M.Sc. / The Limpopo Complex (LC) of southern Africa is one of the best-studied Precambrian granulite facies terrains in the world, yet workers still disagree on fundamental aspects of the geological evolution of this complexly deformed high-grade terrain. Most workers agree that the two marginal zones were exhumed in the late-Archaean, but disagree on the timing of major tectono-metamorphic events that affected the Central Zone (CZ) of Limpopo Belt, and the mechanism/s of its formation. There are currently two main schools of thought: The first school regards the LC as a late-Archaean orogenic zone that resulted from a north-south collision of the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal cratons. Granitic plutons throughout the entire LC are considered to be accurate time-markers for this orogeny. The second school suggests that the CZ evolved as a result of a major Paleoproterozoic tectono-metamorphic event based mainly on the interpretation of metamorphic mineral ages. The present study focuses on two aims, namely (i) to provide a synthesis of published data as a basis to understand the ongoing age controversy concerning the evolution of the CZ, and (ii) to show that specific fold types in the CZ can be related to either the late-Archaean or the Paleoproterozoic event. New age, structural, metamorphic, and petrographic data are presented to show that (i) major sheath folds reflect the peak tectono-metamorphic event that affected the CZ in the late-Archaean, while (ii) major cross folds developed as a result of a transpressive event in the Paleoproterozoic. The age of formation of the Avoca sheath fold located about 40 km west of Alldays is accurately constrained by the age of emplacement of different structural varieties of precursors to the Singelele Gneiss: penetratively deformed syn- to late-tectonic Singelele gneisses with a zircon SHRIMP age of 2651 ± 8 Ma, date the time of formation of the sheath fold that is characterized by a single population of linear elements that define the central fold axis. The Avoca sheath fold documents top-to-the-NNE movement of material during the exhumation of the high-grade CZ rocks. Weakly foliated late-tectonic L-tectonites with a zircon SHRIMP age of 2626.8 ± 5.4 Ma, outcrop near the centre of the sheath fold, and provide a minimum age for the shear deformation event. An almost undeformed (post-tectonic) variety of the Singelele Gneiss was emplaced after the shear event. A detailed metamorphic study of metapelitic gneisses from the large Baklykraal cross fold, located about 20 km east of the Avoca sheath fold, documents a single decompression-cooling (DC) P-T path for the evolution of this structure. Three studied metapelitic samples characterized by a single generation of garnet provide a Pb-Pb age of 2023 ± 11 Ma, that accurately constrain the time of formation of this major fold to the Paleoproterozoic. A metapelitic sample characterized by two generations of garnet provide a slightly older Pb-Pb age of 2173 ± 79 Ma, that is interpreted to also reflect the late-Archaean event. The Baklykraal cross fold is characterized by two populations of linear elements: the one population defines the shallow N-S oriented fold axes, while the second population is associated with top-to-the-NNE movement of material during exhumation, resulting in folds with a nappe-like geometry. A DC P-T path for the Campbell cross fold (Van Kal, 2004) located just west of Musina, suggests that cross folds developed under significantly lower P-T conditions than is the case with sheath folds, providing an explanation for the lack of significant anatexis associated with the Paleoproterozoic event. The late-Archaean orogeny in contrast, was accompanied by widespread anatexis during a major magmatic event that is characterized by an abnormal high radiogenic signature. This study, for the first time, provides evidence that link specific fold types, and thus deformational events, to different tectono-metamorphic events. The main conclusion is that the CZ was exhumed as the result of two distinct orogenies, one in the late-Archaean, and the other in the Paleoproterozoic.

