Stable isotope geochemistry of the Archean Val-d‘Or (Canada) orogenic gold vein field

A systematic study of the auriferous quartz veins of the Val-dOr vein field, Abitibi, Quebec, Canada, demonstrates that the C, O, S isotope composition of silicate, carbonate, borate, oxide, tungstate and sulphide minerals have a range in composition comparable to that previously determined for the whole Superior Province. The oxygen isotope composition of quartz from early quartz–carbonate auriferous veins ranges from 9.4 to 14.4 whereas later quartz-tourmaline-carbonate veins have ¹⁸O_quartz values ranging from 9.2 to 13.8 . Quartz-carbonate veins have carbonate (¹⁸O: 6.9–12.5 ; ¹³C: –6.2– –1.9 ) and pyrite (³⁴S: 1.2 and 1.9 ) isotope compositions comparable to those of quartz-tourmaline-carbonate veins (¹⁸O: 7.9–11.7 ; ¹³C: –8.0 – –2.4 ; ³⁴S: 0.6–6.0 ). ¹⁸O_quartz values in quartz-tourmaline-carbonate veins have a variance comparable to analytical uncertainty at the scale of one locality, irrespective of the type of structure, the texture of the quartz or its position along strike, across strike or down-dip a vein. In contrast, the oxygen isotope composition of quartz in quartz-tourmaline-carbonate veins displays a regional distribution with higher ¹⁸O values in the south-central part of the vein field near the Cadillac Tectonic Zone, and which ¹⁸O values decrease regularly towards the north. Another zone of high ¹⁸O values in the northeast corner of the region and along the trace of the Senneville Fault is separated by a valley of lower ¹⁸O values from the higher values near the Cadillac Tectonic Zone. Oxygen isotope isopleths cut across lithological contacts and tectonic structures. This regional pattern in quartz-tourmaline-carbonate veins is interpreted to be a product of reaction with country rocks and mixing between (1) a deep-seated hydrothermal fluid of metamorphic origin with minimum ¹⁸O=8.5 , ¹³C=0.6 and ³⁴S=–0.4 , and (2) a supracrustal fluid, most likely Archean seawater with a long history of water-rock exchange and with maximum ¹⁸O=3.9 , ¹³ C=–5.6 and ³⁴S=5.0 .     

Oxygen isotope geochemistry of pyroclastic clinopyroxene monitors carbonate contributions to Roman-type ultrapotassic magmas

The oxygen isotope geochemistry and chemical composition of clinopyroxene crystals from Alban Hills pyroclastic deposits constrain the petrological evolution of ultrapotassic Roman-type rocks. Volcanic eruptions in the 560–35 ka time interval produced thick pyroclastic deposits bearing clinopyroxene phenocrysts with recurrent chemical characteristics. Clinopyroxenes vary from Si–Mg-rich to Al–Fe-rich with no compositional break, indicating that they were derived from a continuous process of crystal fractionation. Based on the ¹⁸O and trace element data no primitive samples were recovered: monomineralic clinopyroxene cumulates set the oxygen isotope composition of primary magmas in the range of uncontaminated mantle rocks (5.5), but their REE composition resulted from extensive crystal fractionation. Departing from these mantle-like ¹⁸O_Cpx values the effects of crustal contamination of clinopyroxene O-isotope composition were identified and used to monitor chemical variations in the parental magma. ¹⁸O values in Si–Mg-rich clinopyroxene are slightly higher than typical mantle values (5.9–6.2), and the low REE contents are representative of early stages of magmatic differentiation. ¹⁸O values as high as 8.2 are associated with Al–Fe³⁺-rich clinopyroxene showing high REE contents. These ¹⁸O values are characteristic of crystals formed during the late magmatic stages of each main eruptive phase. Geochemical modelling of ¹⁸O values vs. trace element contents indicates that these ultrapotassic magmas were derived from fractional crystallization plus assimilation of limited amounts of carbonate wall rocks starting from a primary melt, and from interaction with CO₂ derived from country rocks during crystal fractionation.     

Hydrothermal alteration and oxygen and hydrogen isotope geochemistry of the D-68 zone Cu-Zn Massive Sulfide Deposit,Noranda District,Quebec, Canada

Summary Pervasive hydrothermal alteration zones in quartz-feldspar porphyry domes underly all massive sulfide lenses in the D-68 Zone Cu-Zn deposit, Noranda. Alteration pipes are mineralogically zoned and contain chloritic cores consisting of stringer sulfides, enveloped by sericitic haloes. Silicified rocks are found locally.Alteration took place at nearly constant volume. Na depletion, and K enrichment relative to the least altered rocks, are found in all alteration zones. Fe and Mg have been added to the chloritic zone and subtracted in the sericitic and silicic zones. Ca and Si are enriched mainly in the silicic zone. Al, Ti and Zr were the least mobile of the elements studied.Whole-rock ¹⁸O values vary from +5.6 to +6.2 per mil in chloritized rocks, +5.8 to + 7.3 per mil in sericitized rocks and + 7.2 to + 8.3 per mil in silicified rocks. D values for two chloritized samples are – 63 and – 70 per mil whereas in two sericitized samples they are close to –62 per mil. Quartz from the chlorite alteration zone is isotopically heavier (¹⁸O = 8.6 per mil) than that from the sericite alteration zone (¹⁸O = 6.4 per mil), suggesting equilibration with different hydrothermal fluid or different temperature of alteration. Assuming an alteration temperature of 300° + 50°C the fluid in equilibrium with quartz and chlorite had ¹⁸O and D values of about 1.5 ± 2.0 per mil and –23 ± 5 per mil, respectively. The fluid in equilibrium with quartz and sericite had ¹⁸O and D values of about –0.5 ± 2 per mil and –30 ± 5 per mil, respectively. On the basis of isotopic data, seawater was probably the major constituent of the hydrothermal fluids.

