Geochemical anomalies of hydrothermal plume at EPR 13°N

During the DY105-12, 14cruise (R/V DAYANG YIHAO, November 2003) on East Pacific Rise (EPR) 12- 13°N, the submarine hydrothermal activity was investigated and the CTD hydrocast was carried out at EPR12°39′N-12°54′N. From the temperature anomalies and the concentrations of magnesium, chlorine, bromine in seawater samples, we discover that magnesium depletes 9.3%-22.4%, chlorine and bro- mine enrich 10.3%-28.7% and 10.7%-29.0% respectively relative to normal seawater at the stations which have chemistry anomalies, moreover temperature and chemistry anomalies are at the same layer. The depletion of magnesium in the plume may be caused by a fluid lacking of magnesium which rises after the hydrothermal fluid reaches the equilibrium with ambient seawater, the enrichment of chlorine and bromine might be the result of inputting later brine which is generated by phase separation due to hydrothermal activity. In addition, the Br/Cl ratio in the abnormal layers at the survey area is identical to that in seawater, which implies that halite dissolution (or precipitation) occurs neither when the fluid is vented nor when hydrothermal fluid entraining ambient seawater rises to form plume. From the ab- normal instance at E55 station, it is very possible that there might exist a new hydrothermal vent site.     

He, Ne and Ar isotope compositions of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal sulfides from the TAG hydrothermal field Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Helium, neon and argon isotope compositions of fluid inclusions have been measured in hydrothermal sulfide samples from the TAG hydrothermal field at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Fluid-inclusion³He/⁴He ratios are 2.2—13.3 times the air value (Ra), and with a mean of 7.2 Ra. Comparison with the local vent fluids (³He/⁴He=7.5—8.2 Ra) and mid-ocean ridge basalt values (³He/⁴He=6—11 Ra) shows that the variation range of³He/⁴He ratios from sulfide-hosted fluid inclusions is significantly large. Values for²⁰Ne/²²Ne are from 10.2 to 11.4, which are significantly higher than the atmospheric ratio (9.8). And fluid-inclusion⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios range from 287 to 359, which are close to the atmospheric values (295.5). These results indicate that the noble gases of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal sulfides are a mixture of mantle- and seawater-derived noble gases; the partial mantle-derived components of trapped hydrothermal fluids may be from the lower mantle; the helium of fluid inclusions is mainly from upper mantle; and the Ne and Ar components are mainly from seawater.     

Fumaroles in ice caves on the summit of Mount Rainier—preliminary stable isotope, gas, and geochemical studies

The edifice of Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano, has episodically collapsed leading to major debris flows. The largest debris flows are related to argillically altered rock which leave areas of the edifice prone to failure. The argillic alteration results from the neutralization of acidic magmatic gases that condense in a meteoric water hydrothermal system fed by the melting of a thick mantle of glacial ice. Two craters atop a 2000-year-old cone on the summit of the volcano contain the world's largest volcanic ice-cave system. In the spring of 1997 two active fumaroles (T=62°C) in the caves were sampled for stable isotopic, gas, and geochemical studies.Stable isotope data on fumarole condensates show significant excess deuterium with calculated δD and δ¹⁸O values (−234 and −33.2‰, respectively) for the vapor that are consistent with an origin as secondary steam from a shallow water table which has been heated by underlying magmatic–hydrothermal steam. Between 1982 and 1997, δD of the fumarole vapor may have decreased by 30‰.The compositions of fumarole gases vary in time and space but typically consist of air components slightly modified by their solubilities in water and additions of CO₂ and CH₄. The elevated CO₂ contents (δ¹³C_CO2=−11.8±0.7‰), with spikes of over 10,000 ppm, require the episodic addition of magmatic components into the underlying hydrothermal system. Although only traces of H₂S were detected in the fumaroles, most notably in a sample which had an air δ¹³C_CO2 signature (−8.8‰), incrustations around a dormant vent containing small amounts of acid sulfate minerals (natroalunite, minamiite, and woodhouseite) indicate higher H₂S (or possibly SO₂) concentrations in past fumarolic gases.Condensate samples from fumaroles are very dilute, slightly acidic, and enriched in elements observed in the much higher temperature fumaroles at Mount St. Helens (K and Na up to the ppm level; metals such as Al, Pb, Zn Fe and Mn up to the ppb level and volatiles such as Cl, S, and F up to the ppb level).The data indicate that the hydrothermal system in the edifice at Mount Rainier consists of meteoric water reservoirs, which receive gas and steam from an underlying magmatic system. At present the magmatic system is largely flooded by the meteoric water system. However, magmatic components have episodically vented at the surface as witnessed by the mineralogy of incrustations around inactive vents and gas compositions in the active fumaroles. The composition of fumarole gases during magmatic degassing is distinct and, if sustained, could be lethal. The extent to which hydrothermal alteration is currently occurring at depth, and its possible influence on future edifice collapse, may be determined with the aid of on site analyses of fumarole gases and seismic monitoring in the ice caves.     

