Hydrothermal fluids influence on the thermal evolution of the Stephanian sequence, the Sabero Coalfield (NW Spain)

Main Article Content

Dariusz Botor

Keywords

Spain, Cantabrian Mountains, Sabero Coalfield, Carboniferous, pull-apart basin, coalification, thermal history, maturity modelling, vitrinite reflectance, eroded overburden

Abstract

In the present study, the thermal history of the Late Carboniferous (Stephanian) coal-bearing sediments of the Sabero Coalfield has been reconstructed in order to elucidate coal rank. The Sabero Coalfield is located in a small intramontane coal-bearing basin along the Sabero-Gordón fault zone, one of the major E-W trending strike-slip fault systems of the southern part of the Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain). The total thickness of the Stephanian succession is in excess of 2,000 m, and is composed of siliclastic rocks and intercalated coal seams with tonsteins. Mean vitrinite reflectance values in the Stephanian rocks in the Sabero Coalfield are in the range from 0.61 to 3.14% Rr, but most values are in the range from 0.8 to 1.5% Rr (based on 84 samples). Average vitrinite reflectance gradient is high (0.73% Rr/km), which suggests high value of average paleogeothermal gradient (52°C/km). The maximum paleotemperatures calculated from vitrinite reflectance values for the Stephanian rocks range between 89°C (top of the Stephanian) and 195°C (bottom of the Stephanian). Coalification of the organic matter in the Stephanian rocks was achieved in the Early Permian, and was most likely related to several almost simultaneous related to magmatic and hydrothermal activity during high subsidence period in the pull-apart basin. The primary, burial-related maturity pattern, was probably slightly overprinted by fluid migration event, which is supposed to have occurred in Early Permian time.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract 391 | PDF Downloads 246

References

Akande S.O. & Erdtmann B.D. 1998. Burial metamorohism in Cretaceous sediments of the southern Benue Troueh and Anambra Basin. Nigeria. AAPG Bulletin. 82. 1191-1206.

Allen P.A. & Allen J.R. 1990. Basin analysis: principles and applications. Blackwell. Oxford.

Aller J. 1986. La estructura del sector meridional de las unidades del Aramo y de la Cuenca Carbonífera. Consejería de Industria v Comercio. Oviedo.

Aller J. & Brime C. 1985. Deformación v metamorfi smoen la narte sur de la Cuenca Carbonífera Central (Espana). X Congress of the Carboniferous, Madrid. 541-548.

Aller J., Bastida F., Brime C. & Pérez-Estaún A.. 1987. Cleavage and its relation with metamorohic arade in the Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain) Bulletin de la Societé Géologique de France. 40. 1-8.

Aller J., Valin M.L., Garcia-Lonez S., Brime C. & Bastida F., 2005. Superposition of tectonothermal episodes in the southern Cantabrian Zone. NW Spain. Bulletin de la Societé Géologique de France. 176. 487-497.

Alonso J.I. & Brime C. 1990. Mineralogy, geochemistry and origin of the underclays of the Central Coal Basin. Asturias. Spain. Clays and Clay Minerals. 38. 265-276.

Alonso J.L., Pulear J.A., Garcia Ramos J.C., & Barba P.. 1995. Tertiary basins and Alpine tectonics in the Cantabrian Mountains NW Spain. [in:] Friend P.F. & Dabrio C.J. (eds). Tertiary basins of Spain. Cambridge University Press. 214-227.

Avllon F., Bakker R.J. & Warr L.N., 2003. Reequilibration of fluid inclusions in diagenetic-anchizonal rocks of the Cinera-Matallana coal basin (NW Spain) Geofluids. 3. 49-68.

Barker C.E. & Goldstein R.H. 1990. Fluid-inclusion technique for determining maximum temperature in calcite and its comparison to the vitrinite reflectance aeothermometer. Geology. 18. 1003-1006.

Barker C.E & Pawlewicz M.J. 1994. Calculation of vitrinite reflectance from thermal histories. A comparison of methods, [in:] Mukhonadahav P.K. & Dow. W.G. (eds) Vitrinite reflectance as a maturity parameter: applications and limitations. American Chemical Society Svmposium Series. 570. 216-229.

Barker C.E., 1983. Influence of time on metamorphism of sedimentary organic matter in liquid-dominated geothermal and hydrothermal alteration zones in the sandstones, western North America. Geology, 11. 384-388.

Bastida F., Brime C., García-Lopez S. & Sarmiento G.N., 1999. Tectono-thermal evolution in a region with thin-skinned tectonics, the western nappes in the Cantabrian Zone (Variscan Belt of NW Spain). International Journal of Earth Sciences, 88, 38-48.

Blackwell D.D. & Steele J.L., 1989. Thermal conductivity of sedimentary rocks: measure¬ment and significance. [in:] Naeser N.D., McCulloh T.H. (eds), Thermal History of Sedimentary Basins: Methods and Case Histories, Springer-Verlag, New York, 13-36.

Botor D., 2005. Geochemistry of Stephanian tonsteins from the Sabero Coalfield (NW Spain). Geological Transactions of the Silesian University of Technology, 268, 19-30.

Botor D., 2009. Paleogeothermal evolution of the Sabero Coalfield. Report of project the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, no. 2307/T02/2007/32.

Brime C., 1985. A diagenesis to metamorphism transition in the Hercynian of (NW Spain) Mineralógical Magazine, 49, 481-484.

Brime C., Garcia-Lopez S., Bastida F., Valin M.L., Sanz-Lopez J. & Aller J., 2001. Transition from diagenesis to metamorphism near the front of the Variscan regional metamorphism (Cantabrian Zone, NW Spain). Journal of Geology, 109, 363-379.

Buker C., 2002. Paleotemperaturindikatoren und ihre geologische Interpretation, [on line:] http://www.rwth-aachen.de/lek/Ww/CBPalaeotemp.html.

Garriere K.L., 2006. Neoproterozoic to Holocene tectonothermal evolution of the southern Cantabrian Mountains NW Iberia, revealed by apatite fission-track thermochronology. Heidelberg University [Ph.D. Thesis].

Cepedál M.A., Martín-Izard A., Reguilon R., Fuertes M., Rodríguez-Pevida L.S., Maldonado C., Spiering E., Gonzáles S. & Várela A., 1998. Stable isotopic study of the El Valle-Boinas Co-Au deposits. [in:] Arias D., Martín-Izard A. & Paniagua A. (eds). Gold in NW Spain, Departamento de Geología, Oviedo, 59-64.

Colmenero J.R. & Prado J.G., 1993. Coal basins in the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain. International Journal of Coal Geology, 23, 215-229.

Colmenero J.R., Suárez-Ruiz I., Fernández-Suárez J., Barba P. & Llorens T., 2008. Genesis and rank coal basins in the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain. International Journal of Coal Geology, 76, 187-204.

Colmenero-Navarro J.R., Garcya-Ramos J.C., Gutierrez-Elorza M., Lopez-Martynez N., Manjon-Rubio M., Molina E. & Vargas-Alonso I., 1982. Memoria explicativa de la Hoja del Mapa Geológico Nacional Espania. 1:50.000, num. 131, Cistierna. 2a serie MAGNA. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid.

Copard Y., Disnar J.R., Becq-Giraudon J.F. & Boussafir M., 2000. Evidence and effects of fluid circulation on organic matter in intramontane coalfields (Massif Central, France). International Journal of Coal Geology, 44, 49-68.

Corretgé L.G. & Suárez O., 1990. Igneous rocks. [in:] Dallmeyer R.D. & Martínez-García E. (eds), Pre-Mesozoic geology of Ibeiria, Springer, Berlin, 72-79.

