All four of these factors below may individually or in combination contribute toward the distribution of strain. Therefore, each of these factors must be taken into consideration when analyzing how and why strain is partitioned:
Strain partitioning across the literature is diverse and has been divided into three subdivisions according to the American Geological Institute:
superposition of individual strain components that produce the finite strain
the accumulation of strain influenced by constituent rock materials and
individual deformation mechanisms that contribute toward producing the finite strain.
The superposition of individual strain components can be expressed at the tectonic scale involving oblique convergent margins and transpression / transtension tectonic regimes.
The table below shows relative velocities of India's convergence with Asia. The lateral variability in velocity between the central and marginal regions of the orogen suggest strain is partitioned due to oblique convergence.
Strain factorization is a mathematical approach to quantify and characterize the variation of strain components in terms of the intensity and distribution that produces the finite strain throughout a deformed region. This effort is achieved through matrix multiplication. Refer to the figure below to conceptually visualize what is obtained through strain factorization.
At the grain and crystal scale, strain partitioning may occur between minerals (or clasts and matrix) governed by their rheological contrasts. Constituent minerals of differing rheological properties in a rock will accumulate strain differently, thus inducing mechanically preferable structures and fabrics.
Strain partitioning is also known as a procedure for decomposing the overall strain into individual deformation mechanisms which allowed for strain to be accommodated. This approach is performed from geometrical analysis of rocks on the grain – crystal scale. Strain partitioning of deformation mechanisms incorporates those mechanisms which occur both simultaneously and/or subsequently as tectonic conditions evolve, as deformation mechanisms are a function of strain rate and pressure-temperature conditions. Performing such a procedure is important for structural and tectonic analysis as it provides parameters and constraints for constructing deformation models.
Jones, Richard; Tanner, P.W. Geoff (1995). "Strain partitioning in transpression zones". Journal of Structural Geology. 17 (6): 793–802. Bibcode:1995JSG....17..793J. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(94)00102-6. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Carreras, Jordi; Cosgrove, John; Druguet, Elena (2013). "Strain partitioning in banded and/or anisotropic rocks: Implications for inferring tectonic regimes". Journal of Structural Geology. 50: 7–21. Bibcode:2013JSG....50....7C. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2012.12.003. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Fossen, Haakon (2012). Structural Geology. New York, USA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-51664-8. 978-0-521-51664-8
Jones, Richard; Tanner, P.W. Geoff (1995). "Strain partitioning in transpression zones". Journal of Structural Geology. 17 (6): 793–802. Bibcode:1995JSG....17..793J. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(94)00102-6. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Carreras, Jordi; Cosgrove, John; Druguet, Elena (2013). "Strain partitioning in banded and/or anisotropic rocks: Implications for inferring tectonic regimes". Journal of Structural Geology. 50: 7–21. Bibcode:2013JSG....50....7C. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2012.12.003. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Carreras, Jordi; Cosgrove, John; Druguet, Elena (2013). "Strain partitioning in banded and/or anisotropic rocks: Implications for inferring tectonic regimes". Journal of Structural Geology. 50: 7–21. Bibcode:2013JSG....50....7C. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2012.12.003. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Carreras, Jordi; Cosgrove, John; Druguet, Elena (2013). "Strain partitioning in banded and/or anisotropic rocks: Implications for inferring tectonic regimes". Journal of Structural Geology. 50: 7–21. Bibcode:2013JSG....50....7C. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2012.12.003. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Jean-Pierre Brun (1983) "Isotropic points and lines in strain fields", Journal of Structural Geology 5(3):321–7 /wiki/Journal_of_Structural_Geology
