Geochemistry of hydrothermally altered rocks from Los Azufres geothermal field, Mexico

Qualitative and semi-quantitative studies of element mobility at Los Azufres geothermal field, Michoacán, Mexico, werecarried out, in order to get a better understanding of the hydrothermal alteration processes that affected the volcanic rocks fromthis area. X-ray fluorescence techniques were applie...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ignacio S. Torres Alvarado, Muharrem Satir
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:1998
País:México
Institución:Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Repositorio:Redalyc-UNAM
OAI Identifier:oai:redalyc.org:56837305
Acceso en línea:https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=56837305
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ciencias de la Tierra
element mobility
Geothermal systems
Mexican Volcanic Belt
hydrothermal alteration
Descripción
Sumario:Qualitative and semi-quantitative studies of element mobility at Los Azufres geothermal field, Michoacán, Mexico, werecarried out, in order to get a better understanding of the hydrothermal alteration processes that affected the volcanic rocks fromthis area. X-ray fluorescence techniques were applied to analyse well cuttings and drill cores from wells Az-3, Az-26 and Az-52 atdifferent depths. With these analyses a 2000-m thick volcanic sequence was recorded. Geochemically these rocks form a calcalkalinetrend from basaltic to rhyolitic composition. Comparing the chemical composition of altered samples with that of “fresh”samples from the surface we find relatively low element mobility during alteration. Simple calculations of element loss and gainindicate a weak silicification and low mobility of alkalis.