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Hydrothermale Umwandlung und Sauerstoff-Wasserstoff-Isotopengeochemie der Zone D-68 Cu-Zn Derberz Sulfidlagerstätte, Noranda District, Quebec, Canada

Zusammenfassung Hydrothermale Umwandlungszonen in porphyrischen Quarz-Feldspat Gesteinskörpern liegen unterhalb von Derberz Sulfidlinsen in der D-68 Zone Cu-Zn Lagerstätte, Noranda. Umgewandelte pipes sind mineralogisch zoniert; sie enthalten aus Sulfiden bestehende chloritische Kerne, die von sericitischen Höfen umhüllt werden. Lokal treten silicifizierte Gesteine auf.Die Umwandlung ging bei annähernd konstantem Volumen vor sich. Na-Verarmung und K-Anreicherung, bezogen auf die am wenigsten umgewandelten Gesteine, liegen in allen Umwandlungszonen vor. Fe und Mg wurden der Chloritzone zugeführt, in den Sericit- und Si-Zonen abgeführt. Ca und Si sind vor allem in der Si-Zone angereichert. Al, Ti und Zr waren von den untersuchten Elementen am wenigsten mobil.Gesamtgesteins-¹⁸O Werte variieren von +5,6 bis +6,2 in den chloritisierten Gesteinen, von +5,8 bis 7,3 in sericitisierten Gesteinen und von +7,2 bis +8,3 in den silicifizierten Gesteinen. Die D Werte für zwei chloritisierte Proben betragen –63 und –70, in zwei sericitisierten Proben liegen sie hingegen nahe bei –62. Quarz von der Chlorit-Umwandlungszone ist isotopisch schwerer (¹⁸O = 8,6) als von der Sericit-Umwandlungszone (¹⁸O = 6.4), was eine Gleichgewichtseinstellung mit verschiedenen hydrothermalen Lösungen oder eine verschiedene Umwandlungstemperatur nahelegt. Bei einer angenommenen Umwandlungstemperatur von 300 ± 50°C, hatte die im Gleichgewicht mit Quarz und Chlorit stehende Lösung ¹⁸O und D Werte von etwa 1,5 ± 2 bzw. –23 + 5. Die im Gleichgewicht mit Quarz und Sericit befindliche Lösung hatte ¹⁸O und D Werte von etwa –0,5 ± 2%o bzw. –30 ± 5. Aufgrund der Isotopendaten war wahrscheinlich Meerwasser der Hauptbestandteil der hydrothermalen Lösungen.

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With 7 Figures     

A stable isotope study of retrograde alteration in SW Connemara,Ireland

Dalradian metamorphic rocks, Lower Ordovician meta-igneous rocks (MGS) and Caledonian granites of the Connemara complex in SW Connemara all show intense retrograde alteration. Alteration primarily involves sericitization and saussuritization of plagioclase, the alteration of biotite and hornblende to chlorite and the formation of secondary epidote. The alteration is associated with sealed microcracks in all rocks and planes of secondary fluid inclusions in quartz where it occurs, and was the result of a phase of fluid influx into these rocks. In hand specimen K-feldspar becomes progressively reddened with increasing alteration. Mineralogical alteration in the MGS and Caledonian granites took place at temperatures 275±15°C and in the MGS P_fluid is estimated to be 1.5 kbar during alteration. The °D values of alteration phases are:-18 to-29 (fluid inclusions),-47 to-61 (chlorites) and-11 to-31 (epidotes). Chlorite ¹⁸O values are +0.2 to +4.3, while ¹⁸O values for quartz-K-feldspar pairs show both positively sloped (MGS) and highly unusual negatively sloped (Caledonian granites) arrays, diverging from the normal magmatic field on a - plot. The stable isotope data show that the fluid that caused retrogression continued to be present in most rocks until temperatures fell to 200–140°C. The retrograde fluid had D -20 to-30 in all lithologies, but the fluid ¹⁸O varied both spatially and temporally within the range-4 to +7. The fO₂ of the fluid that deposited the epidotes in the MGS varied with its ¹⁸O value, with the most ¹⁸O-depleted fluid being the most oxidizing. The D values, together with low (<0) ¹⁸O values for the retrograde fluid in some lithologies indicate that this fluid was of meteoric origin. This meteoric fluid was probably responsible for the alteration in all lithologies during a single phase of fluid infiltration. The variation in retrograde fluid ¹⁸O values is attributed to the effects of variable oxygen isotope shifting of this meteoric fluid by fluid-rock interaction. Infiltration of meteoric fluid into this area was most likely accomplished by convection of pore fluids around the heat anomaly of the Galway granite soon after intrusion at 400 Ma. However convective circulation of meteoric water and mineralogical alteration could possible have occurred considerably later.     

