dc.description.abstract |
Deformation and metamorphic studies were carried out on the Blue Nile basement rocks near the
Kuch area, western Ethiopian shield. The study aimed to investigate and reconstruct the
deformation and metamorphic history of the area. Field investigations, petrographic analysis,
structural analysis, and microstructural interpretations were used to characterize the different
phases of deformations and to identify the nature of the metamorphism of the rocks in the area.
The area is part of the western Ethiopian shield containing metamorphic rocks ranging from highgrade
gneisses
to
migmatites,
medium-grade
schist
to
low-grade
phyllites,
and
granitoid
rocks.
The
analysis showed that the Blue-Nile basement rocks experienced at least four phases of
deformation and two paths of metamorphism. The first phase of deformation (D1) was
compressional stress that resulted from NW-directed shortening of the original formation
forming strong S1foliation and associated F1 folds. The second phase of deformation (D2) is also
compressional stress-directed NNW (clockwise shift of D1) that further shortens the D1
structures but not coaxial to D1, which resulted in further tightening of the F1 folds and shaping
in different geometries. The third phase of deformation (D3) was a shear force that resulted in
different types of strike-slip faults, shear zones, and having characteristic brittle-ductile nature.
Different kinematic indicators suggest D3 deformation was a combined effect of both sinistral
and dextral sense of shear. D3 is also manifested by the development of penetrative NE to NNE
striking shear zone. The fourth phase of deformation (D4) was brittle deformation which might
be due to the stabilizing of the area after the extrusion of post tectonic magmatic intrusions,
erosion, and uplift. D4 resulted in large normal faults and smaller localized faults and fractures
which were later filled by hydrothermal veins. Metamorphic mineral assemblages on
metamorphic rocks of the area are characteristic green schist to upper amphibolite facies. The
mineral assemblages of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, hornblende, and garnet are inferred to be
formed at the highest grade metamorphic conditions (upper amphibolite facies) which is regarded
as peak metamorphic path (M1) in association with D1/D2 event. The retrogressive metamorphic
path (M2) was mainly responsible for the formation of chlorite, muscovite/sericite, and epidote
minerals which are characteristic green schist facies and interpreted to be associated with the D3. |
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