Crespo J.L., Moro M.C., Fadón O., Cabrera R. & Fernández A., 2000. The Salamón gold deposit (León, Spain). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 71, 191-208.

Dallmeyer R.D., Martínez-Catalán J., Arenas R., Gillbarguchi J.I., Gutiérrez-Alonso G., Farias P., Bastida F. & Aller J. 1997. Diachronous Variscan tectonothermal activity in the NW Iberian Massif: evidence from 40Ar/39Ar dating of regional fabrics. Tectono-phvsics, 277. 307-337.

Duddy I.R., Green P.F., Bray R.J. & Hegarty K.A., 1994. Recognition of the thermal effects of fluid flow in sedimentary basins. [in:] Parnell J. (ed.), Geofluids: Origin, Migration and Evolution of Fluids in Sedimentary Basins, Geological Society Special Publication, 78, 325-345.

Evers H.J., 1967. Geology of the Leónides between the Bernesga and Porma Rivers, Cantabrian Mts. Spain. Leidse Geologische Mededelingen 44, 81-151.

Fernández C.J., Moreiras D. & Paniagua A., 1985. Mineralogía y paragénesis mineral de la Mina Providencia (Cármenes, León). Trabajos de Geología, 15, 239—247.

Fernández-Suárez J., Dunning G.R. & Jenner G.A., 2000. Variscan collisional magmatism and deformation in NW Iberia: constrains form U-Pb geochronology of granitoids. Journal of the Geological Society, 157, 565-576.

Frings K.H., 2002. Palaeotemperature anomalies in late-Variscan coal basins,based on Cifiera-Matallana basin, Cantabrian Zone, NW Spain. Heidelberg University, Germany, Gaea Heidelbergensis, 11, 1-128 [Ph.D. Thesis].

Frings U., Lutz R., de Wall H. & Warr L.N., 2004. Coalification history of the Cinera-Matal-lana pull-apart basin (NW Spain). International Journal of Earth Sciences, 93, 92-106.

Galán G., & Suárez O., 1989. Cortlanditic enclaves associated with calcalkaline granites from Tapia-Asturias (Hercynian Belt, NW Spain). Lithos, 23, 233-245.

Galán G., Pin C., & Duthou J.L., 1996. Sr-Nd isotopic record of multi-stage interactions between mantle derived magmas and crustal components in a collision context. The ultramafíc-granitoid association from Vivero (NW Spain). Chemical Geology, 131, 67-91.

Gallastegui G., Heredia N., Rodríguez-Fernández L.R. & Cuesta A., 1990. El stock de Peña Prieta en el contexto del magmatismo de la Unidad del Pisuerga-Carrión (Zona Cantábrica, España). Cadernos do Laboratorio Xeolóxico de Laxe, 15, 203-217.

García-López S., Bastida F., Brime C., Aller J., Valín M.L., Sanz-López J., Méndez C.A. & Menéndez-Alvarez J.R., 1999. Los episodios metamórficos de la Zona Cantábrica y su contexto estructural. Trabajos de Geología, 21, 177-187.

García-López S., Brime C., Bastida F. & Sarmiento G.N. 1997. Simultaneous use of thermal indicators to analyse the transition from diagenesis to metamorphism: an example from the Variscan Belt of NW Spain. Geological Magazine, 134, 323-334.

Gasparrini M., Bakker R.J., Bechstaedt T., & Boni M., 2003. Hot dolomites in a Variscan foreland belt - hydrothermal flow in the Cantabrian Zone (NW Spain). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 78-79, 501-507.

Gayer R.A., Garven G. & Rickard D.T., 1998a. Fluid migration and coal-rank development in foreland basins. Geology, 26, 679- 682.

Gayer R.A., Hathaway T.M. & Nemcok M., 1998b. Transpressionaly driven rotation in the external orogenic zones of the Western Carpathians and the SW British Varicides. [in:] Holdsworth R.E., Strachan R.A. & Dewey, J.F. (eds). Continental Transpressional and Transtensional Tectonics, Geological Society of London, Special Publication, 135, 235- 266.

