Crystallographic preferred orientation of quartz deformed at granulite conditions: the Kalinjala Shear Zone, Port Neill, South Australia

Abstract

Crystallographic preferred orientations of quartz aggregates in mylonitic orthogneisses from the highest strained central region of the Kalinjala Shear Zone, Port Neill South Australia, are products of a combination of constrictional and flattening strains. These rocks were deformed under granulite facies peak metamorphic conditions, reaching pressures of ∼1.0 GPa and temperatures of ∼800 ± 50 °C. Neutron diffraction textural and fabric analysis methods reveal a dominant single c-axis maximum parallel to the Y-strain axis. This is accompanied by a symmetric orthorhombic pattern, where the c-axis fabrics and corresponding pole figure densities of {a}, {m}, {r} and {z} planes are arranged around the XY foliation plane. These fabrics from coexisting adjacent layers suggest that the activation of prism-<a> slip is characteristic for these high-temperature deformation conditions. A small asymmetry in the [c], {a} and {m} pole figures suggests a minor component of dextral shearing. The c-axis pattern is weakened where the foliation is dominated by secondary phases, such as concentrations of biotite mica. The opening angles obtained from cross-girdle c-axis patterns produce temperature estimates that are ∼100 °C lower than the peak metamorphic temperature of ∼800 ± 50 °C, but closer to temperatures related to a component of flattening strain. These c-axis patterns are consistent with other structural characteristics and can be related to the late-stage flattening strains during the Kimban Orogeny.

KEY POINTS

1. Mylonitic orthogneisses are deformed under granulite facies conditions.

2. Quartz fabrics were measured by bulk neutron diffraction and optical methods.

3. Mylonite c-axis fabrics can be related to the high-temperature deformation and activation of the prism-< a > slip system.

4. Crystal preferred orientations indicate a large component of flattening strain superimposed on the dextral shearing observed in the Kalinjala Shear Zone.

Keywords:

• Kalinjala Shear Zone
• quartz crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO)
• quartz deformation
• microstructure
• neutron diffraction
• fabric analysis
• prism < a >-slip
• mylonites
• Gawler Craton

Acknowledgements

This research was undertaken at Monash University in collaboration with the Centre for Neutron Scattering at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights, Australia. Data for this paper come from project 9182, with technical support from ANSTO staff gratefully acknowledged. Bruce Hobbs and Ron Vernon are thanked for their constructive reviews.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).