Abstract: The transition from microscopic brittle deformation to microscopic plastic deformation is called brittle-plastic transition, which is considered as a key layer for determining the limit of lower continental crust seismicity. The depth and deformation mechanism of the brittle-plastic transition zone is controlled mainly by temperature. Besides, the strain rate and fluid pore pressure also affect the transition during the different deformation stages at the seismic cycle.
In this paper, microstructure observation of catalcastic samples collected from the Red River Fault was carried out using optical polarized microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The morphology, microstructures of deformation characteristics, mineral composition, water-rock reaction, pressure solution, exsolution, crack healing in the samples were systematically observed. The mineral components quantitative analyses were examined using the EDS. Water-rock reaction and pressure solution were systematically observed under SEM. The fabric of the main minerals in the samples was measured using electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD). Based on these analyses, the deformation mode was setup for the brittle-plastic transition zone of the fault during the post-seismic relaxation period.
Both brittle deformation and plastic deformation were developed in the cataclastic samples. EBSD data shows that the c axial fabrics of quartz present low-temperature plastic deformation characteristics. The feldspar deformed as cataclastic rock, and the micro-fracture in feldspar was healed by static recrystallized quartz and calcite veins. The calcite vein underwent plastic deformation, which represents the post-seismic relaxation deformation.
Based on the analysis of deformation mechanism of cataclastic samples in brittle-plastic transition zone of the Red River Fault, and combined with previous studies, we concluded that the brittle fracture and fracture healing is the main deformation mode at brittle-plastic transition zone in the post-seismic relaxation. High stress and high strain rate at post-seismic relaxation lead to brittle fracture of high-strength minerals such as feldspar in rocks. Plastic deformation occurs in low-strength minerals such as quartz and mica. Under the fluid condition, micro-fractures were healed by quartz and calcite. The minerals such as quartz and calcite in the fracture transformed from static recrystallization to dynamic recrystallization with stress gradually accumulating. With fracture healing and stress accumulation, the fault strength gradually increases which could accumulate energy for the next earthquake.

Key words: cataclastic, brittle-plastic transition, post-seismic relaxation, Red River Fault

摘要： 脆-塑性转化带被认为是确定大陆地壳地震深度下限的关键层位。脆-塑性转化带的深度和变形机制除受温度控制外，应变速率和流体压力对其也具有显著影响，而应变速率与流体压力变化通常被认为与地震周期中不同的变形阶段相关。文中对采集自红河断裂的碎裂岩样品开展了显微结构观察与分析。利用偏光显微镜、扫描电镜和能谱仪，系统观测了样品中主要矿物的形态、微观变形特征、矿物组合、矿物水-岩反应、压溶、出溶、裂隙充填与变形特征；利用电子背散射衍射（EBSD）实验数据对样品中主要矿物的组构进行了研究与分析。基于此，研究了震后松弛阶段断层脆-塑性转化带的变形特征。根据红河断裂碎裂岩的变形机制分析，并结合前人研究，将断层脆-塑性转化带在震后松弛阶段的变形特征概括为脆性碎裂与裂隙愈合。高应力和高应变速率导致岩石中长石等高强度矿物继续发生脆性碎裂，石英、云母等低强度的矿物发生塑性变形。在流体作用下，裂隙由石英或方解石充填而被愈合。随着应力逐渐积累，裂隙中石英和方解石等矿物由静态重结晶向动态重结晶转化。随着裂隙愈合和应力积累，断层强度逐渐增加，为下一次地震孕育积累能量。

关键词: 碎裂岩, 脆-塑性转化, 震后松弛, 红河断裂