Helium isotopic evidence for recent subcrustal volcanism in eastern Australia

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL014i012p01215· OSTI ID:5648631

Torgersen, T; Clarke, W B; Habermehl, M A

A component with approx.6% mantle helium (/sup 3/He//sup 4/He = 5--9 x 10/sup -7/) has been identified in borewaters from the Great Artesian Basin, Australia that is isotopically distinct from previously identified in situ production (/sup 3/He//sup 4/He = 1.6 x 10/sup -8/) and a crustal degassing flux (/sup 3/He//sup 4/He = 6.75 x 10/sup -8/). The occurrence of this component is limited to three identified localities (approx.20.5 /sup 0/S 144 /sup 0/E; approx.25.5 /sup 0/S 146 /sup 0/E; approx.27 /sup 0/S 144.5 /sup 0/E) all within the region of high reduced heat flow in eastern Australia. No evidence for a mantle component was apparent in central Australia. This component is most probably the result of continued intrusive volcanism (<1 m.y.) associated with the Cainozoic lava flow fields in the region. Although the volcanic activity has no present-day surface manifestation, its mantle helium was probably carried to the near-surface by large-scale fluid transport processes in the crust. copyright American Geophysical Union 1987

• Research Organization: Department of Marine Science, University of Connecticut, Groton, CT USA
• OSTI ID: 5648631
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 14:12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
AUSTRALIA
VOLCANISM
ARTESIAN BASINS
CONTINENTAL CRUST
DEGASSING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FLUID FLOW
GROUND WATER
HEAT FLUX
HELIUM ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE RATIO
LAVA
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SEISMIC SURVEYS
WATER POLLUTION
AUSTRALASIA
COMMINUTION
EARTH CRUST
FRACTURING
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SURVEYS
WATER
580300* - Mineralogy
Petrology
&amp; Rock Mechanics- (-1989)