems is probably related to the shortening associated with left-lateral movement along the two major fractures in the region, namely the Porcupine–Destor and Larder Lake – Cadillac faults. The second system appears to be the result of north–south compression perpendicular to the two major fractures.The two major faults, the first system of early folding, the normal and reverse faults, and the minor dextral and sinistral strike-slip faults that have been observed in the Blake River Group rocks can all be integrated into one tectonic system, that of wrench fault tectonics. The orientations of the principal structures recognized in the Abitibi Belt (major shear zones, folding, and faulting) suggest that the deformation mechanism for the rocks in the belt could be a large lateral movement controlled by megashears similar to those observed at present on the California coast (San Andreas Fault), in New Zealand (Alpine Fault), and in Sumatra (Semangko Fault).


1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1714-1736 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Daigneault ◽  
P. St-Julien ◽  
G. O. Allard

The Chibougamau area, occupying the northeastern part of the Abitibi greenstone belt is a large synclinorium of volcanic and sedimentary rocks enclosed within tonalitic gneisses. Several east–west–trending regional folds within this synclinorium are responsible for the vertical attitude of the strata. Synclinal structures, with youngest sediments within the core, possess axial-plane schistosity. Anticlines, on the other hand, either form domes with a core occupied by earlier tonalitic to dioritic plutons or are transected by a series of east–west-trending ductile faults (the Waconichi tectonic zone).An early deformation phase of low intensity (D1) generated broad, north–south folds without schistosity. The subsequent regional deformation, event D2, produced the large east–west folds. These deformations, in combination, produced the regional interference pattern of domes and basins. North–south horizontal shortening generated an east–west-trending schistosity associated with a vertical stretching lineation. Regional deformation at its climax produced a tightening of folds and rotation of fold axes parallel to the stretching lineation.Plutons deflected the regional east–west schistosity and formed concentric trajectories associated with "contact-strain aureoles." This produced small interaction zones or triple points characterized by strong vertical extension. These relations suggest an interference between a regional stress field, which produced north–south horizontal shortening, and local stress fields, controlled or deflected by granitoid plutons acting as competent bodies.East–west-trending ductile shear zones represent the final stage of the regional deformation. The observed northward and southward reverse movement along these east–west faults, their parallelism to the axial trace of folds, and the regional schistosity are probable evidence of a regime dominated by a coaxial strain.


2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 1101-1113 ◽  
Author(s):  
FABRÍCIO A. CAXITO ◽  
ALEXANDRE UHLEIN ◽  
LUIZ F.G. MORALES ◽  
MARCOS EGYDIO-SILVA ◽  
JULIO C.D. SANGLARD ◽  
...  

The Rio Preto fold belt borders the northwestern São Francisco craton and shows an exquisite kilometric doubly-vergent asymmetric fan structure, of polyphasic structural evolution attributed exclusively to the Brasiliano Orogeny (∼600-540 Ma). The fold belt can be subdivided into three structural compartments: The Northern and Southern compartments showing a general NE-SW trend, separated by the Central Compartment which shows a roughly E-W trend. The change of dip of S2, a tight crenulation foliation which is the main structure of the fold belt, between the three compartments, characterizes the fan structure. The Central Compartment is characterized by sub-vertical mylonitic quartzites, which materialize a system of low-T strike slip shear zones (Malhadinha – Rio Preto Shear Zone) crosscutting the central portion of the fold belt. In comparison to published analog models, we consider that the unique structure of the Rio Preto fold belt was generated by the oblique, dextral-sense interaction between the Cristalândia do Piauí block to the north and the São Francisco craton to the south.


1991 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Passchier ◽  
R. F. Bekendam ◽  
J. D. Hoek ◽  
P. G. H. M. Dirks ◽  
H. de Boorder

AbstractThe presence of polyphase shear zones transected by several suites of dolerite dykes in Archaean basement of the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica, allows a detailed reconstruction of the local structural evolution. Archaean and early Proterozoic deformation at granulite facies conditions was followed by two phases of dolerite intrusion and mylonite generation in strike-slip zones at amphibolite facies conditions. A subsequent middle Proterozoic phase of brittle normal faulting led to the development of pseudotachylite, predating intrusion of the major swarm of dolerite dykes around 1250 Ma. During the later stages and following this event, pseudotachylite veins were reactivated as ductile, mylonitic thrusts under prograde conditions, culminating in amphibolite facies metamorphism around 1000–1100 Ma. This is possibly part of a large-scale tectonic event during which the Vestfold block was overthrust from the south. In a final phase of strike-slip deformation, several pulses of pseudotachylite-generating brittle faulting alternated with ductile reactivation of pseudotachylite.