Mon travail dans la chaîne du Zagros (Iran) a été double. D'une part, d'après des évidences de terrain dans la "Crush Zone" de Kermanshah, j'ai pu décrire des "Carbonates allochtones" (pré-rift) "Crétacé-moyens" et des sédiments pélagiques liasiques (syn-à post-rift), tous deux exposés sur du manteau serpentinisé. Ceci nous a conduit à proposer l'existence de manteau exhumé le long de failles de détachement dans ce domaine, au moins pendant la phase tardive de rifting, et très probablement un renouvellement de ce processus plusieurs fois au cours de l'histoire de la Téthys. Ceci induit une nouvelle compréhension de la géométrie initiale de la paléo-marge Arabe et des relations structuralles actuelles dans ce domaine. Dans ce schéma, la plate-forme Bisotoun était initialement situé entre le bassin sub-océanique sur manteau exhumé d'Harsin (au sud-ouest) et la Néo-Téthys (au nord-est). D'autre part, j'ai modélisé l'évolution cinématique conduisant à la formation de la ZFTB, à partir de la quantification des mouvements verticaux basée sur la thermochronologie détritiques basse température [AFTA et (U-Th) / He sur apatite et de zircon] et la construction de coupes équilibrées. La construction de deux principaux transects régionaux à l'échelle crustale dans le Lurestan et le Zagros Central, basé sur une description détaillée du style structural, a notamment permis de souligner l'absence probable du décollement basal régional "Hormuz" sous le Lurestan, la présence d'un duplex sédimentaires sous la structure du Mongasht dans le Zagros central et l'existence probable de grabens crustaux inversés à l'avant de la chaîne. La combinaison d'un modèle cinématique forward basé sur des contraintes géométriques et des méthodes thermochronologiques a permis de proposer une propagation vers l'avant de l'exhumation au sein de la marge Arabe entre 14 et 2 Ma. Cette chronologie a finalement été étendu aux régions voisines du Fars et du Kurdistan irakien, sur la base de la modification de deux autres section, apportant ainsi un nouvel aperçu de l'évolution régionale du Zagros. / My work in the Zagros belt (Iran) has been twofold. On the one hand, based on field evidence cropping out in the Kermanshah Crush Zone, I described “Mid-Cretaceous” carbonate “extensional allochthons” (pre-rift) and Liassic pelagic sediments (syn- to post-rift), both exposed above serpentinised mantle. This led us to propose the occurrence of mantle exhumation along detachment faults in this area, at least during the late stage of rifting, and most likely a renewal of this process several times during the history of the Tethys. This induced a new understanding of the initial geometry of the Arabian paleo-margin and of the current structural relationships in this area. In this view, the Bisotoun platform was initially located between the Harsin mantlefloored sub-oceanic-basin (to the south-west) and the Neo-Tethys (to the north-east). On the other hand, I modeled the kinematic evolution leading to the formation of the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt (ZFTB), based on the quantification of the vertical movements with detrital low temperature thermochronology [AFT and (U-Th)/He on apatite and zircon] and section balancing. The construction of two main regional crustal-scale cross-sections in the Lurestan and the Central Zagros, based on a detailed description of the structural style, has notably permitted to emphasize the possible absence of the regional basal Hormuz décollement under the Lurestan, the presence of a sedimentary duplex under the Mongasht structure in the Central Zagros and the probable existence of inverted crustal grabens at the front of the belt. The combination of a geometric forward kinematic model and thermochronological methods has permitted to propose a forward propagation of the exhumation of the Arabian margin from 14 to 2 Ma. This chronology has finally been extended to the neighboring regions of the Fars and of the Iraqi Kurdistan, on the base of the modification of two other cross-sections, thus bringing a new regional overview of the Zagros evolution.

D.Phil. / The tectonic history of the Kheis Terrane and its relationship with the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Province (NNMP) along the western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton were the focus of this study. Major issues addressed in this study are the origin and timing of formation of the Kheis Terrane and the recognition and definition of terrane boundaries in the area. Results of detailed measured sections across the Kheis Terrane, heavy mineral provenance studies, 40Ar/39Ar analyses of metamorphic muscovite, U-Pb SHRIMP dating of detrital zircon grains from 12 samples from the Kheis- and Kakamas Terranes and one igneous body from the Kakamas Terrane are presented. A new stratigraphic unit, the Keis Supergroup, comprising the Olifantshoek-, Groblershoop- and Wilgenhoutsdrif Groups, is defined. The base of the Keis Supergroup is taken at the basal conglomerate of the Neylan Formation. The Mapedi- and Lucknow Formations, previously considered part of the Olifantshoek Group, are now incorporated into the underlying Transvaal Supergroup. The Dabep Fault was found not to represent a terrane boundary. Rather, the Blackridge