| These sketches illustrate the style of deformation in the lower structural level. In the European Alps, metamorphic nappes of paleozoic crystalline basement (orange-yellow) occur within metamorphosed mesozoic sediments (bleu-green). The regional structure defines broad domes where fabric and compositional layering are parallel to each other. The metamorphic isogrades run parallel the the regional fabric.
In the lower structural level, the finite strain field is characterized by a relative homogeneity in orientation, intensity and strain regime. At the regional scale, the finite flattening plane is shallowy dipping, defining broad domical structures. Compositional layering, finite flattening plane and metamorphic isogrades are parallel to each other. When present, the direction of the stretching lineation shows a coherent distribution with smooth gradient in direction.
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