Fluid flow scales: the time and spatial scales of metamorphic fluid events (ForMovFluid)

Third Party Funds Group - Sub project


Acronym: ForMovFluid

Start date : 01.07.2025


Overall project details

Overall project

Understanding the formation, movement, and host-rock interaction of upper crustal aqueous fluids on Earth, from rock grain to tectonic plate scale (ForMovFluid) Jan. 1, 2025 - Jan. 1, 2028

Project details

Scientific Abstract

This project targets to re-examine metabasaltic sills in the SW Scottish Highlands to identify reaction fronts formed dominantly through matter diffusion from adjacent metapelites. These reaction fronts will be used to delineate the true extent of metamorphic fluid penetration and to calculate time-integrated and time-averaged fluid fluxes. Additionally, reaction textures in mineralogically and chemically zoned metabasaltic sills will be analyzed to elucidate mineral dissolution and precipitation processes. These processes may have enriched or depleted metamorphic fluids in elements of economic significance, particularly those associated with orogenic ore deposits (e.g., gold (Au) deposits). This project aims to evaluate the roles of anisotropies and brittle-ductile processes in controlling the spatial extent and volume of metamorphic fluid flow. Multi-dimensional advective and diffusive flow models will be developed to investigate the mechanisms of reaction front formation and propagation, providing constraints on the timescales of metamorphic fluid events. The findings will offer new insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of metamorphic fluid flow during orogenesis. Additionally, deciphering fluid-rock interactions in these systems will advance our understanding of metal enrichment processes in fluids associated with metamorphism.

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Funding Source