Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This paper aims to present an overview on the influence of rheological heterogeneity and mechanical anisotropy on the deformation of continents. After briefly recapping the concept of rheological stratification of the lithosphere, we discuss two specific issues: (1) as supported by a growing body of geophysical and geological observations, crust=mantle mechanical coupling is usually efficient, especially beneath major transcurrent faults which probably crosscut the lithosphere and root within the sublithospheric mantle; and (2) in most geodynamic environments, mechanical properties of the mantle govern the tectonic behaviour of the lithosphere. Lateral rheological heterogeneity of the continental lithosphere may result from various sources, with variations in geothermal gradient being the principal one. The oldest domains of continents, the cratonic nuclei, are characterized by a relatively cold, thick, and consequently stiff lithosphere. On the other hand, rifting may also modify the thermal structure of the lithosphere. Depending on the relative stretching of the crust and upper mantle, a stiff or a weak heterogeneity may develop. Observations from rift domains suggest that rifting usually results in a larger thinning of the lithospheric mantle than of the crust, and therefore tends to generate a weak heterogeneity. Numerical models show that during continental collision, the presence of both stiff and weak rheological heterogeneities significantly influences the large-scale deformation of the continental lithosphere. They especially favour the development of lithospheric-scale strike-slip faults, which allow strain to be transferred between the heterogeneities. An heterogeneous strain partition occurs: cratons largely escape deformation, and strain tends to localize within or at the boundary of the rift basins provided compressional deformation starts before the thermal heterogeneity induced by rifting are compensated. Seismic and electrical conductivity anisotropies consistently point towards the existence of a coherent fabric in the lithospheric mantle beneath continental domains. Analysis of naturally deformed peridotites, experimental deformations and numerical simulations suggest that this fabric is developed during orogenic events and subsequently frozen in the lithospheric mantle. Because the mechanical properties of single-crystal olivine are anisotropic, i.e. dependent on the orientation of the applied forces relative to the dominant slip systems, a pervasive fabric frozen in the mantle may induce a significant mechanical anisotropy of the whole lithospheric mantle. It is suggested that this mechanical anisotropy is the source of the so-called tectonic inheritance, i.e. the systematic reactivation of ancient tectonic directions; it may especially explain preferential rift propagation and continental break-up along pre-existing orogenic belts. Thus, the deformation of continents during orogenic events results from a trade-off between tectonic forces applied at plate boundaries, plate geometry, and the intrinsic properties (rheological heterogeneity and mechanical anisotropy) of the continental plates.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-01389719
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389719
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389719/document
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389719/file/vauchez_etal_rheology_1998_hal.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/S0040-1951(98)00137-1

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We have performed tri-axial compression experiments on olivine aggregates at 900 °C and at a confining pressure of 300 MPa in a high-resolution gas-medium mechanical testing apparatus. Deformation at two different constant strain rates (1.1 × 10− 5 s− 1 and 3.4 × 10− 4 s− 1) yields continuous hardening, reaching maximal differential stresses of 930 and 1076 MPa, respectively, before sample failure at ca. 10% strain. The deformed samples were characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) are weak but reveal an alignment of the [010] axes around the compression direction and some concentration of [001] and [100] axes normal to it. TEM observations confirm plastic deformation by dislocation glide, with both [001] and [100] Burgers vectors. Electron tomography, performed for the first time on deformed fined-grained olivine, shows that [001] dislocations glide extensively on {110} and {130} planes, in complement to the (010) and (100) glide planes often reported at high temperatures. [100] dislocations glide mostly on (010), but {011} and {041} planes are also activated. The experimental CPO and relative activity of slip systems are well reproduced by viscoplastic self-consistent simulations in which all [100] and [001] slip systems have similar strengths. They are also consistent with olivine CPO from natural samples deformed at low temperature. Comparison of the present mechanical results to those obtained for olivine single-crystals at similar conditions shows that at low temperature (below 1100 °C) and high stress (> 300 MPa) polycrystalline olivine has a more complex mechanical behavior than single crystals. However, both datasets advocate for a much weaker dry mantle lithosphere than previously thought.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-01053513
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01053513
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2014.03.022

