Fluid Flow in the Metamorphic Realm
We are investigating various aspects of reactive fluid-flow in the deep crust using two approaches:
1) Empirical studies using geochemistry and mineralogy of metamorphic rocks as recorders of fluid flow;
2) Computer simulations of reactive fluid flow, metamorphic reaction progress, and exchange of oxygen isotopes.
Currently we have several ongoing investigations in three field areas:
A) Investigations of coupled reactive fluid flow with calc-silicate metamorphic reactions and oxygen isotope exchange in the Notch Peak aureole, Utah;
B) Effect of fluid flow on deformation and recrystallization of various lithologies in the aureole of the EJB pluton, White Mountains, California;
C) Metamorphism and generation of carbonic fluids in graphitic metapelites in the Black Hills, South Dakota.
From left to right: Figures showing progressive disappearance of early, regional-metamorphic Mn-rich garnet in the aureole of the Harney Peak Granite in the Black Hills. New Fe-rich, inclusion-poor garnet grew in response to higher temperatures in the granite aureole. Locations of old garnets have typically coarsened quartz and biotite, suggesting fluid-mediated garnet dissolution and growth. Former locations of old garnets are commonly marked by rings of biotite around quartz.
Profile of whole-rock oxygen isotope compositions of marbles and calc-silicates away from the contact with the Notch Peak stock. Note that the compositions of marbles are unchanged, whereas the compositions of calc-silicates decrease with increase in metamorphic grade. The decrease is can be attributed to infiltration of magmatic fluids.
Computer simulated oxygen isotope exchange in the aureole of the Notch Peak stock. Gray arrows show fluid flow through the interbedded marbles and calc-silicates at 10,000 years after magma intrusion.
This image shows model mineralogy of calc-silicate rocks in the Notch Peak aureole. These last two images are from the recent Ph.D. dissertation of Xiaojun (Albert) Cui.
Related Papers
Nabelek, P. I., Labotka, T. C., O'Neil, J. R. and Papike, J. J. (1984) Contrasting fluid/rock interaction between the Notch Peak granitic intrusion and argillites and limestones in Western Utah: Evidence from stable isotopes and phase assemblages. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 86, 25-34.
Nabelek, P. I. (1987) General equations for modeling fluid/rock interaction using trace elements and isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 51, 1765-1769.
Labotka, T. C., Nabelek, P. I., Papike, J. J., Hover-Granath, V. and Laul, J. C. (1988) Effects of contact metamorphism on the chemistry of the calcareous rocks in the Big Horse limestone, Notch Peak, Utah. American Mineralogist, 73, 1095-1110.
Labotka, T. C., Nabelek, P. I. and Papike, J. J. (1988) Fluid infiltration through the Big Horse Limestone in the Notch Peak contact-metamorphic aureole, Utah. American Mineralogist, 73, 1302-1324
Nabelek, P.I., Denison, J.R., and Glascock, M.D. (1990) Behavior of boron during contact metamorphism of calc-silicate rocks at Notch Peak, Utah. American Mineralogist, 75, 874-880.
Nabelek, P.I. (1991) Stable Isotope Monitors, Reviews in Mineralogy 25, 395-435.
Nabelek, P.I., Labotka, T.C. and Russ-Nabelek, C. (1992) Stable isotope evidence for the role of diffusion, infiltration and local structure on contact metamorphism of calc-silicate rocks at Notch Peak, Utah. Journal of Petrology, 33, 557-583.
Nabelek, P.I. and Labotka, T.C. (1993) Implications of geochemical fronts in the Notch Peak contact metamorphic aureole, Utah, USA. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 119, 539-559.
Bergfeld, D., Nabelek, P.I., and Labotka, T.C. (1996) Carbon isotope exchange during regional polymentamorphism in the Panamint Mountains, California. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 14, 199-212.
Cui, X., Nabelek, P.I., and Liu, M. (2001) Controls of layered and transient permeability on fluid flow and thermal structure in contact metamorphic aureoles, with application to the Notch Peak aureole, Utah. Journal of Geophysical Research, 106, 6477-6491. PDF (very large file)
Nabelek, P. I. (2002) Calc-silicate reactions and bedding-controlled isotopic exchange in the Notch Peak aureole, Utah: Implications for differential fluid fluxes with metamorphic grade. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 20, 429-440. PDF
Cui, X., Nabelek, P. I. and Liu, M. (2002) Fluid flow and oxygen isotope exchange in the Notch Peak contact metamorphic aureole: Insights from two-dimensional numerical modeling. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 114, 689-882. PDF (large file)
Cui, X., Nabelek, P. I. and Liu, M. (2003) Reactive flow of mixed CO2-H2O fluid and progress of calc-silicate reactions in contact metamorphic aureoles: insights from two-dimensional numerical modeling. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 21, 663-664. PDF
Nabelek, P.I., Labotka, T.C., Helms, T., and Wilke, M. (2006) Fluid-mediated polymetamorphism related to Proterozoic collision of Archean Wyoming and Superior provinces in the Black Hills, South Dakota. American Mineralogist, 1473-1487. PDF
