geology and tectonics of the betic zone se spain abstract the southern margin of the iberian continent comprises a complex geological history which can be traced back into the proterozoic when a gneissic basement was formed a cover of nevado filabride rocks was deposited onto this proterozoic basement during the palaeozoic the permian intrusion of the bedar granite suggests that the palaeozoic sedimentary rocks now exposed in the betic cordilleras have been affected by the hercynian orogeny similar to that of palaeozoic rocks in the adjoining ossa morena zone the hercynian basement was probably covered by alpujarride carbonates in the mesozoic when rifting opened tethys and intruded 140 ma old basic dyke swarms the palaeozoic basement of the betic cordilleras comprises a suture of late cretaceous subduction 80 85 ma b p this can be inferred from hp lt metamorphic facies obducted in coeval thrust slices of nevado filabride rocks the nevado filabride nappes include mesozoic carbonates transformed into marbles macael the suture was probably annnealed after the closure of tethys the mesozoic boundary between africa and europe and the rifting in tethys ceased during the palaeogene when the atlas mountains were formed 36 ma b p subsequently relative movements between africa and europe in the neogene were accommodated by strike slip faults these define the iberian microplate moving eastward by atlantic spreading and possibly subducting under italy neogene deformation of iberia is most intensive in southeastern spain due to emplacement of a mantle diapir under the alboran area this occurred early in the neogene aquitanian and caused nappe spreading involving alpujarride and malaguide rocks the subsequent neogene history has now been studied in great detail and is reviewed here it involves clear examples of calc alkaline volcanism most probably not related to subduction seismic motion along strike slip faults within the iberian microplate and syntectonic deposition in intermontane neogene basins

superposition of extensional detachments during the neogene in the internal zones of the betic cordilleras in the internal zones of the betic cordilleras extensional structures have developed from the upper oligocene to the present day they are contemporaneous with compressional structures folds and thrusts in the external zones from the upper oligocene to the aquitanian extension occurred in the malaguide alpujarride detachment and related structures show varying kinematics in different sectors younger deformations with a top to the n sense of movement have affected nevado filabride ductile shear zones alpujarride ductile and brittle shear zones and malaguide rocks normal faults at least from the late burdigalian up to the lower tortonian displacements have occurred in the alpujarride nevado filabride detachment deformations have been generally non coaxial with a top to the w sense of movement stretching lineation trends in the nevado filabride rocks curve from e to w suggesting a progressive variation of the ductile shear zone kinematics related to the alpujarride nevado filabride detachment between the aquitanian and lower tortonian stages deformations from the lower tortonian to the present day are normal faults formed in extensional settings in the upper part of the crust and folds and strike slip faults which indicate n s to nnw sse shortening directions and e w to ene wsw extension directions

detecting sub glacial aquifers in the north polar layered deposits with mars express marsis 1 the penetration of the marsis radar signal into the polar ice mass is modeled to determine the capability of the instrument to locate sub glacial aquifers as a ground penetrating radar the orbiting marsis transmits a signal 1 w between 1 5 mhz in this work we will investigate the effect of ice reflective and conductive losses on the radar detection of subsurface aquifers using an mgs moc profile of the ice layering we find that a basal lake located 2 5 km below the surface is at the limit of detectability

controls on fan development evidence from fan morphometry and sedimentology sierra nevada se spain abstract we have studied the morphology and the morphometric relations between alluvial fans and drainage basins in a bajada system including more than 20 coalescent fans developed since the late pleistocene as a result of the recent uplift of the sierra nevada betic cordillera spain three allocycles of tectonic origin were recognised across which there is a clear evolution from debris flow to sheet flow dominated fans in connection with a decrease in the volume of fines available in the source areas the larger volume of accommodation space created by higher tectonic subsidence in the northern sector favoured vertical accumulation of sediment with the appearance of less elongated fans in the rest of the system where subsidence is less more elongated fans appear with the development of incised channels and irregular distribution of sediment in depositional lobes this involves the appearance of markedly asymmetric transverse profiles as well as lengthy recurrence between the sedimentation events on particular sectors of the fans where headward eroding gullies develop the lithology of the source area where intensely fractured rocks are found is responsible for an important sediment supply and a significant degree of clast sorting from the source area consequently a weak longitudinal trend in particle size can be recognised which influences the predominance of longitudinal constant slope profiles and anomalous relations between both fan area and fan slope and their drainage areas recent intense tectonic activity has caused the appearance of abnormally low slopes in upper sectors of some catchments where mass flows are trapped and the fans present a subsequently higher proportion of sheet flows recent piracy phenomena can be recognised in some of the drainage basins which indicate rejuvenation of the source area in which case the fan presents a rapid increase in the proportion of mass flows with the development of a segmented longitudinal profile due to the recent nature of the processes the morphometric relations in the fan fed by the basin affected by capture do not coincide with the other fans in the area

