Release of radiogenic noble gases as a new signal of rock deformation
Abstract
In this paper we investigate the release of radiogenic noble gas isotopes during mechanical deformation. We developed an analytical system for dynamic mass spectrometry of noble gas composition and helium release rate of gas produced during mechanical deformation of rocks. Our results indicate that rocks release accumulated radiogenic helium and argon from mineral grains as they undergo deformation. We found that the release of accumulated 4He and 40Ar from rocks follows a reproducible pattern and can provide insight into the deformation process. Increased gas release can be observed before dilation, and macroscopic failure is observed during high-pressure triaxial rock deformation experiments. Accumulated radiogenic noble gases can be released due to fracturing of mineral grains during small-scale strain in Earth materials. Helium and argon are highly mobile, conservative species and could be used to provide information on changes in the state of stress and strain in Earth materials, and as an early warning signal of macroscopic failure. These results pave the way for the use of noble gases to trace and monitor rock deformation for earthquake prediction and a variety of other subsurface engineering projects.
- Authors:
-
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT (United States)
- Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); National Science Foundation (NSF)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1418468
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 43; Journal Issue: 20; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-8276
- Publisher:
- American Geophysical Union
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; noble gases; deformation; geomechanics; gas release; tracers; mass spectrometry
Citation Formats
Bauer, Stephen J., Gardner, W. Payton, and Lee, Hyunwoo. Release of radiogenic noble gases as a new signal of rock deformation. United States: N. p., 2016.
Web. doi:10.1002/2016GL070876.
Bauer, Stephen J., Gardner, W. Payton, & Lee, Hyunwoo. Release of radiogenic noble gases as a new signal of rock deformation. United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070876
Bauer, Stephen J., Gardner, W. Payton, and Lee, Hyunwoo. Sun .
"Release of radiogenic noble gases as a new signal of rock deformation". United States. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070876. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1418468.
@article{osti_1418468,
title = {Release of radiogenic noble gases as a new signal of rock deformation},
author = {Bauer, Stephen J. and Gardner, W. Payton and Lee, Hyunwoo},
abstractNote = {In this paper we investigate the release of radiogenic noble gas isotopes during mechanical deformation. We developed an analytical system for dynamic mass spectrometry of noble gas composition and helium release rate of gas produced during mechanical deformation of rocks. Our results indicate that rocks release accumulated radiogenic helium and argon from mineral grains as they undergo deformation. We found that the release of accumulated 4He and 40Ar from rocks follows a reproducible pattern and can provide insight into the deformation process. Increased gas release can be observed before dilation, and macroscopic failure is observed during high-pressure triaxial rock deformation experiments. Accumulated radiogenic noble gases can be released due to fracturing of mineral grains during small-scale strain in Earth materials. Helium and argon are highly mobile, conservative species and could be used to provide information on changes in the state of stress and strain in Earth materials, and as an early warning signal of macroscopic failure. These results pave the way for the use of noble gases to trace and monitor rock deformation for earthquake prediction and a variety of other subsurface engineering projects.},
doi = {10.1002/2016GL070876},
journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
number = 20,
volume = 43,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Oct 09 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Sun Oct 09 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}
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Works referencing / citing this record:
Helium in Stream Water as a Volcanic Monitoring Tool
journal, December 2019
- Gardner, W. Payton; Susong, David D.
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Noble Gas Release from Bedded Rock Salt during Deformation
journal, June 2019
- Bauer, Stephen J.; Gardner, W. Payton; Lee, Hyunwoo
- Geofluids, Vol. 2019