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 strike-slip and dip-slip shear zones.
• Systematic changes in orientation of linear mylonitic fabrics.
• Determination and strain partitioning in very inclined transpressional deformation.
• Compatible geotectonic model for evolution of shear zones.

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 D1. The main mylonitization event was during the D2 deformational event, following coaxial refolding, synchronous to retrograde metamorphism of amphibolite to greenschist facies in the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene, and before D3 folding and related mylonitization. We documented the systematic changes in the orientations of D2 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.