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Experimental simulation of the formation of fibrous veins by localised dissolution-precipitation creep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

Paul D. Bons  and
Mark W. Jessell
Paul D. Bons
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Mark W. Jessell
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
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Abstract

Fibrous veins are generally interpreted in terms of the crack-seal mechanism. Several aspects of fibrous veins (fibrous structure, curved fibres, symmetry of antitaxial veins) are however better explained by vein formation without fracturing. Mass transfer to such veins would be by diffusional transport rather than by fluid flow through the veins. Deformation by dissolution-precipitation creep can provide the driving force for the necessary mass transfer. Veins form when mass transfer is heterogeneous and precipitation is localised.

Experiments were performed which enforced a chemical potential gradient, acting as the driving force for diffusional mass transfer. These experiments resulted in fibrous growths in aggregates of soluble salts (NaCl and KCl) saturated with brine. The experimental results support the theory that fibrous veins may form without fracturing and that rather than providing evidence for major fluid pathways, fibrous veins may instead represent localised precipitation during diffusional material transfer.

Keywords

fibrous veinsdissolution-precipitation creepmass transferdeformation
Type
Petrology
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 61 , Issue 404 , February 1997 , pp. 53 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1997

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