Secondary minerals associated with Lassen fumaroles and hot springs: Implications for martian hydrothermal deposits

McHenry, Lindsay J.; Carson, G. L.; Dixon, Darian T.; Vickery, Christopher L.

doi:10.2138/am-2017-5839

Cited by 19 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…There are abundant examples of the co-occurrence of fumarolic and hot spring activity on the Earth that include elemental S and S-rich minerals in rocks and soils in close proximity to hot spring sinter deposits (e.g., Day and Allen, 1925;White, 1957;Ellis and Mahon, 1964;Sorey et al, 1991;Bignall and Browne, 1994;McHenry et al, 2017). In fact, the co-occurrence of acid-sulfate leaching and hot spring sinter deposits is a recognized feature of hydrothermal systems throughout the geological record used to guide mineral exploration (e.g., Tritlla et al, 2004;Van Kranendonk and Pirajno, 2004;Bethke et al, 2005;Sillitoe and Hedenquist, 2005).…”

Section: Proximity To S-rich Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results demonstrate that a volcanic hydrothermal system manifesting both hot spring/geyser and fumarolic activity best explains Home Plate silica deposits and nearby S-rich soils. The co-occurrence of these hydrothermal manifestations has long been recognized on Earth (e.g., Day and Allen, 1925;White, 1957;Ellis and Mahon, 1964;Sorey et al, 1991;Bignall and Browne, 1994;McHenry et al, 2017) and likely also occurred in ancient hydrothermal systems on Mars.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Case for Ancient Hot Springs in Gusev Crater, Mars

et al. 2020

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The origin and age of opaline silica deposits discovered by the Spirit rover adjacent to the Home Plate feature in the Columbia Hills of Gusev crater remains debated, in part because of their proximity to sulfur-rich soils. Processes related to fumarolic activity and to hot springs and/or geysers are the leading candidates. Both processes are known to produce opaline silica on Earth, but with differences in composition, morphology, texture, and stratigraphy. Here, we incorporate new and existing observations of the Home Plate region with observations from field and laboratory work to address the competing hypotheses. The results, which include new evidence for a hot spring vent mound, demonstrate that a volcanic hydrothermal system manifesting both hot spring/ geyser and fumarolic activity best explains the opaline silica rocks and proximal S-rich materials, respectively. The opaline silica rocks most likely are sinter deposits derived from hot spring activity. Stratigraphic evidence indicates that their deposition occurred before the emplacement of the volcaniclastic deposits comprising Home Plate and nearby ridges. Because sinter deposits throughout geologic history on Earth preserve evidence for microbial life, they are a key target in the search for ancient life on Mars.

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Section: Proximity To S-rich Soilsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Case for Ancient Hot Springs in Gusev Crater, Mars

et al. 2020

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“…Previous studies focused primarily on hydrothermal features and alteration related to Lassen's active hydrothermal system, including characterization of Bumpass Hell, Sulphur Works, Little Hot Springs Valley, and Morgan and Growler Hot Springs (Figs. 2 and 3E;Day and Allen, 1925;Anderson, 1935;Muffler et al, 1982Muffler et al, , 1983Thompson, 1985;Ingebritsen and Sorey, 1985;Sorey and Ingebritsen, 1995;Janik and McLaren, 2010;Ingebritsen et al, 2016;McHenry et al, 2017). Rose et al (1994) conducted an oxygen-isotope study of Brokeoff volcano mostly using weakly altered volcanic rock samples and showed whole-rock δ 18 O depletion relative to magmatic values in broad areas outside the areas affected by the modern hydrothermal system.…”

Section: ■ Hydrothermal Alteration and Hydrothermal Systems In Brokeomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lassen's modern hydrothermal activity produces steam-heated alteration from acid-sulfate fluids formed where ascending H 2 S-rich steam condenses Research Paper in shallow, oxygenated ground water (e.g., Day and Allen, 1925;Muffler et al, 1982;Clynne et al, 2003;Janik and McLaren, 2010;McHenry et al, 2017). This alteration consists mostly of mixtures of smectite, kaolinite, alunite, opal-A, and cristobalite with accessory iron and aluminum sulfate minerals above the water table and pyrite below the water table.…”

