A kinematic unifying theory of microstructures in subglacial tills
Résumé
A key aspect of all subglacial tills is the nature and form of microstructures present. Microstructures are symptomatic of repeated deformation phases prior to, during, and after emplacement. Critical to understanding microstructures in subglacial tills are the probable interrelationship that exists between all of these structures. In analyzing subglacial tills a kinematic deformation relationship can be observed existing between all microstructures. Based upon the rheological conditions at the ice basal interface, a close evolving paleo-strain link can be established that relates levels of deformation to all subglacial till microstructures. As subglacial till undergoes strain during transport and emplacement involving fluctuating conditions of porewater content, percentage of clays present, and changing thermal circumstances, a series of microstructures sequentially evolve. Initially, brittle edge-to-edge grain events occur, followed by grains stack development, often allied closely in time, with microshear formation as the sediment deforms, and is consequently followed by the development of ductile rotation structures. Likewise, deformation bands, shear zone formation, and typically ;isolated; domains form. As strain and other factors vary over time so many of these microstructures may be obliterated, altered, or re-oriented. Much remains to be understood regarding paleo-strain conditions and subglacial deformation but a first step has been establishing this temporal sequence of microstructure stage development and thus achieving a theory that unifies these disparate microstructures observed in all subglacial tills.