ES3101: Advanced Structural Geology

Lecture 15: Quantification of Strain

Reference: Fossen, Chapter 3

Combinations of Single simple shear + orthogonal coaxial deformation

Course Outline

General Introduction
Primary structures in rocks & their role in deciphering rock deformation
Unconformity
Deformation
Strain & strain analyses in deformed rocks
Stress
Material properties of deformed rocks
Mohr Diagram
Fracture criteria & Faulting & Paleostress analysis
Joints, Veins
3D structure of faults
Structures in Convergent Boundaries
Structures in Divergent Boundaries
Strike-Slip structures
Foliations & Lineations
Mechanics of folding, Superposed folding
Fold thrust belt Structural Geology
Introduction to Mechanics & Concepts of Balanced Cross sections

Microstructures & deformation mechanisms

Shear zones

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Strain Markers (Elliptical objects)

Strain Markers (Elliptical objects)

Strain Markers (Nonelliptical objects)

Trilobites, brachipods
Bilaterally symmetrical fossils

Strain Markers

Belemnites length changes

Strain Markers in deformed rocks

Quantify strain
Nature of deformation (constriction/flattening/general shear)
Orientation of principal axes
Mechanism of structures

Assumption: Strain analysis requires knowledge of the shape/geometry of strain markers in the
initial undeformed state

How Rocks accumulate strain depend on:

Temperature
Pressure (rock or lithostatic pressure)
Pore fluid pressure
Material properties of the rock (composition, grain size, original fabric, shape etc.)
Stress field
Rate of deformation which rocks respond to force applied

Can you distinguish orthogonal flexure from flexural slip?

Center to Center Method (2D strain)

Initially uniform distribution of points will change into nonuniform distribution after
deformation

Fry Method (2D strain) (Fry, 1970s)

Initially uniform distribution of points will change into nonuniform distribution after
deformation

Maximum distance between points parallel to X

Minimum parallel to Y