Structural Setting and Kinematic Analysis of the Halaban Region, Eastern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

The vorticity analysis technique was applied to measure the different lithological units, such as schist, metagranite and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks, which are present in the Halaban region. This work aims to interpret the relationship between the different lithologies and the tectonic setting, in order to elucidate the nature of kinematic analysis in the Halaban region. The kinematic analyses were applied to feldspar porphyroclasts, quartz and hornblende for twenty-six samples. The kinematic vorticity number (W-m) for deformed rocks in the study area ranged from similar to 0.6 to 0.9. The direction of the long axes for finite strain data (X axes) revealed a WNW trend with shallow dipping. The direction of the short axes for finite strain data (Z axes) were represented by vertical with associated horizontal foliation. The results of the kinematic vorticity and strain analyses are characterized by simple shear with different degrees of deformation in the Halaban region. Furthermore, our finite strain data shows no significant volume change during deformation. The subhorizontal foliation was synchronized with thrusting and deformation. Furthermore, throughout the overlying nappes, the same attitudes of tectonic contacts are observable, the nappes in the orogens being formed from simple shear deformation.

Automated summary

The research utilizes the vorticity analysis technique and kinematic analysis to study the relationship between different lithological units and tectonic setting in the Halaban region. The results show the presence of simple shear deformation and no significant volume change during deformation.