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Résumé : Mantle xenoliths in Pliocene alkali basalts of the eastern Betics (SE Iberia, Spain) are spinel ± plagioclase lherzolite, with minor harzburgite and wehrlite, displaying porphyroclastic or equigranular textures. Equigranular peridotites have olivine crystal preferred orientation (CPO) patterns similar to those of porphyroclastic xenoliths but slightly more dispersed. Olivine CPO shows [100]-fiber patterns characterized by strong alignment of [100]-axes subparallel to the stretching lineation and a girdle distribution of [010]-axes normal to it. This pattern is consistent with simple shear or transtensional deformation accommodated by dislocation creep. One xenolith provides evidence for synkinematic reactive percolation of subduction-related Si-rich melts/fluids that resulted in oriented crystallization of orthopyroxene. Despite a seemingly undeformed microstructure, the CPO in orthopyroxenite veins in composite xenoliths is identical to those of pyroxenes in the host peridotite, suggesting late-kinematic crystallization. Based on these observations, we propose that the annealing producing the equigranular microstructures was triggered by melt percolation in the shallow subcontinental lithospheric mantle coeval to the late Neogene formation of veins in composite xenoliths. Calculated seismic properties are characterized by fast propagation of P waves and polarization of fast S waves parallel to olivine [100]-axis (stretching lineation). These data are compatible with present-day seismic anisotropy observations in SE Iberia if the foliations in the lithospheric mantle are steeply dipping and lineations are subhorizontal with ENE strike, implying dominantly horizontal mantle flow in the ENE-WSW direction within vertical planes, that is, subparallel to the paleo-Iberian margin. The measured anisotropy could thus reflect a lithospheric fabric due to strike-slip deformation in the late Miocene in the context of WSW tearing of the subducted south Iberian margin lithosphere.
ISSN: 0278-7407

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess
hal-01685809
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01685809
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01685809/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01685809/file/Hidas_et_al-2016-Tectonics.pdf
DOI : 10.1002/2016TC004165

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD European Geosciences Union
Résumé : International audience
We calculated the seismic properties of 47 mantle xenoliths from 9 kimberlitic pipes in the Kaapvaal craton based on their modal composition, the crystal-preferred orientations (CPO) of olivine, ortho- and clinopyroxene, and garnet, the Fe content of olivine, and the pressures and temperatures at which the rocks were equilibrated. These data allow constraining the variation of seismic anisotropy and velocities within the cratonic mantle. The fastest P and S2 wave propagation directions and the polarization of fast split shear waves (S1) are always subparallel to olivine [100] axes of maximum concentration, which marks the lineation (fossil flow direction). Seismic anisotropy is higher for high olivine contents and stronger CPO. Maximum P wave azimuthal anisotropy (AVp) ranges between 2.5 and 10.2% and the maximum S wave polarization anisotropy (AVs), between 2.7 and 8%. Changes in olivine CPO symmetry result in minor variations in the seismic anisotropy patterns, mainly in the apparent isotropy directions for shear wave splitting. Seismic properties averaged over 20 km-thick depth sections are, therefore, very homogeneous. Based on these data, we predict the anisotropy that would be measured by SKS, Rayleigh (SV) and Love (SH) waves for five endmember orientations of the foliation and lineation. Comparison to seismic anisotropy data from the Kaapvaal shows that the coherent fast directions, but low delay times imaged by SKS studies, and the low azimuthal anisotropy with with the horizontally polarized S waves (SH) faster than the vertically polarized S wave (SV) measured using surface waves are best explained by homogeneously dipping (45°) foliations and lineations in the cratonic mantle lithosphere. Laterally or vertically varying foliation and lineation orientations with a dominantly NW-SE trend might also explain the low measured anisotropies, but this model should also result in backazimuthal variability of the SKS splitting data, not reported in the seismological data. The strong compositional heterogeneity of the Kaapvaal peridotite xenoliths results in up to 3% variation in density and in up to 2.3% variation of Vp, Vs, and Vp / Vs ratio. Fe depletion by melt extraction increases Vp and Vs, but decreases the Vp / Vs ratio and density. Orthopyroxene enrichment due to metasomatism decreases the density and Vp, strongly reducing the Vp / Vs ratio. Garnet enrichment, which was also attributed to metasomatism, increases the density, and in a lesser extent Vp and the Vp / Vs ratio. Comparison of density and seismic velocity profiles calculated using the xenoliths' compositions and equilibration conditions to seismological data in the Kaapvaal highlights that (i) the thickness of the craton is underestimated in some seismic studies and reaches at least 180 km, (ii) the deep sheared peridotites represent very local modifications caused and oversampled by kimberlites, and (iii) seismological models probably underestimate the compositional heterogeneity in the Kaapvaal mantle root, which occurs at a scale much smaller than the one that may be sampled seismologically.
ISSN: 1869-9510

hal-01053516
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01053516
DOI : 10.5194/se-5-45-2014

