Leikkauskentät

Leikkauskentät, often translated as "cutting fields" or "shear zones," are geological structures characterized by intensely deformed rock. These zones are typically narrow and elongated, marking boundaries where large blocks of the Earth's crust have moved relative to each other. The deformation within leikkauskentät is ductile or brittle, or a combination of both, depending on the depth and temperature conditions at the time of formation.

Rocks within these zones are significantly altered, exhibiting features like foliation (parallel alignment of mineral grains), mylonitization (a type of ductile deformation with significant grain size reduction), and brecciation (fragmentation of rock). The intense shearing can result in the stretching and rotation of original rock bodies, creating complex internal geometries. Leikkauskentät are crucial for understanding tectonic processes, as they represent pathways for significant crustal displacement over geological time. They are commonly associated with major fault systems and can extend for hundreds of kilometers. Studying their characteristics provides insights into the mechanics of plate tectonics, earthquake generation, and the rheology of the Earth's lithosphere.