Thrust represents the boundary between the rocks of the Kheis Terrane and the Kaapvaal Craton. Provenance studies indicate that the rocks of the Keis Supergroup were deposited along a passive continental margin on the western side of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton with the detritus derived from a cratonic interior. Detrital zircon grains from the rocks of the Keis Supergroup of the Kheis Terrane all gave similar detrital zircon age populations of ~1800Ma to ~2300Ma and ~2500Ma to ~2700Ma. The Kaapvaal Craton most probably never acted as a major source area for the rocks of the Keis Supergroup because of the lack of Paleo- to Mesoarchean zircon populations in the Keis Supergroup. Most of the detrital zircon grains incorporated into the Keis Supergroup were derived from the Magondi- and Limpopo Belts and the Zimbabwe Craton to the northeast of the Keis basin. The rock of the Kakamas Terrane was derived from a totally different source area with ages of ~1100Ma to ~1500Ma and ~1700Ma to ~1900Ma which were derived from the Richtersveld- and Bushmanland Terranes as well as the ~1166Ma old granitic gneisses ofthe Kakamas Terrane. Therefore the rocks of the Kheis- and Kakamas Terranes were separated from each other during their deposition. Detrital zircon populations from the Sprigg Formation indicate that it this unit was deposited after the amalgamation of the Kheis- and Kakamas Terranes and therefore does not belong to the Areachap Group. Results provide clear evidence for a tectonic model characterised by the presence of at least two Wilson cycles that affeected the western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton in the interval between the extrusion of the Hartley lavas at 1.93Ga and the collision with the Richtersveld tectonic domain at ~1.13Ga. According to the revised plate tectonic model for the western margin of the Kaapvaal- Zimbabwe Craton, the Neylan Formation represents the initiation of the first Wilson Cycle, with rifting at ~1927Ma ago, on the western margin of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton. The metasedimentary rocks of the Olifantshoek Group were deposited in a braided river environment which gradually changed into a shallow marine environment towards the top of the Olifantshoek Group in the Top Dog Formation. The metasedimentary rocks of the Groblershoop Group were deposited in a shallow, passive or trailing continental margin on the western side of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton. The rocks of the Wilgenhoutsdrif Group overlie the Groblershoop Group unconformably. This unconformity is related to crustal warping as a volcanic arc, represented by the metavolcanics of the Areachap Group, approached the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton from the west. The rocks of the Keis Supergroup were deformed into the Kheis Terrane during the collision of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton, Areachap Arc and the Kgalagadi Terrane to form the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton. This event took place sometime between 1290Ma, the age of deformed granites in the Kheis Terrane and 1172Ma, the initiation of rifting represented by the Koras Group. This is supported by 40Ar/39Ar analyses of metamorphic muscovite from the Kheis Terrane that did not provide any evidence for a ~1.8Ga old Kheis orogeny (an age commonly suggested in the past for this orogeny). This collisional event resulted in the deformation of the rocks of the Keis Supergroup into the Kheis Terrane sometime between 1290Ma and 1172Ma.The second Wilson cycle was initiated during rifting along the Koras-Sinclair-Ghanzi rift on the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton at ~1172Ma. It was followed soon after by the initiation of subduction underneath the Richtersveld cratonic fragment at ~1166Ma after which the rocks of the Korannaland Group were deposited. The closure of the oceanic basin between the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton and the Richtersveld cratonic fragment occurred about 50Ma later (~1113Ma, the age of neomorphic muscovite in the metasedimentary rocks of the Kakamas Terrane) and resulted in the large open folds characterising the Kheis terrane and NNMP. Detrital zircon populations in the Sprigg Formation show that this formation does not belong to the Areachap Group and that it was deposited after the closure of the oceanic basin between the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton and the Richtersveld cratonic fragment at ~1113Ma. The Areachap Group can be extended towards the north and into Botswana along the Kalahari line where it forms the boundary between the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton to its east and the Kgalagadi Terrane to its west. The Areachap Terrane is thus related to the collision of the Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe Craton and Kgalagadi Terrane and was deformed a second time during the oblique collision of the Richtersveld cratonic fragment with the combined Kaapvaal-Zimbabwe-Kgalagadi Craton. The extension of the Areachap Group to the north along the Kalahari line opens up new exploration prospects for Coppertontype massive sulphide deposits underneath the Kalahari sand.