Evolving patterns of the fluids within the TAG hydrothermal field

The mixing of seawater/hydrothermal fluid within the large seafloor hydrothermal sulfide deposits plays a key role in the formation processes of the sulfide deposits. Some issues attract considerable attentions in the study of seafloor hydrothermal system in recent years, such as the relationships among different types of vent fluids, the characteristics of chemical compositions and mineral assemblages of the hydrothermal deposits and their governing factors. Combined with the measured data of hydrothermal fluid in the TAG field, the thermodynamic model of mixing processes of the heated seawater at different temperatures and the hydrothermal fluid is calculated to understand the precipitation mechanism of anhydrite and the genetic relationships between the black and white smoker fluids within the TAG mound. The results indicate that the heating of seawater and the mixing of hydrothermal fluid/seawater are largely responsible for anhydrite precipitation and the temperature of the heated seawater is not higher than 150°C and the temperature of the end-member hydrothermal fluid is not lower than 400°C. Based on the simulated results, the evolving patterns of fluids within the TAG deposit are discussed. The mixed fluid of the end-member hydrothermal fluid and the seawater heated by wall rock undergoes conductive cooling during upflowing within the deposit and forms “White Smoker” eventually. In addition, the end-member hydrothermal fluid without mixed with seawater, but undergoing conductive cooling, vents out of the deposit and forms “Black Smoker”. Supported by China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association Program (Grant No. DY115-02-1-01) and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. G2000078503)     

Geothermal constraints on the hydrological regime of the TAG active hydrothermal mound, inferred from long-term monitoring

During August 1994 to March 1995, a period that included ODP Leg 158 drilling, bottom-water and sub-bottom temperatures were continuously logged by a long-term temperature monitoring system ‘Daibutsu’ at the base of the central black-smoker complex (CBC) and within the low heat flow zone at the TAG hydrothermal mound on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The temperature of hydrothermal fluid at CBC was also measured with a small high-temperature probe ‘Hobo’. Bottom-water temperature variations measured with Daibutsu at both sites have predominant semi-diurnal periods, causing the sub-bottom temperatures to fluctuate at these periods with reduced amplitudes and phase delays at sub-bottom depths. Seawater entrainment into the mound has been previously suggested at the low heat flow zone. We quantitatively evaluate the seawater entrainment rate at both sites from a one-dimensional numerical model, combined with a heat conduction model for the semi-diurnal variations. The entrainment rate of seawater at the base of CBC is estimated as 1.3±0.5×10⁻⁵ m/s, at least from August 17 to 30, 1994. On the other hand, the seawater entrainment rate at the low heat flow zone was undetected by long-term temperature monitoring at shallow sub-bottom depth. Nevertheless an increase in heat flow observed at the low heat flow zone during ODP drilling can be interpreted as a decrease in the entrainment rate of seawater. Before ODP Leg 158, Daibutsu measured three sub-bottom temperature anomalies at the base of CBC not derived from bottom-water temperature variations and Hobo also detected a CBC fluid temperature anomaly, indicating some natural changes in fluid flow within the mound. Daibutsu and Hobo also measured temperature anomalies during and after drilling at the ODP TAG-1 area. The Hobo temperature anomalies are inferred to have occurred when the cold fluid entrained through the drill holes at TAG-1 site reached or cooled the main fluid path to CBC. The entrained seawater through the drill holes appears to have contributed to dissolution and precipitation of anhydrite within the mound and perhaps affected the local permeability structure inside the mound. The temperature anomalies measured with Daibutsu at the base of CBC may have been induced by the change in the fluid flow pattern as a result of such permeability changes within the mound.     

