In situ Nanoscale Deformation in Transmission Electron Microscopy: Insights into Carbonate Slickenside and Fault-mirror Formation

Recent studies have given increased attention to the role of nanoparticle formation in the development of fault slip surfaces. Nanoscale features have been shown to be responsible for friction dissipation during slip. However, the exact nature of these features and how they form remains unclear. This study investigates the suitability of using a novel in situ Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) deformation holder to probe nanoscale deformation features in carbonates, and assess the technique's applicability to future mineral deformation studies. The strength of this techniques is that it allows for simultaneous deformation as well as nanoscale imaging of the sample. In addition, high-resolution TEM characterization of both carbonate fault mirrors, and carbonate slickensides allows for a comparison of the structures formed in the deformation holder to those observed in field samples.