Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microstructural analysis and tectonic evolution in thrust systems: examples from the Assynt region of the Moine Thrust Zone, Scotland

  • Chapter
Deformation Processes in Minerals, Ceramics and Rocks

Part of the book series: The Mineralogical Society Series ((MIBS,volume 1))

Abstract

Recent microstructural studies of experimentally and naturally deformed rocks have provided important information for the understanding of deformation mechanisms, rates and conditions during tectonic events (Borradaile et al. 1982, Schmid 1982, Hobbs & Heard 1986, Tullis 1986, Wang 1986, Atkinson 1987, Schmid et al. 1987, Knipe & Rutter 1990). The microstructures characteristic of different deformation mechanisms, which operate under different deformation conditions, have been identified and their preservation in tectonites used to assess natural deformation processes and kinematics (Pfiffner 1982; Simpson & Schmid 1983; Groshong et al. 1984; Lister & Snoke 1984; Mitra 1984; Ord et al. 1984; Brodie & Rutter 1985; Gibson & Grey 1985; Knipe & Wintsch 1985; Obee & White 1985; Law et al. 1986; Rutter et al. 1986; Sibson 1986; Twiss 1986; Knipe, 1989). In addition, such studies have helped to construct fault-zone models (Sibson 1982, 1983, 1985; Knipe 1985, 1989; Kuznir & Park 1986; Platt & Behrmann 1986).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Atkinson, B. K. 1987.Fracture mechanics of rock. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blenkinsop, T. G. & E. H. Rutter 1986. Cataclastic deformation of quartzite in the Moine Thrust zone. J. Struct. Geol. 8 (6) 669–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borradaile, G. J., M. B. Bayly, & C. McA. Powell, 1982.Atlas of deformational and metamor- phic rock fabrics. Berlin: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bowler, S. 1987. Duplex geometry: an example from the Moine Thrust Zone.Tectonophysics 135, 25–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyer, S. E. & D. Elliott 1982. Thrust systems. AAPG Bull 66, 1196–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer, J. 1981. Thermal effects of thrust faulting. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 56, 233–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodie, K. H. & E. H. Rutter 1985. On the relationship between deformation and metamorphism, with special reference to the behaviour of basic rocks. In Advances in physical geochemistry 4, A. B. Thompson & D. C. Rubie (eds), 138–79. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. H. 1982. The terminology of structure in thrust belt. J. Struct. Geol. 4 239–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. H. 1984. Structural evolution of the Moine thrust belt between Loch More and Glendhu, Sutherland. Scott. J. Geol. 20, 161–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. H. 1986. Structural evolution in the Moine of N. W. Scotland - a Caledonian linked thrust system. Geol Mag. 123, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. H. 1987. Thrust sequences. J. Geol Soc. Lond. 144, 619–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, R. W. H. & M. P. Coward 1984. Geological constraints, structural evolution and deep geology in N.W. Scottish Caledonides. Tectonics 3, 347–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christie, J. M. 1960. Mylonitic rocks of the Moine Thrust Zone in Assynt region, N.W. Scotland. Trans Edinb. Geol Soc. 18, 79–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, J. M. 1963. The Moine thrust zone in Assynt region N.W. Scotland.Univ. Calif. Publ. Geol Sci. 40, 345–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P. 1982. Surge zones in the Moine thrust zone of N.W. Scotland.J. Struct. Geol. 4, 247–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P. 1983. The thrust and shear zones of the Moine thrust zone and NW Scottish Caledonides. J. Geol Soc. Lond. 140, 795–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P. 1984. The strain and textural history of thin skinned tectonic zones examples from the Assynt region of the Moine thrust zone, N.W. Scotland.J. Struct. Geol. 6, 89–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P. 1985. The thrust structures of southern Assynt, Moine Thrust Zone. Geol Mag. 6, 595–607.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P., J. H. Kim & J. Parke 1980. The Lewisian structures of the Moine thrust zone. Proc. Geol Assoc. Lond. 9, 327–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coward, M. P. & A. C. Ries 1986.Collision tectonics. Geol. Soc. Lond. Sp. Publ. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, D., J. Suppe & F. A. Dahlen 1983. Mechanics of fold and thrust belts and accretionary wedges. J. Geophys. Res. 88, 1153–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D. & M. R. W. Johnson 1980. The structural evolution of the north part of the Moine Thrust Zone. Trans R. Soc. Edinb. Earth Sci. 71, 69–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enfield, M. A. & M. P. Coward 1987. The structure of the West Orkney basin, N. Scotland. J. Geol Soc. Lond. 144(6), 871–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etheridge, M. A. & J. C. Wilkie 1981. An assessment of dynamically recrystallised grain size as a palaeo piezometer in quartz bearing mylonites. Tectonophysics 78, 475–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D. J. & S. White 1984. Microstructural and fabric studies from the rocks of the Moine Nappe, Eriboll, N.W. Scotland. J. Struct. Geol. 6, 369–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R. G. & D. R. Grey 1985. Ductile to brittle transition in shear during thrust sheet emplacement, S. Appalachian thrust belt. J. Struct. Geol. 7, 513–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groshong, R. J. Jr, O. A. Pfiffner & L. R. Pringle 1984. Strain partitioning in the Helvetic thrust belt of eastern Switzerland from the leading edge of the internal zone. J. Struct. Geol. 6, 5–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, B. E. & H. C. Heard (eds) 1986.Mineral and rock deformation: laboratory studies. Geophysical Monograph 36. Washington DC: Amer. Geophys. Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • House, W. M. & D. R. Grey 1982. Cataclasites along the Salfville thrust, U.S.A. and their implications for thrust sheet emplacement. J. Struct. Geol. 4, 257–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. R. W., S. P. Kelley, G. J. H. Oliver & D. A. Winter 1985. Thermal effects and timing of thrusting in the Moine Thrust Zone. J. Geol Soc. Lond. 142, 863–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, S. H. 1984. Introduction and digest to the special issue on chemical effects of water on the deformation and strengths of rocks. J. Geophys. Res. 89, 3991–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knipe, R. J. 1985. Footwall geometry and the rheology of thrust sheets.J. Struct. Geol. 7, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knipe, R. J. 1986. Deformation mechanism path diagrams for sediments undergoing lithification. In Structural fabrics in DSDP cores from forearcs, J. C. Moore (ed.), 155–60. Geol Soc. Am. Memoir 166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knipe, R. J. 1989. Deformation mechanisms - recognition from natural tectonites. J. Struct. Geol. 11, 127–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knipe, R. J. & R. P. Wintsch 1985. Heterogeneous deformation, foliation development and metamorphic processes in the polyphase mylonite. In Advances in physical geochemistry, A. B. Thompson & D. C. Rubie (eds), 4, 180–210. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knipe, R. J. & R. D. Law, 1987. The influence of crystallographic orientation and grain boundary migration on microstructural and textural evolution in an S.C. mylonite. Tectonophysics 135, 155–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knipe, R. J. & E. H. Rutter 1990 (eds).Deformation mechanisms, rheology and tectonics. Special vol. London: Geol Soc., in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuznir, N. J. & R. G. Park 1986. Continental lithosphere strength: the critical role of lower crustal deformation. In The nature of the lower crust, J. B. Dawson, D. A. Carswell, J. Hall & K. H. Wedepohl (eds), 79–93. Geol Soc. Lond. Sp. Publ. 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. D. 1987. Heterogeneous deformation and quartz crystallographic fabric transitions: natural examples from the Moine Thrust Zone at Assynt. J. Struct. Geol. 9, 819–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. D., R. J. Knipe & H. Dayan 1984. Strain path partitioning with thrust sheets: microstructural and petrofabric evidence from the Moine Thrust zone, Loch Eriboll.J. Struct. Geol. 6, 477–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. D., M. Casey & R. J. Knipe 1986. Kinematic and tectonic significance of microstructures and crystallographic fabrics within the quartz mylonites from the Assynt and Eriboll regions of the Moine Thrust Zone. Trans R. Soc. Edinb. Earth Sci. 77, 99–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law, R. D. & G. J. Potts 1987. The Tarskavaig Nappe of Skye, N.W. Scotland. Geol Mag. 125, 231–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lister, G. S. & A. Snoke 1984. S-C mylonites. J. Struct. Geol. 6, 617–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, G. E. & R. J. Knipe 1990. Deformation mechanisms accommodating faulting of quartzite under crustal conditions. Submitted to J. Struct. Geol.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, G. 1984. Brittle to ductile transition due to large strains along White Rock Thrust, Wind River, Wyoming. J. Struct. Geol. 6, 51–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obee, H. K. & S. H. White 1985. Fault and associated rocks of the S. Aranta block, Alice Springs, Australia. J. Struct. Geol. 7, 701–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ord, A. & J. M. Christie 1984. Flow stresses from microstructures in mylonitic quartzites from the Assynt region, Scotland. J. Struct. Geol. 6, 639–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfiffner, D. A. 1982. Deformation mechanisms and flow regimes in limestones from the Helvetics, Swiss Alps. J. Struct. Geol. 4, 429–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piatt, J. P. 1987. The uplift and high pressure - low temperature metamorphic rocks. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. A 321, 87–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piatt, J. P. & J. H. Behrmann 1986. Structures and fabrics in a crustal scale shear zone, Betic Cordilleras, S.E. Spain.J. Struct. Geol. 8, 13–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piatt, J. P. & G. S. Lister 1985. Structural history of high pressure metamorphic rocks in the S. Vanoise Massif, French Alps and their relation to Alpine events.J. Struct. Geol. 7, 19–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, E. H. 1976. The kinetics of rock deformation by pressure-solution.Phil Trans R. Soc. A 283, 203–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, E. H., R. H. Maddock, S. H. Hall & S. H. White 1986. Comparative microstructures of natural and experimentally produced clay bearing fault gouges. Pure Appl. Geophys. 