Orientador: Elson Paiva de Oliveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T10:50:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Baldim_MauricioRigoni_M.pdf: 19163752 bytes, checksum: da3d83e0ed883c0984d79ed906f0528c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Domos gnáissicos são estruturas que podem estar associadas tanto aos orógenos extensionais quanto aos colisionais. Em orógenos colisionais, normalmente balizam os distintos terrenos dispondo-se em corredores estruturais. Na região nordeste do Cráton São Francisco, Bloco Serrinha, localiza-se o Greenstone Belt Paleoproterozoico do Rio Itapicuru, interpretado como arco continental acrecionado a um Complexo de alto grau mesoarqueano. Mapeamento geológico realizado no segmento norte da transiçao, embasamento-greenstone, revelou a ocorrência de um domo gnáissico-migmatítico que limita dois terrenos, um arqueano e outro paleoproterozoico, que destoa litoestruturalmente de outros domos reconhecidos a sul do greenstone (e.g. domos do Ambrósio, Salgadália e Pedra Alta). Além disso, dados estruturais mostram que a evolução tectônica da área ocorreu a partir de tectônica compressiva em D1 com direção E-W, seguido de transcorrência N-S em D2, possivelmente associados a transpressão. O domo, denominado Alto Alegre, possui núcleo granito-diatexítico, sendo delineado por faixas anfibolíticas concêntricas e preserva paragênese de alto grau metamórfico. Análises de elementos maiores e traços revelam que as faixas de anfibolitos do referido domo possuem características geoquímicas semelhantes aos diques máficos que cortam o embasamento, e destoam dos basaltos toleíticos do greenstone belt. Dados geocronológicos e de campo revelam idades de ca. 3080 Ma para o embasamento arqueano e para gnaisses do domo Alto Alegre, e idades de ca. 2080 Ma para o granito que intrude a porção central do domo. Os dados mostram que o domo Alto Alegre representa o embasamento arqueano retrabalhado tectonicamente e influenciado por atividade granítica, durante colisão continente-continente em ca. 2080 Ma / Abstract: Gneiss domes are structures that may be associated with both extensional and collisional orogens. In collisional orogens typically delimit distinct land forming structural corridors. In northeastern of São Francisco craton, Serrinha Block, is located the Paleoproterozoic Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt which is interpreted as a continental arc acrecionado to a Mesoarqueano high degree Complex. Geological mapping carried out in the northern segment of the greenstone-basement transition, revealed the occurrence of a gneissic-migmatitic dome that limits two lands, one Archean and another Paleoproterozoic. This dome is different both on litology as structuraly when comparing with other domes recognized in a south of the greenstone (e.g., domes of Ambrose, Salgadália and Pedra Alta). Furthermore, structural data show that the tectonic evolution of the area occurred from compressive tectonics E-W in D1, followed by transcurrent N-S in D2, possibly associated with transpression. The dome, called Alto Alegre, has granite-diatexítico core being outlined by concentric amphibolitic bands that preserves high metamorphic grade paragenesis. Results of major and trace elements analyzes reveal that the amphibolites bands of dome has geochemical characteristics similar to mafic dikes that cut the basement, and differ from Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt basalts. Geochronological and field data reveal ages ca. 3080 Ma for the Archean basement and the dome Alto Alegre gneisses, and ages of ca 2080 Ma for the granite that intrude the central portion of the dome. The data show that the dome Alto Alegre represents the tectonically reworked Archean basement and influenced by granite activity during continent-continent collision at ca 2080 Ma / Mestrado / Geologia e Recursos Naturais / Mestre em Geociências

Submitted by Rafael Santana (rafael.silvasantana@ufpe.br) on 2017-07-10T19:03:34Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Dissertação. Maria Carolina. PPGEMinas.pdf: 3730779 bytes, checksum: 8594f4287f485aa5df1cc1b54795320a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T19:03:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Dissertação. Maria Carolina. PPGEMinas.pdf: 3730779 bytes, checksum: 8594f4287f485aa5df1cc1b54795320a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-14 / CAPES / A análise estrutural de um maciço rochoso tem por finalidade fornecer elementos para uma melhor compreensão dos parâmetros de descontinuidades. Salienta-se que o controle destes parâmetros constitui o norte científico para orientar a lavra de rochas ornamentais, pois, as dimensões e qualidade dos blocos obtidos dependem principalmente da natureza e equidistância dos fraturamentos associados à distribuição das tensões atuantes em um maciço rochoso. Neste trabalho, apresenta-se a análise estrutural do Sienito Marrom Imperial, localizado em Umari, zona rural do Município de João Alfredo – PE. Ao fornecer tais informações o responsável técnico poderá definir a melhor sistemática tecnológica no plano de aproveitamento econômico a ser adotado, sem provocar o aparecimento de fraturas de alívio na rocha. Os dados coletados durante a visita técnica constituíram um banco de dados utilizado na determinação das projeções estereográficas (rede de Schmidt) e diagramas de rosetas. A análise do fraturamento mostrou que as fraturas de cisalhamento situam-se nas direções 30º Az e 340º Az. A bissetriz do ângulo formado pelo cruzamento destes cisalhamentos corresponde à direção de compressão máxima atuante representada por 1 e disposta na direção 5°Az. Perpendicularmente a essa, encontra-se a direção de distenção, 3. Com base no exposto pode-se concluir que a melhor orientação de corte, para o desenvolvimento dos trabalhos de abertura da pedreira, de modo a provocar o alivio das tensões e evitar o aparecimento de fraturas durante os serviços de lavra, é a direção SE-NW. Quanto à caracterização tecnológica, os resultados obtidos foram comparados aos estabelecidos pelas normas ABNT NBR 15844:2010, NBR 12042: 1992 e ASTM C 615:1992. Os índices físicos - massa específica aparente seca e saturada, porosidade e absorção aparentes - atenderam satisfatoriamente aos requisitos da ABNT NBR 15844:2010 e americana ASTM C615: 1992. Os resultados dos ensaios de resistência à compressão simples e resistência à flexão quando comparados com os valores requisitados para granitos, mostram que a rocha suporta uma compressão mediana, levemente inferior ao estabelecido por estas normas. Já o ensaio de desgaste Amsler ficou abaixo de 1mm/m, como especificado pela norma brasileira NBR 15844:2010. A avaliação dos ensaios do Marrom Imperial, juntamente com a análise petrográfica, possibilitou um melhor conhecimento da inter-relação dos resultados, e podendo assim relacionar diretamente a uma melhor aplicação do material objeto de estudo. A rocha pode ser aplicada sem restrições, salvo locais úmidos que requerem impermeabilização e de intenso tráfego. / Structural analysis of a rock mass is intended to provide elements for a better understanding of discontinuities parameters. It is noted that the control of these parameters is the scientific north to guide the mining of dimension stones, therefore, the size and quality of the blocks obtained depend mainly on the nature and equidistance of fracturing associated with the distribution of stresses acting on a rock mass. In this paper is presented a structural analysis of the Syenite Brown Imperial, located in Umari, rural municipality of Joao Alfredo - PE. By providing such information the responsible technician can determine the best technology in the systematic economic exploitation plan to be adopted, without causing the onset of relief of fractures in the rock. The data collected during the technical visit constituted a database used in determining the stereographic projections (Schmidt network) and rosettes diagrams. The analysis of fracturing showed that shear fractures are located in directions 30º and Az 340º Az. The bisecting the angle formed by the intersection of these shear is the maximum active compression direction represented by 1 and arranged in 5 ° Az direction. Perpendicular to this, it is the direction of distention, 3. Based on the above it can be concluded that the best cutting guidance for the development of the opening work of the quarry, so as to cause the relief of the stresses and prevent the occurrence of fracture during the mining services is the direction SE- NW. As for technological characterization, the results were compared to the standards established by the NBR 15844: 2010, NBR 12042: 1992 and ASTM C 615: 1992. Physical indices - apparent dry and saturated especific mass, porosity and apparent absorption - satisfactorily met the requirements of NBR 15844: 2010 and American ASTM C615: 1992. The results of tests on the compressive strength and flexural strength when compared to the values required to granites, showed rock that supports a median compression, slightly lower than that established by these standards. However Amsler wear test was less than 1 mm / m, as specified by the Brazilian standard NBR 15844: 2010. The evaluation of the tests of the Imperial Brown, along with petrographic analysis enabled a better understanding of the interrelationship of the results, and thus being able to relate directly to a better implementation of the object of study material. The rock can be applied without restriction, except wet locations that require waterproofing and high traffic.

