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Some observations on brittle-ductile toggle

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Abstract

In low temperature deformation of polymineralic rocks the constituent minerals often show contrasting deformation mechanisms. In naturally deformed arkoses, feldspathic quartzites and grits under greenschist to almandine-amphibolite fades condition, feldspar deforms by microboudinage (rigid-brittle behaviour), while quartz flows by a combination of dislocation creep, pressure solution and solution transfer. Boudin segments develop and separate in a phased sequential manner while quartz matrix flows in a ductile manner, indicating a brittle-ductile toggle during progressive deformation.

Both the pressure solution and dislocation creep flows are volume-conservative. Therefore, a net volume increase during the above deformations is a necessity, unless compensated by a solution-transfer process. Hydrofracturing probably played a role in microboudinage formation as the ambient level of differential stress is estimated to be low around 45–75 MPa.

To develop a synthetic flow law for the above type of deformation in arkoses, one needs to consider the significance of different rate-controlling mechanisms. As feldspar pull-aparts are syntectonically filled with quartz or metamorphic minerals crystallizing during progressive deformation, successive microboudin segmentation will depend on how fast/slow the matrix quartz moves to the open crack or the sealing takes place by transfer of appropriate solute components by pressure solution or solution transfer, the real rate-controlling process.

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  1. Geological Studies Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 B. T. Road, 700035, Calcutta, India

    Dilip Saha

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Saha, D. Some observations on brittle-ductile toggle. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Earth Planet Sci.) 104, 419–431 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02843406

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