Oxygen isotope geochemistry of the Mesozoic volcanics of the Etendeka Formation,Namibia

The Etendeka Formation volcanics consist of a bimodal association of basalts and quartz latites. Forty three new whole rock oxygen isotope analyses are reported for all the major magma types. All the rocks except a minor suite of dolerites have higher ¹⁸O values than normal mantle. The basic rocks (average of 29=8.8) have significantly different ¹⁸O to the acid rocks (average of 10=14.4) These data are apparently consistent with previously published petrogenetic models, which propose that the basalts were affected by crustal contamination and that the quartz latites are crustally derived. However, mineral oxygen data show that there is significant oxygen isotopic disequilibrium between phenocryst and whole rock, the latter being significantly higher in most cases. One of the basic magma types (the Tafelberg basalts) shows mutual positive correlations between ¹⁸O, SiO₂ and _Sr. If these correlations are due to crustal contamination, then as much as 45% contamination is required by material having a ¹⁸O value of 15 which is the maximum observed value in the Damaran basement rocks. In the absence of pyroxene phenocryst ¹⁸O data for the high _Sr Tafelberg basalts (they are aphyric), it is not possible to confirm that contamination has taken place. An alternative explanation is that the correlation between _Sr and SiO₂ resulted from assimilation coupled with fractional crystallization (AFC) (before emplacement). Post-eruption alteration resulted in a correlation between SiO₂ ¹⁸O because the material with the most Si-O bonds was able to concentrate ¹⁸O more effectively. The limited mineral data for the quartz latites suggests that there is some source heterogeneity. A pyroxene ¹⁸O value of 10% for a southern Etendeka quartz latite is consistent with a crustal source.     

O-Sr isotopic variations in Miocene granitoids from the Aegean: evidence for an origin by combined assimilation and fractional crystallization

Sr, O, and D/H isotopic compositions have been analyzed in Miocene metaluminous to slightly peraluminous (I-type) granitoids of the central Aegean. Individual plutonic complexes display significant variations in their ¹⁸O and initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr compositions.D and ¹⁸O compositions of minerals and whole-rocks are mostly in the magmatic range. Some samples from Naxos and Mykonos/Delos show low D and ¹⁸O values characteristic of meteoric-water-hydrothermal interaction, but as a whole the changes in ¹⁸O and Sr isotopic compositions as a result of hydrothermal alteration were slight, even in instances where marked alteration is petrographically observable. Consequently, the bulk-rock variations of ¹⁸O from 8.1 to 12.0 and of⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr from 0.70438 to 0.71450 may be regarded as primary and indicative of the conditions of their evolution. Heterogeneous isotopic compositions observed in the individual plutons of Serifos, Ikaria, Samos and Kos may be caused by the multiple intrusion of chemically and isotopically distinct magma pulses, with high viscosities and relatively rapid consolidation in most cases preventing complete homogenization. The granitoids of Serifos, Ikaria and Kos display weak correlations between the initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁸O and 1/Sr. The granitoid province shows a positive correlation between⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁸O and a non-linear relationship between⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and 1/Sr, whereby 1/Sr increases more rapidly than the isotopic ratio as the degree of fractionation of the rocks increases. It is argued that assimilation of older continental material by mantle-derived arc magmas with combined fractionation (AFC) is the most plausible model to explain the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the granitoids and the geological situation in which rock-types trend from granodiorites in the (south)west, near the inferred Oligocene-Miocene suture, to granites in the center and monzonites in the (north)east of the province.     

Modification of δD values in eastern Nevada granitoid rocks spatially related to thrust faults

Stable isotope data have been determined for 13 Mesozoic and Tertiary plutons in eastern Nevada and nearby Utah. In the southern Snake Range of eastern Nevada, where relations are best exposed and have been most intensively studied, D, ¹⁸O, and apparent K-Ar ages depend on proximity to the Snake Range decollement. Where stresses resulting from late movement on the decollement have caused cataclasis of Oligocene (37 Ma) granitoid rock, ¹⁸O, D, and K-Ar age values as low as –2.5, –155, and 18 Ma, respectively, have been determined. Where there has been no cataclasis, ¹⁸O values of Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Oligocene granitoid rocks are apparently unaffected, but both D values and K-Ar ages have been modified for distances of tens of meters below the decollement.Results similar to those in the southern Snake Range have been observed in other eastern Nevada granitoid rocks spatially related to regional thrust faults, as in the Kern Mountains, the Toana Range, and the northern Egan Range. In each of these areas cataclasis or deformation of granitoid rocks has resulted in lowered ¹⁸O, D, and K-Ar age values. Where there has been no cataclasis or deformation, ¹⁸O values are unaffected, but both D and K-Ar age values have been lowered by stresses resulting from postcrystallization movement along overlying thrust faults.Many of the plutons discussed have not been deeply eroded, and spatially related thrust faults crop out. Where thrust faults are not in evidence and the granitoid rocks give D values lower than about –130 along with spuriously low K-Ar age results, modification of the D and K-Ar age values may have been caused by stresses related to late movement along an overlying (now eroded) thrust fault.     

