Texture and anisotropy analysis of a laminated lower crust: a neutron diffraction study of felsic granulites
Abstract
Quantitative fabric analyses of high-P and high-T tectonites were done with HIPPO, a Time-Of-Flight (TOF) neutron diffractometer at Los Alamos National Lab. Samples were collected in the Sobrado unit (NW Spain), a tectonic stack of highly deformed slices of metabasites, paragneisses and ultramafic rocks. Metamorphism ranges from granulites on top, to eclogites at the bottom of the unit. The ensemble represents and excellent example of laminated lower crust. The alternation of mechanically contrasted lithologies and/or the development of crystal preferred orientation might result into anisotropy. We explore the contribution of crystallographic preferred orientation or texture to the seismic anisotropy of the lower crust. Since strain partitioning occurred between mechanically strong and weak lithologies, a higher crystal preferred orientation is expected along the weak levels: the metasediments. TOF neutron diffraction experiments were conducted in HIPPO (LANSCE) with high-P and high-T mylonitic felsic paragneisses. Quantitative texture analysis of neutron data was accomplished by using the Rietveld method, with E-WIMW algorithm, implemented in the program package MAUD (Material Analysis Using Diffraction; Lutterotti, 1999). The orientation distribution function (ODF) for each mineral was calculated in MAUD and then processed in BEARTEX (Wenk et al. 1998). Selected pole figures were plotted for major components, quartz, plagioclase and biotite (first setting in monoclinic crystals). Texture patterns are compatible with non-coaxial progressive deformation and discussed accordingly in terms of dislocation activity. Besides, seismic waves velocities were computed from the texture data in BEARTEX. Calculated velocities and anisotropy were based on ODF, volume fraction of each mineral and their single-crystal elastic constant. Kinematic and mechanical implications are discussed in terms of the regional geology. The correlation of texture, mineral composition and seismic anisotropy in the model is also presented.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.T53B2585B
- Keywords:
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- 8159 TECTONOPHYSICS Rheology: crust and lithosphere;
- 8030 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY Microstructures