Tectonic windows are faulted escarpments that expose extensive sections of <em>in situ</em> oceanic crust, providing valuable opportunities to examine upper crustal architecture from a perspective unmatched by other approaches. Recent investigations of tectonic windows by submersible (<em>Alvin, Nautile</em>) and remotely-operated vehicle (<em>Jason II</em>) have recovered an unprecedented suite of dikes and lavas. We focus on compositions of dikes and lavas from intermediate- and super-fast rate crust exposed, respectively, in the Western Blanco Transform (BT) fault and the Pito Deep Rift (PD), to better understand accretionary processes at mid-ocean ridges. In the BT, the upper lavas are generally more primitive than the lower lavas, supporting geophysical and geological studies that suggest off-axis volcanism plays an important role in constructing the upper crust at intermediate-rate spreading centers. The wide range in lava compositions exposed along the BT scarp also lends caution to studies that rely on surface lavas to determine the evolution of sub-axial magmatic conditions.The PD suite allows us to examine accretionary processes over an impressive temporal range, including long-term (millions of years) changes in mantle composition and medium-rate (100s of ka) changes in magmatic regime. Compositions of adjacent dikes reveal that the ocean crust is heterogeneous on short time (<10>ka) and spatial (meters) scales, reflecting along-axis transport of magma from chemically heterogeneous portions of the melt lens. High compositional variability was also observed in adjacent dikes from Hess Deep (HD), a tectonic window into fast-rate crust, suggesting that lateral dike intrusion occurs at all mid-ocean ridges. PD lavas are offset to lower density compositions compared to dikes, an observation previously made in HD, but made here for the first time in other dike-lava populations, suggesting that buoyancy plays a major role in partitioning magma between dikes and lavas. A model for intrusion of a single dike shows that crustal density, magma pressure, and tectonic stress affect the intensity of density-based magma partitioning in a systematic way that can be related to compositions of dike-lava populations. / Dissertation

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit dem zeitlichen Verlauf und den Gründen des Wechsels zwischen zwei magmatischen Regimen während der Hebung der Zentralen Anden. Das ältere vulkanische Regime wird durch miozäne Schildvulkane repräsentiert, die voluminöse Lavaströme hinterließen. Das zweite Regime besteht aus differenzierteren, steilen Stratovulkanen, mit einem weitaus geringeren Eruptionsvolumen.