Gómez-Fernandez F., Both R.A., Mangas J., & Arribas A. 2000. Metallogenensis of Zn-Pb Carbonate-Hosted mineralisation in the south-eastern region of the Picos de Europa (Northern Spain) province: geologic, fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies. Economic Geology, 95, 19^H).

Gutiérrez J.L., Rodríguez-Pevida L.S. & Paniagua, A., 1988. Las mineralizaciones poliminerálicas de Pb-Zn-Sb-Ag-Au de Escaro (León): controles geológicos, evolución mineralógica y implicaciones metalogénicas. Bulletin of Mineralogical Society, Spain, 11, 120-121.

Gutiérrez-Alonso G., Fernández-Suárez J. & Weil A.B. 2004. Orocline triggered lithospheric delamination. Geological Society of America Special Papers, 383, 121-131.

Heward A.P., 1978. Alluvial fan and lacustrine sediments from the Stephanian A and B (La Magdalena, Sabero and Ciñera—Matallana coalfields) NW Spain. Sedimentology, 25, 451-488.

Heward A.P. & Reading, H.G., 1980. Deposits associated with a Hercynian to late Hercynian continental strike-slip system, Cantabrian Mountains, Northern Spain. Special Publication International Association of Sedimentologist, 4, 105-125.

Hower J.C. & Gayer R.A., 2002. Mechanisms of coal metamorphism: case studies from Paleozoic coalfields. International Journal of Coal Geology, 50, 215-245.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), 1994. Methods for the Pefrographic Analysis of Bituminous Coal and Anthracite - Part 5: Methods Determining Microscopically the Reflectance of Vifrinite. ISO 7404-5, Geneva, Switzerland. 1-11.

Julivert M., 1971. Décollement tectonics in the Hercynian Cordillera of NW Spain. American Journal of Science, 270, 1-29.

Knight J.A., 1983. The Stratigraphy of the Stephanian rocks Sabero Coalfield, NW Spain. Paleontographica 187, 1-89.

Knight J.A., Burger K. & Bieg G., 2000. The pyroclastic tonsteins of the Sabero Coalfield, north-western Spain, and their relationship to the stratigraphy and structural geology. International Journal of Coal Geology, 44, 187-226.

Laughland M.M. & Underwood M.B., 1993. Vitrinite reflectance and estimates of paleotemperature within the Upper Shimanto Group, Japan. Geological Society of America Special Publication, 273, 103-114.

López-Gómez J., Arche A. & Pérez-López A. 2002. Permian and Triassic. [in:] Gibbons W. & Moreno T. (eds), The Geology of Spain, The Geological Society, London, 185—212.

Loredo J. & García-Iglesias J., 1988. El yacimiento aurífero de Carles (Asturias). Bulletin of Mineralogical Society, Spain. 11, 47-54.

Luque C., Martínez-García E. & Ruiz F., 1990. Metallogenesis. [in:] Dallmeyer R.D. & Martínez-García E. (eds), Pre-Mesozoic geology of Iberia, Springer, Berlin, 80-87.

Manjon-Rubio M., Colmenero-Navarro J.R., Garcya-Ramos J.C., Gutierrez-Elorza M., Molina E., Vargas-Alonso I., 1982. Memoria explicativa de la Hoja del Mapa Geológico Nacional Espanta. 1:50.000, num. 130, Vegas del Condado. 2a serie MAGNA. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid.

Marcos A. & Pulgar J.A., 1982. An approach to the tectonostratigraphic evolution in the Cantabrian Foreland thrust and fold belt, Hercynian Cordillera of NW Spain. Neues Jahrbuch. Geologic und Palaontologie, 163, 2, 256-260.

Martínez-Catalán J.R., Arenas R., Díaz-García F. & Abatí J., 1997. Variscan acretionary complex of NW Iberia: Terrane correlation and succession of tectonothermal events. Geology, 25, 12, 1103-1106.