plagioclase porphyroblast growth and its relation to deformation in the alhamilla unit sierra alhamilla betic cordilleras se spain plagioclase porphyroblasts from silvergrey schists belonging to the nevado filabride complex in the sierra alhamilla betic zone se spain are interpreted as having been formed preand synkinematically with respect to the second phase of deformation different types of inclusion patterns represent snap shots high growth rate strain rate ratio features of the formation of a diffentiated crenulation cleavage during this second phase of deformation by the processes of kinking crenulation and associated differentiation regional considerations indicate an alpine age for this tectono metamorphic event which can be explained by the hot emplacement of the higher nevado filabride units the observed structural evolution is not consistent with a pre alpine polyphase deformation history

emplacement of a fold nappe betic orogen southern spain the aguilon nappe sierra alhamilla southeast spain is a north closing recumbent isoclinal fold with a greatly thinned lower limb this large scale geometry can be demonstrated using small scale structures the fold nappe is detached along the lower limb and lies on a carpet of mylonitic schist mylonite and cataclasite formation of the nappe must have involved northward relative transport a point of current controversy in the betic zone during emplacement the nappe underwent extensive ductile deformation accomplished partly by pressure solution of silica in the highly deformed footwall rocks however quartz was deformed by crystal plastic processes the change in deformational mechanism suggests a downward increase in deviatoric stress which is compatible with a gravitational mechanism of nappe emplacement the core of the low grade nappe is occupied by medium grade schist the abrupt change in grade suggests that the schist contact is an extensional fault that excised part of the original metamorphic zonation and was subsequently refolded in the nappe such relations are common in the betic zone and suggest extension by listric normal faulting a characteristic feature of nappes emplaced by gravity spreading

sense of nappe emplacement from quartz c axis fabrics an example from the betic cordilleras spain preferred crystallographic orientation patterns fabrics in zones of ductile deformation beneath nappes are a potentially useful indicator of the sense of nappe translation quartz c axis fabrics from a shear zone beneath the pile of higher betic nappes in the betic cordilleras spain have distinctly asymmetric topologies revealed by constructing a fabric skeleton these skeletons closely resemble those produced by computer simulations of quartz fabric development basedon taylor bishop hill theory the fabric asymmetry indicates a northerly sense of transport for the nappes consistent with field evidence from the same area analyses of both c and a axis fabrics based on asymmetric intensity distributions within the fabric give equivocal results and may reflect the presence of earlier preferred orientation patterns predating nappe emplacement

high grade reworking of central australian granulites part 1 structural evolution abstract four distinct deformational events d2 d5 accompanying a granulite facies metamorphic cycle m2 m5 are shown to structurally overprint rework pre existing granulites m1 of the northeast strangways range in the central arunta block the first metamorphic cycle m1 at 1800 ma involved an anticlockwise p t path peaking at 850 950 c at 8 9 kbar m1 metamorphism involved widespread partial melting that produced stromitic migmatites and map scale concordant granitic gneisses isobaric cooling after the peak and accompanying hydration gave rise to a wide variety of coronitic and symplectitic reaction textures that enclose and replace m1 mineral parageneses no kinematic structuring is associated with m1 and the period encompassing the thermal peak and immediately subsequent are thought to have been absent of deviatoric stress the second metamorphic cycle m2 m5 possibly at 1400 1500 ma involved a clockwise p t path with a maximum p of 9 10 kbar and a thermal peak of approximately 800 c this metamorphic cycle accompanied the major ductile deformations recognized d2 d5 and has been labelled the proterozoic reworking the proterozoic reworking has been divided into two thermo barometric and structurally distinct periods d2 d3 involved regionally inclined ene wsw non coaxial shear of high bulk shear strains giving rise to an intense often mylonitic pervasive fabric s2 l2 and isoclinal and sheath folds on all scales f2 f3 s2 l2 is the first recognized kinematic fabric and does enclose and partially recrystallize m1 mineral parageneses including late m1 metamorphic reaction textures d2 d3 deformation was due to crustal shortening and gave rise to crustal over thickening loading accompanying prograde metamorphism m2 d4 d5 involved upright open and asymmetrical folding f4 and e w trending shear zone development s5 within a regionally extensive system of inclined oblique sinistral transpression both d2 d3 and d4 d5 episodes occurred under the same approximately e w directed compressive stress and are considered sequential episodes in the one tectonothermal cycle f4 folding accompanied significant melt formation and the peak of metamorphism of the m2 m5 metamorphic cycle s5 shear zones accompanied 3 4 kbar of decompression with cooling presumably during uplift in isostatic response to crustal over thickening in d2 d3 progression from inclined non coaxial shear to transpression occurred in response to an increase in the relative buoyancy forces limiting crustal thickening as is typical of many compressional orogens however the proterozoic reworking is atypical of simple linear or arcuate mountain belts because late stage shearing s5 is aligned sub parallel not at a high angle to the transport vector of the earlier ductile deformations d2 d3 consequently this region is modelled in terms of crustal shortening directed along the length of an e w trending orogen confined to the north and south by relatively stable crustal blocks when e w shortening could no longer be accommodated by crustal thickening strain was partitioned by sinistral transpression between the north and south bounding crustal blocks

