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Spring Gas Geochemistry in the Weixi-Qiaohou Fault Zone: Understanding the Fluid Characteristics of the Western Boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan Rhombic Block

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Abstract

The Weixi-Qiaohou fault zone (WQFZ) is located on the western edge of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block. It connects the Red River fault zone (RRFZ) in the south with the Jinshajiang-Zhongdian fault zone (JZFZ) in the north. This study investigated the chemical components and isotopic compositions (He and C) of spring gas samples from the WQFZ. The 3He/4He ratios in hot and cold spring gases along the WQFZ ranged from 0.01 to 0.28 Ra. The majority of He isotopes indicate a crustal source. The δ13C values of CO2 ranged from −2.3 to −11.8‰. The CO2/3He vs δ13C relationship indicates that crustal limestone is the major contributor to the carbon inventory. The 3He/4He ratios of spring gases from the JZFZ, WQFZ, and RRFZ were compared. The WQFZ is an important part of the western boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan rhombic block and had similar 3He/4He signatures as the JZFZ and RRFZ. The 3He/4He ratios (<1 Ra) of the three faults are mostly of crustal origin. The low 3He/4He ratios observed in the research area are associated with long-term radiogenic 4He dilution. The higher crustal thicknesses in the JZFZ and WQFZ compared with the RRFZ enhance the production of 4He and lower the 3He/4He ratios in surface gas emissions. However, some higher 3He/4He values found in the research area might be considered as the result of possible minor additions of mantle helium due to the existence of ductile shear zones in the lower crust. The WQFZ had lower 3He/4He values than the JZFZ and RRFZ, which might be attributable to lower fault permeability as a consequence of faulting activity. Furthermore, the 3He/4He ratios in the JZFZ are significantly higher than that of the WQFZ and closely related to strong earthquakes.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research is financially supported by the project of Science for Earthquake Resilience of China (XH20053Y). We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their useful comments and suggestions, which greatly improved the quality of this manuscript.

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  1. Yunnan Earthquake Agency, 650224, Kunming, China

    Qilin Li, Ciping Zhao, Yun Wang, Yiying Zhou & Hua Ran

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Qilin Li, Zhao, C., Wang, Y. et al. Spring Gas Geochemistry in the Weixi-Qiaohou Fault Zone: Understanding the Fluid Characteristics of the Western Boundary of the Sichuan-Yunnan Rhombic Block. Geochem. Int. 60, 109–121 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702921150027

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