Jones, Richard; Tanner, P.W. Geoff (1995). "Strain partitioning in transpression zones". Journal of Structural Geology. 17 (6): 793–802. Bibcode:1995JSG....17..793J. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(94)00102-6. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Carreras, Jordi; Cosgrove, John; Druguet, Elena (2013). "Strain partitioning in banded and/or anisotropic rocks: Implications for inferring tectonic regimes". Journal of Structural Geology. 50: 7–21. Bibcode:2013JSG....50....7C. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2012.12.003. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Fossen, Haakon (2012). Structural Geology. New York, USA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-51664-8. 978-0-521-51664-8
Neuendorf, Kaus; Mehl, James; Jackson, Julia (2005). Glossary of Geology (5 ed.). Alexandria, VA, United States: American Geological Institute. ISBN 978-0-922152-76-6. 978-0-922152-76-6
Jones, Richard; Tanner, P.W. Geoff (1995). "Strain partitioning in transpression zones". Journal of Structural Geology. 17 (6): 793–802. Bibcode:1995JSG....17..793J. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(94)00102-6. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Platt, J.P. (1993). "Mechanics of Oblique Convergence". Journal of Geophysical Research. 98 (B9): 16, 239–16, 256. Bibcode:1993JGR....9816239P. doi:10.1029/93JB00888. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McCaffrey, Robert (1992). "Oblique Plate Convergence, Slip Vectors, and Forearc Deformation". Journal of Geophysical Research. 97 (B6): 8905–8915. Bibcode:1992JGR....97.8905M. doi:10.1029/92JB00483. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Platt, J.P. (1993). "Mechanics of Oblique Convergence". Journal of Geophysical Research. 98 (B9): 16, 239–16, 256. Bibcode:1993JGR....9816239P. doi:10.1029/93JB00888. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McCaffrey, Robert (1992). "Oblique Plate Convergence, Slip Vectors, and Forearc Deformation". Journal of Geophysical Research. 97 (B6): 8905–8915. Bibcode:1992JGR....97.8905M. doi:10.1029/92JB00483. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Syron, Richard; Taylor, Michaeal; Murphy, Michael (2011). "Oblique convergence, arc-parallel extension, and the role of strike-slip faulting in the High Himalaya". Geosphere. 7 (2): 582–596. Bibcode:2011Geosp...7..582S. doi:10.1130/GES00606.1. https://doi.org/10.1130%2FGES00606.1
Platt, J.P. (1993). "Mechanics of Oblique Convergence". Journal of Geophysical Research. 98 (B9): 16, 239–16, 256. Bibcode:1993JGR....9816239P. doi:10.1029/93JB00888. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McCaffrey, Robert (1992). "Oblique Plate Convergence, Slip Vectors, and Forearc Deformation". Journal of Geophysical Research. 97 (B6): 8905–8915. Bibcode:1992JGR....97.8905M. doi:10.1029/92JB00483. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Platt, J.P. (1993). "Mechanics of Oblique Convergence". Journal of Geophysical Research. 98 (B9): 16, 239–16, 256. Bibcode:1993JGR....9816239P. doi:10.1029/93JB00888. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McCaffrey, Robert (1992). "Oblique Plate Convergence, Slip Vectors, and Forearc Deformation". Journal of Geophysical Research. 97 (B6): 8905–8915. Bibcode:1992JGR....97.8905M. doi:10.1029/92JB00483. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Platt, J.P. (1993). "Mechanics of Oblique Convergence". Journal of Geophysical Research. 98 (B9): 16, 239–16, 256. Bibcode:1993JGR....9816239P. doi:10.1029/93JB00888. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McCaffrey, Robert (1992). "Oblique Plate Convergence, Slip Vectors, and Forearc Deformation". Journal of Geophysical Research. 97 (B6): 8905–8915. Bibcode:1992JGR....97.8905M. doi:10.1029/92JB00483. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Murphy, M.A.; Taylor, M.H.; Gosse, J.; Silver, R.P.; Whipp, D.M.; Beaumont, C. (2014). "Limit of strain partitioning in the Himalaya marked by large earthquakes in western Nepal". Nature Geoscience. 7 (1): 38–42. Bibcode:2014NatGe...7...38M. doi:10.1038/NGEO2017. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Murphy, M.A.; Taylor, M.H.; Gosse, J.; Silver, R.P.; Whipp, D.M.; Beaumont, C. (2014). "Limit of strain partitioning in the Himalaya marked by large earthquakes in western Nepal". Nature Geoscience. 7 (1): 38–42. Bibcode:2014NatGe...7...38M. doi:10.1038/NGEO2017. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Murphy, M.A.; Taylor, M.H.; Gosse, J.; Silver, R.P.; Whipp, D.M.; Beaumont, C. (2014). "Limit of strain partitioning in the Himalaya marked by large earthquakes in western Nepal". Nature Geoscience. 7 (1): 38–42. Bibcode:2014NatGe...7...38M. doi:10.1038/NGEO2017. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Syron, Richard; Taylor, Michaeal; Murphy, Michael (2011). "Oblique convergence, arc-parallel extension, and the role of strike-slip faulting in the High Himalaya". Geosphere. 7 (2): 582–596. Bibcode:2011Geosp...7..582S. doi:10.1130/GES00606.1. https://doi.org/10.1130%2FGES00606.1