a new structural and kinematic framework for the alboran domain betic rif arc western mediterranean orogenic system the processes that drastically thinned and rapidly exhumed the alboran domain in southern spain are poorly understood geological maps cross sections and a synthesis of previous work in the alpujarride complex provide a new structural framework for the alboran domain with major revision of the previously defined lithotectonic units alboran continental lithosphere was buried and thickened in the paleogene d 1 and subsequently thinned during late orogenic extension in the early miocene regional patterns of stretching lineations and late recumbent folds record important spatiotemporal changes in the kinematics of extension east directed shear d 2 is preserved in deep orogenic levels and thinned the crustal sequence during rapid exhumation and high temperature metamorphism north directed shear d 3 d 4 is preserved in upper orogenic levels and reworked earlier structures during the later stages of exhumation and cooling this large scale switch in the direction of finite stretching resulted from the interaction between components of orogen parallel d 2 and orogen perpendicular d 3 d 4 extension and associated vertical and lateral gradients in strain we provide a novel kinematic model for gravity driven extensional collapse of the alboran domain compatible with both westward motion of the alboran domain relative to the iberian margin and subsequent northward extensional flow and emplacement of alboran lithosphere onto the iberian margin supplementary material a list of sample names coordinates and descriptions plus a google earth kmz file of sample locations is available at https doi org 10 6084 m9 figshare 5508643 a geological sketch map of the sierra de las estancias indicating the trend of stretching lineations in the alpujarride complex and location of major geological boundaries is available at https doi org 10 6084 m9 figshare 5513398

extensional flow produces recumbent folds in syn orogenic granitoids padron migmatitic dome nw iberian massif this contribution provides a case example on the generation of large scale recumbent folds in syn orogenic granitoids we analyze the progressive reworking of extension related structures into later ones after a period of crustal thickening the padron migmatitic dome formed after the climax of the gondwana laurussia collision in the late paleozoic petrostructural analysis carried out in the eastern flank of this dome reveals that extensional flow resulted in progressive exhumation of mainland gondwana which rested under peri gondwanan allochthonous terranes and a suture zone during maximum crustal thickening exhumation proceeded up to upper crust levels andalusite stability field along with partial melting of the middle lower crust and with the generation of granitoid laccoliths during an early extensional stage newly formed lithological and mechanical anisotropies such as the presence of variably sized sheet shaped bodies of syn orogenic granitoids provided a favorable rheological setting for fold nucleation during the intermediate stages of extension in extending orogenic crust whether recumbent folds occur after significant melt production depends on the lateral vertical flow ratio and on the orientation of deforming bodies with regard to kinematic strain axes we suggest that subhorizontal extensional flow dominated over vertical flow during the early and intermediate stages of the evolution of the padron dome a component of vertical diapiric flow caused progressive tilting of the sheet like bodies and obliquity respect to strain axes this resulted in the development of regional scale folds at the expense of syn orogenic granitoids such as in the case of the portomouro recumbent synform extensional ductile flow was oblique to the trend of the orogen during the whole process and directed to the nnw during the formation of recumbent folds non coaxial shearing favored an nnw sse elongate shape for the syn kinematic granitic massifs as well as the subsequent nucleation of recumbent folds deformation concentrated along discrete detachments during the late stages of extension

crystal plasticity and superplasticity in quartzite a natural example plastically deformed quartzites from the betic movement zone betic cordilleras spain exhibit microstructures indicative of crystal plasticity on a mineral grain scale quartzites with dynamically recrystallized grain sizes larger than 10 m have strong crystallographic preferred orientations narrow grain boundaries little creep damage and an inverse proportionality of dislocation density and grain size mylonites with grain sizes smaller than 10 m have low crystallographic preferred orientations wide grain boundaries up to 1000 a abundant creep damage and decreasing dislocation density with diminishing grain size this is thought to reflect a clear cut shift in deformational regimes from dislocation creep to superplastic flow at 10 m grain size superplasticity can be acquired by quartzites which suffer dynamic recrystallization to grain sizes smaller than 10 m during an initial dislocation creep stage dislocation motion is the major accomodating mechanism for strain incompatibilities that arise during grain boundary sliding in the mylonites it seems reasonable to estimate flow stresses from unbound dislocation densities and dynamically recrystallized grain sizes in the tectonite specimens in the mylonites dynamically recrystallized grain size probably reflects the stress magnitude before the shift in deformational mechanisms and an estimate for late stage stresses is provided by unbound dislocation densities in both deformational regimes the flow strength appears to depend on the extent of dynamic recrystallization

