A NEW SHEAR APPARATUS FOR EXPERIMENTAL DEFORMATION OF ROCKS UNDER THEMICROSCOPE

A new experimental technique for the study of deformation processes in rocks in transmitted light under the microscope uses a modified sapph ire anvil cell in which one of the sapphire anvils can be rotated and thus permit the deformation of a thin solid sample disc. The deformati on can be observed during the experiment through the anvils using a po larizing microscope stage. The technique is applicable up to 450 degre es C and up to 2 GPa confining pressure in the central part of the sam ple.