Syron, Richard; Taylor, Michaeal; Murphy, Michael (2011). "Oblique convergence, arc-parallel extension, and the role of strike-slip faulting in the High Himalaya". Geosphere. 7 (2): 582–596. Bibcode:2011Geosp...7..582S. doi:10.1130/GES00606.1. https://doi.org/10.1130%2FGES00606.1
Murphy, M.A.; Taylor, M.H.; Gosse, J.; Silver, R.P.; Whipp, D.M.; Beaumont, C. (2014). "Limit of strain partitioning in the Himalaya marked by large earthquakes in western Nepal". Nature Geoscience. 7 (1): 38–42. Bibcode:2014NatGe...7...38M. doi:10.1038/NGEO2017. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Teyssier, Christian; Tikoff, Basil; Markley, Michelle (1995). "Oblique plate motion and continental tectonics". Geology. 23 (5): 447. Bibcode:1995Geo....23..447T. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0447:OPMACT>2.3.CO;2. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Fossen, Haakon; Tikoff, Basil; Teyssier, Christian (1994). "Strain modeling of transpressional and transtensional deformation" (PDF). Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift. 74: 134–145. http://folk.uib.no/nglhe/Papers/NGT%201994%20Transpression.pdf
Fossen, Haakon (2012). Structural Geology. New York, USA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-51664-8. 978-0-521-51664-8
Teyssier, Christian; Tikoff, Basil; Markley, Michelle (1995). "Oblique plate motion and continental tectonics". Geology. 23 (5): 447. Bibcode:1995Geo....23..447T. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0447:OPMACT>2.3.CO;2. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Fossen, Haakon; Tikoff, Basil; Teyssier, Christian (1994). "Strain modeling of transpressional and transtensional deformation" (PDF). Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift. 74: 134–145. http://folk.uib.no/nglhe/Papers/NGT%201994%20Transpression.pdf
Teyssier, Christian; Tikoff, Basil; Markley, Michelle (1995). "Oblique plate motion and continental tectonics". Geology. 23 (5): 447. Bibcode:1995Geo....23..447T. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0447:OPMACT>2.3.CO;2. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Fossen, Haakon; Tikoff, Basil; Teyssier, Christian (1994). "Strain modeling of transpressional and transtensional deformation" (PDF). Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift. 74: 134–145. http://folk.uib.no/nglhe/Papers/NGT%201994%20Transpression.pdf
Chardon, Dominique; Andronicos, Christopher; Hollister, Lincoln (1999). "Large-scale transpressive shear zone patterns and displacements within magmatic arcs: The Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia". Tectonics. 18 (2): 278–292. Bibcode:1999Tecto..18..278C. doi:10.1029/1998TC900035. https://doi.org/10.1029%2F1998TC900035
Chardon, Dominique; Andronicos, Christopher; Hollister, Lincoln (1999). "Large-scale transpressive shear zone patterns and displacements within magmatic arcs: The Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia". Tectonics. 18 (2): 278–292. Bibcode:1999Tecto..18..278C. doi:10.1029/1998TC900035. https://doi.org/10.1029%2F1998TC900035
Chardon, Dominique; Andronicos, Christopher; Hollister, Lincoln (1999). "Large-scale transpressive shear zone patterns and displacements within magmatic arcs: The Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia". Tectonics. 18 (2): 278–292. Bibcode:1999Tecto..18..278C. doi:10.1029/1998TC900035. https://doi.org/10.1029%2F1998TC900035
Sanderson, David; Marchini, W.R.D. (1984). "Transpression". Journal of Structural Geology. 6 (5): 449–458. Bibcode:1984JSG.....6..449S. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(84)90058-0. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1983). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 1: Strain Analysis. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576901-3. 978-0-12-576901-3
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1987). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 2: Folds and Fractures. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576902-0. 978-0-12-576902-0
Evans, Mark; Dunne, William (1991). "Strain factorization and partitioning in the North Mountain thrust sheet, central Appalachians, U.S.A". Journal of Structural Geology. 13 (1): 21–35. Bibcode:1991JSG....13...21E. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(91)90098-4. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1983). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 1: Strain Analysis. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576901-3. 978-0-12-576901-3