The Southeastern US is an ideal location to explore the interactions between mountain-building, rifting, magmatism and intraplate deformation. It experienced the formation of the Southern Appalachians over multiple episodes of orogenesis, continental rifting that formed the South Georgia Rift Basin, and widespread magmatism associated with the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). CAMP was followed by the breakup of Pangea, but the suture between Laurentia and Gondwana from the Appalachian orogeny is preserved in the crust of the Southeastern US. Intraplate seismicity indicates ongoing deformation in the Southeastern US today, but the mechanisms controlling this seismicity are poorly understood. This thesis uses seismic constraints to examine the tectonic history of the Southeastern United States (US). We use new wide-angle refraction seismic data to model crustal and upper mantle velocities in order to investigate the structures formed by mountain-building, rifting, and magmatism. Broadband seismic data are then used to detect and characterize earthquakes in the central Georgia-South Carolina region. Wide-angle seismic data were collected on three profiles crossing major geological features in Georgia to investigate the tectonic history of the Southeastern United States as a part of the SUwanee Suture and GA Rift basin experiment (SUGAR) project. We model VP and VS of the crust and upper mantle on SUGAR Line 2, which extends from the Inner Piedmont to the Georgia coast. We identify a north to south decrease in upper crustal VP/VS at the Higgins-Zietz magnetic boundary, which other recent studies have identified as the location of the suture between Laurentia and Gondwana. This boundary also lies near the northwestern edge of the South Georgia Rift Basin, the southeastern termination of the low velocity zone interpreted as the Appalachian detachment, and localized crustal thinning. Together, these results provide new evidence in support of the Alleghanian suture being located at the Higgins-Zietz magnetic boundary, and suggest that this orogenic boundary influenced the location of subsequent rifting. We compare the VP structures of two SUGAR wide-angle transects that cross western and eastern segments of the South Georgia Rift, respectively. Elevated (>7.0 km/s) lower crustal velocities are observed where the rift basin sedimentary fill is thickest and the crust is most thinned. The quantities of mafic magmatic intrusions are consistent with decompression melting at modestly elevated mantle potential temperatures, such as those estimated for CAMP intrusions. These results suggest that, in contrast with the widespread CAMP-aged magmatism at the Earth’s surface, lower crustal magmatic intrusions in the Southeastern US are limited and localized in areas that experienced extension. These new constraints on the velocity structure and tectonic history of the Southeastern United States are then applied to understand earthquakes in the region today. Using broadband seismic data, we find that earthquakes southeast of the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone are concentrated within the Carolina Terrane, a particularly heterogeneous accreted terrane of the Southern Appalachians. Within this terrane, seismicity concentrates near rivers and reservoirs, including a sequence of earthquakes in 2013 associated with an increase in water levels at Thurmond Lake on the Georgia-South Carolina border. Focal mechanisms suggest that the earthquakes are occurring on structures that are oblique to the trend of the Appalachians that are more optimally oriented in the modern stress regime.

Integrating field observation with petrochronology is critical for understanding the tectonometamorphic evolution of the North American Grenville Province. Despite methodological advances in geothermobarometry and geochronology, incorporating these data into larger models of the Adirondack Mountains remains particularly challenging due to the presence of multiple generations of deformation, primarily related to the ca. 1190 – 1140 Ma Shawinigan and ca. 1090 – 1020 Ma Ottawan Orogenies (McLelland et al.,2013). The Rock and Bear Ponds area is a dome of tight-to-isoclinally folded metapelites in structural contact with orthogneiss. Fold generations are orthogonal and partitioned such that the northern area is dominated by an earlier episode of D2 deformation and an E-W S2 fabric and the southern by D3 deformation and a N-S S3 fabric. Observed assemblages include Qtz + Pl + Kfs + Bt + Sil + Grt + Gr ± Py ± Mnz ± Zr in metapelite and Hbl + Pl + Grt + Qtz + CPx ± Ilm in metagabbro. Metapelitic garnet is anhedral and overgrows a strongly transposed S1 fabric. A population of small high-Y monazite cores are associated with S1 and yield a mean weighted date of 1174 ± 5 Ma. Monazite observed in S2-defining phases and matrix have very high-Y & HREE cores that yield dates of 1068 ± 7 Ma and are surrounded by low-Y & HREE mantles (1048 ± 4 Ma) with irregular high-Y rims (1023 ± 6 Ma). These data suggest garnet growth followed the transposition of a strong Shawinigan S1 fabric during D2 and D3 folding events, ca. 1090 – 1070 Ma. The timing of this shortening is interpreted to coincide with the early Ottawan Orogeny, ca. 1090 – 1050 Ma. Geothermobarometric calculations of S2-associated phases constrains peak metamorphic conditions to 700 – 750 ± 50 °C and 6.5-7.5 ± 1 kbar; these data are well in agreement with those reported in multiple studies, thereby suggesting that regional PT calculations reflect Ottawan tectonometamorphic conditions (Bohlen et al., 1985; Spear & Markussen, 1997; Storm & Spear, 2005). High-Y & HREE rims are also observed and interpreted to reflect garnet breakdown ca. 1050 – 990 Ma during decompression and orogenic collapse, which has become increasingly reported in the eastern Adirondack Mountains over the last decade (Wong et al., 2012; Chiarenzelli et al., 2017; Regan et al., 2019; Williams et al., 2019). The Mesoproterozoic metapelite of the Rock and Bear Ponds area record an intense polydeformational history and therefore provide a valuable window into episodic middle-to-lower crustal deformation