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Table T4. Textural types characterized by specific microstructural styles for gabbroic rocks.

Textural group Plagioclase Olivine Pyroxene Physical state





1 No or minor crystal-plastic deformation microstructures (e.g., deformation twins, undulose extinction) No deformation microstructures ± local undulose extinction and/or local subgrain development No deformation microstructures Primarily magmatic
a Random shape orientation


b Preferred shape orientation







2 <30% fine-grained recrystallized matrix; deformation twins and subgrain boundaries may be present Common subgrain boundaries and undulose extinction No deformation microstructures ± minor crystal-plastic deformation microstructures Crystal-plastic ± magmatic





3 >30% recrystallized matrix; deformation twins, subgrain boundaries, and undulose extinction common; moderate shape preferred orientation; strong crystallographic preferred orientation Elongated aggregates of neoblasts Kinked grains; common to extensive recrystallization Crystal-plastic





4 Strongly bimodal grain size distribution; localized fine-grained neoblasts, polygonal neoblasts, sutured neoblasts Closely spaced subgrain boundaries; pervasive undulose extinction extensive neoblasts Bent/kinked porphyroclasts; localized recrystallization Crystal-plastic





5 Common intracrystalline microfractures associated with very fine-grained neoblasts; extensive kinked and deformation twinned grains; pervasive undulose extinction; may contain hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblages Same as plagioclase Same as plagioclase Semibrittle





6 Intra/intercrystalline microfractures and cataclastic bands; extensive kinked and deformation twinned grains; pervasive undulose extinction Same as plagioclase Same as plagioclase Brittle/cataclastic

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