Abstract This special publication of the Geological Society of London presents recent advances in the study of deformation mechanisms and rheology and their application to tectonics. We have subdivided the papers into two themed sections. The inference of deformation processes, conditions and rheology at depth in active tectonic settings is of fundamental importance to a quantitative geodynamic understanding of deformation in the Earth. The papers in the section on Lattice Preferred Orientations and Anisotropy are extremely important as they underpin our ability to make such geodynamic interpretations from global seismic data. These papers reflect the growing emphasis on the determination of elastic properties from microstructures, from which acoustic properties can be computed for comparison with in situ seismic measurements. The component of the microstructure that receives most attention is the lattice preferred orientation (LPO), otherwise known as the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) or the texture (the term used in material science and metallurgy). The papers include new LPO measurements (made almost exclusively by the relatively new technique of electron backscatter diffraction or EBSD), exploration of the significance of these data for seismic properties of both the crust and the mantle and modelling of LPO generation. An invited contribution from Mainprice and colleagues introduces a computational toolbox to help researchers calculate anisotropic physical properties from their LPO data. Rock microstructures evolve during deformation and rock physical properties, including both elastic properties and creep rheology, evolve with the microstructures as a function of strain and time. The section on Microstructures, Mechanisms and Rheology

Abstract For the past two decades geodetic measurements have quantified surface displacement fields for the continents, illustrating a general complexity. However, the linkage of geodetically defined displacements in the continents to mantle flow and plate tectonics demands understanding of ductile deformations in the middle and lower continental crust. Advances in seismic anisotropy studies are beginning to allow such work, especially in the Himalaya and Tibet, using passive seismological experiments (e.g. teleseismic receiver functions and records from local earthquakes). Although there is general agreement that measured seismic anisotropy in the middle and lower crust reflects bulk mineral alignment (i.e. crystallographic preferred orientation, CPO), there is a need to calibrate the seismic response to deformation structures and their kinematics. Here, we take on this challenge by deducing the seismic properties of typical mid- and lower-crustal rocks that have experienced ductile deformation through quantitative measures of CPO in samples from appropriate outcrops. The effective database of CPO and hence seismic properties can be expanded by a modelling approach that utilizes ‘rock recipes’ derived from the as-measured individual mineral CPOs combined in varying modal proportions. In addition, different deformation fabrics may be diagnostic of specific deformation kinematics that can serve to constrain interpretations of seismic anisotropy data from the continental crust. Thus, the use of ‘fabric recipes’ based on subsets of individual rock fabric CPO allows the effect of different fabrics (e.g. foliations) to be investigated and interpreted from their seismic response. A key issue is the possible discrimination between continental crustal deformation models with strongly localized simple-shear (ductile fault) fabrics from more distributed (‘pure-shear’) crustal flow. The results of our combined rock and fabric-recipe modelling suggest that the seismic properties of the middle and lower crust depend on deformation state and orientation as well as composition, while reliable interpretation of seismic survey data should incorporate as many seismic properties as possible.

Abstract The lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of both muscovite and biotite were measured by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and these data, together with the LPOs of the other main constituent minerals, were used to produce models of the seismic velocity anisotropy of the Alpine Fault Zone. Numerical experiments examine the effects of varying modal percentages of mica within the fault rocks. These models suggest that when the mica modal proportions approach 20% in quartzofeldspathic mylonites the intrinsic seismic anisotropy of the studied fault zone is dominated by mica, with the direction of the fastest P and S wave velocities strongly dependent on the mica LPOs. The LPOs show that micas produce three distinct patterns within mylonitic fault zones: C-fabric, S-fabric and a composite S–C fabric. The asymmetry of the LPOs can be used as kinematic indicators for the deformation within mylonites. Kinematic data from the micas matches the kinematic interpretation of quartz LPOs and field data. The modelling of velocities and velocity anisotropies from sample LPOs is consistent with geophysical data from the crust under the Southern Alps. The Alpine Fault mylonites and parallel Alpine schists have intrinsic P-wave velocity anisotropies of 12% and S-wave anisotropies of 10%.

Abstract The Nanga Parbat Massif (NPM), Pakistan Himalaya, is an exhumed tract of Indian continental crust and represents an area of active crustal thickening and exhumation. While the most effective way to study the NPM at depth is through seismic imaging, interpretation depends upon knowledge of the seismic properties of the rocks. Gneissic, ‘mylonitic’ and cataclastic rocks emplaced at the surface were sampled as proxies for lithologies and fabrics currently accommodating deformation at depth. Mineral crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) were measured via scanning electron microscope (SEM)/electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), from which three-dimensional (3D) elastic constants, seismic velocities and anisotropies were predicted. Micas make the main contribution to sample anisotropy. Background gneisses have highest anisotropy (up to 10.4% shear-wave splitting, AVs) compared with samples exhibiting localized deformations (e.g. ‘mylonite’, 4.7% AVs; cataclasite, 1% AVs). Thus, mylonitic shear zones may be characterized by regions of low anisotropy compared to their wall rocks. CPO-derived sample elastic constants were used to construct seismic models of NPM tectonics, through which P-, S- and converted waves were ray-traced. Foliation orientation has dramatic effects on these waves. The seismic models suggest dominantly pure-shear tectonics for the NPM involving horizontal compression and vertical stretching, modified by localized ductile and brittle (‘simple’) shear deformations.

