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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1994; v. 78; p. 293-300;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1994.078.01.20
© 1994 Geological Society of London

Fluid Evolution: Migration and Precipitation of Hydrocarbons and Metals

The role of geopressure zones in the formation of hydrothermal Pb-Zn Mississippi Valley type mineralization in sedimentary basins

Anthony D. Fowler

Ottawa Carleton Geoscience Centre and Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, 770 King Edward Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5

Geopressure zones immediately subjacent to platform carbonate rocks can be modelled to serve as proximal sources of hydrothermal fluids for epigenetic Pb-Zn deposits in sedimentary basins. In some geopressure zones of the Gulf of Mexico, geothermal gradients can be as high as 10°C 100 m–1. This arises because the water-saturated geopressured shale masses act as thermal insulators. Geopressure zones may have sufficient fluid pressure to rupture overlying strata, providing a vertical conduit for hot mineralized brine to migrate directly into carbonate host rocks.