Stable isotope relations in an open magma system,Laacher See,Eifel (FRG)

¹⁸O/¹⁶O and D/H ratios have been measured for matrix glasses and phenocrysts from the zoned phonolitic Laacher See tephra sequence (11000 y.b.p., East Eifel volcanic field, FRG) to study open-system behaviour of the associated magma system. Mineral and glass ¹⁸O values appear to be largely undisturbed by low-temperature, secondary alteration, record isotopic equilibrium and confirm previous conclusions, based on radiogenic isotope evidence, of early, small-scale crustal assimilation during differentiation of parental magmas in a crustal magma chamber. One sanidine-glass pair possibly documents the late stage influx of meteoric fluids into the topmost magma layer prior to eruption. A sealing carapace of chilled magma, which itself was strongly contaminated, prevented large-scale fluid exchange up to the point prior to eruption when this carapace was fractured and meteoric water gained access to parts of the magma system. D/H measurements of various glass types (glass inclusions, dense and pumiceous glass) and amphiboles gave conflicting results suggesting a combination of degassing, volatile exchange with country rocks and hydration. Stable isotope ratios for primitive parental magmas ( ¹⁸O=+5.5 to 7.0) and mantle megacrysts ( ¹⁸O=+ 5.5 to +6.0, D=–21 to –38, for amphiboles and phlogopite, resp.) suggest a rather variable fluid composition for the sub-Eifel mantle.     

Stable isotope and fluid inclusion studies of carbonate deposits from the Tolfa Mountains mining district (Latium,central Italy)

Carbon and oxygen isotope analyses were made of representative samples of calcite and quartz from the carbonate deposits in the Tolfa Mountains mining district. Measurements were also made of hydrogen isotope compositions, filling temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions in these minerals. There are three stages of mineralization at Tolfa. In stage I, characterized by calc-silicate hornfels, the carbonates have relatively high ¹⁸O values of 14.5 to 21.6 suggesting a rather low water/rock ratio. ¹³C values of –0.3 to 2.1 indicate that appreciable decarbonation or introduction of deep-seated carbon did not occur. Stage II is marked by phanerocrystalline carbonates; ¹⁸O values of 13.1 to 20.0 and ¹³C values of 0.7 to 5.0 identify them as hydrothermal veins rather than marbles. D values of –56 to –50 for inclusion fluids suggest a possible magmatic component to the hydrothermal fluid. Filling temperatures of coarse-grained samples of Calcite II are 309° to 362° C with a salinity range of 5.3 to 7.1 weight percent NaCl. Calculated ¹⁸O values of 11–12 for these fluids are again indicative of low water/rock ratios. The sparry calcites of stage III have ¹⁸O and ¹³C values of 8.1 to 12.9 and –1.7 to 3.2, respectively. D values of inclusion fluids are –40 to –33, clearly heavier than in earlier stages and similar to values of modern local ground waters. A salinity measurement of <0.1 weight percent NaCl in a sample of Calcite III is compatible with a relatively unaltered ground water origin for this fluid. Precipitation of the sparry calcite took place at much lower temperatures, around 160° C. For quartz, ¹⁸O values of 9.3 to 12.4 and D values for inclusions of –53 to –28 are consistent with its late occurrence and paragenetic link with associated carbonates.     

On the ascent and emplacement of granitoid magma bodies dynamic-thermal numerical models

The intrusion of granitoid magmas is understood as a lower and mid crustal process. Field observations and laboratory experiments give strong reason that most granitoid plutons are formed by diapiric ascent and emplacement of large magma bodies.On this basis, the ascent and emplacement of granitoid magmas is modelled by two-dimensional finite element calculations. The physical concept for this process provides convective transport of matter and heat, an isolated finite source region, variable source temperatures as well as variable density and viscosity contrasts.The model calculations show that the structural development of the model intrusion bodies is highly dependent on the physical properties of the magma and its surroundings. The most important among them are density and viscosity. Due to the different initial conditions, stocks of several plutons in the case of high viscosity contrast or flat magma sources as well as nappe-shaped intrusion structures as a result of low viscosity contrast can be understood by the intrusive mode of emplacement. The enlargement of the negative density contrast leads to an increase of the rate of ascent, so that more advanced intrusion structures are developed.

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Zusammenfassung Die Intrusion granitoider Magmen ist ein Prozeß der unteren und mittleren Kruste. Feldbefunde und Laboruntersuchungen geben Hinweise darauf, daß die meisten granitoiden Plutone durch diapirischen Aufstieg und Platznahme ausgedehnter Magmenkörper entstehen.Auf dieser Grundlage werden der Aufstieg und die Platznahme granitoider Magmen mit Hilfe von zweidimensionalen Finite Elemente Rechnungen modelliert. Das physikalische Konzept beinhaltet den konvektiven Transport von Masse und Energie, eine isolierte finite Quellregion, veränderliche Quelltemperaturen sowie einen variablen Dichte- und Viskositätskontrast.Die Modellrechnungen zeigen, daß die strukturelle Entwicklung der Modellmagmenkörper in hohem Maße von den physikalischen Parametern des Magmas und seiner Umgebung, vor allem Dichte und Viskosität, abhängt. Gemäß den unterschiedlichen Anfangsbedingungen können sowohl einige stockförmige Plutone im Falle eines hohen Viskositätskontrastes oder flacher Magmaquellen als auch deckenförmige Intrusionsstrukturen als Folge eines geringen Viskositätskontrastes mit Hilfe des intrusiven Einlagerungskonzeptes verstanden werden. Die Erhöhung des negativen Dichtekontrastes führt zu einer Erhöhung der Aufstiegsrate, so daß fortgeschrittenere Platznahmestrukturen erreicht werden können.

