Title
U-series geochronology of large-volume Quaternary travertine deposits of the southeastern Colorado Plateau: Evaluating episodicity and tectonic and paleohydrologic controls
Publication Date
6-1-2014
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Large-volume travertine deposits in the southeastern Colorado Plateau of New Mexico and Arizona, USA, occur along the Jemez lineament and Rio Grande rift. These groundwater discharge deposits reflect vent locations for mantle-derived CO2 , which was conveyed by deeply sourced hydrothermal fluid input into springs. U-series dating of stratigraphic sections shows that major aggradation and large-volume (2.5 km3 ) deposition took place across the region episodically at 700–500 ka, 350–200 ka, and 100–40 ka. These pulses of travertine formation coincide with the occurrence of regional basaltic volcanism, which implies an association of travertine deposits with underlying low-velocity mantle that could supply the excess CO2 . The calculation of landscape denudation rates based on basalt paleosurfaces shows that travertine platforms developed on local topographic highs that required artesian head and fault conduits. Episodic travertine accumulation that led to the formation of the observed travertine platforms represents conditions when fault conduits, high hydraulic head, and high CO2 flux within confined aquifer systems were all favorable for facilitating large-volume travertine formation, which was therefore controlled by tectonic activity and paleohydrology. By analogy to the active Springerville–St. Johns CO2 gas fi eld, the large volumes and similar platform geometries of travertine occurrences in this study are interpreted to represent extinct CO2 gas reservoirs that were vents for degassing of mantle volatiles into the near-surface system.
Comments
A. Priewisch, L.J. Crossey, K.E. Karlstrom, V.J. Polyak, Y. Asmerom, A. Nereson, J.W. Ricketts; U-series geochronology of large-volume Quaternary travertine deposits of the southeastern Colorado Plateau: Evaluating episodicity and tectonic and paleohydrologic controls. Geosphere ; 10 (2): 401–423. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/GES00946.1