Tectonophysics最新文献

{"title":"Fluid-mediated and structural controls on small-to-moderate seismicity: Insights from the 2020 El Kantour Mw 5.3 sequence, Ghardimaou–North Constantine Fault Zone, NE Algeria","authors":"Hichem Bendjama ,&nbsp;El-Mahdi Tikhamarine ,&nbsp;Oualid Boulahia ,&nbsp;Issam Abacha ,&nbsp;Hamoud Beldjoudi","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230988","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230988","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Ghardimaou–North Constantine (GNC) fault zone in northeastern Algeria challenges conventional strike-slip fault behavior: despite its ∼400 km length and ∼ 2.4 mm/yr slip rate, it predominantly hosts moderate-magnitude earthquakes. The 2020 Mw5.3 El Kantour earthquake—the largest recorded event on this fault—provides critical insights into its mechanics. High-resolution aftershock relocations reveal a blind, steeply SSW-dipping fault (MSF1; N107–109°E) and secondary subparallel strands forming a distributed network that partitions strain and impedes large rupture propagation. Rupture growth is further constrained by a seismogenic thickness (∼14 km), coinciding with a regional lower-crustal low-velocity zone (LVZ) likely acting as decoupling layer and mid-crustal barrier. Stress inversions indicate mechanical weakness, with very low friction (μ ≈ 0.25) and high fault activation angles. The sequence exhibits dual seismic behaviors: (1) mainshock–aftershock patterns near the main fault at mid-crustal depths, and (2) swarm-like, shallow off-fault cluster (85 % of events) featuring severely misoriented fault at distance over 3 km from the mainshock. Spatiotemporal multiplet patterns—including a ∼ 0.8 km/day migration rate, rapid initial bursts up to 7 km/day, spatial distribution (∼6 km), and 42-day sporadic activity —support pore-pressure diffusion and aseismic slip activation. Post-seismic sand-laden spring discharges confirm transient pore-pressure perturbations. These observations reveal a multi-process coupling between coseismic stress transfer, pore-pressure diffusion, aseismic slip, and brittle failure, forming a self-regulating feedback system that distributes stress across a permeable fracture network and prevents runaway ruptures. Our findings underscore the need for integrative hydromechanical models accounting for fluid-driven weakening, aseismic slip, and crustal rheology to refine seismic hazard assessment in fluid-rich, mechanically weak fault systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230988"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145448032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crustal structure and seismogenic environment of the Eastern Sichuan Fold-Thrust Belt in South China: Insights from a dense magnetotelluric array","authors":"Sheng Zhang ,&nbsp;Nian Yu ,&nbsp;Xin Li ,&nbsp;Wenxin Kong ,&nbsp;Zikun Zhou ,&nbsp;Tianyang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230973","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230973","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present-day tectonic deformation in the Eastern Sichuan Fold-Thrust (ESFTB) far away from plate boundaries is relatively weak, but several moderate to strong earthquakes have occurred in this region during the past decades. To investigate the deep structure and seismogenic environment of this area, a dense broadband magnetotelluric (MT) array were deployed to obtain a three-dimensional (3-D) image of the crustal electrical conductivity structure across the ESFTB. Our resistivity model reveals significant differences in both the depth extent and magnitude of the low-resistivity anomalies in the upper-middle crust on either side of the Qiyao-Jinfoshan Fault (QY-JFF), which has been considered as the boundary between thin-skinned and thick-skinned tectonics. Beneath the QY-JFF, a notable high-resistivity body is imaged and likely reflects the cooled basaltic intrusions associated with the Permain Emeishan volcanism. Given the tectonic context, we prefer to interpret the low-resistivity anomalies as aqueous fluids mainly generated by metamorphic dehydration of the fluid-rich detachment layers, and attribute the differences on either side of the QY-JFF to differing degrees of compressive folding occurred during the early Mesozoic. Most earthquakes along the Fangdoushan Fault (FDSF) are concentrated in a relatively low resistive region that is sandwiched between conductive zones of fluid-rich rock, implying that deep fluid migration into the upper crust may have contributed to triggering earthquakes in this area. Taking into account that these earthquakes are in close proximity to the Yangtze River, the downward infiltration of surface water could also be a potential source of fluids and act as a triggering mechanism for earthquakes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230973"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145404639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrical structure of the Muji Basin and adjacent areas in the Pamir: Implications for the 2016 Aketao Mw 6.6 earthquake and the Muji travertine cone group","authors":"Menglong Liao ,&nbsp;Yuanzhi Cheng ,&nbsp;Bo Han ,&nbsp;Zhongxing Wang ,&nbsp;Yinan Tian ,&nbsp;Yanlong Kong","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230989","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230989","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To reveal the seismogenic mechanism of the 2016 Aketao Mw6.6 earthquake and the formation mechanism of the Muji travertine cone group, this study deployed 56 magnetotelluric (MT) stations in the source region