Geology Reports⌕ Search

Geology topics

Ivan Barnes

Publications and source records attributed to Ivan Barnes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2012

Tectonic relations of carbon dioxide discharges and earthquakes

CO 2 ‐rich springs occur worldwide along major zones of seismicity. They are mostly in young orogenic belts, but some are in areas of rifting continental platforms. Analyses of 13 C content indicate that much of the CO 2 is derived from the mantle and that other important sources are the metamorphism of marine carbonate‐bearing sedimentary rocks and the degradation of organic material. The presence of calc‐silicate minerals, such as pumpellyite in metagraywacke, is evidence of former conversion of carbonate‐bearing rocks into calc‐silicate minerals and release of CO 2 . The CO 2 pressure in fractured rocks of a fault zone reduces the effective normal stress and, if it is sufficiently great, allows the fault to slip. If the pressure were maintained at a sufficiently high level, the fault behavior might be characterized by frequent small earthquakes and aseismic creep such as occur along active segments of the San Andreas system. The presence of CO 2 ‐rich springs may indicate a potentially hazardous seismic region. Monitoring of CO 2 discharges could be useful in earthquake prediction.

Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth↗
USGS1984

Selenium concentrations in waters tributary to and in the vicinity of the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge, Fresno and Merced counties, California

Analyses were made for selenium in waters and other materials of the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge. Analyses were also made of source agricultural drainage waters from the San Luis Drain discharged into the refuge, and surrounding irrigation supply and return waters. Selenium concentrations range from 140 to 1 ,400 micrograms per liter (microgram/L) in irrigation drain waters supplied to the San Luis Drain. The selenium supplied to the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge is to a small extent precipitated in sodium sulfate (thenardite) but a higher concentration was found in an alagal mat. Most other waters of the area contain less than detectable < 2 micrograms per liter concentrations of selenium. Oxidation of organic matter and reduction of selenate to selenite were found to be necessary for a quantitative analysis of total selenium. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1984

MINERALOGICAL STUDIES OF THE HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEM IN NEWBERRY VOLCANO DRILL HOLE 2, OREGON.

Studies of secondary mineral distribution, whole-rock chemical compositions, isotopes, and fluid inclusions are being conducted on the core from Newberry Volcano drill hole 2. Rocks from the drill core are divided into 3 major intervals on the basis of their alteration pattern, which is controlled by rock permeabilities, primary lithologies, and temperatures. Incomplete alteration of pumice-rich lithic tuff layers in the upper part of the altered section and lack of self-sealing in fractures of most lava flows suggest that the hydrothermal system is young. Most of the secondary minerals could have been formed at temperatures near those present today; maximum measured temperature was 265 degree C at the bottom of the hole. Fluid inclusions indicate that past temperatures in the deeper part of the drill hole may have been as much as 100 degree C hotter than presently measured temperatures.

Conference Paper↗
USGS1979

Map showing occurrences of spring-deposited travertine in the conterminous Western United States

Extinct travertine terraces occur hundreds of meters above present levels of spring activity and have potentials for interpretation of ancient hydrologic systems, rates of downcutting, or rates of tectonic uplift that remain virtually unexploited. The abundance and size of extinct travertine deposits suggest that in many places, such as pinnacles at the southwest end of the Searles Lake basin, California, spring activity was once more widespread and copious than it is now. Travertine of Eocene age has been reported, and a scattering of later Tertiary occurrences is known. But where age has been inferred, the inferred ages are predominantly Pleistocene or younger. So travertine seems to be a geologically transient phenomenon, subject either to removal by erosion or to burial and disappearance. Many travertine deposits are known to be on or close to faults. Their occurrence in otherwise structurally featureless alluvial valleys may, therefore, suggest the possibility of a hidden fault. From the Front Range to the Pacific, more than 300 travertime deposits have been identified. The map shows that the deposits are widely dispersed. However, there are apparent groupings on the Wasatch Fault and associated tectonic areas trending northward in Utah and southern Idaho, and also near the great fault zone that marks the eastern boundary of the Sierra Nevada, California. (Lantz-PTT)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1978

Global distribution of carbon dioxide discharges, and major zones of seismicity

Carbon dioxide discharges of the circum-Pacific belt are in a seismically active zone and in part stem from contact metamorphism. Carbon dioxide discharges in Europe and Asia Minor, also in an area of high seismic activity, are in part from regional metamorphism and are in areas of very high heat flow.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1975

Geologic map showing springs rich in carbon dioxide or or chloride in California

Carbon dioxide- and chloride-rich springs occur in all geologic provinces in California, but are most abundant in the Coast Ranges and the Great Valley. The carbon-dioxide-rich springs issue mainly from Franciscan terrane; they also are rich in boron and are of the metamorphic type (White, 1957). Based on isotopic data, either the carbon dioxide or the water, or both, may be of metamorphic origin. Because of high magnesium values, the water of many of the carbon-dioxide-rich springs is thought to have passed through serpentinite. The chloride-rich waters are most common in rocks of the Great Valley sequence. Nearly all are more dilute than present-day sea water. The similarity in isotopic compositions of the metamorphic carbon-dioxide-rich water and the chloride-rich water may indicate a similar extent of water-rock interaction.