and metamorphism. The integration of focused microstructural observation with geothermobarometric and timing constraints has provided much insight into the structural evolution of the Adirondack Mountains. Integrating field observation with petrochronology is critical for understanding the tectonometamorphic evolution of the North American Grenville Province. Despite methodological advances in geothermobarometry and geochronology, incorporating these data into larger models of the Adirondack Mountains remains particularly challenging due to the presence of multiple generations of deformation, primarily related to the ca. 1190 – 1140 Ma Shawinigan and ca. 1090 – 1020 Ma Ottawan Orogenies (McLelland et al.,2013). The Rock and Bear Ponds area is a dome of tight-to-isoclinally folded metapelites in structural contact with orthogneiss. Fold generations are orthogonal and partitioned such that the northern area is dominated by an earlier episode of D2 deformation and an E-W S2 fabric and the southern by D3 deformation and a N-S S3 fabric. Observed assemblages include Qtz + Pl + Kfs + Bt + Sil + Grt + Gr ± Py ± Mnz ± Zr in metapelite and Hbl + Pl + Grt + Qtz + CPx ± Ilm in metagabbro. Metapelitic garnet is anhedral and overgrows a strongly transposed S1 fabric. A population of small high-Y monazite cores are associated with S1 and yield a mean weighted date of 1174 ± 5 Ma. Monazite observed in S2-defining phases and matrix have very high-Y & HREE cores that yield dates of 1068 ± 7 Ma and are surrounded by low-Y & HREE mantles (1048 ± 4 Ma) with irregular high-Y rims (1023 ± 6 Ma). These data suggest garnet growth followed the transposition of a strong Shawinigan S1 fabric during D2 and D3 folding events, ca. 1090 – 1070 Ma. The timing of this shortening is interpreted to coincide with the early Ottawan Orogeny, ca. 1090 – 1050 Ma. Geothermobarometric calculations of S2-associated phases constrains peak metamorphic conditions to 700 – 750 ± 50 °C and 6.5-7.5 ± 1 kbar; these data are well in agreement with those reported in multiple studies, thereby suggesting that regional PT calculations reflect Ottawan tectonometamorphic conditions (Bohlen et al., 1985; Spear & Markussen, 1997; Storm & Spear, 2005). High-Y & HREE rims are also observed and interpreted to reflect garnet breakdown ca. 1050 – 990 Ma during decompression and orogenic collapse, which has become increasingly reported in the eastern Adirondack Mountains over the last decade (Wong et al., 2012; Chiarenzelli et al., 2017; Regan et al., 2019; Williams et al., 2019). The Mesoproterozoic metapelite of the Rock and Bear Ponds area record an intense polydeformational history and therefore provide a valuable window into episodic middle-to-lower crustal deformation and metamorphism. The integration of focused microstructural observation with geothermobarometric and timing constraints has provided much insight into the structural evolution of the Adirondack Mountains.

Thesis advisor: Seth C. Kruckenberg / Quantitatively describing the deformational behavior (i.e. the rheology) of lower crustal materials has proven challenging due to the highly variable nature of structural and compositional fabrics in the lower crust. Further, many flow laws describing the rheology of monophase aggregates are experimentally derived and do not necessarily apply to polyphase materials, such as gabbro, that dominate the lower crust. Here, we present the results of integrated microstructural analysis and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) textural analysis from exhumed lower crustal granulites in the Mount Hay block of central Australia. The preservation of heterogeneous mafic and felsic granulites containing monophase and/or polyphase mixtures of anorthite, pyroxene, and quartz (interlayered on the mm- to m-scale) make this region uniquely suited for advancing our knowledge of the processes that affect deformation and the rheology of the lower crust. Forty-two samples from distinct structural and compositional domains were chosen to compare the microstructural record of deformation, the development of crystallographic textures, and to provide estimates of lower crustal rheology and deformation conditions. Full thin-section maps of crystallographic texture were produced using EBSD methods. The resultant orientation maps were processed to characterize crystallographic textures in all constituent phases, and all other quantifiable aspects of the rock microstructure (e.g., grain size, grain shape, misorientation axes). The EBSD analysis reveals the presence of strong crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) in nearly all constituent phases, suggesting deformation dominated by dislocation creep. Differential stresses during deformation are calculated using grain size piezometry for all major phases, and range between 34-54 MPa in quartz within monophase layers. Two-pyroxene geothermometry was used to constrain deformation temperatures to ca. 780-810 C. Based on the estimated CPO patterns, stress, and temperature, we quantify strain rates and effective viscosities of all major phases through application of monophase flow laws. Monophase strain rates range from 2.10 x 10-12 s-1 to 1.56 x 10-11 s-1 for quartz, 4.68 x 10-15 s-1 to 2.48 x 10-13 s-1 for plagioclase feldspar, 1.56 x 10-18 s-1 to 1.64 x 10-16 s-1 for enstatite, and 5.66 x 10-16 s-1 to 1.00 x 10-14 s-1 for diopside. The determined flow law variables used for monophase calculations were subsequently applied to two different models – the Minimized Power Geometric model of Huet et al. (2014) and the Asymptotic Expansion Homogenization (AEH) method of Cook (2006) – in order to calculate a bulk aggregate viscosity of the polyphase material. At a strain rate of 10-14 s-1, polyphase effective viscosities for our samples range from 3.07 x 1020 to 2.74 x 1021 Pa·s. We find that the bulk viscosity of heterogeneous, gabbroic lower crust in the Mount Hay region lies between that of monophase plagioclase and monophase quartz, and varies as a function of composition. These results are consistent with past modeling studies and geophysical estimates. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.

