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How does serpentinized peridotite become weak, serpentinite melange?

Detailed Description

Photo on left is serpentinized peridotite, which forms jointed blocky outcrops and is relatively strong. Photo on right is serpentinite melange, which is highly sheared and relatively weak. By mapping the textures of these rocks one can infer how these rocks became weaker as the rocks were dissolved, broken up and crushed, and began to shear and slip, with implications of how this process changes the strength of the fault through time. 

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.

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