Martinez-García E., 1990. Stephanian and Permian basins. [in:] Dallmeyer R.D. & Martinez-Garcia E. (eds), Pre-Mesozoic geology of Iberia, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 39-54.

Méndez C.A.F., 1985. Estudio de la evolución de ios carbones de la cuenca Cinera-Matallana, Leon. University Oviedo, Spain [Ph.D. Thesis].

Mullís J., Wolf M., & Ferreira-Mahlmann R., 2001. Temperature determination through fluid inclusion microthermometry and vitrinite reflectance in the diagenetic- and anchizones. Journal of Conference Abstracts European Geosciences Union, XI, 6, 230.

Munoz M., Anchoca E., Sagredo J., Heman F., Brandle J. & Marfil R., 1985. Vulcanismo Permo-Carbonifero de la Cordillera Ibérica. 10th Congres of Carboniferous, Madrid, 27-52.

Noth S., Thomson R., & Littke R., 2002. A method for assessment statistical significance and uncertainties for calibration 1-D thermal maturation models. AAPG Bulletin, 86, 417-431.

Oncken O., 1982. Basin reconstruction by coalification studies. Geologische Rundschau, 71, 579-602.

Paniagua A., Loredo J. & García-Iglesias J., 1995. Epithermal carbonate-hosted Au-Cu-Ni-Co mineralization at the Villamanin area ( Cantabrian Zone, N Spain). Bulletin of Mineralógical Society, Spain, 18, 1, 172-173.

Paniagua A., Rodríguez-Pevida L.S., Loredo J., Fontboté L. & Fenoll Hach-Ali P., 1996. Un yacimiento de Au en carbonatos del Orógeno Hercínico: el área de Salamón (N León). Geogaceta, 20, 7, 1605-1608.

Pérez-Estaún A., Bastida F., Alonso J.L., Marquinez J., Aller J., Alvarez-Marrón J., Marcos A. & Pulgar J.A., 1988. A thin-skinned tectonics model for a fold and thrust belt of the Cantabrian Zone. Tectonics, 7, 517-537.

Piedad-Sánchez N., Suárez-Ruiz I., Martinez L., Izart A., Elie M., & Keravis D., 2004a. Organic petrology and geochemistry of the Carboniferous coal seams from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (NW Spain). International Journal of Coal Geology, 57, 211-242.

Piedad-Sánchez N., Izart A., Martinez L., Suárez-Ruiz I., Elie M. & Menetrier C, 2004b. Paleothermicity in the Central Coal Basin of the Cantabrian Mountains (Spain). International Journal of Coal Geology, 58, 205-229.

Raven J.G.M. & Van der Pluijm B.A., 1986. Metamorphic fluids and transtention in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain: an application of the conodont colour alteration index. Geological Magazine, 123, 6, 673-681.

Reading H.G., 1975. Strike-slip fault systems: an ancient example form the Cantabrians (Spain). IX International Congress Sedimentology, Nice, 1975, Theme 4, 2, 287-292.

Robert P., 1988. Organic Metamorphism and Geothermal History. Academic Press, Elf-Aquitaine & Reidel, Dordrecht, 3-26.

Rodriguez-Fernandez L.R., Heredia N. & Alonso J.L., 1988. Mapa Geológica de Espania. 1:50.000, num. 105-15-07, Riano. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid. Espania.

Rodriguez-Fernandez L.R., Alonso J.L., Alonso-Herrero E., Barba P., Colmenero-Navarro J.R., Fernandez L.P., Galán L., Gallastegui G., Heredia N. & Paniagua A., 1990. Memoria explicativa de la Hoja del Mapa Geológico Nacional Espania. 1:50.000, num. 105, Riano. 2a serie MAGNA. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid. Espania.