long term control mechanisms of stream piracy processes in southeast spain the guadix basin developed as an endorheic depression during the upper miocene upper pleistocene its principal palaeogeographical characteristics are a large lake in the eastern sector an axial fluvial system and two fluvial systems transverse to it in the western sector the uplift of a central sector of the betic cordillera during the upper pleistocene affected the study area causing northward tilting from the internal zone of the cordillera sierra nevada and sierra de baza step faulting of the plio pleistocene infill of the ancient basin leaving more northern sectors in a lower topographical position alteration of fluvial current profiles and displacement of the ancient axial system to a position very close to the divide between the ancient endorheic guadix basin and the guadalquivir basin this facilitated capture of the endorheic basin by the headward erosion of a tributary of the guadalquivir river the region then began to be rapidly eroded as the new base level was now some 500 m lower than that of the ancient basin the present drainage network is similar to that of the ancient endorheic basin as regards the location of the main streams and the distribution of drainage patterns and fluvial styles although flow reversal is found in some stretches and a barbed drainage pattern appears locally as a result of the inheritance of drainage from the ancient basin fluvial superimposition is found in some stretches of the main streams 1997 by john wiley sons ltd

deep crystal response to continental collision the limpopo belt of southern africa the limpopo belt is an example of an archean 2700 ma continental collisional zone in which the thickened crust 70 km has virtually attained equilibrium with the adjacent non thickened plates by a process of upward movement and lateral spreading of the underthrust high grade metamorphosed plates

the late thermal history of the ronda area southern spain abstract the betic rif belt in the western mediterranean experienced a pre alpine history and was later extensively reworked by major alpine tectonics there is abundant data showing that the betic chain suffered very high cooling rates during its alpine history constrained mainly by geochronology using various isotopic systems and by palaeontological age determinations in the westernmost part of the chain the high closure temperature isotopic systems recorded miocene high grade metamorphism in the country rocks in order to constrain the later stages of cooling fission track analysis has been applied to both zircon and apatite the results point to extremely high rates of cooling 400 c ma between 21 and 19 ma rates slowed to 100 c ma for the time period 19 to about 12 ma the fission track analysis also confirms the existence of an extensional tectonic stage between 19 and 17 ma

the structure and tectonic evolution of the aguilon fold nappe sierra alhamilla betic cordilleras se spain abstract detailed structural work in the sierra alhamilla se spain shows that the aguilon nappe comprising triassic and older metasedimentary rocks is a fold nappe the most prominent set of small scale folds changes from dominantly n vergent in the upper right way up limb to s vergent in the greatly thinned lower limb the nappe closes to the north and must have been emplaced in this direction nappe formation was accompanied by small scale folding and extensive solution transfer producing a pronounced differentiated crenulation cleavage these structures overprint an earlier set of folds and cleavage and are overprinted in turn by late n vergent structures the lower limb of the nappe was thinned and disrupted during continued nappe transport pre triassic schist in the core of the nappe was affected by medium grade metamorphism of probable post triassic age the contact with low grade permo triassic sediments above and below the schist coincides with a distinct change in metamorphic grade this contact may be a post metamorphic extensional fault that is now folded around the nappe which suggests that nappe formation was preceded by extensional faulting this is consistent with gravity spreading as the driving process for nappe emplacement

silica undersaturated sapphirine spinel and kornerupine granulite facies rocks ne strangways range central australia small pods of silica undersaturated al rich and mg rich granulite facies rocks containing sapphirine pleonastic spinel kornerupine cordierite orthopyroxene corundum sillimanite and gedrite are scattered throughout the ne strangways range central australia these are divided into four distinct rock types namely orthopyroxene rich aluminous granofels and metapelitic gneisses containing sapphirine spinel or kornerupine two granulite facies metamorphic events are recognized of which only the first m1 is considered in this paper peak metamorphic mineral parageneses indicate that the m1 thermal maximum occurred at approximately 900 950 c and 8 9 kbar all samples are characterized by profuse and diverse coronitic and symplectic reaction textures these are interpreted as evidence for the sequential crossing of the following reactions in the system fmas cordierite spinel corundum sapphirine sillimanite cordierite spinel orthopyroxene sapphirine sillimanite sapphirine spinel sillimanite orthopyroxene corundum sapphirine sillimanite cordierite orthopyroxene corundum phase stability relationships in fmas and mash indicate an anticlockwise p t path terminated by isobaric cooling such a path is exemplified by early low p mineral parageneses containing spinel corundum and gedrite and the occurrence of both prograde and retrograde corundum reaction textures preserve evidence for an increase in ah2o and ab2o3 with progressive isobaric cooling this hydrous retrogression resulted from crystallization of intimately associated m1 partial melt segregations there is no evidence for voluminous magmatic accretion giving rise to the high m1 thermal gradient the m1 p t path may be the result of either lithospheric thinning after both crustal thickening and burial of the supracrustal terrane or concomitant crustal thickening and mantle lithosphere thinning

kilometre scale sheath fold at mattmark and implications for transport direction in the alps folds were the first tectonic features of rocks to be studied and as such are taken as a reference for the interpretation of other structures intuitively fold axes were assumed to be subperpendicular to the direction of transport nevertheless many studies of metamorphic belts showing intense ductile deformation describe folds with axes close to the transport direction in particular sheath folds1 9 are highly curvilinear folds elongated parallel to the direction of transport we discuss here a spectacular large sheath fold situated in a crustal shear zone in the monte rosa nappe swiss alps our analysis implies that both the geometry and significance of folds in the internal alps must be re examined we further demonstrate the existence of crustal ductile shear zones in an area of the alps where previously emphasis was generally placed on fold nappes the movements on these shear zones is often tens of kilometres