and surrounding the Muji Basin. Post-earthquake magnetotelluric data inversion results demonstrate that: (1) the earthquake hypocenter is located near the interface between low-resistivity body C1 and high-resistivity body R2, representing a finite rupture within high-resistivity body R2; (2) the deep-seated stable fluid system C8 influenced the occurrence of this earthquake, while the genesis and temporal evolution of low-resistivity body C1 remain uncertain; (3) a large-scale low-resistivity body C2 exists north of the Muji travertine cone group. Combined with regional structural analysis, we conclude that the seismogenic process of the 2016 Aketao earthquake was primarily controlled by the coupling between the regional tectonic stress field and local rock mass mechanical properties. The heterogeneity of both stress field and electrical structure along the Muji fault jointly controlled the complex rupture propagation process. Low-resistivity body C2 represents deep fluid presence, where the southwestern boundary fault of the Muji Basin provides migration pathways for deep fluids, thereby controlling the formation and distribution of the travertine cone group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230989"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145448033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D magnetotelluric imaging of lithospheric magmatic systems in the Yitong Volcanic Area, Northeast China: Implications for fault-zone segmentation and seismic rupture dynamics along the Yilan-Yitong Fault","authors":"Cong Cao ,&nbsp;Lingqiang Zhao ,&nbsp;Yan Zhan ,&nbsp;Yanfu Qi ,&nbsp;Xiangyu Sun ,&nbsp;Xiong Yang ,&nbsp;Hongbin Lv ,&nbsp;Qingliang Wang ,&nbsp;Bowen Hou ,&nbsp;Wenwen Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.231002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.231002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Yitong Volcanic Area (YVA) in Jilin Province is a relatively rare “compression type” volcanic system worldwide. Its formation mechanism and eruption mode have unique features. The Yilan-Yitong Fault (YYF) runs through this volcanic rock belt and has demonstrated prominent segmented fracture characteristics since the Quaternary Period. The paleoseismic activity of the Yitong Fault Zone (YFZ) is different from that of other fault zones within this area. This study aimed to investigate the deep magma system in the YVA and its influence on the segmented activities of YYF. Magnetotelluric (MT) measurements were performed in the YVA. A total of 87 MT sites were arranged in the area. A high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) electrical structure model of the lithospheric scale from the crust to the upper mantle in the study area was established with the 3D inversion method. This model suggests that the shallow section of the upper crust of the YVA and the northwestern part of the Songliao Basin were mainly low-resistivity zones, which corresponded to the widely distributed sedimentary layers in this area. The middle and lower crust in the study area was primarily a complete high-resistivity body. A large-scale magmatic system began to appear at a depth of 25 km in the YVA. This magmatic system continued to extend downward, exceeding 70 km. The magma chamber in the YVA was in contact with the YYF in the lower crust. The YYF was the dominant material surging upward through the magma channel. Additionally, deep magmatic activities exerted a crucial influence on the seismic rupture segmentation characteristics along the YYF and the uplift mechanism of the Yitong Basin. The results of this study provide crucial geophysical constraints for depicting the fine depth structure of the YVA while enlightening the investigation of the rupture propagation mechanism within the volcanic terrain fault zone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 231002"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145518487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Velocity structure of the 2025 Mw7.7 Myanmar earthquake source region: Insights from traveltime reciprocity tomography","authors":"Fengxue Zhang ,&nbsp;Yu Li ,&nbsp;Yiping Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230985","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230985","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the velocity structure of the 2025 Mw7.7 Myanmar earthquake source region using seismic wave traveltime reciprocity tomography, a method that leverages the reciprocal relationship between sources and receivers to address the challenge of sparse station coverage. This inversion resolves robust velocity anomalies and remains generally stable with respect to the changes in the spatial extent of the study area. Tomographic results reveal a prominent north-south low-velocity zone that extends along the north-south trending Sagaing Fault, highlighting its role as the primary rupture zone. To the east of the fault, a broad high-velocity anomaly likely marks the steeply eastward-subducting Indian Plate beneath the Shan Plateau, whereas to the west, a localized high-velocity feature is consistent with a near-horizontal slab morphology beneath the Myanmar Central Basin. These findings provide new constraints on the deep structure and geodynamic processes beneath Myanmar.