Section: Ancient and Modern Hydrothermal Alteration Zones In Brokeoffmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pleistocene hydrothermal activity on Brokeoff volcano and in the Maidu volcanic center, Lassen Peak area, northeast California: Evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal systems on stratovolcanoes

et al. 2019

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Partially eroded stratovolcanoes worldwide, notably Mounts Rainier and Adams in the Cascades and several volcanoes in Japan, record episodic periods of eruption and geothermal activity that produce zones of hydrothermal alteration. The partly eroded core of late Pleistocene Brokeoff volcano on the south side of Lassen Peak exposes the upper 1 km of multiple ancient (ca. 410-300 ka) magmatic-hydrothermal alteration zones in a 3.5 by 5 km area that allows characterization of the three-dimensional hydrothermal evolution of the volcano. Both acid-and neutral-pH hydrothermal solutions produced distinctive alteration mineral assemblages in close proximity. Early hydrothermal activity is characterized by alunite-rich alteration that is temporally and spatially related to shallow intrusions in the center of the volcano. Younger acid alteration and a large area of neutral-pH alteration formed along the volcano's flanks. The neutral-pH alteration is vertically zoned over 1000 m from shallow zeolite ± adularia through intermediate argillic (smectite-pyrite ± illite) to deep propylitic (chlorite-calcite-albite-illite) alteration. Pleistocene alteration is partly overprinted by surficial, steam-heated alteration related to Lassen's modern hydrothermal activity. A large (~3.5 km 2), shallow (≤300 m), ca. 1.5 Ma alunite-rich magmatic-hydrothermal alteration zone is exposed on the northeast flank of the nearby Maidu volcanic center. Hydrothermal activity occurred just prior to, or at the beginning of, major eruptive periods on both volcanoes. Fluid flow and hydrothermal alteration were controlled by primary permeability (lateral fluid flow driven by paleotopographic groundwater gradients in volcaniclastic rocks), steeply dipping fractures in more deeply exposed parts of alunite-rich alteration zones, and inferred basement structures. Stable-isotope data indicate hydrothermal fluids were mixtures of variably exchanged meteoric and magmatic waters. Variations in types of hydrothermal alteration and fluid compositions may reflect a temporal increase in depth of magma emplacement and degassing that resulted in increased interaction with and neutralization by wall rocks during ascent of magmatic gases. Alteration zones on both volcanoes are not strongly mineralized, probably reflecting relatively low amounts of magmatic acid, sulfur, and chlorine consistent with degassing of small volumes of pyroxene andesite magma compared to large dacite and/or granodiorite batholiths that form significant epithermal and porphyry deposits.

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“…However, the fumarolic environment itself should not make for any assumption of anhydrous sulfate formation, because fumaroles of volcanic origin are often associated with hydrothermal springs. In such cases, and along with humid conditions, the formation of hydrated phases is favored . The chemical composition of these minerals varies and is very dependent upon local conditions such as the composition of the emitted gases or the wall rocks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raman spectroscopic study of six synthetic anhydrous sulfates relevant to the mineralogy of fumaroles

Košek

Culka

Jehlička

2018

J Raman Spectroscopy

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Fumaroles, vents that emit hot gases and vapor, are an accompanying phenomenon of volcanic activity. Such phenomena are also observed within the framework of self‐ignited burning coal seams and coal heap fires, if less commonly. The high temperatures and chemical reactions between the gas and solid phases are responsible for extensive alteration of surrounding rocks, resulting in mineral encrustations of unusual compositions. Rare anhydrous sulfates (millosevichite, mikasaite, efremovite, godovikovite, sabieite, and steklite) are signature minerals of fumarole encrustations. Comprehensive Raman data for these anhydrous phases are required for the successful identification of natural samples by Raman spectroscopy. Six synthetic equivalents of the natural anhydrous sulfates were prepared by heating of the hydrated analogues and were investigated using both a bench‐top Raman microspectrometer and a portable Raman spectrometer. This comparative approach can help further steps for the successful deployments of miniature Raman tools in situ under field conditions. The studied anhydrous sulfates displayed distinctive Raman spectra of their crystalline phases. Compared with their fully hydrated counterparts, a shifting of bands of the ν1 symmetric stretching mode was observed in the Raman spectra of all samples. Isostructural millosevichite and mikasaite have very distinctive Raman spectra; however, structurally related godovikovite, sabieite, and steklite show very similar spectral shapes. For ammonium‐bearing phases (efremovite, godovikovite, sabieite), the Raman signatures of the NH4 group were observable at >2,800 cm−1 and in the 1,400–1,800 cm−1 region. Our measurements show that the performance of a light‐weight portable Raman spectrometer with near infrared excitation was sufficient for the unambiguous discrimination of the investigated sulfates.

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Secondary minerals associated with Lassen fumaroles and hot springs: Implications for martian hydrothermal deposits

Cited by 19 publications

References 51 publications

The Case for Ancient Hot Springs in Gusev Crater, Mars

The Case for Ancient Hot Springs in Gusev Crater, Mars

Pleistocene hydrothermal activity on Brokeoff volcano and in the Maidu volcanic center, Lassen Peak area, northeast California: Evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal systems on stratovolcanoes

Raman spectroscopic study of six synthetic anhydrous sulfates relevant to the mineralogy of fumaroles

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