Ultrahigh temperature deformation microstructures in felsic granulites of the Napier Complex, Antarctica

Our first time detailed microstructural observations of ultrahigh temperature and medium to high pressure granulites and their interpretation in terms of active deformation mechanisms give some insight into the type of rheology that can be expect at lower crustal conditions. If qtz is the mineral phase governing the rock rheology, Newtonian flow behaviour is expected and only low differential stress can be supported. However, if the stress supporting mineral phase is opx, the flow law resulting from dislocation creep will govern the rheology of the rock unit; hence, an exponential relationship between stress and strain rate is to be expected.