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Deformation of the continental lithosphere is traditionally modeled assuming that heat production in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle is negligible. Although this may be appropriate for highly depleted Archean lithosphere, studies of mantle xenoliths and lithospheric-derived mafic rocks suggest that heat productions of up to 0.4 ;μW/m3 may be attained in the mantle of Phanerozoic and Neoproterozoic regions due to modal metasomatism. To investigate the effect of a local enrichment in heat-producing elements within the lithospheric mantle on the continental deformation, we performed a series of 2D thermo-mechanical models simulating the deformation of a lithospheric plate 1000 km long, which contains in its central part a 200 km wide and 20 km-thick mantle layer with a heat production of 0.05;–0.25 ;μW/m3 between 40 and 80 km depth, leading to a local enhancement of the surface heat flow by 1;–5 mW/m2. Compression models show that a 20 km-thick layer with a heat production as low as 0.05 ;μW/m3 within the shallow lithospheric mantle leads to strain localization in both the enriched mantle and the overlying crust. Strain localization depends exponentially on the temperature increase in the lithosphere section, which is controlled by the volume of metasomatized mantle and the intensity of the metasomatic enrichment in heat-producing elements. A heat production of 0.25 μW/m3 between 60 and 80 km depth results, for instance, in strains within and above the metasomatized mantle 5 times higher than in the surrounding lithosphere. Strain localization also depends on the location of the heat-producing domain and on the plate rheological structure; deeper heat-producing domains and weaker plates leading to stronger localization. These results provide an explanation for strain localization in intraplate environments, leading to the formation of orogenic belts situated hundreds to thousands of kilometers away from known plate boundaries, as observed in the Neoproterozoic belts of Gondwana and in the present-day deformation of the Asian plate.
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00411386
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00411386
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2008.07.040

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The mantle deformation processes that control the thinning and break-up of continental lithosphere remain poorly understood. Our knowledge is restricted to either lithospheric scale thermo-mechanical models --that use experimentally derived flow laws--, geophysical imaging and/or rare xenoliths from active continental rifts, such as the East African Rift System. The originality of this work relies on the study of the two largest outcrops of diamond facies subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the world: the Beni Bousera and Ronda peridotite massifs in N Morocco and S Spain, respectively. The structures and petrologic and metamorphic zoning preserved in these massifs --implying a polybaric and polythermal evolution-- provides a unique opportunity to investigate the thermo-mechanical evolution of thick subcontinental lithospheric mantle in extensional settings. In this thesis we studied the deformation mechanisms in both peridotites and pyroxenites to constrain the modes of exhumation of subcontinental lithospheric mantle from garnet-, to spinel-, and finally, to plagioclase lherzolite facies conditions. We combined field mapping of tectonometamorphic domains and structural mapping of ductile structures, microstructural analysis, crystal preferred orientations (CPO) measurements and conventional thermobarometric calculations and thermodynamic modeling (Perple_X) to unravel the pressure and temperature conditions of deformation. We showed that exhumation from garnet- to spinel lherzolite facies conditions was accommodated by fast shearing --in thermal disequilibrium--along a lithospheric scale transtensional shear zone. In this context, the petrological zoning and the large temperature gradient (ca. 100ºC/km) preserved in the Beni Bousera massif represent the mechanical juxtaposition of progressively deeper and hotter lithospheric levels at depths of ca. 60 km in the latest Oligocene (ca. 25 Ma). Final exhumation from spinel- to plagioclase facies lherzolite and emplacement into the crust is best recorded in the Ronda massif where it occurred by inversion and lithospheric scale folding of the highly attenuated continental lithosphere in a back-arc region, probably in relation with southward slab rollback and subsequent collision with the palaeo-Maghrebien passive margin in the early Miocene (21-23 Ma).
Les processus de déformation contrôlant l'amincissement de la lithosphère continentale sont encore mal contraints. Nos connaissances sont principalement basées sur la modélisation thermomécanique d'extension à l'échelle de la lithosphère--utilisant des lois rhéologiques derivées expérimentalement, l'imagerie géophysique et l'analyse de xénolithes provenant de rift continentaux actifs à ce jour, tels que le Rift Est-Africain. L'originalité de ce travail reside dans l'étude des deux plus grands massifs de péridotites sous-continentales ayant enregistrées des conditions primaires du facies à diamant: les massifs de Beni Bousera au nord du Maroc et de Ronda au sud de l'Espagne, respectivement. Les structures et la zonation petrologique et métamorphique --impliquant une évolution polybarique et polythermique-- préservéees dans ces massifs offrent une opportunité unique pour étudier l'évolution thermo-mécanique du manteau sous-continental dans un contexte extensif. Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié les mécanismes de déformation des péridotites et des pyroxénites afin de contraindre les modes d'exhumation du manteau lithosphérique sous-continental, depuis des conditions du facies des lherzolites à grenat, jusqu'au facies à spinelle et enfin à plagioclase. Nous avons combiné la cartographie des faciès tectono-métamorphiques et des structures ductiles de déformation, l'analyse des microstructures, la mesure d'orientations préférentielles de réseau (OPR), et la géothermobarométrie conventionelle couplée à la modélisation thermodynamique (PerpleX) afin de contraindre les conditions de pression et température de la déformation. Nous avons montré que l'exhumation précoce du facies à grenat au facies à spinelle était accomodée par une faille transtensive affectant le manteau lithosphérique. Dans ce contexte, la zonation tectono-métamorphique et le gradient thermique important (ca. 100ºC/km) préservés à Beni Bousera résultent de la juxtaposition mécanique de domaines lithosphériques initialement équilibrés à différentes pressions et températures, fossilisée à une profondeur de ca. 60 km durant l'Oligocène supérieur (ca. 25 Ma). L'exhumation finale du facies de lherzolite à spinelle au facies à plagioclase et l'emplacement final dans la croûte, mieux enregistrés dans Ronda, se sont produits par inversion et plissement de la section lithosphérique fortement amincie dans un contexte arrière-arc, probablement lors du retrait vers le sud de la lithosphère subduite et la collision de l'arc avec les paléo-marges maghrébines au Miocène inférieur (21-23 Ma).
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00767700