Author(s):  
Giovanna Calderoni ◽  
Anna Gervasi ◽  
Mario La Rocca ◽  
Guido Ventura

Abstract We analyzed earthquakes of a swarm started in October 2019 in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the northern border of the Calabrian arc subduction zone. The swarm is located in the same area where a subduction-transform edge propagator (STEP) shear- zone -oriented east–west is recognized from ocean floor morphology and submarine volcanoes. We computed focal mechanism, relative location, stress drop, corner frequency, and source directivity of the mainshock Mw 4.4 and of some aftershocks in the local magnitude range 2.3–3.7. Results indicate clearly that the mainshock occurred on a northwest–southeast-oriented fault, with right-lateral strike-slip motion, and it was characterized by a strong directivity of the rupture propagation from northwest to southeast. On the contrary, most of aftershocks were located on another strike-slip fault oriented northeast–southwest and had left-lateral kinematics. The kinematic features of these earthquakes indicate a strain field with the P-axis oriented north–south and the T-axis oriented east–west. Fault directions and stress field are in good agreement with the theoretical fracture model of shear zones associated with a STEP.


1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Dubé ◽  
Kathleen Lauzière

The Cape Ray Fault Zone is a major Paleozoic structure in southwestern Newfoundland, and occurs at or close to the boundary between two major continental blocks, Laurentia and Avalonia. A detailed structural analysis demonstrates that the fault records early reverse-sinistral thrusting of the Grand Bay Complex at amphibolite grade (D2), followed by a protracted event (D3) characterized by reverse-dextral thrusting of the Grand Bay Complex rocks on top of the supracrustal rocks of the Windsor Point Group and retrogression to greenschist facies, as well as a pre-384 Ma orogen-parallel dextral transcurrent mylonite (D4) during the later stages of the collision. Regional-scale strain partitioning induced heterogeneity of strain both along and across the strike of the Cape Ray Fault Zone. The east–west-oriented segment of the Cape Ray Fault Zone is a tear fault that accommodated differential displacement along the length of the fault. Later stages of the deformation include post-384 Ma sinistral transcurrent reactivation of the dextral mylonite and extension. The reverse-sinistral thrusting and the reverse-dextral motion occurred between 415 and 386 Ma and correspond to the two-phase Acadian orogeny recognized at the scale of the orogen and believed to be related to collision between Laurentia and Avalonia. The Cape Ray Fault Zone preserves evidence of large-scale geodynamic processes affecting rocks where the kinematics and the timing are well constrained.


2020 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Vanardois ◽  
Pierre Trap ◽  
Philippe Goncalves ◽  
Didier Marquer ◽  
Josselin Gremmel ◽  
...  

In order to constrain the finite deformation pattern of the Variscan basement of the Agly massif, a detailed structural analysis over the whole Agly massif was performed. Our investigation combined geological mapping, reappraisal of published and unpublished data completed with our own structural work. Results are provided in the form of new tectonic maps and series of regional cross-sections through the Agly massif. At variance from previous studies, we identified three deformation fabrics named D1, D2 and D3. The D1 deformation is only relictual and characterized by a broadly northwest-southeast striking and eastward dipping foliation without any clear mineral and stretching lineation direction. D1 might be attributed to thickening of the Variscan crust in a possible orogenic plateau edge position. The D2 deformation is a heterogeneous non-coaxial deformation, affecting the whole massif, that produced a shallowly dipping S2 foliation, and an anastomosed network of C2 shear zones that accommodated vertical thinning and N20 directed extension. D2 is coeval with LP-HT metamorphism and plutonism at ca. 315–295 Ma. D2 corresponds to the extensional collapse of the partially molten orogenic crust in a global dextral strike-slip at the scale of the whole Variscan belt. The D2 fabrics are folded and steepened along a D3 east-west trending corridor, called Tournefort Deformation Zone (TDZ), where the Saint-Arnac and Tournefort intrusives and surrounding rocks share the same NE-SW to E-W subvertical S3 foliation. Along the D3 corridor, the asymmetrical schistosity pattern and kinematic criteria suggest a D3 dextral kinematics. The D3 deformation is a record of E-W striking dextral shearing that facilitated and localized the ascent and emplacement of the diorite and granitic sheet-shaped plutons. D3 outlasted D2 and turned compressional-dominated in response to the closure of the Ibero-Armorican arc in a transpressional regime. The progressive switch from D2 thinning to D3 transpression is attributed to the lessening of gravitational forces at an advanced stage of extensional collapse that became overcome by ongoing compressional tectonic forces at the southern edge of the Variscan orogenic plateau.


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

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.


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