Stable isotope and fluid inclusion studies of metamorphic fluid flow in an evolving tectonic system
The Southern Appalachian borehole represents a unique opportunity to couple O-H-C-S isotope and fluid inclusion studies with textures, mineralogies, and chemical compositions in order to assess the role of fluids in metamorphism, deformation, element migration, and heat transfer throughout the evolution of a complex orogen. Studies which focus on hydrothermal veins, felsic/mafic intrusives and juxtaposed but chemically and isotopically distinct lithologies such as volcanics/-clastics and silicates/carbonates will be particularly informative. That large-scale metamorphic fluid flow has occurred in the Southern Appalachians is evidenced by devolatilization of enormous masses of rock during prograde metamorphism and extensive revolatilization, along major shear zones exhibiting retrograde assemblages. The authors own textural, chemical and oxygen isotope studies of granitoids and their host rocks in Northern Alabama document substantial isotopic, major and trace element (e.g. U, Th, Pb, Rb, and Sr) redistribution over thousands of cubic kilometers via exchange with infiltrating metamorphic fluids. Even chemically and mineralogically unaltered granites in the area have been isotopically enriched, perhaps reflecting differing chemical and isotopic exchange capacities of the fluid/rock system. These observations suggest that the chemical and isotopic effects of metamorphic fluid flow must be quantified in order to determine the origins of sedimentary and igneous rocks based on their geochemical signatures and age dates and to evaluate the role of fluids in the tectonic evolution of the proposed study area.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5824037
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8510489-
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28-31 Oct 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALABAMA
GRANITES
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
FLUID FLOW
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
PETROGENESIS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC MODELS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDROTHERMAL STAGE
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
INCLUSIONS
ISOTOPE RATIO
METAMORPHISM
MINERALOGY
OROGENESIS
OXYGEN ISOTOPES
TECTONICS
CHEMISTRY
ENERGY TRANSFER
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLUIDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
ISOTOPES
NORTH AMERICA
PLUTONIC ROCKS
ROCKS
SYNTHESIS
USA
580400* - Geochemistry- (-1989)
580300 - Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics- (-1989)