asymmetric quartz c axis fabrics and flow vorticity a study using rotated garnets abstract the development of a type i crossed girdle c axis fabric with an asymmetric density distribution and an internally asymmetrical skeletal outline is examined in a specimen of garnet bearing mylonitic quartzite from the betic movement zone in southern spain the garnets are pre mylonitic skeletal porphyroblasts that rotated during mylonitic deformation but preserved a strain free equilibrium microstructure and a random c axis fabric it follows that the asymmetry of the density distribution must result from the deformation history itself the sense of asymmetry of the c axis population and that of the skeletal outline are consistent with the sense of vorticity inferred from extensional crenulations and asymmetric microboudinage and also with the sense of rotation of the garnets analysis of the rotation angles with aspect ratio of the garnet porphyroblasts demonstrates that a pure shear component was involved in an essentially non coaxial flow this may explain the internal asymmetry of the fabric skeleton and confirms the idea that a spectrum exists of type i fabrics intermediate between the theoretically predicted fabrics for pure and simple shear a tentative reconstruction of the kinematic framework suggests that the central segment of the fabric skeleton is linked to the extensional apophysis of the flow

mechanisms for folding of high grade rocks in extensional tectonic settings abstract this review of structures developed in extensional high grade terrains combined with results of centrifuge analogue modelling illustrates the range of fold styles and mechanisms for folding of amphibolite to granulite facies rocks during rifting or the collapse of a thrust thickened orogen several extensional fold mechanisms such as folding within detachment shear zones are similar to those in contractional settings the metamorphic p t t path and not fold style or mode of formation is therefore required to determine the tectonic setting in which some folds developed other mechanisms such as rollover above and folding between listric normal shear zones and folding due to isostatic adjustments during crustal thinning are unique to extensional tectonic settings several mechanisms for folding during crustal extension produce structures that could easily be misinterpreted as implying regional contraction and hence lead to errors in their tectonic interpretation it is shown that isoclinal recumbent folds refolded by open upright folds may develop during regional extension in the deep crust folds with a thrust sense of asymmetry can develop due to high shear strains within an extensional detachment or from enhanced back rotation of layers between normal shear zones during back rotation folding layers rotated into the shortening field undergo further buckle folding and all may rotate towards orthogonality to the maximum shortening direction this mechanism explains the presence of many transposed folds folds with axial planar pegmatites and folds with opposite vergence in extensional terrains examples of folds in high grade rocks interpreted as forming during regional extension included in this paper are from the grenville province of canada norwegian caledonides albany mobile belt and leeuwin complex of western australia ruby mountains in the basin and range province of nevada the at sund area of greenland the napier complex of enderby land in east antarctica and the kigluaik mountains in western alaska

recumbent folds key structural elements in orogenic belts abstract this review has two main parts the first of them presents existing ideas and data related to recumbent folds reviewing aspects such as the physical conditions of the development of these folds the strain inside the folded layers the kinematic mechanisms of their formation the role of gravitational forces the tectonic context of their development and the structures associated with them in the second part the above ideas are discussed and possible mechanisms for the development of these folds are presented it is proposed that initial perturbations of the layers are essential to give rise to the asymmetry of recumbent folds these perturbations may be non planarities of the layering or may be linked to the existence of a core or basement of competent rock that hinders the normal propagation of the deformation this could explain why many large recumbent folds have a root zone deformation with an important component of simple shear is a general condition for the formation of recumbent folds in areas with very low grade metamorphism competent layers often play an active role during the deformation and undergo buckling with the development of an overturned fold limb which can be stretched and thinned to finally produce a pair of recumbent folds separated by a thrust in areas with low or medium metamorphism buckling under a simple shear regime is probably the most important mechanism for producing large folds with gentle or moderately dipping axial surfaces subsequent kinematic amplification by coaxial strain components with vertical maximum shortening is important for the formation of recumbent folds these components involve a sub horizontal stretching that can cause a problem of strain compatibility and give rise to a basal thrust in areas deformed under high p and t conditions recumbent folds can develop by flow perturbations and kinematic amplification of folds this is probably a common mechanism in ductile shear zones

development of large north facing folds and their relation to crustal extension in the alboran domain alpujarras region betic cordilleras spain detailed research in the eastern part of the alpujarras region betic cordilleras has revealed the existence of large recumbent fold structures involving lithological sequences previously considered to belong to different tectonic units we have reconstructed a large complex fold structure which can be followed axially for over 50 km based on a careful revision of the boundaries between lithological formations a structural analysis of the carbonate and metapelite sequences and the use of mineralogical techniques such as measurements of d001 basal spacing of phengite paragonite and chlorite determinations of the illite crystallinity index ic and b0 parameters of mica and chlorite structural field data described in this paper include gently dipping axial plane cleavage surfaces common occurrence of gently dipping boudinage and pinch and swell structures and associated sub orthogonal stretching lineation similarity in orientation of this stretching lineation with the slip direction of the low angle normal faults and close association between north facing recumbent folds and top to the north low angle normal faults the slip direction of the faults being broadly perpendicular to the fold axes these features clearly indicate that extensional processes played a decisive role in the generation of the alpujarras large recumbent folds the development of these recumbent folds probably occurred during the early to middle miocene extensional tectonics that affected the betic cordilleras the formation of large scale folds in association with normal faulting is consistent with the p t paths and geochronological data established for the alpujarride region