California↗
USGS1975

Geologic setting and chemical characteristics of hot springs in west-central Alaska

Numerous hot springs occur in a variety of geologic provinces in west-central Alaska. Granitic plutons are common to all the provinces, and the hot springs are spatially associated with the contacts of these plutons. Of 23 hot springs whose bedrock geology is known, all are within 4.8 km (3 mi) of a granitic pluton. The occurrence of hot springs, however, appears to be independent of the age, composition, or magmatic history of the pluton. Most of the analyzed hot springs appear to have chemical and isotopic compositions indicating that they were derived from deeply circulating meteoric water. About 25 percent of the analyzed hot springs show a distinct saline character with high concentrations of chloride, sodium, potassium, and calcium indicating either much more complex water-rock reactions than in the other hot springs or the addition of another type of water. Chemical geothermometers suggest subsurface temperatures in the general range of 70° to 160°C. If the hot spring waters have derived their heat solely from deep circulation, they must have reached depths of 2 to 5 km (6,000-15,000 ft), assuming geothermal gradients of 30° to 50°C/km. If a shallow igneous heat source exists in the area or if dilution or mixing has occurred, these depths may be shallower. The geologic and chemical data, although preliminary, suggest that most of the hot springs of west-central Alaska have relatively low subsurface temperatures and limited reservoir capacities in comparison with geothermal areas presently being utilized for electrical power generation. :The springs may, however, have some potential for limited power generation locally, if and when heat-exchange technology becomes available, as well as for space heating and agricultural uses.

Alaska↗
USGS1974

Special techniques for determining chemical properties of geothermal water

A reliable determination of the chemical composition of geothermal fluids may require special sampling and preservation techniques. A sample collected without pretreatment is usually adequate for the analysis of sodium, potassium, and chloride. Other constituents may require further treatment or even analysis in the field, depending on the data requirements. The collection and preservation methods described permit accurate results for 31 chemical variables, including major and minor chemical constituents.

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
USGS1973

Thermal and mineral waters of nonmeteoric origin, California Coast Ranges

Recent isotope studies show that the waters involved in a variety of geologic processes are dominantly the local meteoric water of each area. In most active geothermal systems, the D/H ratio of the hot water is nearly identical with the local cold meteoric water, but the O 18 /O 16 ratio has been shifted to a more positive value because of subsurface exchange with rocks. The numerous thermal springs of the Wilbur Springs mercury district, although rich in CO 2 , are otherwise similar in Cl content and isotopic composition to analyzed California oil-field waters. Some of the springs discharge near the tops of ridges. These relations cannot be explained by normal meteoric recharge. Water of isotopic composition similar to that of Wilbur Springs occurs in the Sulphur Bank mercury district 15 mi west of Wilbur Springs, but the Sulphur Bank water is higher in B and NH 3 and much lower in Cl than are the Wilbur and most oil-field waters. The Wilbur Springs and Sulphur Bank waters are enriched by ∼40‰ in δD and ∼13‰ in δO 18 relative to local meteoric waters of each area, and thus require processes that differ, at least in part, from most previously studied geothermal systems. The D enrichment, chemical composition, and ridge-top discharge are best explained by large proportions of nonmeteoric water. Wilbur Springs and Sulphur Bank may be dominated, respectively, by waters of connate and metamorphic origin, derived from reaction of ancient ocean waters and marine sediments, and now being forced out by pressures that are higher than hydrostatic. Present data indicate that the most saline of each of these types is more restricted in range of δD than are present-day meteoric waters of the same areas; complete flushing by existing or ancient meteoric waters is unlikely. Many springs in the region are chemically intermediate between the high- and low-chloride types and commonly mix near the surface in different proportions with local meteoric water. Many of these springs are associated with mercury deposits and Alpine serpentinites.

California↗
USGS1973

Geologic setting and chemical characteristics of hot springs in central and western Alaska

Numerous hot springs occur in a variety of geologic provinces in central and western Alaska. Granitic plutons are common to all the provinces and the hot springs are spatially associated with the contacts of these plutons. Of 23 hot springs whose bedrock geology is known, all occur within 3 miles of a granitic pluton. The occurrence of hot springs, however, appears to be independent of the age, composition, or magmatic history of the pluton. Preliminary chemical and isotopic analyses suggest the hot springs waters belong to two groups. Most of the analyzed hot springs appear to have chemical and Isotopic compositions indicating they were derived from deeply circulating meteoric water. About 25 percent of the analyzed hot springs show a distinct saline character with high concentrations of chloride, sodium, potassium, and calcium indicating either much more complex water rock reactions than occurred in the other hot springs or the addition of another type of water. The present chemical and isotopic data are insufficient to determine the source of the constituents of the saline hot springs. Chemical geothermometers suggest subsurface temperatures in the general range of 100&deg;C to 160&deg;C. If the hot spring waters have derived their heat solely from deep circulation, the waters must have reached depths of 9,000 to 15,000 feet, assuming geothermal gradients of 30&deg;C to 50&deg;C/km. If hot magmatic water has been added to the geothermal systems or if dilution or mixing has occurred, temperatures of 100&deg;C to 160&deg;C may be reached at shallower depths. The geologic and chemical data are too preliminary to make an estimate of the potential of the hot springs as a geothermal resource. The data suggest, however, that most of the hot springs of central and western Alaska have relatively low subsurface temperatures and limited reservoir capacities in comparison with geothermal areas presently being utilized for electrical power generation.

Alaska↗