Systematic changes in orientation of linear mylonitic fabrics: An example of strain partitioning during transpressional deformation in north Golpaygan, Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, Iran

Kilometer-scale, shallowly dipping, NW-striking top-to-the NE reverse and dextral strike-slip shear zones occur in metamorphic rocks of north Golpaygan. These metamorphic rocks are exposed at the NE margin of the central part of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone in the hinterland of the Zagros orogen. NW-striking top-to-the NE normal shear zones were also found in a small part of the study area. Structural evidence of three deformation stages were found. Pre-mylonitization metamorphic mineral growth happened during D-1. The main mylonitization event was during the D-2 deformational event, following coaxial refolding, synchronous to retrograde metamorphism of amphibolite to greenschist fades in the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, and before D-3 folding and related mylonitization. We documented the systematic changes in the orientations of D-2 linear fabrics especially stretching lineations and superimposition relations of structures. It is concluded that the dextral strike-slip and dip-slip shear zones were coeval kinematic domains of partitioned dextral transpression. The shallowly dipping reverse and strike-slip shear zones are compatible with partitioning in a very inclined transpressional model. Fabric relations reflect that the top-to-the NE normal shear zones were not produced during deformation partitioning of inclined dextral transpression. The Late Cretaceous-Paleocene strain partitioning was followed by later N-S shortening and NE-extension in the north Golpaygan area. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.