Jamie N. Gardner

Geochemistry and isotopes of fluids from sulphur springs, Valles Caldera, New Mexico

Abstract Detailed geochemistry supported by geologic mapping has been used to investigate Sulphur Springs, an acid-sulfate hot spring system that issues from the western flank of the resurgent dome inside Valles Caldera. The most intense activity occurs at the intersection of faults offsetting caldera-fill deposits and post-caldera rhyolites. Three geothermal wells in the area have encountered pressures 4 ⩽8000 mg/l. These conditions cause argillic alterations throughout a large area. Non-condensible gases consist of roughly 99% CO 2 with minor amounts of H 2 S, H 2 , and CH 4 . Empirical gas geothermometry suggests a deep reservoir temperature of 215 to 280°C. Comparison of 13 C and 18 O between CaCO 3 from well cuttings and CO 2 from fumarole steam indicates a fractionation temperature between 200 and 300°C by decarbonation of hydrothermally altered Paleozoic limestone and vein calcite in the reservoir rocks. Tritium concentrations obtained from steam condensed in a mudpot and deep reservoir fluids (Baca #13, ∼278°C) are 2.1 and 1.0 T.U. respectively, suggesting the steam originates from a reservoir whose water is mostly >50 yrs old. Deuterium contents of fumarole steam, deep reservoir fluid, and local meteoric water are practically identical even though 18 O contents range through 4‰, thus, precipitation on the resurgent dome of the caldera could recharge the hydrothermal system by slow percolation. From analysis of D and 18 O values between fumarol steam and deep reservoir fluid, steam reaches the surface either (1) by vaporizing relatively shallow groundwater at 200°C or (2) by means of a two-stage boiling process through an intermediate level reservoir at roughly 200°C. Although many characteristics of known vapor-dominated geothermal systems are found at Sulphur Springs, fundamental differences exist in temperature and pressure of our postulated vapor-zone. We propose that the reservoir beneath Sulphur Springs is too small or too poorly confined to sustain a “true” vapor-dominated system and that the Sulphur Springs system may be a “dying” vapor-dominated system that has practically boiled itself dry.

Is the Valles caldera entering a new cycle of activity

The Valles caldera formed during two major rhyolitic ignimbrite eruptive episodes (the Bandelier Tuff) at 1.61 and 1.22 Ma, after some 12 m.y. of activity in the Jemez Mountains volcanic field, New Mexico. Several subsequent eruptions between 1.22 and 0.52 Ma produced dominantly high-silica rhyolite lava domes and tephras within the caldera. These were followed by a dormancy of 0.46 m.y. prior to the most recent intracaldera activity, the longest hiatus since the inception of the Bandelier magma system at ∼1.8 Ma. The youngest volcanic activity at ∼ 60 ka produced the SW moat rhyolites, a series of lavas and tuffs that display abundant petrologic evidence of being newly generated melts. Petrographic textures conform closely to published predictions for silicic magmas generated by intrusion of basaltic magma into continental crust. The Valles caldera may currently be the site of renewed silicic magma generation, induced by intrusion of mafic magma at depth. Recent seismic investigations revealed the presence of a large low-velocity anomaly in the lower crust beneath the caldera. The generally aseismic character of the caldera, despite abundant regional seismicity, may be attributed to a heated crustal column, the local effect of 13 m.y. of magmatism and emplacement of mid-crustal plutons. Seismic signals of magma movement in the deep to mid-crust may therefore be masked, and clear seismic indications of intrusion may only be generated within a few kilometres of the surface. We therefore encourage the establishment of a local dedicated volcanic monitoring system.

Redistribution of Pb and other volatile trace metals during eruption, devitrification, and vapor-phase crystallization of the Bandelier Tuff, New Mexico