the thermotectonic evolution of a proterozoic low pressure granulite dome west uusimaa sw finland three fold generations have been recognized in svecofennian rocks 1 800 ma from west uusimaa sw finland the first one f1 might be related to thrusting and imbrication tectonics at plate collision contacts the main generation f2 is due to a n s horizontal crustal shortening which created at first e w trending upright folds in the whole region and later tightened these f2 folds in the western part of the belt whereas conjugate shear zones and tectonic lenses of competent rock bodies developed in the eastern part simultaneously the metamorphic conditions rose from amphibolite to granulite facies in this eastern part which is known as the west uusimaa complex the amphibolite to granulite facies transition zone along the western boundary of the granulite facies complex is studied in detail a number of prograde mineral reactions are telescoped in this transition zone the breakdown of biotite and amphibole to ortho clino pyroxene in metaigneous rocks the appearance of garnet in cordierite bearing metapelites and the appearance of scapolite in calcareous rocks distinct mineralogical changes also occur in this zone which cross cuts all major structures and rock units and are only affected by late f3 folding open disharmonic folds with approximately n s trending axial planes and young shear zones associated with pseudotachylite generation the absence of any evidence of block faulting and tilting of the crust that could be associated with the granulite complex suggests that the whole region represents one crustal level

relationships between distributed and localized shear in the tectonic evolution of a caledonian fold and thrust zone northwest ireland broad zones of distributed shear operating through mid crustal regions of orogenic belts may incorporate narrow horizons of intense localized deformation culminating in discrete large magnitude displacements the relative importance and relationship between distributed and localized shear are influenced by a variety of factors including lithological variation pre existing structural anisotropy strain rate and migration of fluids rigorous structural analysis of lower amphibolite facies dalradian metasediments in northwestern ireland demonstrates that an early d 1 discrete ductile detachment was subsequently reactivated during distributed non coaxial d 2 deformation operating in a broad zone through the structural pile regional shear was directed towards the southeast and resulted in the generation and translation of kilometre scale isoclinal recumbent sheath folds which close and face towards the transport direction the d 1 detachment is clearly folded around the hinges of these major folds whilst on fold limbs it was reactivated and acted as a local decollement within the zone of distributed shear shear criteria along the detachment indicate a southeast directed translation of the major folds in sympathy with regional shear a broad zone of d 3 translation operating through the nappe pile resulted in coaxial refolding of large scale f 2 folds by the d 3 ballybofey nappe producing a complex fold interference pattern non coaxial d 3 deformation resulted in continued reactivation of local decollements together with the initiation of east southeast directed oblique thrusts and partial dismemberment of d 2 folds detailed structural investigation allows concepts of distributed and localized shear to be evaluated and models of crustal deformation to be assessed

a precautionary note on shear bands as kinematic indicators the orientation of shear bands relative to foliations defined by elongated mineral aggregates is often used to determine the large scale sense of displacement in ductile faults data from contact strain zones at the bases of large overthrust complexes in the eastern alps and the betic cordilleras demonstrate that there is not always a simple geometrical relation between shear band orientation and sense of vorticity in bulk non coaxial flow in addition to single shear band sets that show displacements synthetic with the large scale displacement there are single sets with antithetic displacements and conjugate sets the last two observations are at variance with published data and interpretations and cast doubts on the general applicability of shear bands as indicators of large scale flow kinematics

data on the tectonic evolution of the alhamilla unit sierra alhamilla betic cordilleras se spain with emphasis on tectonics below moving nappes the alhamilla unit forms the par autochthonous tectonic unit with respect to the final emplacement of the alpujarride and higher nappes in the alhamilla unit several progressive overprinting ductile deformation phases were induced during the movements of the nappes the first interaction between the tectonic units is reflected by a folding phase d 3 and is followed by d 4 a phase resulting in the formation of a shear band cleavage which in turn grades into ultra mylonite formation below the primary thrust plane secondary ductile movements zones were generated late stage nappe movements combined with a change of flow plane led to the development of a new crenulation phase d 5

a study of white mica microstructure and microchemistry in a low grade mylonite a suite of mylonites rich in white mica taken from the betic movement zone sierra alhamilla spain shows progressive grain refinement involving a two stage recrystallization history stage one is isochemical and possibly works by nucleation and growth of new crystals at sites of fracture and dilatancy stage two is nonisochemical and may be driven by differences in strain energy and chemical free energy between the two phases deformation is probably governed by brittle fracture and diffusional mass transfer along grain boundaries and cracks the two stages of recrystallization are thought to represent a single progressive episode of deformation under changing metamorphic conditions