Abstract Samples of the Acebuches metabasites (SW Spain), deformed under low-pressure/medium-to-high temperature metamorphic conditions, have been analysed via electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) to obtain their plagioclase crystal lattice preferred orientations (LPO). Plagioclases from the highest temperature amphibolites show moderate LPO and a good correlation between 180° misorientation angles and both the crystal and the kinematic coordinate systems, which is attributed to dislocation glide accommodated by mechanical albite+pericline twinning. Plagioclases from medium-temperature amphibolites exhibit well-developed LPO, suggesting that dislocation creep was active during plagioclase deformation. Plagioclases from the more intensively deformed mafic schists exhibit weak LPO, indicating the activity of LPO-destroying deformation mechanisms. Evidence points to grain-boundary sliding accompanied by limited fracturing. The observed LPO are characterized by the alignment of [100] parallel to the kinematic X -direction. This association suggests that [100] was the preferential slip direction during dislocation creep of plagioclase, with (010) and/or (001) appearing to have acted as the dominant slip planes. The observed plagioclase LPO is combined with hornblende LPO to define the seismic fabric of the Acebuches metabasites. In samples with strong plagioclase LPO, the resulting seismic fabrics are highly influenced by this phase.

Abstract The relationships between elastic wave velocities and petrofabrics were studied in two antigorite-bearing serpentinite mylonites. Rock samples with antigorite content of 37 and 80 vol% were collected from the Happo ultramafic complex, Central Japan. Compressional and shear-wave velocities were measured by the pulse transmission technique at room temperature and confining pressures of up to 180 MPa. Petrofabrics were examined by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with electron backscattered diffraction (SEM-EBSD). Olivine a - and c -axes are weakly oriented perpendicular to the foliation and parallel to the lineation, respectively. Antigorite b - and c -axes are distinctly oriented parallel to the lineation and perpendicular to the foliation, respectively. Both samples show strong anisotropy of velocity. The compressional wave velocity is fastest in the direction parallel to the lineation, and slowest in the direction perpendicular to the foliation. The shear wave oscillating parallel to the foliation has higher velocity than that oscillating perpendicular to the foliation. As the antigorite content increases, the mean velocity decreases but both azimuthal and polarization anisotropies are enhanced. Measured velocities were compared with velocities calculated from petrofabric data by using Voigt, Reuss and Voight-Reuss-Hill (VRH) averaging schemes. All averaging schemes show velocity anisotropy qualitatively similar to measurements. There are large velocity differences between Voigt and Reuss averages (0.7–1.0 km/s), reflecting the strong elastic anisotropy of antigorite. Measured velocities are found between Reuss and VRH averages. We suggest that the relatively low velocity is due to the platy shape of antigorite grains, the well-developed shape fabric and their strong elastic anisotropy. The configuration of grains should be an important factor for calculating seismic velocities in an aggregate composed of strongly anisotropic materials, such as sheet silicates.

Abstract Large parts of the mantle wedge near subduction boundaries are likely to be hydrated and contain antigorite. This mineral is acoustically highly anisotropic and potentially has a strong influence on seismic properties of the wedge. The Higashi–Akaishi body of SW Japan is an exhumed sliver of partially serpentinized forearc mantle, ideal for studying the effects of antigorite on the development of tectonic fabrics in the mantle. Samples with less than 1% antigorite show strong B-type olivine crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) patterns. In contrast, samples with >10% antigorite deformed during the same tectonic event show much weaker olivine CPO patterns lacking the flow-normal a -axis concentration. These microstructural data suggest that the development of antigorite during deformation weakens olivine CPO due to phase boundary slip and associated rigid-body rotation of olivine grains. Antigorite and similar sheet silicates are likely to be present to some extent in the mantle wedge of all convergent margins. Our results suggest that even if this amount is only a few percent, strong olivine CPO is unlikely to develop and any pre-existing CPO is likely to be destroyed. Under these conditions, olivine CPO is unlikely to contribute significantly to seismic anisotropy in the mantle wedge.

Abstract Serpentinite is widely assumed to constitute weak material in subduction zones and to play an essential role for the development of a subduction channel. Information on deformation mechanisms and appropriate rheological models to describe these large-scale flow processes can only be obtained from natural serpentinites exhumed from ancient subduction zones. We examine the microstructural record of HP-metamorphic ( P c. 2±0.5 GPa, T c. 550±50 °C) serpentinites exposed in the Zermatt–Saas zone, Western Alps, using optical and scanning electron microscopy with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The schistose and compositionally layered rocks show pervasive small-scale folding. There is no evidence for any significant deformation by dislocation creep. Instead, the microfabrics including strain shadows and crenulation cleavage indicate that high strain is accumulated by dissolution precipitation creep. In terms of rheology, this suggests Newtonian behaviour and a low viscosity for the long-term flow of serpentinites in deeper levels of subduction zones. This does not preclude dislocation creep and a power law rheology at higher stress levels, as realized at local sites of stress concentration and transient episodes of post-seismic creep.

