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

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL00914· OSTI ID:5558909

Nesbitt, B E; Muehlenbacks, K ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton (Canada)

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.

• OSTI ID: 5558909
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Vol. 18:5; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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