Rodriguez-Fernandez L.R., Lobato L., García-Alcalde J.L., Sanchez de Posada L.C. & Trouyols J., 1979. Mapa Geológica de Espania. 1:50.000, num. 104-14—07, Bonar. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid. Espania.

Rodriguez-Fernandez L.R., Perez-Gonzalez A., Munioz E.E., Rubio M.M., Vargas Alonso I., Colmenero J.R., García-Ramos J.C. & Matas-Gonzalez J. 1978. Mapa Geológica de Espania. 1:50.000, num. 130-14-08, Vegas de Condado. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid. Espania.

Sachsenhofer R.F., 2001. Syn- and post-collisional heat flow in the Cenozoic Eastern Alps. International Journal of Earth Science, 90, 579-592.

Sachsenhofer R.F. & Littke R., 1992. Vergleich und Bewertung verschiedener Methoden zur Berechnung der Vitrinitreflexion am Beispiel von Bohrungen im Steirischen Tertiarbecken. Zentralblatt fur Geologic und Palaontologie, 6, 597—610.

Spiro B., Tornos F. & Shepherd T.J., 1995. Stable isotope characterization of barren and mineralized Hercynian hydrothermal carbonates in the Cantabrian Zone (N Spain). [in:] Pasava J., Kríbek B. & Zák K. (eds). Mineral deposits: from their origin to environmental impacts, Balkema, Rotterdam, 75-78.

Sweeney J.J. & Bumham A.K., 1990. Evaluation of a model of vitrinite reflectance based on chemical kinetics. AAPG Bulletin, 74, 1559-1570.

Teichmuller M., 1987a. Recent advances in coalification studies and their application to geology. [in:] Scott A.C. (ed.). Coal and coal-bearing strata: recent advances. Geological Society Special Publication, 32, 127-169.

Teichmuller M., 1987b. Organic material and very low-grade metamorphism. [in:] Frey M. (ed.), Low-temperature metamorphism, Blackie & Son, Glasgow, 114-161.

Tobin R.C. & Claxton B.L., 2000. Multidisciplinary thermal maturity studies using vitrinite reflectance and fluid inclusion microthermometry: a new calibration of old techniques. AAPG Bulletin, 84, 1647-1665.

Tornos F. & Spiro B.F., 2000. The geology and isotope geochemistry of the talc deposits of Puebla de Lillo (Cantabrian Zone, Spain). Economic Geology, 95, 1277-1296.

Truyols J., Alvarez F., Arbizu M., Garcia-Alcaide J.L., Garcya-Lopez S., Martynez-Chacon M.L., Mendez-Bedia L., Mendez-Femandez C., Menendez J.R., Sanchez de Posada L.C., Soto F., Rodriguez-Fernandez L.R., & Lobato L., 1984. Memoria explicativa de la Hoja del Mapa Geológico Nacional Espanta. 1:50.000, num. 104, Bonar. 2a serie MAGNA. Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. Madrid. Espania.

Uysal T.I., Glikson M., Golding S.D. & Audsley F., 2000. The thermal history of the Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia: vitrinite reflectance and clay mineralogy of Late Permian coal measures. Tectonophysics, 323, 105—129.

Wagner R.H. & Winkler Prins C.F., 1985. The Cantabrian and Barruelian stratotypes: a summary of basin development and biostratygraphic information. [in:] Lemos de Sousa M.J. & Wagner R.H. (eds). Papers on the Carboniferous of the Iberian Peninsula, Anais da Facultada de Ciencias, Universidade do Porto, 64, 359-410.

Yalcin M.N., Littke R. & Sachsenhoffer R.F., 1997. Thermal history of sedimentary basins. [in:] Welte D.H., Horsfield B. & Baker D. (eds), Petroleum and basin evolution. Springer, 71-168.

Yamaji A., 1986. Analysis of vitrinite reflectance-burial depth relations in dynamical geological settings by direct integration method. Journal of Japan Association of Petroleum Technology, 51, 3, 1-8.