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Résumé L'intrusion des magmas granitoïdes est un processus qui intéresse la croûte inférieure et moyenne. Les observations de terrain et les expériences en laboratoire fournissent des arguments très sérieux en faveur de la formation des plutons par montée diapirique et mise en place de corps magmatiques de grandes dimensions.Sur base de cette conception, la montée et la mise en place de magmas granitoïdes a fait l'objet d'une modélisation par éléments finis à deux dimensions. Un tel modèle fait appel à un transport convectif de matière et de chaleur, à une région-source isolée de dimension finie, à une source de température variable ainsi qu' à divers contrastes de densité et de viscosité.Les calculs montrent que le développement structural des corps intrusifs ainsi modélisés dépend essentiellement des propriétés physiques du magma et de son encaissant, en particulier de la densité et de la viscosité. Etant données diverses conditions initiales, la modélisation rend compte de plusieurs types de culots plutoniques dans le cas de contrastes de viscosité élevés ou de sources de magma d'extension horizontale, ainsi que d'intrusions en forme de nappe dans le cas de faibles contrastes de viscosité. L'accroissement des contrastes de viscosité négatifs contribue à augmenter la vitesse d'ascension, ce qui permet le développement de structures d'intrusion plus évoluées.

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Notation a thermal expansion coefficient - C_p specific heat capacity - Di dissipation number (model specific) - g gravity acceleration - dynamic viscosity - h heigth of model - thermal diffusivity - Q heat flow - Ra Rayleigh number - R(v) differential operator - p density - t time - T absolute temperature - v velocity - V volume - w vertical component of velocity - x horizontal coordinate - stream function - z vertical coordinate     

Contrasting fluid/rock interaction between the Notch Peak granitic intrusion and argillites and limestones in western Utah: evidence from stable isotopes and phase assemblages

The Jurassic Notch Peak granitic stock, western Utah, discordantly intrudes Cambrian interbedded pure limestones and calcareous argillites. Contact metamorphosed argillite and limestone samples, collected along traverses away from the intrusion, were analyzed for ¹⁸O, ¹³C, and D. The ¹³C and ¹⁸O values for the limestones remain constant at about 0.5 (PDB) and 20 (SMOW), respectively, with increasing metamorphic grade. The whole rock ¹⁸O values of the argillites systematically decrease from 19 to as low as 8.1, and the ¹³C values of the carbonate fraction from 0.5 to –11.8. The change in ¹³C values can be explained by Rayleigh decarbonation during calcsilicate reactions, where calculated is about 4.5 permil for the high-grade samples and less for medium and low-grade samples suggesting a range in temperatures at which most decarbonation occurred. However, the amount of CO₂ released was not anough to decrease the whole rock ¹⁸O to the values observed in the argillites. The low ¹⁸O values close to the intrusion suggest interaction with magmatic water that had a ¹⁸O value of 8.5. The extreme lowering of ¹³C by fractional devolatilization and the lowering of ¹⁸O in argillites close to the intrusion indicates oxgen-equivalent fluid/rock ratios in excess of 1.0 and X(CO₂)_F of the fluid less than 0.2. Mineral assemblages in conjunction with the isotopic data indicate a strong influence of water infiltration on the reaction relations in the argillites and separate fluid and thermal fronts moving thru the argillites. The different stable isotope relations in limestones and argillites attest to the importance of decarbonation in the enhancement of permeability. The flow of fluids was confined to the argillite beds (argillite aquifers) whereas the limestones prevented vertical fluid flow and convective cooling of the stock.     

Contrasting fluid flow patterns at the Bufa del Diente contact metamorphic aureole,north-east Mexico: evidence from stable isotopes

Impure limestones with interstratified metachert layers were contact metamorphosed and metasomatized by the Bufa del Diente alkali syenite. Massive marbles exhibit mineralogical and stable isotope evidence for limited fluid infiltration, confined to a 17 m wide zone at the contact. Influx of magmatic brines along most metacherts produced up to 4 cm thick wollastonite rims, according to calcite (Cc)+quartz (Qz)= wollastonite (Wo)+CO₂, and were observed at distances of up to 400 m from the contact. The produced CO₂ exsolved as an immiscible low density CO₂-rich fluid. Chert protolith isotope compositions were ¹⁸O (Qz)=27–30%. and ¹⁸O (Cc)=24–27%.. Many wollastonites in infiltrated metacherts have low ¹⁸O ranging from 11–17 and confirm that decarbonation occurred in presence of a magmatic-signatured fluid. Large gradients in ¹⁸O (Wo) across the rims may reach 6 The ¹⁸O of remaining quartz is often lowered to 15–20 whereas caleites largely retained their original compositions. The isotopic reversals of up to 10 between quartz and calcite along with reaction textures demonstrate non-equilibrium between infiltrating fluid in the aquifer and the assemblage calcite+quartz+wollastonite. This is compatible with the assumption of a down-temperature flow of magmatic fluids that occurred exclusively in the remaining quarzite layer. The ¹³C (Cc) and ¹⁸O (Cc) of marble calcites measured perpendicular to two metachert bands reveal significant isotopic alterations along distances of 4.5 cm and 7.5 cm from the wollastonite-marble boundary only into the hanging wall marble, suggesting an advection process caused by a fluid phase which movel upwards. Covariation trends of ¹³C (Cc) and ¹⁸O (Cc) across the alteration front indicate that this fluid was CO₂-rich. Mass balance calculations show that all CO₂-rich fluid produced by the decarbonation reaction was lost into overlying marble. The metachert aquifers did not leak with respect to water-rich fluids.     