tel-00767700
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00767700
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00767700/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00767700/file/THESE_Frets.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We have analyzed the microstructures and crystal preferred orientations (CPO), and calculated the seismic properties of 53 mantle xenoliths from four localities within the North Tanzanian Divergence of the East African rift: two within the rift axis and two in the transverse volcanic belt. Olivine OH concentrations were measured in 15 xenoliths.Most samples have harzburgitic to dunitic compositions and high olivine Mg#. Microstructures and olivine CPO patterns vary strongly depending on the location. In-axis peridotites display mylonitic to porphyroclastic microstructures, which record recent deformation by dislocation creep. Highly stretched orthopyroxenes in mylonites indicate that the deformation was initiated under high stress and probably low temperature. Orthopyroxene replacement by olivine in mylonitic and porphyroclastic peridotites suggest syn-kinematic melt–rock reactions and further deformation under near-solidus conditions. Exsolutions in orthopyroxene imply significant cooling between melt-assisted deformation and xenolith extraction. Late metasomatism is evidenced by the occurrence of veins crosscutting the microstructure and interstitial clinopyroxene and phlogopite. Axial-[100] olivine CPOs predominate, suggesting activation of the high temperature, low pressure [100] {0kl} slip systems and, probably, transtensional deformation. In the volcanic belt, Lashaine peridotites display very coarse-granular textures, indicating deformation by dislocation creep under low deviatoric stress conditions followed by annealing. Axial-[010] olivine CPOs are consistent with transpressional deformation or simultaneous activation of the [100](010) and [001](010) slip systems. Intermediate microstructures and CPOs in Olmani suggests heterogeneous deformation within the volcanic belt. Olivine OH concentrations range between 2 and 12 ppm wt. H2O. No systematic variations are observed between in- and off-axis samples. Maximum P wave azimuthal anisotropy (AVp) ranges between 3.3 and 18.4%, and the maximum S wave polarization anisotropy (AVs) between 2.3 and 13.2%. Comparison between seismic properties of in-axis peridotites and SKS splitting data suggests transtensional deformation in the lithospheric mantle beneath the rift.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-01121552
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01121552
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2014.11.011

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We have inferred the deformation mechanisms of antigorite by high-resolution EBSD mapping of samples from Cerro del Almirez ultramafic massif (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain). Textural relations and phase diagram calculations constrain the foliation development conditions to the subduction prograde path at up to 600-630 °C and 1.6-1.9 GPa. Deformation was followed by static annealing of antigorite at ca. 680 °C. The Crystal Preferred Orientation (CPO) of antigorite is characterised by a strong alignment of (001) poles normal to the foliation plane and a weaker, but clear, parallelism between [100] axes and the macroscopic lineation defined by the elongation of magnetite aggregates. Analysis of misorientations across subgrains shows predominance of [010] rotation axis, consistent with activation of the [100](001) slip system. However, tilt subgrain boundaries subparallel to (100), probably formed by edge dislocations of this system, are subsidiary. Most subgrain boundaries are subparallel to (001) planes. They are interpreted as (001) twins wherein continuing viscoplastic deformation resulted in a slight increase of the misorientation between the twins. Modelling of the evolution of the antigorite CPO using a lower bound approach and considering different deformation regimes and sets of basal and non-basal slip systems has shown that intensities of [100] and [010] maxima reflect the relative strength of the antigorite [100](001) and [010](001) systems. Activation of other basal or non-basal slip systems does not change significantly the CPO patterns, but results in less concentrated CPO. 3D transpression models better reproduce the CPO of natural antigorite serpentinites. We propose that the widespread occurrence of strong CPO in high-pressure antigorite serpentinite is consistent with deformation by dislocation creep with dominant glide on [hk0](001), together with the activation of twinning, implying that a power law rheology would better account for the mechanical behaviour of antigorite serpentinite deep in the subduction channel and mantle wedge.
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00795511
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00795511
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2012.06.049