Hydrothermal convection in carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies

Numerical simulations of the thermal evolution of carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies indicate a period of several million years during which convective motion of water could occur. The present study considers variations of permeability, radiogenic heating, and body radius. The model accounts for the radial variation of gravity within the body, melting of ice, freezing of liquid water, and variable water properties and incorporates a realistic equation of state for water. Some regions of a parent body experience no pore water flow while other regions experience hundreds of pore volumes of liquid water flow. The spatial heterogeneity in pore water flow reflects the convective pattern in the body. Hydrothermal alteration of minerals inside the parent body will accordingly vary greatly with location in the body, and one parent body could be the source of chemically diverse meteorites.     

现代海底热液活动的调查研究方法

介绍了国外在现代海底热液活动调查研究中使用的方法和技术手段。现代海底热液活动是普遍发育于大洋中活动板块边界及板内火山活动中心的一种在岩圈和大洋之间进行能量和物质交换的过程。其突出的表象是高温的热液从海底流出，并由此造成热液活动区和上限覆水体的物理和化学异常。海底热测量、海底岩石取样、水体的CH4、^3He和Mn异常观测、硅氧异常观测、多波束测量、OBS观测、深潜调查等都是进行现代海底热液活动调查研究的重要手段。其中水体异常的观测是最为快捷有效的，而深潜器直接观测是现代海底热液活动研究必不可少的。     

云南腾冲地区的岩石圈热结构

腾冲地区是喜马拉雅地热带的重要组成部分。本文综合温泉资料研究了该区的水热活动特征，并从地震波速入手研究了岩石圈生热率随深度的分布以及深部热流结构组成和深部地温分布。同时也探讨了该区目前幔源原生玄武岩岩浆的起源问题。     

U-series disequilibrium in arc magmas induced by water-magma interaction

Volcanic rocks from subduction zones are widely believed to originate by partial melting of mantle lherzolite modified by the addition of a fluid or melt extracted from the down-going slab. U-series disequilibrium in such magmas is commonly attributed to this particular melting process. A detailed study of U-series isotopes in the 650 y. B.P. eruptive sequence of Mt. Pelée (Martinique) shows that plinian products are in radioactive equilibrium, whereas dome-forming products of the same eruption are characterized by ²³⁸U-²³⁰Th disequilibrium. The same features apply to other plinian and dome-forming products of this volcano and systematically correspond to different eruptive styles. We attribute these characteristics to variable superficial interaction of magmas with the hydrothermal system during the final stages of eruption rather than to deep magma genesis processes. This conclusion might be generally applicable to arc magmas.     

Hydrothermal alteration of plagioclase and growth of secondary feldspar in the Hengill Volcanic Centre, SW Iceland

Dissolution of igneous feldspar and the formation and occurrence of secondary feldspar in tholeiitic basalts from the Hengill volcanic centre, in SW Iceland was studied by microprobe analysis of cuttings from two ca. 2000 m deep geothermal wells. Well NG-7 in Nesjavellir represents a geothermal system in a rift zone where the intensity of young, insignificantly altered intrusions increases with depth. Well KhG-1 in Kolviðarhóll represents the margin of a rift zone where the intensity of intrusives is lower and the intensity of alteration higher. This marginal well represents altered basaltic crust in an early retrograde state. The secondary plagioclase in both wells is mainly oligoclase, occurring in association with K-feldspar and chlorite±actinolite. The texture of this assemblage depends on the lithology and intensity of alteration. In Nesjavellir (NG-7) the composition of secondary albite-oligoclase is correlated with the host-rock composition. This connection is not apparent in more intensely altered samples from Kolviðarhóll (KhG-1). The influence of temperature on composition of secondary Na-feldspar is unclear in both wells although Ca is expected to increase with temperature. Any temperature dependence may be suppressed by the influence of rock composition in Nesjavellir and by retrograde conditions at Kolviðarhóll. The absence of clear compositional gradients between igneous plagioclase and secondary feldspar and between Na-feldspar and K-feldspar suggests that secondary feldspars formed by dissolution precipitation reactions.     

