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On the origin of mixed-layered clay minerals from the San Andreas Fault at 2.5–3 km vertical depth (SAFOD drillhole at Parkfield, California)

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Abstract

A detailed mineralogical study is presented of the matrix of mudrocks sampled from spot coring at three key locations along the San Andreas Fault Observatory at depth (SAFOD) drill hole. The characteristics of authigenic illite–smectite (I–S) and chlorite–smectite (C–S) mixed-layer mineral clays indicate a deep diagenetic origin. A randomly ordered I–S mineral with ca. 20–25% smectite layers is one of the dominant authigenic clay species across the San Andreas Fault zone (sampled at 3,066 and 3,436 m measured depths/MD), whereas an authigenic illite with ca. 2–5% smectite layers is the dominant phase beneath the fault (sampled at 3,992 m MD). The most smectite-rich mixed-layered assemblage with the highest water content occurs in the actively deforming creep zone at ca. 3,300–3,353 m (true vertical depth of ca. 2.7 km), with I–S (70:30) and C–S (50:50). The matrix of all mudrock samples show extensive quartz and feldspar (both plagioclase and K-feldspar) dissolution associated with the crystallization of pore-filling clay minerals. However, the effect of rock deformation in the matrix appears only minor, with weak flattening fabrics defined largely by kinked and fractured mica grains. Adopting available kinetic models for the crystallization of I–S in burial sedimentary environments and the current borehole depths and thermal structure, the conditions and timing of I–S growth can be evaluated. Assuming a typical K+ concentration of 100–200 ppm for sedimentary brines, a present-day geothermal gradient of 35°C/km and a borehole temperature of ca. 112°C for the sampled depths, most of the I–S minerals can be predicted to have formed over the last 4–11 Ma and are probably still in equilibrium with circulating fluids. The exception to this simple burial pattern is the occurrence of the mixed layered phases with higher smectite content than predicted by the burial model. These minerals, which characterize the actively creeping section of the fault and local thin film clay coating on polished brittle slip surfaces, can be explained by the influence of either cooler fluids circulating along this segment of the fault or the flow of K+-depleted brines.

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Acknowledgments

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG Project SCHL 1821/1-1 and 1–2), and the National Science Foundation (EAR-0345985) provided support for our SAFOD research. The CGS at the University of Strasbourg is thanked for allowing us access to their laboratory equipment. Thanks to Steve Hickman and John Solum for providing samples and to our colleagues from the SAFOD project for discussions. Chris Marone and an anonymous reviewer are thanked for helpful comments and corrections that resulted in an improved presentation of the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geozentrum Nordbayern, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schloβgarten 5, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    A. M. Schleicher

  2. Institut für Geographie und Geologie, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 17a, 17487, Greifswald, Germany

    L. N. Warr

  3. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    A. M. Schleicher & B. A. van der Pluijm

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  1. A. M. Schleicher
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Correspondence to A. M. Schleicher.

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Communicated by T.L. Grove.

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Schleicher, A.M., Warr, L.N. & van der Pluijm, B.A. On the origin of mixed-layered clay minerals from the San Andreas Fault at 2.5–3 km vertical depth (SAFOD drillhole at Parkfield, California). Contrib Mineral Petrol 157, 173–187 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-008-0328-7

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