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Nature Publishing Group
Résumé : International audience
Reactivation of structures inherited from previous collisional or rifting events, especially lithospheric-scale faults, is a major feature of plate tectonics. Its expression ranges from continental break-up along ancient collisional belts(1,2) to linear arrays of intraplate magmatism and seismicity(3,4). Here we use multiscale numerical models to show that this reactivation can result from an anisotropic mechanical behaviour of the lithospheric mantle due to an inherited preferred orientation of olivine crystals. We explicitly consider an evolving anisotropic viscosity controlled by the orientation of olivine crystals in the mantle. We find that strain is localized in domains where shear stresses on the inherited mantle fabric are high, and that this leads to shearing parallel to the inherited fabric. During rifting, structural reactivation induced by anisotropy results in oblique extension, followed by either normal extension or failure. Our results suggest that anisotropic viscosity in the lithospheric mantle controls the location and orientation of intraplate deformation zones that may evolve into new plate boundaries, and causes long-lived lithospheric-scale wrench faults, contributing to the toroidal component of plate motions on Earth.
ISSN: 1752-0894

hal-00413033
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00413033
DOI : 10.1038/ngeo528

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This study analyses the interactions between deformation and reactive fluid and melt percolation, and their effects on sub-arc mantle seismic properties based on microstructural observations on mantle xenoliths extracted by the Tubaf and Edison seamounts close to the Lihir Island, in the Papua New Guinea archipelago. These xenoliths sample an oceanic lithosphere, which has experienced high-temperature deformation in the presence of fluids or melts. This was followed by metasomatism under static conditions. Syn-kinematic percolation of reactive Si-rich melts or fluids in peridotites has produced pyroxene-enrichment, grain size reduction, and dispersion of olivine crystal preferred orientation (CPO). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses show that olivine has very low water contents (1-4 wt. ppm H2O), similar to spinel peridotites from other subduction zones. These low values may record both low water solubility in olivine at low pressure and dehydration during transport and exhumation. Water contents in pyroxenes are highly variable and likely result from spatially heterogeneous melt or fluid percolation. Analysis of olivine CPO indicates dominant activation of both (010)[100] and (001)[100] slip systems, which are characteristic of deformation under high temperature, low stress, low pressure and low to moderate hydrous conditions. Fast S-wave polarization and P- and Rayleigh propagation directions are thus parallel to the mantle flow direction. The pyroxene enrichment by melt-rock reactions is accompanied by dispersion of olivine CPO and induces a significant decrease of the maximum S-wave and P-wave anisotropy in the peridotites. The calculated seismic properties also show that the lowest Vp/Vs ratios (< 1.7) mapped in fore-arc mantle may only be explained by taking in consideration the CPO-induced elastic anisotropy of the peridotites.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-00950058
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00950058
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2013.09.024