A diverse suite of micron-scale minerals was deposited from vapor during eruption and post-emplacement crystallization of the Bandelier Tuff, New Mexico. The mineral suite is rich in sulfides, oxides, and chlorides of both common and rare metals (e.g., Fe, Pb, Bi, Cu, Ag, Re), and oxides and silicates of incompatible elements (e.g., P, Zr, Y, Nb, Ba and LREE). Minerals preserved in glassy samples grew from magmatic vapor trapped during emplacement, or from vapor migrating along contacts with more impermeable rocks; minerals observed in devitrified samples also grew from crystallization of glass and vapor liberated during this process. In devitrified samples, mafic silicate phenocrysts were partially replaced by an assemblage dominated by smectite and hematite. The syn- to post-eruptive mineral assemblage observed in upper Bandelier Tuff (UBT) samples bears striking similarity to those deposited by cooling gases near active volcanic vents. However, several differences exist: (1) the mineral suite in the UBT is disseminated throughout the unit, and formed over a broad temperature range (> 700 to < 150 °C) at higher rock:gas ratios; (2) the highly evolved composition of the UBT yielded a greater abundance of minerals rich in incompatible elements compared to sublimates from less evolved volcanoes; and (3) the UBT has suffered over 1 million years of post-emplacement exposure, which resulted in solution (or local re-precipitation in fractures) of soluble compounds such as halite, sylvite, and gypsum. Pb was enriched toward the roof of the UBT magma body due to its affinity for the melt and vapor phases relative to crystals (Bulk Dpb < 0.2). Micron-scale Pb minerals appear to have grown from vapor exsolved during eruption, as well as vapor liberated during later devitrification. Additional Pb was scavenged by smectite and hematite that probably formed during the later stages of the devitrification and cooling process. Up to ten-fold increases in Pb concentrations are seen in zones of fumarolic concentration in the UBT, however, most bulk tuff samples have Pb values that appear to preserve magmatic values, indicating only very local trace-metal redistribution. The concentration of Pb and other heavy metals in micron-scale mineral coatings in porous tuff indicates that these metals could be readily mobilized and transported by acidic groundwaters or hydrothermal fluids, and thus locally concentrated into ore-grade deposits in long-lived systems.

Molybdenum mineralization in an active geothermal system, Valles caldera, New Mexico

Shallow, sub-ore-grade molybdenite mineralization has been discovered in the active, high-temperature geothermal system penetrated by Continental Scientific Drilling Program corehole VC-2A at Sulfur Springs, in the western ring-fracture zone of the Valles caldera, New Mexico. This mineralization is hosted by fractured, quartz-sericitized, intracaldera ash-flow tuffs younger than 1.12 Ma. The molybdenite is an unusual, poorly crystalline variety that occurs in vuggy veinlets and breccia cements also containing quartz, sericite (illite), pyrite, and fluorite, as well as local sphalerite, rhodochrosite, and chalcopyrite. Fluid-inclusion data suggest that this assemblage was deposited from very dilute solutions at temperatures near 200/sup 0/C. Geochemical modeling indicates that under restricted pH and fO/sub 2/ conditions at 200/sup 0/C, the molybdenite and associated phases would be in equilibrium with hydrothermal fluids now circulating in the deep subsurface. The shallow molybdenite zone intersected in VC-2A may be the near-surface expression of deep, Climax-type stockwork molybdenum mineralization.

Fault interaction and along-strike variation in throw in the Pajarito fault system, Rio Grande rift, New Mexico

The seismically active Pajarito fault system (PFS) of northern New Mexico, United States, is a complex zone of deformation made up of many laterally discontinuous faults and associated folds and fractures that interact in ways that have important implications for seismic hazards. Mapping and drilling projects in the PFS provide new insights into the structural geometry and paleoseismic history of the fault system. A 1.25 Ma old datum (the Bandelier Tuff) and high-resolution digital elevation data allow construction of throw-length profiles along the entire length of the PFS, revealing primary geometric features previously unrecognized. The fault system as a whole consists of numerous closely spaced overlapping sections ~8–14 km long. Slip maxima in some cases occur near the centers of these sections, and in others they are shifted toward one end. Along-strike asymmetrical throw profiles and throw deficits indicate fault branching, merging, and strain transfer. This pattern results from processes of fault linkage and conservation of strain on diverse structures of a large fault system. New mapping reveals that the northern end of the Pajarito fault terminates in a wide zone of extensional monoclines and discontinuous, small-displacement faults, and interacts with nearby antithetic faults. New paleoseismic data from a normal fault splay, interpreted in light of previous paleoseismic work, argue for three Holocene surface-rupturing earthquakes; one ca. 1.4 thousand calendar years ago (1.4 cal ka) on the Pajarito fault, a second 6.5–5.2 ka ago on the Pajarito fault that is consistent with an event 6.5–4.2 ka ago on the Guaje Mountain fault, and a third ca. 9 ka ago on both the Pajarito and the Rendija Canyon faults. This paleoseismic event chronology demonstrates that the Pajarito fault often ruptures alone, but sometimes ruptures either with the Rendija Canyon or the Guaje Mountain fault. When this occurs, the resultant seismic moment and therefore the earthquake magnitude are larger than when the main Pajarito fault ruptures alone. Evidence for fault interaction, and the presence of prominent bends in the Pajarito fault system, imply structural control of paleoseismicity and neoseismicity and suggest the potential for stress concentrations and earthquake triggering in complex linking fault systems.