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After water vapour, CO₂ is the most abundant gas associated with magmatic hydrothermal systems. The detection of anomalous soil temperature gradients, and/or a significant flux of magmatic volatiles, is commonly the only surface signature of an underlying high temperature reservoir. For both heat (as water vapour) and gas to ascend to the surface, structural permeability must exist, as the unmodified bulk permeability of reservoir rock is too low to generate the focussed fluid flow typical of magmatic hydrothermal systems. This thesis reports the investigation into the surface heat and mass flow of the Ohaaki hydrothermal field using detailed surface measurements of CO₂ flux and heat flow. Detailed surface measurements form the basis of geostatistical models that quantify and depict the spatial variability of surface heat and mass flow, across the surface of both major thermal areas, as high resolution pixel plots. These maps, in conjunction with earlier heat and mass flow studies, enable: (i) estimates of the pre-production and current CO₂ emissions and heat flow for the Ohaaki Field; (ii) interpretation of the shallow permeability structures governing fluid flow, and; (iii) the spatial relationships between pressure-induced ground subsidence and permeability. Heat flow and CO₂ flux surveys indicate that at Ohaaki the soil zone is the dominant (≥ 70% and up to 99%) pathway of heat and mass release to the atmosphere from the underlying hydrothermal reservoir. Modelling indicates that although the total surface heat and mass flow at Ohaaki is small, it is highly focused (i.e., high volume per unit area) relative to other fields within the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ). Normalised CO₂ emissions are comparable to other volcanic and hydrothermal fields both regionally and globally. Despite 20 years of production, there is little difference between pre-production and current CO₂ emission rates. However, the similarity of CO₂ emission rates masks a 40% increase in CO₂ emissions from new areas of intense steaming ground that have developed in response to production of the field for electrical energy production. This increase in thermal ground emissions is offset by emission losses associated with the drying up of all steam heated pools and alkali-Cl outflows from the Ohaaki West (OHW) thermal area, in response to production-induced pressure decline. The location of surface thermal areas is governed by the occurrence of buried or partially emergent lava domes, whereas the magnitude of CO₂ flux, mass flow, and heat flow occurring within each thermal area is determined by the proximity of each dome (thermal areas) to major upflow zones. Buried or partially emergent silicic lava domes act as cross-stratal pathways for fluid flow, connecting the underlying reservoir to the surface, and bypassing several hundred metres of the poorly permeable Huka Falls Formation (HFF) caprock. For each dome complex the permeable structures governing fluid flow are varied. At Ohaaki West, thermal activity is controlled by a deep-rooted concentric fracture zone, developed during eruption of the Ohaaki Rhyolite dome. Within the steam-heated Ohaaki East (OHE) thermal area, flow is controlled by a high permeability fault damage zone (Broadlands Fault) developed within the apex of the Broadlands Dacite dome. Structures controlling alkali-Cl fluid flow at OHW also iii appear to control the occurrence and shape of major subsidence bowls (e.g., the Main Ohaaki Subsidence Bowl), the propagation of pressure decline to surface, and the development and localization of pore fluid drainage. Across the remainder of the Ohaaki field low amplitude ground subsidence is controlled by the extent of aquifer and aquitard units that underlie the HFF, and proximity to the margins of the hot water reservoir. The correlation between the extent of low amplitude ground subsidence and the margins of the field reflects the coupled relationship between the hot water reservoir and reservoir pressure. Only where thick vapour-phase zones buffer the vertical propagation of deep-seated pressure decline to the surface (i.e., OHE thermal area), is ground subsidence not correlated with subvertical structural permeability developed within the HFF. This thesis makes contributions to regional and global research on geothermal and hydrothermal systems by: (i) quantifying the origin, mass, and upward transport of magmatic carbon from geothermal reservoirs; (ii) assessing the changes to the natural surface heat and mass flow of the Ohaaki Field following 20 years of production; (iii) establishing the utility of surface CO₂ flux and heat flow surveys to identify major upflow zones, estimate minimum mass flow, and determine the enthalpy of reservoirs; (iv) providing insight into the hydrothermal, structural and lithological controls over hydrothermal fluid flow; (v) demonstrating the influence of extinct silicic lava domes as important structural elements in the localisation of hydrothermal fluid flow; (vi) identifying the hydrostructural controls governing the spatial variability in the magnitude of pressure-induced ground subsidence, from which predictive models of subsidence risk may be defined, and; (vii) developing new technologies and characterising methods used for detailed assessment of surface heat and mass flow.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 556-580). / Microfiche. / 2 v. (xv, 580 leaves, bound) ill., maps, col. photos. 29 cm

Thèse (M.Sc.T.) -- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 2004. / Bibliogr.: f. 119-123. Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