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : This work provides new constraints on the interactions between deformation and percolation of melt or fluids, as well as on the implications of these processes for the seismic properties of the mantle wedge. It is based on the analysis of spinel peridotites from the massif of Ronda (Spain) and two xenolith suites from active subduction zones (Kamchatka, Papua New Guinea). A coupled structural, petrological and geochemical study of these samples shows that they underwent a reactive percolation of melts or Si-rich fluids, which was synchronous to a deformation event occurring under high temperature and low stress conditions, consistent with the PT conditions at the base of the lithosphere or in the asthenosphere. This reactive percolation is responsible for enrichment in pyroxenes, mainly orthopyroxene, which is often localized in bands parallel to the high-temperature foliation. This enrichment is associated with grain size reduction and dispersion of the crystallographic orientation of olivine. The dominant slip system in olivine is {0kl}[100], which results in fast S-wave polarization parallel to the flow direction in the mantle. The decrease in the intensity of the olivine crystal preferred orientations associated with the enrichment in pyroxene results in significant decrease of the anisotropy that may induce an underestimation of the thickness of the anisotropic layer by up to 33%. The observed orthopyroxene enrichment also lowers the Vp/Vs ratio, but cannot explain Vp/Vs < 1.7 mapped locally in the fore-arc mantle in Japan and the Andes. Such low Vp/Vs ratios may however be explained by considering the intrinsic anisotropy of the peridotites, which is generally ignored in large-scale Vp/Vs ratio mapping of the mantle wedge. Infrared analyses show that olivine from the both xenolith collections contains less water than the theoretical saturation calculated for their estimated equilibrium temperature in the spinel stability field. These low water content are similar to those observed in spinel peridotites from other subduction zones and probably record both the low solubility of water in olivine at relatively low pressure and dehydration during exhumation of the xenoliths. These measured water contents as well as theoretical saturation estimations are not sufficient to change the dominant slip direction of in olivine from [100] to [001].
Ce travail apporte de nouvelles contraintes sur les interactions entre déformation et processus d'hydratation et de percolation de magma ou de fluides dans le manteau à l'aplomb d'une zone de subduction et leurs implications sur les propriétés sismiques dans le coin mantellique. Il se base sur l'analyse de péridotites à spinelle provenant du massif de Ronda (Espagne) et deux séries de xénolites issues de zones de subduction actives (Kamchatka, Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée). L'étude structurale, pétrologique et géochimique de ces échantillons montrent qu'ils ont subit une percolation réactive de magma ou de fluide synchrone d'une déformation de haute température basse contrainte cohérente avec les condition PT de la base de la lithosphère ou de l'asthénosphère. Cette percolation réactive est responsable d'un enrichissement en pyroxènes, qui est souvent localisé dans des bandes parallèles à la foliation. Cet enrichissement est associé à une dispersion de l'orientation cristallographique de l'olivine. Les systèmes de glissement dominant dans l'olivine sont dans tous les cas {0kl}[100], ce qui implique que la direction de polarisation rapide des ondes S dans la partie supérieure du coin mantellique est parallèle à la direction d'écoulement dans le manteau. La décroissance de l'intensité des OPR de l'olivine associée à l'enrichissement en pyroxènes a pour conséquence une réduction non négligeable de l'anisotropie sismique qui peut induire jusqu'à 33% d'erreur sur l'interprétation de l'épaisseur de la couche anisotrope. Un enrichissement en orthopyroxène peut aussi entraîner une baisse du rapport Vp/Vs, mais ne peut expliquer les rapports Vp/Vs <1,7 cartés dans certains avant-arcs. Cependant de telles valeurs peuvent être expliquées si l'anisotropie des péridotites du coin mantellique est prise en compte. Les analyses par spectroscopie infra-rouge montrent que les olivines des deux séries de xénolites étudiées contiennent moins d'eau que la saturation théorique calculée pour leurs températures d'équilibre dans le domaine du spinelle. Ces faibles concentrations en eau sont similaires à celles observées dans les olivines des péridotites à spinelle des autres zones de subduction. Elles enregistrent probablement la faible solubilité de l'eau dans l'olivine à des pressions relativement basses et la déshydratation au cours de l'exhumation des xénolites. Ces teneurs en eau mesurées ainsi que les estimations de la saturation théorique ne sont pas suffisantes pour changer la direction de glissement dominante dans l'olivine de [100] à [001].
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00689832

tel-00689832
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00689832
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00689832/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00689832/file/These-Soustelle2010.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Royal Society, The
Résumé : International audience
Nucleation mechanisms occurring during dynamic recrystallization play a crucial role in the evolution of microstructures and textures during high temperature deformation. In polycrystalline ice, the strong viscoplastic anisotropy induces high strain heterogeneities between grains which control the recrystallization mechanisms. Here, we study the nucleation mechanisms occurring during creep tests performed on polycrystalline columnar ice at high temperature and stress (T=−5°C;σ=0.5 MPa) by post-mortem analyses of deformation microstructures using cryogenic electron backscatter diffraction. The columnar geometry of the samples enables discrimination of the nuclei from the initial grains. Various nucleation mechanisms are deduced from the analysis of the nuclei relations with the dislocation sub-structures within grains and at grain boundaries. Tilt sub-grain boundaries and kink bands are the main structures responsible for development of polygonization and mosaic sub-structures. Nucleation by bulging at serrated grain boundaries is also an efficient nucleation mechanism near the grain boundaries where strain incompatibilities are high. Observation of nuclei with orientations not related to the ‘parent’ ones suggests the possibility of ‘spontaneous’ nucleation driven by the relaxation of the dislocation-related internal stress field. The complexity of the nucleation mechanisms observed here emphasizes the impact of stress and strain heterogeneities on dynamic recrystallization mechanisms.This article is part of the themed issue ‘Microdynamics of ice’.
ISSN: 1364-503X

hal-01467152
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01467152
DOI : 10.1098/rsta.2015.0345

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : Differentiation of the Earth's mantle and formation of continental and oceanic crust occur principally through partial melting and extraction of basaltic melt. Among the mantle rocks occurring at the Earth's surface, as tectonically-emplaced massifs, abyssal peridotites or xenoliths, the harzburgites (< 5% clinopyroxene) are widely considered as refractory mantle residues left after extraction of a basaltic component. In contrast, the most fertile lherzolites (15% clinopyroxene) are generally regarded as pristine mantle, only weakly affected by partial melting. In this paper we present new convergent structural and geochemical data from the Lherz massif, the type-locality of lherzolite, indicating that the lherzolites from Lherz do not represent pristine mantle. Detailed structural mapping clearly shows that the lherzolites are secondary rocks formed at the expense of the harzburgites. Variations of major, minor and trace elements through the harzburgite–lherzolite contacts indicate that the lherzolites were formed through a refertilization process involving interaction of refractory, lithospheric mantle with upwelling asthenospheric partial melts. Combined with previously published indications of refertilization in orogenic peridotites, our new observations in Lherz suggest that most lherzolite massifs represent secondary (refertilized) rather than pristine mantle. Together with geochemical data on mantle xenoliths, this indicates that melt transport and melt-rock reaction play a key role on the rejuvenation and erosion of the lithospheric mantle.
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00406433
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00406433
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2007.05.026

