Structures of Ophiolites and Dynamics of Oceanic Lithosphere [Paperback]

I - Introduction and Analytical Methods.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. Historical development of the ophiolite concept.- 1.2. Interest of ophiolite studies.- 1.2.1. Ophiolites as key for the study of oceanic lithosphere and asthenosphere.- 1.2.2. Ophiolites as markers of past plate tectonics.- 1.3. Scope and structure of the book.- 2. Analytical methods in ophiolites.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. The oceanic reference frame.- 2.2.1. The ridge referential.- 2.2.2. Ridge side of origin of a given ophiolite.- 2.3. Structural studies in the hypovolcanic and volcanic sequences.- 2.4. Structural studies in the plutonic sequence.- 2.4.1. Principal structures.- 2.4.2. Viscous/plastic deformation.- 2.4.3. Importance of viscous flow.- 2.5. Structural studies in the ultramafic section.- 2.5.1. Homogeneity of mantle structures.- 2.5.2. Principal structures.- 2.5.3. Melt products: evidence for segregation/impregnation.- 2.5.4. Microstructures in peridotites and kinematic analysis.- 2.5.5. Microstructural imprint of asthenospheric and lithospheric flow.- 2.5.6. Serpentinization and low temperature deformations.- 2.6. Expected asthenospheric flow patterns.- II - Typical Ophiolite Complexes.- 3. Oman ophiolite: the harzburgite ophiolite type.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. Geological setting.- 3.2.1. Geodynamic setting.- 3.2.2. History of the Hawasina basin.- 3.3. General description of the ophiolite.- 3.3.1. Introduction.- 3.3.2. Mafic section.- 3.3.3. Ultramafic section.- 3.3.4. Metamorphic aureoles.- 3.3.5. High pressure metamorphism.- 3.4. Structure of the Oman ophiolite.- 3.4.1. Introduction-main structural events.- 3.4.2. Structures related to accretion at the spreading center.- 3.4.3. Structures related to oceanic thrusting and obduction.- 3.5. General interpretation of the Oman ophiolite.- 3.5.1. Introduction.- 3.5.2. Spreading rate estimation.- 3.5.3. Paleo-environment of origin and obduction history.- 4. Xigaze and Trinity ophiolites-Plagioclase lherzolite massifs: the lherzolite ophiolĂL