This study lias initiated with the aim of identifying the existence of any geochemical criteria which may be used to distinguish between the various volcanic formations within the Witwatersrand triad. The Witwatersrand triad comprises three sequences: the Dominion Group at the base, the Witwatersrand Supergroup in the middle, and the Ventersdorp Supergroup at the top. It is underlain by Archaean basement rocks, and covered by rocks of the Transvaal sequence. The Dominion Group consists of the sedimentary Rhenosterspruit quartzite Formation at the base, overlain by a bimodal component of the Syferfontein Porphyry succession of lavas. Basaltic lavas are the major component of the Rhenosterhoek Formation, while the overlying Formation consists primarily of dacitic porphyries. Intercalations of one lava type within the other are common, however, so each formation is not the exclusive domain of only one lava type. The Witwatersrand Supergroup, a predominantly argillaceous and arenaceous sequence, contains two narrow volcanic horizons, one of wbich, the Jeppestown Amygdaloid (now Crown Formation), consisting of tholeiitic andesites, occurs in the study area. The overlying Ventersdorp Supergroup has, at its base, the basaltic Klipriviersberg Group, of which four out of six formations are present in the study area, namely, the Alberton, Orkney, Loraine and Edenville Formations. This group is succeeded unconformably by the PIatberg Group, consisting of the sedimentary Kameel doorns Formation, followed by the (informal) Goedgenoeg, Makwassie Quartz Porphyry and Rietgat Formations. The Goedgenoeg and Rietgat Formations are basaltic, whil e the Mawassie rocks range from basaltic to dacitic, the majority being tholeiitic andesites and andesites . The Pniel sequence at the top of the Ventersdorp Supergroup consists of the sedimentary Bothaville Formation, and the Allarridge Formation, the lavas of which are basaltic with some andesitic tendencies. A well-defined geochemical stratigraphy was found to exist. From the eleven volcanic formations examined, nine distinct geochemical units emerged, as the Loraine and Edenville Formations were found to have the same geochemical characteristics, as did the Goedgenoeg and Rietgat Formations. Despite having undergone law-grade greenschist facies metamorphism, very clear variation patterns with height are displayed by the immobile elements Ti, P, Kb, Zr and Y, and the light rare earth elements La, Ce and Nd. In contrast, much scatter was observed in the variation patterns of Na, K, Mn, Ba and Rb. Three techniques were employed to effect discrimination between formations - orthosonal discrimination, interelement and ratio vs ratio plots, and discriminant analysis. Confidence limits placed on normal probability plots served to isolate outlier samples for further examination by the various discrimination techniques. A successful test of the efficacy of the discrimination techniques was afforded when fourteen samples from an unknown succession were positively identified as representative of the Klipriviersberg Group

The volume of lava flows provide important information on the magnitude of volcanic eruptions, and accurate volumes are necessary to produce reliable models of lava flow emplacement or constrain the internal structure of volcanoes. The most accurate lava flow volumes are obtainable when the topography before and after an eruption are both known, but information for the topography before lava flow emplacement is absent in non-historic lava flows. To calculate the volume of non-historic lava flows, this pre-emplacement topography needs to be reconstructed. Common methods for this include using inverse distance-weighted averages or global polynomial interpolation methods, but these can still underestimate the volume of the flow, and the surface of the flow itself is not considered in these interpolations. A new calculation method seems necessary to better constrain the volume of lava flows, and including the lava flow surface in the volume calculation, given that it is generally excluded during interpolation of pre-emplacement topography, may be the solution to improving lava flow volume calculation for flows where the base surface is unknown. The 2012-2013 Tolbachik lava flow is used to look at potential relationships due to the availability of elevation data before and after the eruption. A quantitative analysis on the relationships between the slope of topography before and after lava flow emplacement and on the relationship between the slope and thickness of lava flows is performed. In addition to this, the slope of the topography calculated over local and regional scales is used as a new interpolation method, and the calculated thickness from the interpolated surface is compared to the known thickness for the lava flow.