Flux and dispersion of gases from the “Drachenschlund” hydrothermal vent at 8°18' S, 13°30' W on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Hydrothermal emission of mantle helium appears to be directly related to magma production rate, but other processes can generate methane and hydrogen on mid-ocean ridges. In an on-going effort to characterize these processes in the South Atlantic, the flux and distribution of these gases were investigated in the vicinity of a powerful black smoker recently discovered at 8°17.9' S, 13°30.4' W. The vent lies on the shoulder of an oblique offset in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and discharges high concentrations of methane and hydrogen. Measurements during expeditions in 2004 and 2006 show that the ratio of CH₄ to ³He in the neutrally buoyant plume is quite high, 4 × 10⁸. The CTD stations were accompanied by velocity measurements with lowered acoustic Doppler current profilers (LADCP), and from these data we estimate the methane transport to have been 0.5 mol s^− 1 in a WSW-trending plume that seems to develop during the ebb tidal phase. This transport is an order of magnitude greater than the source of CH₄ calculated from its concentration in the vent fluid and the rise height of the plume. From this range of methane fluxes, the source of ³He is estimated to be between 0.14 and 1.2 nmol s^− 1. In either case, the ³He source is significantly lower than expected from the spreading rate of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. From the inventory of methane in the rift valley adjacent to the vent, it appears that the average specific rate of oxidation is 2.6 to 23 yr^− 1, corresponding to a turnover time between 140 and 16 days. Vertical profiles of methane in the surrounding region often exhibited Gaussian-like distributions, and the variances appear to increase with distance from the vent. Using a Gaussian plume model, we obtained a range of vertical eddy diffusivities between 0.009 and 0.08 m²m² s^− 1. These high values may be due to tidally driven internal waves across the promontory on which the vent is located.     

The hydrothermal vent system of Mount Ruapehu,New Zealand — a high frequency MT survey of the summit plateau

High frequency magnetotelluric (MT) measurements made on the summit plateau of Mount Ruapehu, some 1 km to the north of the presently active vent beneath Crater Lake, have been used to derive the electrical resistivity structure associated with the volcanic hydrothermal vent system. The entire summit plateau area is underlain at shallow depth by low resistivity which is inferred to be the result of hydrothermal alteration caused by rising volcanic gases mixing with local groundwater. Two areas of localised higher resistivity, one between 200 and 500 m depth beneath the central part of the plateau, and one at a depth of 1000 m below the northern part of the plateau, are interpreted as being the result of hydrothermal alteration at higher temperature forming chlorite dominated alteration products. These regions are believed to represent the locations of further heat pipes within the volcanic system. Both correlate with the locations of eruption centres on Ruapehu active within the last 10 ka.     

Structure of hydrothermal plumes at the Logatchev vent field, 14°45′N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge: evidence from geochemical and geophysical data

In the Seventh cruise of R/V “Professor Logatchev” anomalies of natural electric field (EF), Eh and pS were discovered using a towed instrument package (RIFT) at 14°45′N on the MAR (Logatchev hydrothermal field). The anomalous zone (AZ) is situated close (10–35 m) to two low-temperature venting areas of degrading sulphides and a black smoker (Irina-Microsmoke) forming a distinct buoyant plume. Over or close to the main area of high-temperature venting situated to the south-east from the AZ, no EF or Eh anomalies were observed. According to the results of Mir dives the highly mineralised solutions from smoking craters at the main mound mostly form non-buoyant plumes (reverse-plumes). The buoyant plume structure shows the differentiation of the electrical and Eh fields within the plume. Maxima of the EF, Eh and E_H2S anomalies were revealed in the lower part (15 m) of the plume. The negative redox potential plume coupled with a sulphide anomaly is more localized in comparison with the EF. This observation indicates a distinct change in the composition of buoyant plume water, which may be due to the formation and fallout of early formed Fe sulphide particles soon after venting.     