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230985"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145434701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Late Cretaceous intracontinental subduction along the Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone: evidence from the K-rich magmatism in the Lunpola Basin, central Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Ping Wang ,&nbsp;Haijian Lu ,&nbsp;Liang Duan ,&nbsp;Xuxuan Ma ,&nbsp;Yihu Zhang ,&nbsp;Wang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230975","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230975","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Late Cretaceous magmatic rocks, widely distributed along the Bangong-Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ), not only records large-scale crust-mantle interactions, but also contains characteristic fingerprints of deep geodynamic processes. However, the formation regime is still controversial, with proposed mechanisms including lithospheric delamination, the rollback of the Neo-Tethys Ocean, and the subduction of the Bangong-Nujiang Ocean. To address this issue, we conducted zircon U<img>Pb dating, in situ Hf isotope analysis, and whole-rock major and trace element compositions on the Late Cretaceous volcanic rocks in the Lunpola Basin, central Tibet. Geochronological results indicate that they crystallized primarily at ∼80 Ma, which was followed by a ∼ 65 Ma pulse. These volcanic rocks exhibit high-K compositions (K₂O/Na₂O = 1.8–55.8), marked by enrichment in Rb, Th, Pb, and light rare earth elements (LREEs), coupled with depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti—a geochemical signature diagnostic for subduction-related magmatism. The broad range of zircon ε_Hf(<em>t</em>) values (−15.49 to +15.51) provides robust evidence for contributions from Qiangtang ancient continent crust to the formation of the (ultra) potassic rocks. Given the widespread distribution of coeval (∼80 Ma) magmatic rocks along the BNSZ and geophysical data, we propose that the petrogenesis of the Late Cretaceous potassic rocks originated from southward subduction of the Qiangtang terrane beneath the Lhasa terrane. This study not only proposes a new tectonic model for the nature of the Lhasa-Qiangtang collision but also highlights the vital role of intracontinental subduction in producing post-collisional potassic-ultrapotassic magmatism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230975"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145412221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mantle transition zone dynamics beneath the Northwestern Deccan Volcanic Province, India: Implications for plume mediated upper mantle processes","authors":"Rema Vaishali ,&nbsp;Madhusudhanarao Katlamudi ,&nbsp;Ayoub Kaviani ,&nbsp;Georg Rümpker","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.231000","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.231000","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), formed ∼65 Ma during India's northward drift and linked to the Réunion plume, reveals complex upper-mantle structures. This study uses P receiver function (RF) analysis from 76 broadband stations in Gujarat, Western India, to image upper-mantle discontinuities (d410 and d660) beneath the north-western DVP. RF depth migration was performed using 1-D and 3-D tomographic velocity models—GYPSUM, LLNL-G3Dv3, MEAN2, and a combined regional model (up to 300 km depth) incorporating LLNL-G3Dv3. The estimated mantle transition zone (MTZ) thickness varies from 233 to 248 km in Kachchh, Saurashtra, Cambay, South Gujarat, and the Arabian Sea, while in North Gujarat and the Narmada rift zones; it ranges from 251 to 255 km. The d410 discontinuity exhibits a uniform depression (410–430 km), whereas the d660 remains normal to slightly deepened (650–675 km). The eastern North Gujarat, Narmada zone, and parts of Kachchh exhibit a shallow 410 km and depressed 660 km discontinuity, indicating MTZ thickening. The Cambay thermal anomaly, bounded by these colder regions, likely reflects localized small-scale upwelling coupled with the downwelling of ancient subducted slab remnants. Additionally, 520 km discontinuity was detected, with amplitude peaks suggesting a low-velocity layer above d410. The Mean excess temperatures associated with d410 and d660depressions are ∼150 K and ∼ 323 K, respectively. MTZ structure, thermal anomalies, and mantle velocity heterogeneities collectively indicate plume–lithosphere interaction influenced by relic slab dynamics in the genesis of Deccan volcanism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 231000"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145509780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revealing deep-rooted pre-Paleozoic fault systems in the lower Yangtze region: Insights from 3D magnetic inversion and gravity inversion and integrated geophysical interpretation","authors":"Chongjin Zhao,&nbsp;Luolei Zhang,&nbsp;Huang Zuwei,&nbsp;Peng Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.231001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.231001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Lower Yangtze region lies between the North China Craton and Cathaysia Block; yet, the offshore continuity of major sutures and the role of inherited basement faults remain debated. We integrate 3-D inversions of regional magnetic and gravity data for crustal framework imaging without reduction-to-the-pole. In particular, we perform magnetic inversion directly on the total magnetic intensity (TMI) under oblique field geometry, coupled with a sharp-boundary gravity inversion to the TMI-derived magnetic basement. Petrophysical ranges for densities and susceptibilities provide the sole priors, and edges are mapped with a tilt–hyperbolic–vertical–horizontal (THVH) operator. Misfits reach observational noise levels, and the recovered volumes resolve long- to intermediate-wavelength structures. Magnetization