The Journal of Geology, May-June 1893: A Semi-Quarterly Magazone of Geology and Related SciencesVarious
Science
The Journal of Geology, May-June 1893: A Semi-Quarterly Magazone of Geology and Related Sciences
Various
Geology -- Periodicals
Cutting the bedding are heavy joints inclined to the north at an angle
of 20° to 30°. If slipping had occurred along these in the right
direction, this might cause a small thickness of beds to have a great
apparent thickness. However, the schists above described weather out
on the face of the cliffs, and are therefore marked by recessions in
the walls. If slipping parallel to the jointing had occurred since the
schists were formed, these depressions ought not to match on opposite
sides of the joints; but, on the contrary, they continue unbroken from
foot to top, and probably the joints were formed simultaneously with or
later than the belts of schist. Consequently, at the upper narrows of
the Baraboo no evidence was found of faulting which could reduce the
estimated thickness of the quartzite as given by Irving.
As Irving clearly saw, bearing strongly in favor of the theory of a
great fold, is the increasing steeper dip of the layers in passing
north. The phenomena of movement and metamorphism corresponding so
exactly to those required by a simple fold, the question may be asked
if these are not evidence of some weight in favor of the general
correctness of Irving’s conclusion as to the structure. Had monoclinal
faulting extensively occurred, it would not have been necessary to have
had so great a readjustment of the beds as has been shown to occur by
the schists, cleavage, and the exceedingly intricate macro-fracturing
and micro-fracturing of the rock beds and their constituent particles.
In addition to the phenomena described by Irving, in summary, the
Baraboo quartzite ranges show results of dynamic metamorphism as
follows: A fine example of the Reibungs Breccia may be seen. A fault
zone of limited throw exists. All phases are exhibited, between a
massive quartzite, showing macroscopically little evidence of interior
movement through a rock exhibiting in turn fracture and cleavage, to
a rock which macroscopically is apparently a crystalline schist. The
foliation of the schists is parallel to the original stratification,
being consequent upon the movements of the beds over one another,
readjustments occurring mainly in the softer layers. In thin sections
the schists still give clear evidence of their fragmental origin,
but also show the mechanical effects of interior movement. These
same effects are apparent within the heavy beds of quartzite, some
readjustment of the particles to their new positions being here also
necessary. There is no evidence that the semi-crystalline character
of the schist and quartzite are due to high heat. Nowhere are the
particles fused. So far as they are destroyed it is by fracture, and
the rock is again healed by cementation.
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