Structure of the Nemrut caldera (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey) and associated hydrothermal fluid circulation

Plio-Quaternary volcanism played an important role in the present physical state of Eastern Anatolia. Mount Nemrut, situated to the west of Lake Van is one of the main volcanic centers in the region, with a spectacular summit caldera 8.5 × 7 km in diameter. The most recent eruptions of the volcano were in 1441, 1597 and 1692. Nemrut Lake covers the western half of the caldera; it is a deep, half-bowl-shaped lake with a maximum depth of 176 m. Numerous eruption centers are exposed within the caldera as a consequence of magma–water interaction. Current activity of Nemrut caldera is revealed as hot springs, fumaroles and a small, hot lake.Self-potential and bathymetric surveys carried out in the caldera were used to characterize the structure of the caldera and the associated hydrothermal fluid circulation. In addition, analyses based on digital elevation models and satellite imagery were used to improve our knowledge about the structure of the caldera. According to SP results, the flanks of the volcano represent “the hydrogeologic zone”, whereas the intra-caldera region is an “active hydrothermal area” where the fluid circulation is controlled by structural discontinuities. There is also a northern fissure zone which exhibits hydrothermal signatures. Nemrut caldera collapsed piecemeal, with three main blocks. Stress controlling the collapse mechanism seems to be highly affected by the regional neotectonic regime. In addition to the historical activity, current hydrothermal and hydrogeologic conditions in the caldera, in which there is a large lake and shallow water table, increase the risk of the quiescent volcano.     

Sr isotope diversity of hot spring and volcanic lake waters from Zao volcano,Japan

The ratio of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr was measured from different water samples of thermal/mineral (hot spring as well as crater lake) and meteoric origins, in order to specify the location and to verify the detailed model of a volcano-hydrothermal system beneath Zao volcano. The ratio showed a trimodal distribution for the case of thermal/mineral water: 0.7052–0.7053 (Type A, Zao hot spring), 0.7039–0.7043 (Type B, Okama crater lake and Shin-funkiko hot spring), and 0.7070–0.7073 (Type C, Gaga, Aone, and Togatta hot springs), respectively. However, in comparison, the ratio was found to be higher for meteoric waters (0.7077–0.7079). The water from the central volcanic edifice (Type B) was found to be similar to that of nearby volcanic rocks in their Sr isotopic ratio. This indicates that the Sr in water was derived from shallow volcanic rocks. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio for water from the Zao hot spring (Type A) was intermediate between those of the pre-Tertiary granitic and the Quaternary volcanic rocks, thus suggesting that the water had reacted with both volcanic and granitic rocks. The location of the vapor–liquid separation was determined as the boundary of the pre-Tertiary granitic and the Quaternary volcanic rocks by comparing the results of this strontium isotopic study with those of Kiyosu and Kurahashi [Kiyosu, Y., Kurahashi, M., 1984. Isotopic geochemistry of acid thermal waters and volcanic gases from Zao volcano in Japan. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 21, 313–331.].     

Distribution and significance of hydrothermal alteration minerals in the Tuzla hydrothermal system, Çanakkale, Turkey

Hydrothermal alteration zones have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, mineralogical–petrographical techniques, and geochemical analysis. Examination of cores and cuttings from two drill sites, obtained from a depth of about 814–1020 m, show that the hydrothermal minerals occuring in the rock include: K-feldspar, albite, chlorite, alunite, kaolinite, smectite, illite, and opaque minerals.In the studied area, silicified, smectite, illite, alunite, and opal zones have been recognized. These alteration mineral assemblages indicate that there are geothermal fluids, which have temperatures of 150–220°C in the reservoir.The distribution of the hydrothermal minerals shows changes in the chemical composition of the hydrothermal fluid, which are probably due not only to interaction with host rock, but also to dilution of the Na–K–Cl-rich hydrothermal fluid of the deep reservoir by cold sea water at shallow levels. Geochemical analyses of the solid and liquid phases indicate that the hydrothermal fluids of the Tuzla geothermal system are in equilibrium with alteration products.The tectonic structure of the studied area is caused by NW–SE and NE–SW directional forces. The volcanic rocks where hydrothermal zones are observed in the studied area are of Lower–Middle Miocene age comprise latite, andesite, dacite, rhyolite-type lavas, tuff, and ignimbrites.     