Comparison of SAR techniques for luminescence dating of sediments derived from volcanic tuff

Abstract In this investigation we evaluate several proposed optically stimulated luminescence single-aliquot regeneration (OSL SAR) procedures to determine which technique has the greatest potential to yield accurate ages for samples collected from tuff-derived alluvial sediments within the narrow, sharply incised canyon systems of the Pajarito Plateau of northern New Mexico. The SAR data collection methods evaluated are: infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL), post-IR blue-OSL, IRSL with TL annealing cycles on polymineral fine-grains, and blue-OSL on quartz fine sand. A single-grain laser luminescence (SGLL) procedure for quartz sand is also evaluated. Age estimates obtained from these methods are compared with radiocarbon, soil PDI (profile development index), and IRSL multi-aliquot additive dose (MAAD) age constraints. Our results indicate that the modal D e of quartz sand SGLL dose distributions yield ages that are consistent with radiocarbon and PDI age constraints for the tuff derived sediments in this investigation and appears to be the most promising method for studies in this area. Additionally, two fine-grained polymineral methods, IRSL SAR and traditional IRSL MAAD, produced ages that were generally in agreement with the SGLL ages and with available 14 C and PDI age constraints. At the present stage of research, we advocate using quartz sand SGLL in conjunction with IRSL SAR or even IRSL MAAD for polymineral fine-grains to provide the most robust and reliable luminescence age data sets for tuff-derived sediments.

Total station geologic mapping: an innovative approach to analyzing surface-faulting hazards

Abstract We have developed an innovative application of high-precision geologic mapping with an electronic total station to assess the potential for seismic surface rupture in areas of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Our method of total station mapping enables recognition of secondary faults, with as little as 30 cm of vertical displacement that are not exposed at the surface, have no topographic expression, and would otherwise likely go unnoticed. It has been applied to preclude the presence of faulting in large areas (several km2) of proposed and existing critical facilities at LANL. The method involves surveying of points on geologic features, and detailed computer-aided and field analyses of anomalies in the elevations of surveyed points. We examine vertical anomalies in elevations that are the result of dominantly normal and reverse faulting; however, the method could also be applied to strike-slip faulting. Surveying of geologic contacts allows for easy integration of geologic data into a Geographical Information System (GIS) and detailed 3D analysis of small-scale structures. Field data are analyzed in profiles, 3D surface diagrams, and maps that are constructed with a variety of commercially available software packages. We apply the method to delineate volcanic map-unit boundaries in the 1.2-million-year-old Tshirege Member of the Bandelier Tuff to characterize portions of the Pajarito fault system. The ability of this method to identify faults with very small displacements that otherwise might be unrecognizable allows for discrimination of varying styles of deformation, decreases in displacement along strike through splaying into many smaller faults, monoclinal flexures, and cross structures between faults.

Spatial and temporal trends in pre-caldera Jemez Mountains volcanic and fault activity

