This site illustrates field examples of structures seen on a broad transect through the Internal Alps. The metamorphic minerals found within these rocks indicate that deformation occurred while these materials were relatively hot (300-500°C) and buried to depths of up to about 20km. Thus these structures are the results of deformation in the middle crust, levels that are now found at the Earth's surface because of subsequent erosion.
Apart from documenting the range and style of structures found on the transect, you will be able to plot up structural orientation data and determine shearing directions for various sites. You should illustrate these on stereoplots where appropriate, comparing different sites. Finally you should draw comparisons with your findings from the earlier exercise on the Outer Zones of the Alps. This latter comparison will allow you to contrast those structures which develop in the middle crust with those that characterise deformation of the upper crust.
To navigate to the various parts of this exercise you can use the cross-section, the map or the listing of subsidiary sites. You should also study the historical notes. To help you keep a permanent record of this exercise there is a tabulated form available (pdf file) that may be printed.
Link to External Alps excursion
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