One of the most interesting questions about Mars is if life ever existed on it. One of the main requirements for life to exist as we know it is the presence of liquid water. It has been suggested by Martín-Torres et al. (2015a) that a daily-transient liquid water cycle takes place on the surface of Mars through deliquescence and efforescence (binding and releasing of water vapour) of perchloratic salts in the Martian soil. Given the right conditions regarding water activity and temperature, certain planetary areas have been defined as Special Regions where there is a chance of life-form reproduction to occur (Kminek et al. 2017). Sub-surface cavities and caves are defined as such and are still a relatively unexplored and not yet studied feature of the Martian surface. This report is an assessment of the environmental conditions in Martian subsurface cavities such as caves and how it can be considered as a Special Region. Based on observations of lava tubes made by Cushing and Titus (2010) with atmospheric and thermal data from REMS on board the Curiosity rover by Martín-Torres et al. (2015b), simulation models were set up in ANSYS Fluent to examine the behaviour of the temperature and relative humidity within these caves. Different properties of the studied models included size, shape, inclination, materials of the ground composition and air flow behaviour. The results showed that a cave roof with a thickness greater than 1-2 m prevents the ground temperature variation during the day to have any considerable impact on the air temperature in the cave which implies that the thermal waves are the main driving factor of the thermal environment in larger models. The average temperature and relative humidities throughout the entire models resulted in unfavourable conditions (relative humidity under 20% RH) to allow for any perchloratic salts to hydrate or form brines. The most interesting results were found in smaller models where different phenomena with higher relative humidity near the floor and in corners occurred for several hours during the same day. This happened at certain times during the day (LMST 7 and 17) when the inlet temperature surpassed the average temperature in the cave and resulted in relative humidities of up to 90% RH which potentially could allow perchloratic salts to stay in brine form, or at least in a hydrated state throughout the day. While the low temperatures in today's Martian caves may be too harsh for life forms to exist, a previous warmer climate might have allowed for extremophiles to thrive in highly saline solutions. This could be an implication that Martian caves should be defined as Special Regions and that further studies should be done on the subject.

Master of Science / Geology / Matthew E. Brueseke / The Upper Wind River Basin (UWRB) is located in north-central Wyoming, to the south of the Yellowstone National Park boundary and east of Jackson Hole. Both Lava Mountain and Spring Mountain are Quaternary volcanoes in the UWRB. Lava Mountain is a shield volcano composed of 26 separate lavas capped by a scoria cone. Spring Mountain is located about ~36 km east of Lava Mountain, north of Dubois, WY, where eruptions of basalt cut through Paleocene and Eocene strata. The goal of this study aims to reconstruct the petrogenesis of magmas erupted at both volcanoes using geochemical, petrographic, and isotopic analyses. Important local events in geologic history played a large role in the development of the UWRB. This includes a long history of ancient and Cenozoic subduction, regional extension, and also the migration of the North American plate over the Yellowstone hotspot. The few previous studies on Lava Mountain claim the rocks are mafic in composition, however this was based solely on reconnaissance geological mapping. Geochemical evidence presented in this thesis show Lava Mountain rocks range from basaltic andesite to dacite. Basaltic andesite and dacite are interstratified at the base until approximately 2774 m; the rest of the volcano is andesite. All Lava Mountain samples are largely aphanitic and crystal-poor. Conversely, at Spring Mountain, localized normal faulting controls the location of eruptions of olivine-rich basalt. Petrographic analysis for both Lava Mountain and Spring Mountain display a range of evidence for open system processes, including sieved and/or resorbed pyroxenes, olivines and feldspars, as well as xenocrysts that suggest an influence from crustal assimilation. A petrogenetic model is introduced that discusses how Lava Mountain magma production occurred via fractional crystallization of basalt to dacite, then magma mixing of basaltic andesite and dacite, coupled with small amounts of crustal assimilation, to form the locally erupted andesites. All samples, including Spring Mountain basalts, have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopes of 0.70608 and 0.70751, with ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopes of 0.51149 and 0.51157 and εNd values of -18 to -22. Pb isotopes plot to the left of the Geochron and directly on to slightly above the Stacey-Kramers curve. Strontium, neodymium, and lead isotope data suggest that Spring Mountain basalts are melts of ancient (e.g., 2.8 Ga Beartooth province) lithospheric mantle. The high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values and exceptionally low εNd values separate the UWRB rocks from both Yellowstone and Snake River Plain volcanics, and suggest they originated from a different magma source. Finally, thermal evidence suggests melting genesis for UWRB rocks may not be Yellowstone plume related; rather it is more likely linked to Cenozoic extension.