is concentrated beneath the East China Sea shelf and southern South Yellow Sea, while 10–20 km density slices delineate alternating uplift–depression couplets. Three surfaces (i.e., the Magnetic-basement top, Paleozoic-basement proxy depth, and Proterozoic residual-thickness proxy) define coherent gradients that, together with THVH ridges, map a consistent fault framework. We infer (i) an eastward offshore continuation of the Jiangshan–Shaoxing Fault that bends northeast and is truncated near the southwestern margin of Jeju Island; (ii) a lithosphere-scale Yangtze–North China boundary coincident with the Korea–West Fault; and (iii) four inherited NE–EW faults that segment the region into alternating uplifts and depressions. The architecture supports Late Cretaceous back-arc extension and selective reactivation of Precambrian discontinuities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 231001"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145515682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crustal structure of the Fiji-Lau Basin-Tonga-Samoa region from receiver functions","authors":"Ying Zhang ,&nbsp;Hao Hu ,&nbsp;Walter D. Mooney","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230977","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230977","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Fiji-Lau Basin-Tonga-Samoa region, situated at a complex tectonic junction involving subduction, back-arc spreading, and mantle plume activity, provides a natural laboratory for investigating crustal growth processes at convergent margins, and enhances regional seismic hazards assessments. We present estimates of crustal thickness variations and Vp/Vs ratios derived from P-wave receiver functions and H-κ stacking across 46 broadband seismic stations from multiple networks. Our results reveal a mean crustal thickness of ∼17.8 km and an average Vp/Vs ratio of 1.84, consistent with an intermediate to mafic crustal composition. Crustal thickness varies significantly across the region, with the thickest crust (∼30 km) beneath northern Fiji, a remnant island arc formed during Eocene-Miocene subduction. In comparison, the thinnest (∼6 km) is observed in the actively spreading Lau Basin. Intermediate thicknesses (19–25 km) are observed along the Lau and Tonga Ridges. In the Samoa Islands, crustal thickness increases eastward from 16 km to 25 km, paired with declining Vp/Vs ratios (1.9 to 1.6), suggesting a compositional transition from subduction-related magmatism to more differentiated felsic intraplate magmatism associated with the Samoan hotspot. Although the thinner crust across the island arc systems lacks sufficient volume to form continental crust without post-accretionary thickening, the presence of thicker crust (23–30 km) beneath parts of the region may represent incipient juvenile continental crustal formation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230977"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145427978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strain energy-driven grain growth in quartz aggregates: Implications for microstructural evolution and recovery","authors":"Petar Pongrac ,&nbsp;Malte Ortmanns ,&nbsp;Petr Jeřábek ,&nbsp;Sebastian Cionoiu ,&nbsp;Jean Furstoss ,&nbsp;Yuval Boneh ,&nbsp;Lucie Tajčmanová","doi":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230971","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tecto.2025.230971","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grain growth in quartz aggregates is traditionally understood as a surface energy driven process, where larger grains grow at the expense of smaller ones in order to reduce the total grain surface area. However, most studies that contributed to this concept used relatively homogeneous, fine-grained quartz aggregates, which may not precisely reflect natural samples. Here, we performed an isotropic hot-pressing experiment using a coarser-grained quartz powder with grain sizes between 64 and 125 μm. The experiment was carried out using a Griggs-type solid-medium apparatus at controlled conditions of 1 GPa, ∼950 °C, and hot-pressing duration of ∼8 h. A thermal gradient across the sample produced progressive microstructural variations, reflecting differing intensities of recovery overprint interpreted as distinct evolutionary stages. EBSD analysis revealed that relatively smaller grains with low internal misorientation (i.e., low dislocation density), grew at the expense of both smaller and larger grains with higher misorientation (i.e., higher dislocation density). Grain boundary density remained constant throughout the microstructural evolution, suggesting that the stored strain energy of the system was reduced without reducing surface energy. Interestingly, the strain energy driving force was sufficient to mobilize—and ultimately eliminate—typically more stable low-angle boundaries between growing and consumed small grains. These findings challenge the conventional grain growth models, demonstrating that local strain energy differences can dominate microstructural evolution under static conditions, overriding surface energy as the primary driving force. This has implications for interpreting annealed quartz microstructures in natural rocks and raises caution for direct use of recrystallized grain size as a paleo-stress proxy in rocks that underwent static recovery after deformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":22257,"journal":{"name":"Tectonophysics","volume":"918 ","pages":"Article 230971"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145383435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}