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DEFORMATION
Modification of Rocks by
Folding and Fracturing
About Deformation
• Deformation mainly occurs near plate
boundaries.
• Field observations of deformation show
us how to reconstruct geologic history.
• Deformation includes faulting of rigid
rocks and folding of rocks that can be
bent.
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Tectonics vs. Structural Geology
• Both are concerned with the reconstruction of the
motions that shape the outer layers of earth
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1. Mapping geologic structure
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1. Mapping geologic structure
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1. Determining orientation of units
Azimuth or bearing is used to measure direction
BRUNTON COMPASS
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1. Mapping geologic structure
● Geologic maps
● geologic maps represent the
rock formations exposed at Earth’s
surface. 2-D representation.
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This diagram uses Strike and Dip of repeating rock units on a
geologic map to draw a cross section and infer the underlying
fold.
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2. How rocks deform ?
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2. How rocks deform ?
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Strike-Slip Faults
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Thrust Faults
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Fault Systems
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3. Basic deformation structures-
FOLDS
● Types of folds
● symmetrical folds —
anticlines and synclines
● asymmetrical folds
● overturned and recumbent
folds
● plunging folds 27
3. Basic deformation structures
3. Basic deformation structures
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Plunging folds
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Recumbent Fold: recumbent folds are
overturned to the point of being horizontal
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3. Basic deformation structures
● Circular structures
● dome
● basin
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Dome or basin?
Dome! 34
Fold Geometry
Some large folds yield a circular outcrop pattern.
A dome is a fold with the appearance of an overturned bowl.
A basin is a fold shaped like an upright bowl.
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3. Basic deformation structures
● Other features
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fault
breccia
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mylonite
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Mylonite formed in a shear zone under metamorphic recrystallization
4. Styles of continental deformation
● Tensional tectonics
● Compressive tectonics
● Shearing tectonics
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Alpine-Himalayan orogeny
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Nanga Parbat Himalayan-Tibetan
Orogenic System
Namche Barwa
Geographically, the Himalayan range lies between its eastern and western
syntaxis as represented by the Namche Barwa (7756 m, in SE Tibet) and
Nanga Parbat (8125 m, in Pakistan) peaks. Tibet plateau >5,000 m
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• Collision occurred around 50 Ma ago
• Thrusting began around 30-25 Ma ago
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Alpine-Himalayan orogeny
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Himalayan Geology
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Thought questions for this chapter
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Thought questions for this chapter
3. A continental margin has a thick layer of sediments
overlying metamorphic basement rocks. It collides with
another continental mass, and the compressive forces
deform it into a fold and thrust belt. During the
deformation, which of the following geologic formations
would be likely to behave as brittle materials and which
as ductile materials?
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Key terms and concepts
Normal fault
Shearing force
Strike
Strike-slip fault
Tensional force
Thrust fault
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