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Title: Stable isotopic constraints on the nature of the syntectonic fluid regime of the Canadian cordillera

Abstract

Oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotopic analyses of rocks from the Canadian Cordillera document regional variations in the origins and evolution of crustal fluids. High temperature systems in unmetamorphosed, felsic volcanic rocks are characterized by low {delta}{sup 18}O values. Veins in regional metamorphic rocks are characterized by {delta}{sup 18}O values that reflect approximate oxygen isotopic equilibration of the fluids with regional rock units. The {delta} D studies indicate that both systems were dominated by meteoric water. The {delta}{sup 13}C values for vein carbonate indicate a regional lithologic control on {delta}{sup 13}C values. The data indicate that convection of surface fluids to depth of 10 or more kilometers during orogenesis was common. The existence of deep convection cells involving meteoric water further indicates that fluid pressures to these depths must have been approximately hydrostatic. Regional structural style appears to exert an important control on the depth of penetration of surface fluids.

Authors:
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton (Canada)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5558909
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 18:5; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-8276
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES; CANADA; GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS; HYDROLOGY; CARBON 13; CARBONATE ROCKS; DEPTH; DEUTERIUM; FLUID FLOW; GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES; GEOLOGY; ISOTOPE RATIO; LITHOLOGY; MEASURING METHODS; METAMORPHIC ROCKS; METAMORPHISM; METEORIC WATER; ORIGIN; OXYGEN 18; PORE PRESSURE; RESERVOIR FLUIDS; RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE; VOLCANIC ROCKS; CARBON ISOTOPES; DEVELOPED COUNTRIES; DIMENSIONS; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; EVEN-ODD NUCLEI; FLUIDS; GROUND WATER; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; HYDROGEN ISOTOPES; IGNEOUS ROCKS; ISOTOPES; LIGHT NUCLEI; NORTH AMERICA; NUCLEI; ODD-ODD NUCLEI; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; OXYGEN ISOTOPES; ROCKS; SEDIMENTARY ROCKS; STABLE ISOTOPES; WATER; 580000* - Geosciences

Citation Formats

Nesbitt, B E, and Muehlenbacks, K. Stable isotopic constraints on the nature of the syntectonic fluid regime of the Canadian cordillera. United States: N. p., 1991. Web. doi:10.1029/91GL00914.
Nesbitt, B E, & Muehlenbacks, K. Stable isotopic constraints on the nature of the syntectonic fluid regime of the Canadian cordillera. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL00914
Nesbitt, B E, and Muehlenbacks, K. 1991. "Stable isotopic constraints on the nature of the syntectonic fluid regime of the Canadian cordillera". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL00914.
@article{osti_5558909,
title = {Stable isotopic constraints on the nature of the syntectonic fluid regime of the Canadian cordillera},
author = {Nesbitt, B E and Muehlenbacks, K},
abstractNote = {Oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotopic analyses of rocks from the Canadian Cordillera document regional variations in the origins and evolution of crustal fluids. High temperature systems in unmetamorphosed, felsic volcanic rocks are characterized by low {delta}{sup 18}O values. Veins in regional metamorphic rocks are characterized by {delta}{sup 18}O values that reflect approximate oxygen isotopic equilibration of the fluids with regional rock units. The {delta} D studies indicate that both systems were dominated by meteoric water. The {delta}{sup 13}C values for vein carbonate indicate a regional lithologic control on {delta}{sup 13}C values. The data indicate that convection of surface fluids to depth of 10 or more kilometers during orogenesis was common. The existence of deep convection cells involving meteoric water further indicates that fluid pressures to these depths must have been approximately hydrostatic. Regional structural style appears to exert an important control on the depth of penetration of surface fluids.},
doi = {10.1029/91GL00914},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5558909}, journal = {Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)},
issn = {0094-8276},
number = ,
volume = 18:5,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991},
month = {Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991}
}