Linking of regional and local hydrothermal systems in the mid-crust by shearing and faulting
- Oliver, Nicholas H. S.
DOIAbstract
The concentration of mass during regional metamorphism and metallogenesis requires interactions between regional and local hydrothermal systems that are scale- and time-dependent. During regional low- to medium-temperature metamorphism in which fluid flow is driven by broad thermal or mechanical gradients, fluid flow rates are (on average) <10−8 m/s, and are limited by restricted permeabilities and gentle gradients in hydraulic head. In contrast, coseismic fluid flow rates in major fault zones may reach ≥10^−2 m/s. As a consequence, there may be a limited capacity for individual faults to substantially control fluid flow in the region because of the large contrast in flow rates and permeabilities between faults and low permeability rocks. T...
Add to ORKG