Structural Geology QAB1053

Lecture #4

Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to: z Three type of strain measurement, i.e. longitudinal, angular and volumetric. z Wellmans Method for determining strain ellipse f from linear li elements l t th that t were formerly f l perpendicular. z Appreciate the importance and usefulness of strain in the structural geology.

St i M Strain Measurement t
Assoc. Prof. Askury Abd Kadir Geoscience & Petroleum Engineering Department

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

Strain Measurement
Strain quantified using three types of measurements z Longitudinal strain (change in length of lines - linear) z Angular strain (change in angle between lines - rotational) z Volumetric strain (change in volume)
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Longitudinal Strain: Elongation, e

z Elongation, e ratio of change in length to original length

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

Longitudinal Strain: Stretch, S

z Ratio of final length to original length

Stretch, S
Stretch is useful quantity because it is directly related to axes of the strain ellipse. z Strain ratio, Rs=S1/S3 z Measure of intensity y of distortion

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

Angular Strain: Shear,

Elongation and stress provide no information about changes and angle between lines. z Angular shear, (psi) measure departure of lines from original position.

Angular Shear: Distorted trilobite

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

Shear strain,
The change in orientation of lines in deformation body can also be measured as displacement z Shear strain, = tan

Volumetric Strain,
Volume change (dilatation) measure by volumetric strain z + = volume gain, - = volume loss z = Vf-Vo/Vo = V/Vo z Processes related to volumetric strain
{Compaction {Dissolution {Thermal expansion {Unloading
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Strain Measurements
Circular and spherical objects ideal for determining strain z Assuming no volume change (distortion without dilation) z Final area (volume) = original area (volume)

Strained oncolites
Determine the magnitude of stretches S1 and S3 for deformed oncolites

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

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QAB 1053 Structural Geology

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Non-circular Strained Markers

How do we deal with markers other than circular or spherical?

Wellmans Method
Method for determining strain ellipse from linear elements that were formerly perpendicular

Brachiopod p Deformed brachiopods with an actual direction or orientation showing angular Shear, (psi) .

Brachiopod
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Wellmans Method on Deformed Brachiopod

1. Draw hinge lines and line of symmetry 2 Draw randomly 2. oriented line a-b

Wellmans Method
3.Draw lines parallel to both hinge and symmetry lines passing through point a and b 4.Find intersection points

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

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QAB 1053 Structural Geology

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Wellmans Method
Ellipsoid

Wellmans Method
Stretch S1 =1.5, azimuth 300oNW Stretch S3 = 0.8, azimuth 210oSW

5. Draw ellipse through intersections 6. Measure major and minor semi-axes, S1 & S3 7. Measure orientation of S1 & S3

QAB 1053 Structural Geology

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QAB 1053 Structural Geology

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Deformed Craters?
Galilleo images of Gannymede revealed stretched craters, e.g. extensional tectonics stretching of crust

CONCLUSION
z There are three types of strain formed by the deformation, i.e. longitudinal, angular and volumetric. z Wellmans Method is an important p key y for determining strain ellipse from linear elements. z Deformed brachiopods and oncolites can be determined on stretch using Wellmans Method. z Strain measurement on secondary structures are able to delineate forces involved in tectonic activities.
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S1 S3

QAB 1053 Structural Geology