Abstract
Folds were the first tectonic features of rocks to be studied and as such are taken as a reference for the interpretation of other structures. Intuitively, fold axes were assumed to be subperpendicular to the direction of transport. Nevertheless, many studies of metamorphic belts showing intense ductile deformation describe folds with axes close to the transport direction. In particular, sheath folds1–9, are highly curvilinear folds elongated parallel to the direction of transport. We discuss here a spectacular large sheath fold situated in a crustal shear zone in the Monte Rosa nappe, Swiss Alps. Our analysis implies that both the geometry and significance of folds in the internal Alps must be re-examined. We further demonstrate the existence of crustal ductile shear zones in an area of the Alps where previously emphasis was generally placed on fold nappes; the movements on these shear zones is often tens of kilometres.
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Lacassin, R., Mattauer, M. Kilometre-scale sheath fold at Mattmark and implications for transport direction in the Alps. Nature 315, 739–742 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/315739a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/315739a0
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