Quick Search:    advanced search

GSW Home   GeoRef Home   My GSW Alerts   Contact GSW   About GSW   Journals List   Help

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Marchildon, N. Articles by Dipple, G. M. Search for Related Content GeoRef GeoRef Citation

Irregular isograds, reaction instabilities, and the evolution of permeability during metamorphism

¹ Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, 6339 Stores Road, Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4, Canada

Numerical models of two-dimensional heterogeneous reactive transport of H₂O-CO₂ fluid and oxygen isotopes were developed to investigate the heterogeneity of fluid flow and permeability attending contact metamorphism of siliceous dolomites. Comparison of results with observations from the Alta (Utah) contact aureole indicates that both mineral reactions and isotopic alteration record fluid flow through highly heterogeneous permeability. We interpret this extreme heterogeneity to be the result of positive feedback between reaction enhancement of permeability and flow-focusing. Similar distributions of mineral assemblages and stable isotopic alteration in other aureoles suggest that this is a common mechanism of permeability evolution during contact metamorphism of carbonate rocks. Flow-focusing requires fast reaction rates and slow compaction relative to fluid flow. More homogeneous permeability recorded in regional metamorphic rocks may reflect fundamental differences in the relative rates of fluid flow and compaction in regional and contact metamorphic environments.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. DurandD, P. Boulvais, D. Marquer, and M. Rossy Stable isotope transfer in open and closed system across chemically contrasted boundaries: metacarbonate-granitoid contacts in the Querigut magmatic complex (Eastern Pyrenees, France) Journal of the Geological Society, September 1, 2006; 163(5): 827 - 836. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Cui, P. I. Nabelek, and M. Liu Numerical modeling of fluid flow and oxygen isotope exchange in the Notch Peak contact-metamorphic aureole, Utah Geological Society of America Bulletin, July 1, 2002; 114(7): 869 - 882. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. T. Woodford, V. B. Sisson, and W. P. Leeman Boron metasomatism of the Alta stock contact aureole, Utah: Evidence from borates, mineral chemistry, and geochemistry American Mineralogist, April 1, 2001; 86(4): 513 - 533. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. P. Baumgartner, L. P. Baumgartner, and J. W. Valley Stable Isotope Transport and Contact Metamorphic Fluid Flow Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, January 1, 2001; 43(1): 415 - 467. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Zhang, J. D. FitzGerald, and S. F. Cox Reaction-enhanced permeability during decarbonation of calcite + quartz -> wollastonite + carbon dioxide Geology, October 1, 2000; 28(10): 911 - 914. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]