This study integrates detailed mapping of Tertiary deposits along the divide between the lower Bear River basin and the Cache Valley basin with several other techniques to generate a depositional model, define extension-related structures, and compile a geologic history for this part of the northeastern Basin and Range province. The study area is situated along the topographic divide between Box Elder and Cache Counties, Utah, from the Wellsville Mountains north almost to Clarkston Mountain. These ranges are cored by folded and thrusted Paleozoic rocks. They are bound on the west by normal faults of the Wasatch fault zone and on the east by the West Cache fault zone. Between these two fault zones, poorly consolidated Tertiary deposits of the Wasatch Formation and Salt Lake Formation overlie Paleozoic rocks in the foothills and low divide between the north-trending ranges. The Miocene to Pliocene Salt Lake Formation accumulated above non-tuffaceous conglomerates of the Paleocene to Eocene Wasatch Formation, up to 0.5 km thick in the Wellsville Mountains, but thin or absent northward. The Salt Lake Formation in the study area consists of an apparently non-tuffaceous lower conglomerate member, up to 0.5 km thick in the Wellsville Mountains, and a widespread younger tuffaceous and lacustrine member, at least 1 km thick. The traditional names of Collinston Conglomerate and Cache Valley Member were used for these two lithologies. The Cache Valley Member was further subdivided into a local tuffaceous basal conglomerate, a widespread tuffaceous subunit, and an overlying oolitic subunit. Normal faults in the study area comprise three groups. North-striking normal faults are the youngest, and include major range-bounding faults. East-striking normal faults are less numerous, and are cut by the north-striking faults. The southwest-dipping low-to moderate-angle Beaver Dam fault separates the Cache Butte Divide and Junction Hills from the Wellsville Mountains. It may be unique within the area of study, and may comprise a newly identified segment of the Wasatch fault zone. Most of its displacement appears to pre-date the late Miocene, at the time that previous authors have suggested for the onset of Basin-and-Range normal faulting.

Damage zones adjacent to or associated with faults are important to the geologic community because of their implications to hazards and their ability to preserve evidence for, and show history of, slip, fluid flow, and deformation associated with large strike-slip faults. We examine two fault zones in southern California where fault zone damage is expressed. We revisit the drilled crystalline core from the Cajon Pass California drill hole, 4 km northeast of the San Andreas fault (SAF), and 1 km north of the Cleghorn fault, to perform a systematic structural analysis of deformation and alteration associated with strike-slip faulting at the site. The core preserved 19 fault zones, 11 of which were not previously identified. The most significant fault is a fully intact steep-dipping fault zone at 3,402 m depth with potassium feldspar and epidote alteration. This fault correlates well with the nearby left-lateral Cleghorn fault. The extent of deformation varies within the core, and is controlled by the size of the fault zones intersected by the core. The extent of deformation varies and is controlled by the size of the faults the core intersected. We also examined the nature of right separation across the Clark fault damage zone along the Santa Rosa segment using a marker assemblage of biotite, hornblende-bearing tonalite - marble - bearing metasedimentary rocks - migmatite located in Coyote Mountain and the southeast Santa Rosa Mountains. Separation measured from this study is 16.8 km + 3.67 km / -6.03 km. Our measurement uses the updated location of the Clark fault in Clark Lake Valley and matches a distinctive lithologic contact across the fault instead of matching the diffuse western boundary of the Eastern Peninsular mylonite zone as previously used. We calculate the errors associated with projecting the contacts across Quaternary cover to the trace of the Clark fault, and consider a range of projections. Additional strain may have been accommodated in folds and small faults within the damage zone of the San Jacinto fault zone. Two large map-scale folds deform the marker assemblage near the San Jacinto fault zone and we tested whether Cretaceous ductile deformation or brittle late Quaternary right slip produced the folds.