Active metasomatism in the Cerro Prieto geothermal system, Baja California, Mexico: A telescoped low-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic facies series

Research Article| January 01, 1984 Active metasomatism in the Cerro Prieto geothermal system, Baja California, Mexico: A telescoped low-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic facies series P. Schiffman; P. Schiffman 1Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar W. A. Elders; W. A. Elders 2Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California 92521 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. E. Williams; A. E. Williams 2Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California 92521 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. D. McDowell; S. D. McDowell 3Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D. K. Bird D. K. Bird 4Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information P. Schiffman 1Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 W. A. Elders 2Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California 92521 A. E. Williams 2Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, California 92521 S. D. McDowell 3Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931 D. K. Bird 4Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1984) 12 (1): 12–15. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1984)12<12:AMITCP>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation P. Schiffman, W. A. Elders, A. E. Williams, S. D. McDowell, D. K. Bird; Active metasomatism in the Cerro Prieto geothermal system, Baja California, Mexico: A telescoped low-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic facies series. Geology 1984;; 12 (1): 12–15. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1984)12<12:AMITCP>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract In the Cerro Prieto geothermal field, carbonate-cemented, quartzofeldspathic sediments of the Colorado River delta are being actively metasomatized into calc-silicate metamorphic rocks by reaction with alkali chloride brines between 200 and 370 °C, at low fluid and lithostatic pressures and low oxygen fugacities. Our petrologic investigations of drill cores and cuttings from more than 50 wells in this field identified a prograde series of zones that include as index minerals wairakite, epidote, prehnite, and clinopyroxene. Associated divariant mineral assemblages are indicative of a very low pressure, low-temperature metamorphic facies series spanning the clay-carbonate, zeolite, greenschist, and amphibolite facies. This hydro-thermal facies series, which is now recognized in other active geothermal systems, is characterized by temperature-telescoped dehydration and decarbonation. Its equivalent can now be sought in fossil hydrothermal systems. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.