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We performed torsional deformation experiments on pre-hydrated fine-grained olivine aggregates using an innovative experimental assembly to investigate water weakening in mantle rocks at high shear strains. San Carlos olivine powder was cold-pressed and then hot-pressed under hydrous conditions, producing aggregates with average grain sizes of 7 or 15 μm. Deformation experiments were performed in a high-resolution gas-medium apparatus equipped with a torsional actuator, under a confining pressure of 300 MPa, a temperature of 1200 °C, and constant shear strain rates ranging from 8 × 10−5 to 1.4 × 10−4 s−1. Maximum shear stresses range from 150 to 195 MPa. These values are 30% lower relative to those determined in previous torsion experiments on dry, fined-grained dunites under similar conditions. Textures and microstructures of the starting and deformed specimens were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. All deformed aggregates exhibit a shape-preferred orientation marking a foliation and lineation, as well as a reduction in mean grain size from 15 μm down to 3-4 μm due to dynamic recrystallization. Olivine crystallographic fabrics developed rapidly (γ < 0.1), but their strength, characterized by the J-index, is low compared to naturally deformed peridotites or to polycrystalline olivine deformed at similar finite shear strains under dry conditions. The crystallographic fabrics are consistent with deformation by a dislocation accommodated creep mechanism with activation of multiple {0 k l}[1 0 0] systems, among which the (0 1 0)[1 0 0] slip system is dominant, and minor participation of the (0 1 0)[0 0 1] slip system. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the occurrence of dislocations with [1 0 0] and [0 0 1] Burgers vectors in most grains. Analysis of unpolarized infrared spectra indicates that hydrogen concentration in the olivine lattice is below the saturation level of 18 ppm wt H2O, which is similar to those typically observed in spinel-bearing peridotite xenoliths, and also provide evidence for water-rich inter-granular material trapped in pores and grain boundaries. Seismic properties computed from the CPO observations correspond to those most commonly observed in naturally deformed mantle peridotites with fast P-wave propagation and S-wave polarization subparallel to the shear direction. These torsion experiments on fine-grained olivine polycrystals under hydrous conditions indicate that water weakening under lithospheric conditions is linked to various defects with hydrogen in the olivine structure, as well as with water-derived species in grain boundaries or pores.
ISSN: 0031-9201

hal-00745170
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00745170
DOI : 10.1016/j.pepi.2012.05.001

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : We have studied the phase transformation of forsterite to wadsleyite under shear stress at the Earth's transition zone pressure and temperature conditions. Two-step experiments were performed using a multi-anvil press. First, we hot pressed iron-free forsterite at 6 or 11 GPa and 1100 degrees C. Then we deformed a slab of this starting material using a direct simple shear assembly at 16 GPa and 1400 degrees C for 1, 15, 35, 40, or 60 min. Both the starting material and the deformed samples were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy including measurements of crystal preferred orientations (CPO) by electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The phase transformation occurs very rapidly, in less than 1 min, and metastable forsterite relics are not observed after deformation. The grain size of wadsleyite is slightly smaller than the forsterite starting material. The water contents obtained from FTIR analyses in forsterite and wadsleyite are 65-124 wt ppm H2O and 114-736 wt ppm H2O, respectively, which are well below water solubility at similar conditions in the presence of free water. Wadsleyite aggregates display weak CPO patterns with [1 0 0] axes concentrated at low angle to the shear direction, [0 1 0] axes perpendicular to the shear plane and nearly random [0 0 1] axes. Only a few dislocations were observed in wadsleyite with TEM. This observation is consistent with the assumption that most dislocations formed during the initial high-stress stages of these stress-relaxation experiments, were consumed in the phase transformation, probably enhancing the transformation rate. CPO patterns vary as a function of the water content: with increasing water content the density of [1 0 0] axes parallel to the shear direction decreases, and the density of [0 0 1] axes increases. Viscoplastic self-consistent modeling of CPO evolution using previously reported glide systems for wadsleyite, i.e., [1 0 0]{0 k 1} and 1/2 (1 1 1){1 0 1}, cannot reproduce the measured CPO, unless the [0 0 1](0 1 0) system, for which dislocations have not been observed by TEM, is also activated. In addition, wadsleyite grain growth suggests the participation of diffusion-assisted processes in deformation. Calculated anisotropies for P and S-waves using measured CPO are always below 1%. This very low anisotropy is due to both the low finite strain achieved in the experiments, which leads to weak wadsleyite CPO, and to the diluting effect of added majorite. The present experiments emphasize the importance of stress, grain size evolution and water content in the forsterite to wadsleyite phase transformation and subsequent deformation in the transition zone.
ISSN: 0031-9201

hal-00617430
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00617430
DOI : 10.1016/j.pepi.2010.11.001