Tectonic style and pressure distribution at the northern margin of the Alps between Lake Constance and the River Inn

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Molasse basin and the Alpine thrust belt has provided new information on the tectonic structure of the foreland margin of the overthrust belt. Two N-S cross-sections show the front of the Folded Molasse as a so-called Triangle Zone in the area north of the Hindelang 1 well (Bavaria) and the Sulzberg 1 well (Vorarlberg). The Triangle Zone was described and defined byJones (1982) for the Alberta Foothills in Canada.Oil and gas wells commonly encountered overpressured zones with pressure gradients up to 2.5 bar/10 m. The pressure profiles from the Sulzberg1, Hindelang1, Staffelsee1, Miesbach 1 and Bromberg 1 wells were analysed stratigraphically and lithologically with respect to the tectonics of the region. It can be concluded that the overpressures in the Foreland Molasse were caused by compaction, where those within the thrust belt were caused by tectonics.

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Zusammenfassung Die von der Erdöl- und Erdgasindustrie im Bereich des Alpennordrandes durchgeführten Untersuchungsarbeiten brachten neue Ergebnisse zum tektonischen Bau. So stellt sich in zwei N-S-Profilen nördlich von Hindelang (Bayern) und über die Tiefbohrung Sulzberg 1 (Vorarlberg) die Stirn der Faltenmolasse als Triangelzone dar, wie sie von Jones (1982) aus den Foothills der Rocky Mountains beschrieben wird.Tiefbohrungen auf Erdöl und Erdgas haben verbreitet überhydrostatische Porendrücke mit Gradienten bis 2,5 bar/10 m angetroffen. Es wurden Druckprofile aus den Bohrungen Sulzberg 1, Hindelang 1, Staffelsee 1, Miesbach 1 und Bromberg 1 nach stratigraphisch-lithologischen Gesichtspunkten analysiert, regionaltektonisch zugeordnet und interpretiert. Es zeigt sich, daß die Überdrücke in der Vorlandmolasse durch Kompaktion entstanden sind, während diejenigen unter den Decken tektonische Ursachen haben.

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Résumé Les travaux d'exploration entrepris par l'industrie du pétrole dans le bassin molassique et dans la bordure septentrionale des Alpes ont conduit à de nouveaux résultats en ce qui concerne les structures tectoniques de cette région. Dans deux profils nord — sud établis dans la région, respectivement au nord de Hindelang (Bavière) et au nord de Sulzberg (Vorarlberg), le front de la molasse plissée se présente comme une »zone triangulaire« du type défini parJones (1982) dans les Foothills d'Alberta au Canada.Des forages pétroliers profonds ont fréquemment recontré des pressions interstitielles hyperhydrostatiques avec des gradients pouvant atteindre 2,5 bars / 10 m.Les profils de pression relevés dans les sondages de Sulzberg 1, Hindelang 1, Staffelsee 1, Miesbach 1 et Bromberg 1 ont été analysés au point de vue stratigraphique et lithologique et placés dans le cadre tectonique de la région. Il en résulte que les surpressions dans la molasse d'avant-pays (Vorlandmolasse) sont dues à la compaction et que celles des formations recouvertes par les nappes sont d'origine tectonique.

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, - , . , Hindelang / /, Sulzberg 1 / Vorarlberg / , Jones' 1982 Foothills . 2.5 /10 . , . , , - .

     

Beobachtungen zur mechanischen und zeitlichen Deutung kleintektonischer Trennflächen im Ruhrkarbon

Zusammenfassung Aus Anschliffbildern von Kohleproben und analogen Erscheinungsformen bei Gesteinsklüften wird zur Frage des mechanischen Charakters der bankrechten Schlechten Stellung genommen.Weiterhin werden verschiedene Entstehungsursachen bankschräger, streichender Trennflächen in Kohle und Nebengestein diskutiert und der Zeitpunkt ihres Aufreißens im Ablauf des Faltungsvorganges festgelegt.

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Vertical jointing within the Carboniferous of the Subvariscean Foredeep are analyzed mechanically and, in relation to the general deformation of the belt.

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Resumé D'après des sections polies d'échantillons de houille et des formes analogues dans les fissures de roches, les auteurs déterminent le caractère mécanique des cassures orthogonales.Ensuite ils discutend plusieurs causes de formation des plans de séparations obliques dans la houille et les roches encaissantes et fixent le moment de leur formation dans le cours du plissement.