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1987). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 2: Folds and Fractures. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576902-0. 978-0-12-576902-0
Carreras, Jordi; Cosgrove, John; Druguet, Elena (2013). "Strain partitioning in banded and/or anisotropic rocks: Implications for inferring tectonic regimes". Journal of Structural Geology. 50: 7–21. Bibcode:2013JSG....50....7C. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2012.12.003. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Neuendorf, Kaus; Mehl, James; Jackson, Julia (2005). Glossary of Geology (5 ed.). Alexandria, VA, United States: American Geological Institute. ISBN 978-0-922152-76-6. 978-0-922152-76-6
Goodwin, Laurel; Tikoff, Basil (2002). "Competency contrast, kinematics, and the development of foliations and lineations in the crust". Journal of Structural Geology. 24 (6–7): 1065–1085. Bibcode:2002JSG....24.1065G. doi:10.1016/S0191-8141(01)00092-X. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Michibayashi, Katsuyoshi; Murakami, Masami (2007). "Development of a shear band cleavage as a result of strain partitioning". Journal of Structural Geology. 29 (6): 1070–1082. Bibcode:2007JSG....29.1070M. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2007.02.003. hdl:10297/508. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Goodwin, Laurel; Tikoff, Basil (2002). "Competency contrast, kinematics, and the development of foliations and lineations in the crust". Journal of Structural Geology. 24 (6–7): 1065–1085. Bibcode:2002JSG....24.1065G. doi:10.1016/S0191-8141(01)00092-X. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Michibayashi, Katsuyoshi; Murakami, Masami (2007). "Development of a shear band cleavage as a result of strain partitioning". Journal of Structural Geology. 29 (6): 1070–1082. Bibcode:2007JSG....29.1070M. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2007.02.003. hdl:10297/508. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Goodwin, Laurel; Tikoff, Basil (2002). "Competency contrast, kinematics, and the development of foliations and lineations in the crust". Journal of Structural Geology. 24 (6–7): 1065–1085. Bibcode:2002JSG....24.1065G. doi:10.1016/S0191-8141(01)00092-X. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Michibayashi, Katsuyoshi; Murakami, Masami (2007). "Development of a shear band cleavage as a result of strain partitioning". Journal of Structural Geology. 29 (6): 1070–1082. Bibcode:2007JSG....29.1070M. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2007.02.003. hdl:10297/508. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Goodwin, Laurel; Tikoff, Basil (2002). "Competency contrast, kinematics, and the development of foliations and lineations in the crust". Journal of Structural Geology. 24 (6–7): 1065–1085. Bibcode:2002JSG....24.1065G. doi:10.1016/S0191-8141(01)00092-X. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Michibayashi, Katsuyoshi; Murakami, Masami (2007). "Development of a shear band cleavage as a result of strain partitioning". Journal of Structural Geology. 29 (6): 1070–1082. Bibcode:2007JSG....29.1070M. doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2007.02.003. hdl:10297/508. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1983). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 1: Strain Analysis. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576901-3. 978-0-12-576901-3
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1983). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 1: Strain Analysis. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576901-3. 978-0-12-576901-3
Ramsay, John; Huber, Martin (1983). The Techniques of Modern Structural Geology Volume 1: Strain Analysis. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-576901-3. 978-0-12-576901-3
Evans, Mark; Dunne, William (1991). "Strain factorization and partitioning in the North Mountain thrust sheet, central Appalachians, U.S.A". Journal of Structural Geology. 13 (1): 21–35. Bibcode:1991JSG....13...21E. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(91)90098-4. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Evans, Mark; Dunne, William (1991). "Strain factorization and partitioning in the North Mountain thrust sheet, central Appalachians, U.S.A". Journal of Structural Geology. 13 (1): 21–35. Bibcode:1991JSG....13...21E. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(91)90098-4. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Mitra, Shankar (1976). "A Quantitative Study of Deformation Mechanisms and Finite Strain in Quartzites". Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology. 59 (2): 203–226. Bibcode:1976CoMP...59..203M. doi:10.1007/BF00371309. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)