• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.131-148
• /
• 1999

Characteristics and complex structures in the northwest Nevada, U.S.A. are de-veloped due to relative tectonic movement of major tectonostratigraphic terranes. Theresearch area is composed of autochthonous rocks of both Early Triassic Koipato Group and Middle Triassic Star Peak Group, which is located in the Humboldt Range, northwest Nevada, U.S.A. The present research is focused on deformation history, related fabric development, and state of regional paleostress during the Jurassic to Late Cretaceous. The Triassic autochthonous rocks in the Humboldt Range, Nevada, U.S.A. display polyphase deformation due to E- to ESE-directed tectonic transport of the Fencemaker allochthon over autochthonous rocks of the Humboldt Range. Structures involving the Mesozoic foreland deformation are development of intense foliation, different styles of folds, minor thrusts, transposed layering, and strong mylonitization. These tectonic structures are mostly developed along the western flank of the Humboldt Range, and are reported as the first deformation of the Mesozoic foreland in the Humboldt Range, Nevada, U.S.A. Regional principal stress(${\sigma}_1$) is interpreted to be E to ESE between the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous on the basis of orientations of strongly developed $D_1$ structures. The deformation during the Middle to Late Cretaceous, is characterized by development of consistent N- to NNE-trending metamorphic quartz veins, and shear zones parallel to pre-existing $D_1$ foliation. Orientations of metamorphic quartz veins as well as other kinematic indicators are N to NNE and are interpreted as those of regional principal stress(${\sigma}_1$) during the Late Cretaceous. The sense of shear applied in the Humbololt Range is dextral and is caused by reactivation of early-formed $D_1$ structures. These results reflect counterclockwise rotation of regional principal paleostress in the Humboldt Range from the Jurassic to Late cretaceous. Finally, development of both shear band cleavage and S/C mylonitic fabrics indicates that the shear zones in the Humboldt Range reflect involvement of enhanced non-coaxial flow during bulk shortening in mylonitic formation.