Grain-size-sensitive deformation of upper greenschist- to lower amphibolite-facies metacherts from a low-P/high-T metamorphic belt

To identify the dominant deformation mechanism in continental middle crust at an arc–trench system, we used an SEM-EBSD system to measure the lattice-preferred orientations of quartz grains in fine-grained metachert from the low-grade (chlorite and chlorite–biotite zones) part of the low-P/high-T Ryoke metamorphic belt, SW Japan. Quartz c-axis fabrics show no distinct patterns related to dislocation creep, although the strain magnitudes estimated based on deformed radiolarian fossils are high enough that a distinct fabric might be expected to have formed during deformation. Fabric intensities are very low, indicating a random distribution of quartz c-axes. Quartz grains are equant in shape and polygonal, and free of intracrystalline plasticity. These observations suggest that the dominant deformation mechanism in the metacherts was grain-size-sensitive flow (diffusion creep accompanied by grain-boundary sliding) rather than dislocation creep, possibly reflecting the relatively low strain rate or low flow stress compared with that in high-strain zones. The development of grain-size-sensitive flow in metamorphic tectonites at mid-crustal conditions would result in a significant decrease of the rocks strength of the continental middle crust.

Research highlights
► Metacherts from a low-P/high-T metamorphic belt deforms by grain-size-sensitive flow.
► Grain-size-sensitive flow is diffusion creep accompanied by grain-boundary sliding.
► Grain-size-sensitive flow develops under the condition of low strain rate or low flow stress.
► Grain-size-sensitive flow is the dominant deformation mechanism at the continental middle crust.
► Development of grain-size-sensitive flow results in a weakening of the middle crust.