Sheared rocks

Sheared rocks are characteristically developed when deformation happens under warm conditions, such as when rocks are reasonably deeply-buried.

These outcrops, from just beneath the suture, show some characteristic styles.

These include folds with limbs stretched out. Mineral grains are streaked forming lineated rocks.

These lineations can form parallel to the direction of shear and this can be used to deduce tectonic movement directions.

The streaking out of rocks can be seen in this example of granite.

In unstreaked state the granite looks random and speckled.

When sheared the minerals are strung out - giving an ordered flecked appearance.

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