mode of extensional tectonics in the southeastern betics se spain implications for the tectonic evolution of the peri alboran orogenic system the gibraltar arc which closes the westernmost part of the mediterranean basin is a miocene a type subduction arc formed by the continental collision of various pre miocene terranes in the major zone of collision between the iberian and african cratons the hanging wall block known as the alboran domain has undergone more than 300 km migration from a more easterly position where it was the continuation of the alpine cretaceous paleogene orogen contemporaneous with thin skinned thrusting in the footwall the alboran domain underwent two episodes of nearly orthogonal extension in which extensional systems developed with directions of extension varying from a nnw sse system orthogonal to the belt axis in the late burdigalian langhian to a wsw directed orogen parallel one in the serravallian the superposition of these two systems resulted in a chocolate tablet megastructure this extensional pattern is not satisfactorily explained in previously proposed models for the evolution of the arc orthogonal extension is plausible in a process of the gravitational collapse of an overthickened crust nevertheless orogen parallel extension is more difficult to explain in this context we advocate that the wsw directed low angle normal faults formed during large scale extension in connection with important westward arc migration the driving force of extension in a general context of convergence is controversial and varies between a convective removal model and a delamination model constraints on both the timing and the kinematics of extension as presented in this paper seem to support the contribution of both mechanisms convective removal may have started the process but continued n s convergence could have resulted in westward tectonic escape and asymmetric lateral inflow of asthenospheric material accompanying lithospheric delamination

deformation within an exposed salt wall recumbent folding and extrusion of evaporites in the dead sea basin abstract despite the enormous global interest in salt tectonics which is largely driven by its importance to hydrocarbon exploration direct field based studies of salt exposed at the earth s surface are rare however mount sedom located at the western side of the dead sea basin presents one such opportunity for detailed analysis of salt and the associated sedimentary and structural record of its movement the sedom salt wall is a 10 km 1 5 km n s trending ridge comprising a range of late miocene pliocene evaporites and clastics which have penetrated the overlying pleistocene clastic sequence the salt wall displays a moderate steep west dipping western margin and an overturned west dipping eastern flank the sedimentary record of passive wall growth includes sedimentary breccia horizons that locally truncate underlying beds and are interpreted to reflect sediments having been shed off the crest of the growing salt wall structurally the overturned eastern flank is marked by upturn within the overburden extending for 300 m from the salt wall deformation within the evaporites is characterised by ductile folding and boudinage while a 200 m thick clastic unit within the salt wall forms a tight recumbent fold traceable for 5 km along strike and associated with a 500 m wide inverted limb this overturned gently dipping limb is marked by ne directed folding and thrusting sedimentary injections and a remarkable attenuation of the underlying salt from 380 m to

a zone of mylonite and related ductile deformation beneath the alpujarride nappe complex betic cordilleras s spain a zone of mylonite is commonly developed beneath the alpujarride nappe complex the contact with the underlying nevado filabride complex is marked by a zone of calc mylonite dolomitic breccia iron rich carbonate rocks and marble these lie on a thin zone of ultramylonite derived from nevado filabride schist related ductile deformation decreases downwards but may extend up to 400 m beneath the contact this deformation produces a characteristic platy foliation a strong elongation lineation and a proto mylonitic microstructure kinematic analysis of these rocks may help determine the direction of nappe transport

transpressive tectonism in the eastern penokean orogen canada consequences for proterozoic crustal kinematics and continental fragmentation abstract results of a structural analysis of archean basement huronian cover and various igneous rocks in the sudbury area ontario and regional tectonometamorphic correlations suggest that structures in the eastern penokean orogen formed dominantly by dextral transpression bulk horizontal shortening started with the ca 2 4 to 2 2 ga blezardian orogeny and was accompanied by peak metamorphism and local granitoid magmatism during the 1 89 to 1 83 ga penokean orogeny horizontal dextral shear parallel to the curved axis of the eastern penokean orogen gained in importance and is most likely related to docking of proterozoic magmatic arc terranes to the superior province margin this tectonic activity led to distributed heterogeneous deformation of archean basement rocks and exhumation of deep crustal rocks in the sudbury area and the kapuskasing structural zone but may have failed to accrete paleoproterozoic terranes in the lake huron area the lack of evidence for horizontal extension following blezardian and penokean contraction suggests that crustal fragmentation of the archean supercontinent started at 2 45 ga finally the great lakes tectonic zone and the murray fault master dislocations in the penokean orogen may have acted as crustal weakness zones which influenced the orientation and development of 1 1 ga midcontinent rift segments

microstructure and fabric transitions in calcite tectonites from the sierra alhamilla spain a suite of marble specimens from the sierra alhamilla spain deformed to large strains under natural conditions at about 300 c shows distinct variations in microstructure and fabrics it can be demonstrated that the development of crystallographic preferred orientations and grain shape fabrics are strongly dependent on recrystallized grain size this is interpreted to reflect the relative importance of various deformational mechanisms superplasticity seems to have a sharp upper grain size limit at 10 15 smm within the power law creep regime deformation in fine grained aggregates is probably dominated by diffusional in coarser ones by dislocation mechanisms the transition is a gradual one and may span a grain size range of 30 sm