New 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dates from the Jemez Mountain volcanic field (JMVF) reveal formerly unrecognized shifts in the loci of pre-caldera volcanic centers across the northern Jemez Mountains; these shifts are interpreted to coincide with episodes of Rio Grande rift faulting. Early activity in the field includes two eruptive pulses: 10.8–9.2 Ma basaltic to dacitic volcanism on Lobato Mesa in the northeastern JMVF and 12–9 Ma mafic to silicic volcanism in the southwestern JMVF. While 9–7 Ma eruptions persisted in the southern JMVF, a new eruptive center developed on the La Grulla Plateau in the northwestern JMVF (8.7–7.2 Ma), corresponding with a period of rift widening caused by reactivation of Laramide faults in this area. The older 8.7–7.8 Ma mafic lavas emitted from Encino Point and the younger 7.7–7.2 Ma trachyandesite and dacite erupted on the La Grulla Plateau are assigned to a new unit called the La Grulla Formation. The chemical composition of a 640 m stack of lava flows exposed in the northern margin of the Valles caldera changes from dacite to andesite, then back to dacite upsection, becoming slightly more alkalic upward. The shift to more alkalic compositions occurs across a sedimentary break, marking a subtle change in magma source for the older Paliza Canyon Formation and the younger La Grulla Formation lavas. New age constraints from a rhyolite intrusion in the southern JMVF and pumiceous rhyolite deposits in the northern JMVF suggest an episode of localized, 7.6–7.8 Ma rhyolitic volcanism that occurred in the central part of the JMVF between 12–8 Ma Canovas Canyon Rhyolite and 7–6 Ma peak Bearhead Rhyolite volcanism. Younger Bearhead Rhyolite intrusions (7.1–6.5 Ma) are more widespread than previously documented, extending into the northeastern JMVF. Tschicoma Formation dacite erupted at 5 Ma in the Sierra de los Valles and then erupted throughout the northeastern JMVF 5–2 Ma. The more refined geochronology of the JMVF indicates that pre-caldera volcanic centers were characterized by geographically and chemically distinct, relatively short-lived, episodes of activity. Volcanism generally migrated eastward through time in the southern JMVF, but the pattern in the northern JMVF had a more complex east (10–9 Ma) to west (9–7 Ma) to east (5–2 Ma) pattern that reflects the timing of motion on faults. The new ages, coupled with detailed mapping of both volcanic rocks and the Santa Fe Group, document significant pulses of faulting, erosion, and deposition during middle Miocene time and during late Miocene time across the Canones fault zone in the northern JMVF.

Paleomagnetism of the Quaternary Bandelier Tuff: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Española Basin, Rio Grande rift

We present newly acquired paleomagnetic data from Bandelier Tuff exposures in the Jemez Mountains (New Mexico) that show no statistically significant tectonic rotation over Quaternary time. Cooling units of the tuff were mapped in detail and correlated using new geochemical data, allowing us to confidently sample isochronous units for paleomagnetic remanence directions. In total, 410 specimens were subjected to step-wise thermal and alternating field demagnetization. Of the 40 accepted site means, 30 have α 95 values ≤5°. Analysis of the geographic distribution of the site-mean declinations of the data set reveals no statistically significant tectonic rotation either across (northwest/southeast) the northeast-striking Jemez fault or across (east/west) the north-striking Pajarito fault zone. Similarly, our data do not record any measurable relative change in declination difference (−1.1° ± 1.6°) that could be interpreted as a rotation over the ∼0.36 m.y. time duration between deposition of the two principal stratigraphic members of the Bandelier Tuff. The step-over discussed in this paper is an area of exceptional structural complexity and, as such, meets the definition of “accommodation zone.” We propose the name “Jemez-Embudo accommodation zone” for this composite of structural and volcanic features in recognition of its regional importance in the evolution of the Rio Grande rift. In this part of the rift, where Proterozoic- and Laramide-age faults have preconditioned the crust, idealized relay ramps, prevalent locally, do not occur at the regional scale. Instead, transfer fault zones have developed between half grabens dominated by preexisting faults. The pattern of faulting and accommodation of strain in the right-relayed step-over of the rift has been more or less invariant since the onset of rifting. From a global perspective, the difference between areas of modest crustal extension dominated by distributed deformation and those regions that develop transfer fault zones may ultimately be diagnostic of crustal conditioning and fault strength, such that weak fault systems focus strain within narrow zones.

Third hole planned at Valles Caldera

Valles caldera, N. Mex., is the culmination of more than 13 million years of volcanism in the Jemez volcanic field and is an excellent model for resurgent calderas and for the high-temperature geothermal systems found with them. This month one of the biggest diamond drills in the world will start the third research core hole in the caldera. Valles Caldera 2B will be the tenth core hole in the Department of Energys Continental Scientific Drilling Program. CSDP drilling in the 1.1-million-year-old caldera began in 1984 in the southwest moat zone when the research hole Valles Caldera 1 was continuously cored to 856 m. VC-1 intersected a hydrothermal outflow plume from the deep geothermal system. Data indicate multiple episodes of hydrothermal activity in the volcanic fields history, as well as multiple episodes of rhyolite magma generation during evolution of the caldera. The June 10, 1988 (vol. 63), issue of Journal of Geophysical Research—Solid Earth and Planets carried a special section on results from VC-1.