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Fluid venting activity on the Costa Rica margin: new results from authigenic carbonates

Carbonate precipitates on mounds and along tectonic scarps off the Costa Rica margin are manifestations of subduction-induced dewatering. The long-term dewatering history is recorded in mineralogical, petrological and isotope signals of carbonates recovered from these sites. The carbonates are strongly depleted in ¹³C (–11 to –53 PDB) and enriched in ¹⁸O (+4 to +8 PDB). Thermogenic methane and biogenic methane were identified as sources of the carbon. Chemoherm carbonates and seepage-associated carbonates formed in a focused flow regime have lighter ¹³C values, while others formed in a more diffusive flow regime have slightly enriched C isotope values. Three fluid components were inferred based on the calculation of equilibrium ¹⁸O: clay dehydration water, gas hydrate water and seawater. Calculated equilibrium ¹⁸O values of carbonates from different down-core depths as well as from different precipitation stages show that the ¹⁸O of the precipitating fluid is progressively depleted with time. Dolostones showing a methane-C source and a well constrained O-isotope signature are thought to have formed at depth in the sediment and subsequently became exhumed. Glauconitic sandstones cemented by methane-derived carbonate provide evidence that fluid and solid material have been expelled by the mud volcano.     

High-18O igneous rocks from the Tuscan Magmatic Province,Italy

The ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios were measured for 60 rocks and coexisting minerals from the Plio-Pleistocene, calc-alkaline, Tuscan Magmatic Province, Italy. The ¹⁸O values of these magmas were as follows: Elba, Giglio, and Montecristo granodiorites (11.4 to 12.1); M. Cimini rhyolites and trachytes (11.2 to 11.7); Roccastrada, S. Vincenzo, and M. Amiata rhyolites (12.3 to 13.4); and the Tolfa rhyolites and quartz latites (15.3 to 16.4). The latter are by far the highest ¹⁸O values yet reported for primary volcanic rocks. The extremely high ¹⁸O values in the Tuscan Province indicate that these magmas all formed by melting or large-scale assimilation of high-¹⁸O argillaceous sedimentary rocks, in agreement with previous evidence based on the high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and ubiquitous presence of cordierite. Low ¹⁸O values (+5 to +6) were found in the feldspar, but not the quartz, of the small Porto Azzuro stock on Elba, as well as in the marginal facies of the M. Capanne stock, indicating that these bodies interacted with low-¹⁸O meteoric-hydrothermal fluids subsequent to solidification. The M. Cimini lavas apparently formed about 1 m.y. ago by mixing of high-¹⁸O Tuscan magmas containing large K feldspar crystals with potassic, undersaturated, low-¹⁸O magmas of the adjacent Roman Co-Magmatic Province. These large sanidine crystals did not completely equilibrate ¹⁸O/¹⁶O with the coexisting magma.Publication of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, Contribution Number 2639.     

Stable isotope constraints on the origin and depth of penetration of hydrothermal fluids associated with Hercynian regional metamorphism and crustal anatexis in the Pyrenees

Late Carboniferous (Hercynian) tectonism in the Pyrenees generated extremely steep thermal gradients at 8–14 km depth in the continental crust, producing andalusite- and sillimanite-grade metamorphism and partial melting of Lower Paleozoic metasediments under water-rich conditions. At the same time, amphibolite- and granulitefacies basal gneisses were equilibrated under dryer conditions at pressures of 4 to 7 kbar (14–25 km depth), beneath these higher-level rocks. We present 95 new oxygen isotopic analyses of samples from the Agly, St. Barthelemy, Castillon and Trois Seigneurs Massifs, highlighting contrasting ¹⁸O/¹⁶O systematics at different structural levels in the Hercynian crust, here termed Zones 1, 2, and 3. The unmetamorphosed, fossiliferous, Paleozoic shales and carbonates of Zone 1 have typical sedimentary ¹⁸O values, mostly in the range +14 to +16 for the pelitic rocks and +20 to +25 for the carbonates. The metamorphosed equivalents of these rocks in Zone 2 all have strikingly uniform and much lower ¹⁸O values; the metapelites mostly have ¹⁸O=+10 to +12, and interlayered metacarbonates from the Trois Seigneurs Massif have ¹⁸O of about +12 to +14. Typically, the Zone 3 basal gneisses are isotopically heterogeneous with variable ¹⁸O values ranging from +6 in mafic lithologies to +22 in carbonate-rich lithologies. Steep gradients in ¹⁸O (as much as 10 per mil over a few cm) are preserved at the margins of some metacarbonate layers. These data indicate that the Zone 3 gneisses were infiltrated by much smaller volumes of metamorphic pore fluids than were the overlying Zone 2 rocks, and that circulation of surface-derived H₂O (either seawater or formation waters, as evidenced by high D values) was mainly confined to the Paleozoic supracrustal sedimentary pile. This is compatible with an overall reduction of interconnected porosity with increasing depth, but perhaps even more important, the extensive partial melting at the base of Zone 2 may have produced a ductile, impermeable barrier to downward fluid penetration.Contribution No. 4287, Publication of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology     

Stable isotope systematics in mesozoic granites of Central and Northern California and Southwestern Oregon

