Shear Zone Development in Serpentinized Mantle: Implications for the Strength of Oceanic Transform Faults

Oceanic transform faults display fewer and smaller‐magnitude earthquakes than expected for their length. Several mechanisms have been inferred to explain this seismic slip deficit, including increased fault zone damage resulting in elevated fluid flow, and the alteration of olivine to serpentine. However, to date, these possible mechanisms are not supported by direct observation. We use micro to kilometer scale observations from an exhumed oceanic transform fault in the Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus, to determine mineral‐scale deformation mechanisms and infer likely controls on seismic behavior of serpentinized lithospheric mantle in active oceanic transform faults. We document a range of deformation fabrics including massive, scaly and phyllonitic serpentinite, attesting to mixed brittle‐ductile deformation within serpentinite shear zones. The progressive development of a foliation, with cumulative strain, is an efficient weakening mechanism in scaly and phyllonitic serpentinite. Further weakening is promoted by a transition in the serpentine polytype from lizardite‐dominated massive and scaly serpentinites to chrysotile‐dominated phyllonitic serpentinite. The development of a foliation and polytype transition requires dissolution‐precipitation processes. Discrete faults and fractures locally crosscut, but are also deformed by, foliated serpentinites. These brittle structures can be explained by local and transient elevated strain rates, and play a crucial role in strain localization by providing positive feedback for dissolution‐precipitation by increasing permeability. We propose that the evolution in structure and deformation style documented within the serpentinized lithospheric mantle of the Southern Troodos Transform Fault Zone is a viable explanation for the dominantly creeping behavior and long‐term weakness of oceanic transform faults. Key Points Micro to regional scale study of low‐T brittle‐ductile deformation in serpentinites from the Southern Troodos Transform Fault Zone Deformation involves a microstructural progression toward increasingly well‐foliated shear zone rocks with increasing shear strain Fluid flow and deformation result in progressive weakening and creeping behavior with the potential to host local coseismic slip