structures and fabrics in a crustal scale shear zone betic cordillera se spain abstract a broad zone of dominantly ductile high strain deformation lies beneath the aguilon nappe in the sierra alhamilla southern spain it forms part of a crustal scale movement zone traceable through much of the betic cordillera which separates the higher betic nappes from the underlying nevado filabride complex the zone is characterized in outcrop by a distinctive platy foliation and a strong nne trending stretching lineation microstructural characteristics include quartz ribbons mica fish augen of feldspar and other minerals in a matrix of dynamically recrystallized quartz and extensional crenulation cleavages narrow bands of ultramylonite and cataclasite occur within and on the margins of the movement zone deformation occurred under lower greenschist facies conditions and was accompanied by retrogression of earlier higher grade mineral assemblages structures in the movement zone developed in a temporal sequence beginning with isoclinal folding and transposition of older foliations this was followed by the formation of extensional crenulation cleavages and the progressive localization of strain into the ultramylonite bands mylonitic foliation in these bands is deformed by syn mylonite folds restricted to the bands all these structures were then deformed by s to se vergent small scale folds restricted to the movement zone as a whole cataclasis associated with alteration is localized along the ultramylonite bands and indicates a transition to late stage brittle deformation the lower boundary of the movement zone is gradational strain decreases recrystallized grainsize and the degree of recrystallization of quartz increases and pressure solution becomes the dominant deformation mechanism in mica schist asymmetric quartz fabrics in the movement zone indicate a nne sense of shear but variations in the degree of asymmetry suggest that flow was partitioned with the ultramylonite bands taking up much of the shear strain and the intervening rocks deforming more slowly and with a lower degree of non coaxiality diffuse fabrics in the fine grained ultramylonite bands may indicate a switch to a grainsize sensitive deformation mechanism and an overall downward increase in the opening angle of crossed girdle fabrics may reflect increased water activity at depth

the geometry and evolution of a transpressional strike slip system the carboneras fault se spain the carboneras fault system is a 40 km long 1 km wide neogene ne sw trending left lateral transpressional strike slip fault system which is part of the trans alboran shear zone in se spain the carboneras fault system is an anastomosing array of sub vertical individual fault planes or fault zones which surround pods or lenses of less intensely strained rocks displacements along the individual fault planes exhibit reverse components of slips and form positive flower structures faults have either sharp boundaries or wider bands of gouge typically a few metres thick and are hundreds of metres in length second order fault splays are well developed and usually exhibit p shear rather than riedel shear orientations these are interpreted to be related to the transpressional displacement and may also characterize other oblique convergent zones elsewhere the second order faults are interpreted to have formed as shear strain increased along the first order fault and was transferred laterally to branch segments this process produced pods or shear lenses bounded by the fault segments the length to width aspect ratios of the shear lenses were found to be scale independent across five orders of magnitude with the most common values between 3 l and 6 l a model is proposed for the development of the fault zone by incremental finite displacements along the segmented fault surfaces this model is based on field evidence that displacement switched with time from one fault strand to another

the geometry and topology of natural sheath folds a new tool for structural analysis abstract curvilinear sheath folds are classically depicted as displaying symmetrical geometries about two orthogonal mirror planes centred along the x y axial surface and the x z medial culmination depression surface which bisects the fold nose however 10 000 geometric analyses of minor folds and fabrics formed during ductile thrusting in the caledonides of northern scotland reveals that major dome and basin sheath folds can display distinct and predictable asymmetries across both axial and medial surfaces the strain is typically heterogeneous so that structural fabrics and younging evidence are preserved within sheath folds at varying stages of development this allows an analysis of the evolution of such structures from tongue folds to more extreme tubular forms geometric relationships between measured orientations of fold hinges axial planes extension lineations and foliations are compared on fabric topology plots ftps which provide an effective tool for monitoring planar and linear fabric rotations with increasing progressive non coaxial deformation they consistently display systematic variation from regions of lower to higher strain on passing from upper to lower fold limbs across major axial surfaces and on crossing medial surfaces from short to long hinge line segments axial and medial surfaces effectively therefore divide major sheath folds into quadrants with different amounts senses and combinations of planar and linear fabric rotation within each domain such heterogeneous deformation implies that models of intense non coaxial deformation uniformly affecting pre existing folds may overestimate bulk displacement and shear strain variable fold hinge line rotation about medial surfaces also provides an effective mechanism for the closure of major sheaths which may otherwise project for unfeasible distances in the x direction bedding cleavage intersections are developed at greater angles to the transport direction than fold hinges which they transect in a consistent and predictable sense thereby confirming the direction of fold rotation even in areas which lack information on fold facing in cross section asymmetric tear drop eyes indicate the sense of fold hinge line vergence whilst fold limb and hinge line asymmetry may be combined on 3 d vergence ranking and rotation grids which allow location and relative strain states of minor structures to be accurately predicted within the overall sheath framework systematic fabric analysis on ftps may be applied to the investigation of ductile deformation across a broad range of scenarios