124, 3–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, E. H. 1986. On the nomenclature of mode of failure transitions in rocks.Tectonophysics 122, 381–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, S. M. 1982. Microfabric studies as indicators of deformation mechanisms and flow lavas operative in mountain building. In Mountain building processes, K. H. Su (ed.), 95–110. London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, S. M., R. Panozzo & S. Bauer 1987. Simple shear experiments on calcite rocks: rheology and microfabric. J. Struct. Geol. 9, 747–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson, R. H. 1977. Fault rocks and faulting mechanisms. J. Geol Soc. Lond. 133, 191–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson R. H. 1980. Transient discontinuities in ductile shear zones. J. Struct. Geol. 2, 165–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson, R. H. 1982. Fault zone models, heat flow and depth distribution of earthquakes in the continental crust of the United States. Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am. 72, 151–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sibson, R. H. 1983. Continental fault structure and the shallow earthquake source. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. 140, 741–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson, R. H. 1985. Stopping of earthquake ruptures at dilational jogs.Nature 316, 248–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson, R. H. 1986a. Brecciation processes in fault zones: inferences from earthquake rupturing. Pure Appl. Geophys. 124, 159–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sibson, R. H. 1986b. Earthquakes and rock deformation in crustal fault zones. Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 14, 149–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, C. & S. M. Schmid 1983. An evaluation of criteria to deduce the sense of movement in sheared rocks. Bull. Geol Soc. Am. 94,1281–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swett, K. & D. E. Smitt 1972. Palaeogeography and depositional environments of the Cambro- Ordovician shallow marine facies of the N. Atlantic. Bull. Geol. Soc. Am. 83, 3223–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A. B. & P. D. England 1984. Pressure-Temperature-time paths. J. Petrol. 25, 929–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A. B. & J. Ridley 1987.P-T-t paths for orogenic zones. In Tectonic settings of regional metamorphism, E. R. Oxburgh, B. W. D. Yardley & P. C. England (eds), 27–46. London: Royal Soc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tullis, T. E. 1986. Friction and faulting. Pure Appl. Geophys. 124, 375–608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Twiss, R. J. 1986. Variable sensitivity piezometric equations for dislocation densities and sub- grain diameters and their relevance to quartz and olivine. In Mineral and rock deformation: laboratory studies, B. E. Hobbs & H. C. Heard (eds), Geophys. Monogr. 36, 247–62. Washington DC: Amer. Geophys. Union.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Ci-yuen (ed.) 1986. Internal structure of fault zones. Pure Appl. Geophys. Special Issue.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weathers, M. S., J. M. Bird, R. F. Cooper & D. C. Kohlstedt 1979. Differential stress determined from deformation induced microfractures of the Moine Thrust Zone. J. Geophys. Res. 84, 7495–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S. H. 1979. Grain and sub-grain size variation across a mylonite zone.Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 70, 193–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. H. 1979b. Difficulties associated with palaeo-stress estimates. Bull. Mineral. 210–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S. H., D. J. Evans and D.-L. Zhong 1982. Fault rocks of the Moine Thrust zone: Micro- structures and textures of selected mylonites. Textures Microstruct. 5, 33–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, J. C. & S. H. White 1983. Semi-brittle deformation within the Alpine fault zone, New Zealand. J. Struct. Geol. 5, 579–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wojtal, S. & G. Mitra 1986. Strain hardening and strain softening in fault zones from foreland thrusts. Bull. Geol Soc. Am. 97, 674–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Robert J. Knipe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 D. J. Barber, P. G. Meredith & contributors

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Knipe, R.J. (1990). Microstructural analysis and tectonic evolution in thrust systems: examples from the Assynt region of the Moine Thrust Zone, Scotland. In: Deformation Processes in Minerals, Ceramics and Rocks. The Mineralogical Society Series, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6827-4_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6827-4_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-6829-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-6827-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation