1. Structure of the hydrothermal root zone of the sheeted dikes in fast-spread oceanic crust : a core-log integration study of ODP hole 1256D, Eastern Equatorial Pacific
- Author
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Violay, M., Pezard, P. A., benoit ildefonse, Celerier, B., Deleau, A., Transferts en milieux poreux, Géosciences Montpellier, Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Manteau et Interfaces
- Subjects
Hole 1256D ,[SDU.STU.GP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph] ,[SDE.MCG]Environmental Sciences/Global Changes ,ODP ,electrical borehole images hydrothermal system ,upper oceanic crust sheeted dike complex ,[PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph] ,veins ,fractures ,dikes ,mid-oceanic ridge ,IODP - Abstract
Ocean Drilling Program Hole 1256D reached for the first time the transition zone between the sheeted dike complex and the uppermost gabbros. The recovered crustal section offers a unique opportunity to study the deepest part of the hydrothermal system in present-day oceanic crust. We present a structural analysis of electrical borehole wall images. We identified, and measured the orientations of four categories of structures: major faults, minor fractures, possibly hydrothermal veins, and dikes. All structures tend to strike parallel to the paleo-ridge axis. Three major fault zones (meter thick) and dikes are steeply dipping (~ 75° on average) outward the ridge. Centimeter-thick moderately conductive planar features are interpreted as hydrothermal veins, are organized in arrays of consistent spacing, thickness, and orientation, and are dipping about 15-20° toward the ridge. This structural pattern is interpreted as an on-axis paleohydrothermal circulation system, with vertical, dike-parallel fractures, and sub-horizontal high-temperature hydrothermal veins at the base of the sheeted dike, which was subsequently rotated ~ 15° westward around a ridge-parallel, sub-horizontal axis. This rotation can be caused by upper-crustal block rotation along a listric normal fault, and/or subsidence at the ridge axis.
- Published
- 2012
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