Abstract We have applied transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses coupled with viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) numerical modelling to identify the active slip systems and to better understand the crystal preferred orientation (CPO) development of the Torridon quartz mylonite (NW Scotland). TEM analyses showed evidence of activation of 1/3〈 a 〉{π′}, 1/3〈 a 〉{ z } and possible 〈 a 〉( c ) slip systems, as well as dislocation climb and dynamic recrystallization. All the CPOs generated by VPSC models share common characteristics with the Torridon quartz mylonite, but only Models 2 and 3 reproduce the [ c ]-axes maxima at low angle (<20°) to the foliation pole along the YZ plane, as observed in the mylonite. In Model 2, this concentration only occurs at γ≥2.6, whereas in Model 3 this maxima occurs at lower shear strains. The models that start with a previous preferred orientation acquire very strong CPOs after small-imposed strains, followed by the rapid rotation of the fabric in relation to the new imposed finite strain axes. The combined activation of 〈 a 〉{π′}, 〈 a 〉{ z } and possibly 〈 a 〉( c ) slip systems, as demonstrated by TEM analyses, suggests that the VPSC model that best predicts CPO development in the Torridon quartz mylonite is Model 2, where the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) of 〈 a 〉{π/π′} is assumed to be slightly stronger than 〈 a 〉( c ).

Abstract This paper presents the background for the calculation of physical properties of an aggregate from constituent crystal properties and the texture of the aggregate in a coherent manner. Emphasis is placed on the important tensor properties of 2nd and 4th rank with applications in rock deformation, structural geology, geodynamics and geophysics. We cover texture information that comes from pole figure diffraction and single orientation measurements (electron backscattered diffraction or EBSD, electron channelling pattern, Laue pattern, optical microscope universal-stage). In particular, we provide explicit formulae for the calculation of the averaged tensor from individual orientations or from an orientation distribution function (ODF). For the latter we consider numerical integration and an approach based on the expansion into spherical harmonics. This paper also serves as a reference paper for the mathematical tensor capabilities of the texture analysis software MTEX, which is a comprehensive, freely available MatLab toolbox that covers a wide range of problems in quantitative texture analysis, for example, ODF modelling, pole figure to ODF inversion, EBSD data analysis and grain detection. MTEX offers a programming interface which allows the processing of involved research problems as well as highly customizable visualization capabilities; MTEX is therefore ideal for presentations, publications and teaching demonstrations.

Abstract Evidence of localized strain is ubiquitous in deformed lithospheric rocks. Recent advances in laboratory deformation techniques, including the use of torsion experiments, have enabled the coupling of microstructural and rheological evolution to be investigated in experiments run to strains approaching those reached in many natural shear zones. Further, the increased use of electron backscatter diffraction to quantify crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) has significantly increased understanding of CPO formation and evolution. Combined, these laboratory and field observations support the assertion that a rock's microstructure is strongly linked to its rheology. However, complete quantification of the coupling between microstructure and rheology is complicated by the fact that rocks have inherently complex microstructures. This paper reviews recent work focused on quantifying the rates of microstructural evolution and the attainment of steady state for two key microstructural parameters: grain size and crystallographic preferred orientation. Theoretical considerations, laboratory measurements and field observations suggest that a full description of all relevant microstructural parameters, and the appropriate evolution equations for these parameters, may be needed to link microstructural and rheological evolution and therefore to quantify the bulk rheology of the lithosphere.

Abstract Large strain deformation experiments in torsion were conducted on a coarse-grained natural dunite with a pre-existing lattice preferred orientation (LPO). Experiments were conducted at conditions where deformation by diffusion creep is initially negligible. Microstructural evolution was studied as a function of strain. We observe that the pre-existing LPO persists to a shear strain of at least 0.5. At larger strains, this LPO is transformed. Relict deformed grains exhibit LPO with [100] crystallographic axes at high angles to the shear plane. Unlike previous experimental studies, these axes do not readily rotate into the shear plane with increasing strain. Partial dynamic recrystallization occurs in samples deformed to moderate strains ( γ >0.5). Recrystallized material forms bands that mostly transect grain interiors. The negligible rate of diffusion creep along relict grain boundaries, as well as the limited nature of dynamic recrystallization, may account for the relatively large strains required to observe evolution of microstructures. Our data support hypotheses based on natural samples that microstructures may preserve evidence of complex deformation histories. Relationships between LPO, seismic anisotropy and deformation kinematics may not always be straightforward.

Abstract A slip-system analysis was performed on two synthetic compressively deformed olivine aggregates, derived from experimental solution–gelation (sol–gel) and natural San Carlos precursors to determine how dislocation density relates to Schmid factor for slip in olivine. Individual grain orientations were measured with electron backscatter diffraction. Using decorated dislocations, grain populations were separated into subsets of high versus low dislocation density. Analysis of preferred orientations and distributions of Schmid factors suggests that there is only weak correlation between Schmid factor and dislocation density, slip on (010)[100] in San Carlos grains but (001)[100] in sol–gel material, with multiple slip or stress heterogeneity in both.