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Northern Arabian Shield shear zones: strain analysis comparison

  • AGIC 2017
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ajjaj-Qazaz-Hanabiq shear zones (AQH-SZ) are ductile to semi-ductile shear zones that are located within the Midyan terrane in the northwestern part of the Arabian Shield. They expose Neoproterozoic rock assemblages that comprise an elongated ridge of ophiolitic rocks, arc-metavolcanics, and contemporary arc-related intrusions. They are unconformably overlain by the post-amalgamation molasses-type sediments and finally intruded by late- to post-tectonic intrusions. The strain analysis results of the AQH-SZ are consistent with no significant differences. The average of RsXZ values in the three shears ranges from 2 to 2.22, while the RsYZ average ranges from 1.7 to 1.9. The average of stretching in the three shears ranges from 34 to 42%, while the shortening ranges from 33 to 37%. The stretching direction is oriented parallel to the shear trends; WNW directions in the Ajjaj and Qazaz shear zones, and NNE direction in the Hanabiq shear zone. The change in direction of stretching is suggested to be due to the exhumation of gneissic cores which also might have caused the presence of a local dextral sense in Hanabiq shear zone. Based on the similarity in the strain analysis results and the absence of overprinting relationships at the conjunction areas of the three shears, it is concluded that the three shears are one major shear.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge with thanks King Abdulaziz University for technical and financial support. The authors would like to thank the Saudi Geological Survey, for all kinds of support and help during the field works of this study. Special thanks to Prof. El-Sawy and Dr. Masrouhi for their incredible help and support. Thanks are also due to the guest editor Dr. Khomsi and the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions. StrainCalculator v3.2 software of Dr. Rod Holcombe, and EllipseFit 3.2.2 software of Dr. Frederick Vollmer were used in this study. 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Structural Geology and Remote Sensing Department, Faculty of Earth Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80206, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Haitham M. Baggazi, Wadee A. AlKashghari, Abdelhamid Elfakharani, Mohamed Matsah & Mohamed K. El-Shafei

  2. Geological Survey Department, Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Wadee A. AlKashghari

  3. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt

    Abdelhamid Elfakharani

  4. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

    Mohamed K. El-Shafei

Authors
  1. Haitham M. Baggazi
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  2. Wadee A. AlKashghari
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  3. Abdelhamid Elfakharani
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  4. Mohamed Matsah
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  5. Mohamed K. El-Shafei
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Correspondence to Haitham M. Baggazi.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Geology of North Africa and Mediterranean Regions

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Baggazi, H.M., AlKashghari, W.A., Elfakharani, A. et al. Northern Arabian Shield shear zones: strain analysis comparison. Arab J Geosci 12, 75 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-019-4233-3

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