Characterization of serpentinization in olivine-orthopyroxene-H2O system revealed by thermogravimetric and multivariate statistical analyses

Thermogravimetric (TG) analyses were used to characterize the products and quantify the extent of serpentinization as a stepwise weight loss during heating (TG loss) or its derivative (DTG). Multivariate analyses are powerful tools for extracting information from complicated spectrum data; however, no studies have applied them to characterize serpentinites. In this study, hydrothermal experiments of olivine-H₂O, olivine–orthopyroxene-H₂O and orthopyroxene-H₂O were conducted at 250–400°C and under vapor-saturated pressure. The product minerals observed were serpentine+brucite+magnetite in the olivine-H₂O experiments and serpentine±talc in the orthoyroxene-H₂O and olivine-orthopyroxene-H₂O experiments. These results are consistent with those of previous studies; however, the positions and width of DTG peaks for individual minerals were varied depending on the experimental conditions. To extract systematics from the TG spectra, non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), an unsupervised machine learning technique, was applied to the DTG spectra of the experimental products. NMF revealed that the DTG profiles were explained by a linear combination of six basis spectra, which corresponded to the characteristic products, including three types of serpentine minerals (low-, medium-, and high-T), two types of brucite (low-and high-T), two type of talc (talc+serpentine mixture, well-crystallized talc) with different crystallinity, and noise during the TG measurement. Systematic changes in the factor loading revealed that, in the olivine-H₂O systems, the products changed from medium-T serpentine+low-T brucite to high-T serpentine+high-T brucite as serpentinization progressed. In the olivine-orthopyroxene system, low-T serpentine or poorly crystallized talc+serpentine mixture was initially formed, followed by the formation of well-crystallized talc, resulting in dehydration. Applying NMF to DTG showed the mineralogical differences between olivine and orthopyroxene systems and increases of the crystallinity during the progress of serpentinization, suggesting its potential for characterizing various serpentinites within oceanic lithospheres that suffer from several stages of alteration and weathering at different temperatures.     

江西潭坑铅锌（银）矿床特征及成因分析

江西省潭坑铅锌（银）矿区位于北武夷铅锌银成矿带内,本文系统阐述了矿区地质和矿床特征,并对矿床的成因进行了探讨。认为本区铅锌（银）矿床,经历了火山喷发沉积和后期热液充填两大成矿期,与次火山岩体（流纹斑岩）有密切的关系,属次火山热液矿床。     

Porosity, permeability, and fluid flow in the Yellowstone geothermal system, Wyoming

Cores from two of 13 U.S. Geological Survey research holes at Yellowstone National Park (Y-5 and Y-8) were evaluated to characterize lithology, texture, alteration, and the degree and nature of fracturing and veining. Porosity and matrix permeability measurements and petrographic examination of the cores were used to evaluate the effects of lithology and hydrothermal alteration on porosity and permeability. The intervals studied in these two core holes span the conductive zone and the upper portion of the convective geothermal reservoir. Variations in porosity and matrix permeability observed in the Y-5 and Y-8 cores are primarily controlled by lithology. Y-8 intersects three distinct lithologies: volcaniclastic sandstone, perlitic rhyolitic lava, and non-welded pumiceous ash-flow tuff. The sandstone typically has high permeability and porosity, and the tuff has very high porosity and moderate permeability, while the perlitic lava has very low porosity and is essentially impermeable. Hydrothermal self-sealing appears to have generated localized permeability barriers within the reservoir. Changes in pressure and temperature in Y-8 correspond to a zone of silicification in the volcaniclastic sandstone just above the contact with the perlitic rhyolite; this silicification has significantly reduced porosity and permeability. In rocks with inherently low matrix permeability (such as densely welded ash-flow tuff), fluid flow is controlled by the fracture network. The Y-5 core hole penetrates a thick intracaldera section of the 0.6-Ma Lava Creek ash-flow tuff. In this core, the degree of welding appears to be responsible for most of the variations in porosity, matrix permeability, and the frequency of fractures and veins. Fractures are most abundant within the more densely welded sections of the tuff. However, the most prominent zones of fracturing and mineralization are associated with hydrothermal breccias within densely welded portions of the tuff. These breccia zones represent transient conduits of high fluid flow that formed by the explosive release of overpressure in the underlying geothermal reservoir and that were subsequently sealed by supersaturated geothermal fluids. In addition to this fracture sealing, hydrothermal alteration at Yellowstone appears generally to reduce matrix permeability and focus flow along fractures, where multiple pulses of fluid flow and self-sealing have occurred.