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00380865
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00380865
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2008.04.020

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Frontiers Media
Résumé : International audience
We present high resolution observations of microstructure and texture evolution during dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of ice polycrystals deformed in the laboratory at high temperature (≈0.98Tm). Ice possesses a significant viscoplastic anisotropy that induces strong strain heterogeneities, which result in an early occurrence of DRX mechanisms. It is therefore a model material to explore these mechanisms. High resolution c-axis measurements at sample scale by optical techniques and full crystallographic orientation measurements by cryo-Electron Back Scattering Diffraction (EBSD) provide a solid database for analyzing the relative impact of the macroscopic imposed stress vs. the local and internal stress fields on DRX mechanisms. Analysis of misorientation gradients in the EBSD data highlights a heterogeneous dislocation distribution, which is quantified by the Nye tensor estimation. Joint analyses of the dislocation density maps and microstructural observations highlight spatial correlation between high dislocation density sites and the onset of nucleation taking place by grain-boundary bulging, subgrain rotation or by the formation of kink-bands.
ISSN: 2296-6463

hal-01515284
https://hal.univ-lorraine.fr/hal-01515284
DOI : 10.3389/feart.2015.00081

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : International audience
The frequently observed parallelism between rifts and the pre­ existing orogenic fabric of continents suggests that the inherited tectonic fabric of the lithosphere influences the rupture of continents. We propose that the existence of a pervasive fabric in the lithospheric mantle induces an anisotropie strength in the lithosphere, that guides the propagation of continental rifts. Subcrustal mantle mechanical anisotropy is supported by (i) the anisotropie strength of olivine, (ii) an ubiquitous tectonic fabric in exposed mantle rocks, and (iii) measurements of seismic and electrical anisotropy. During major episodes of continent Rifting parallel to orogenic belts Ocean-opening through rifting and continent break-up is frequently related to the occurrence ofhotspots. There is, howevcr, a discrepancy between hot­ spots acting as pin point sources of heat and the linear extent of rifts over thou­ sands ofkilometres. Moreover rifts tend to parallel pre-existing orogenic fab­
ISSN: 0954-4879

hal-01389721
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389721
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389721/document
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01389721/file/Vauchez_TerraNova1997_hal.pdf
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-3121.1997.tb00003.x

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : The First International Orogenic Lherzolite Conference was held in Montpellier, France, in 1990 (Menzies et al., 1991Go). Subsequent Orogenic Lherzolite Conferences were held in Granada, Spain in 1995, Pavia, Italy in 1999 and Samani, Japan in 2002. A vital aspect of all these meetings was the opportunity to visit nearby exposures of mantle peridotites: to date, participants have visited Lherz in France; Baldissero, Balmuccia, Erro Tobio, Finero, Lanzo and Liguria in Italy; Ronda in Spain; Beni Bousera in Morocco; and Horoman in Hokkaido, Japan. Peer-reviewed papers from all four conferences were published in the Journal of Petrology in 1991, 2001 and 2004 and, in one instance, in Chemical Geology in 1996.
ISSN: 0022-3530

hal-00496489
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00496489
DOI : 10.1093/petrology/egp098

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Peridotite xenoliths with a broad range of textures provides evidence for consistent microstructural evolution in a vertical transect of the shallow lithospheric mantle (35?55 km depth) beneath the Persani Mountains, SE Carpathians, Romania, due to ongoing plate convergence in the Carpathian Arc nearby. The recrystallized grain size, crystal preferred orientations strength, and resulting seismic anisotropy vary continuously and display a strong correlation to equilibrium temperatures, suggesting a continuous change in deformation conditions with depth. The shallowmost xenoliths have microstructures typical of high stress deformation, marked by strong recrystallization to fine grain sizes, which results in weak crystal preferred orientations and anisotropy. The deepest xenoliths have coarse-grained porphyroclastic microstructures and strong crystal preferred orientations. Replacive orthopyroxene structures, consuming olivine, and high H2O concentrations in the pyroxenes are observed in some xenoliths indicating limited percolation of fluids or volatile-rich melts. Despite the high stress deformation and high H2O contents in some of the studied xenoliths, analysis of olivine crystallographic orientations indicates that [100] slip systems, rather than ?wet? [001] accommodate most of the deformation in all samples. Seismic anisotropy estimated from the measured olivine and pyroxene crystal preferred orientations suggests that the strike-parallel fast SKS polarization directions and ~ 1 s delay times measured in the SE Carpathians are likely the consequence of convergence-driven belt-parallel flow in the lithospheric mantle.
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00317303
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00317303
DOI : 10.1016/J.EPSL.2008.04.035