¹⁸O, D, and H₂O⁺ contents were measured for whole-rock specimens of granitoid rocks from 131 localitics in California and southwestern Oregon. With 41 new determinations in the Klamath Mountains and Sierra Nevada, initial strontium isotope ratios are known for 104 of these samples. Large variations in ¹⁸O (5.5 to 12.4), D (–130 to –31), water contents (0.14 to 2.23 weight percent) and initial strontium isotope ratios (0.7028 to 0.7095) suggest a variety of source materials and identify rocks modified by secondary processes. Regular patterns of variation in each isotopic ratio exist over large geographical regions, but correlations between the ratios are generally absent except in restricted areas. For example, the regular decrease in D values from west to east in the Sierra Nevada batholith is not correlative with a quite complex pattern of ¹⁸O values, implying that different processes were responsible for the isotopic variations in these two elements. In marked contrast to a good correlation between (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_o and ¹⁸O observed in the Peninsular Ranges batholith to the south, such correlations are lacking except in a few areas. D values, on the other hand, correlate well with rock types, chemistry, and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_o except in the Coast Ranges where few of the isotopic signatures are primary. The uniformly low D values of samples from the Mojave Desert indicate that meteoric water contributed much of the hydrogen to the rocks in that area. Even so, the ¹⁸O values and ¹⁸O fractionations between quartz and feldspar are normal in these same rocks.This reconnaissance study has identified regularities in geochemical parameters over enormous geographical regions. These patterns are not well understood but merit more detailed examination because they contain information critical to our understanding of the development of granitoid batholiths.     

Oxygen,sulfur, and strontium isotope and fluid inclusion studies of barite deposits from the Iglesiente-Sulcis mining district,Southwestern Sardinia,Italy

This paper deals with barite from stratiform, karst, and vein deposits hosted within Lower Paleozoic rocks of the Iglesiente-Sulcis mining district in southwestern Sardinia. For comparison sulfates from mine waters are studied. Stratiform barite displays ³⁴S=28.8–32.1, ¹⁸O=12.7–15.6, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7087, in keeping with an essentially Cambrian marine origin of both sulfate and strontium. Epigenetic barite from post-Hercynian karst and vein deposits is indistinguishable for both sulfur and oxygen isotopes with ³⁴S=15.3–26.4 and ¹⁸O=6.6–12.5; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios vary 0.7094–0.7140. These results and the microthermometric and salinity data from fluid inclusions concur in suggesting that barite formed at the site of mineralization by oxidation of reduced sulfur from Cambrian-Ordovician sulfide ores in warm, sometimes hot solutions consisting of dilute water and saline brine with different ¹⁸O values. The relative proportion of the two types of water may have largely varied within a given deposit during the mineralization. In the karst barite Sr was essentially provided by carbonate host rocks, whereas both carbonate and Lower Paleozoic shale host rocks should have been important sources for Sr of the vein barite. Finally, ³⁴S data of dissolved sulfate provide further support for the mixed seawater-meteoric water composition of mine waters from the Iglesiente area.     

Isotope studies on the Rosebery,Mount Farrell and Mount Lyell ores,Tasmania

Preliminary studies have been made on the distributions of oxygen and sulphur isotopes in the Rosebery, Mount Farrell, and Mount Lyell ores. These ores lie in Cambrian geosynclinal volcanic rocks in West Tasmania. At each locality the sulphur of the sulphide minerals has a distinctive degree of enrichment in ³⁴S in relation to sulphur in meteorites and a narrow range of ³⁴S values. The dominant ore at Mount Lyell (mainly pyrite-chalcopyrite) has an average ³⁴S value of +7.0, the main lode at Rosebery (pyrite-sphalerite-galenachalcopyrite) averages +10.9, and the Mount Farrell ore (galena-sphalerite) averages +14.1. The degree of enrichment does not appear to be related to local, near-surface geological factors. Other ores of geosynclinal volcanic type with similar mineralogy also show narrow ranges in ³⁴S and varying enrichments in ³⁴S. Barite from a concordant sulphide-barite-carbonate lode at Rosebery has an average ³⁴S of +38.1 and an average ¹⁸O of +10.7. Barite from veins at Mount Lyell has an average ³⁴S of +25.3 and an average ¹⁸O of +10.6.

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Die Verteilung von Sauerstoff- und Schwefel-Isotopen in den Erzkörpern von Rosebery, Mount Farrell und Mount Lyell wurde untersucht. Die Erzkörper sind in kambrische, geosynklinale vulkanische Gesteine Westtasmaniens eingebettet. An jeder dieser Lagerstätten zeigt der Schwefel der Sulfiderze einen charakteristischen Anreicherungsgrad an ³⁴S im Verhältnis zum Meteoritenschwefel und einen eng begrenzten Bereich der ³⁴S-Werte. Die Erze des Mount Lyell-Lagers (hauptsächlich Pyrit-Chalkopyrit) zeigen überwiegend einen ³⁴S-Durchschnittswert von +7.0, das Hauptlager von Rosebery (Pyrit-Sphalerit-Galenit-Chalkopyrit) +10.9, und des Mount Farrell-Erz (Galenit-Sphalerit) +14.1. Der Anreicherungsgrad scheint nicht mit den lokalen geologischen Faktoren verbunden zu sein. Auch andere Erzkörper geosynklinaler vulkanischer Art von ähnlicher mineralogischer Struktur zeigen eng begrenzte ³⁴S-Werte und ³⁴S-Anreicherungsvariationen. Der Baryt des konkordant aufgebauten Sulfid-Baryt-Carbonat-Lagers bei Rosebery hat einen ³⁴S-Durchschnitt von +38.1 und einen ¹⁸O-Durchschnitt von +10.7. Der Baryt aus den Erzgängen von Mount Lyell ist durch einen ³⁴S-Durchschnitt von +25.3 und einen ¹⁸O-Durchschnitt von +10.6 charakterisiert.