ABSTRACT
It is common in a wide range of metamorphic rocks from a variety of metamorphic environments to see evidence for a component of non-coaxial deformation. This chapter describes some of the most commonly observed kinematic indicators in metamorphic rocks, and discusses how they may be used to assess sense of shear. In essence, there are seven main categories to consider, and these can be grouped under the following headings:
sense of fold overturning and vein asymmetry;
S–C fabrics, shear bands and mica-fish;
differentiated crenulation cleavages;
spiralled inclusion fabrics;
mantled porphyroclasts;
strain shadows;
grain-shape fabrics and crystallographic preferred orientations.
