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Comparison of Clay and Zeolite Mineral Occurrences in Neogene Age Sediments From Several Deep Wells

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Clays and Clay Minerals

Abstract

Clay and zeolite mineral assemblages were determined for five deep wells in volcano-clastic sediments (Japan) and for one well in mudstones (California). The clay mineral suites in these wells showed a gradual change with depth of illite/smectite (I/S) composition, which increases in smectite content in the upper portion towards a fully expandable mineral (2–3-km depth) and then decreases in smectite content with depth (2–5 km). The temperature of transformation or recrystallization to a fully expandable smectite mineral is about 60°–70°C in non-zeolite bearing rocks and 70°–90°C in zeolite-bearing rocks, with no apparent dependence on time. Comparison is made between the I/S smectite content in the lower part of the wells (i.e., below the occurrence of the fully expandable mineral) and the zeolite mineral zone boundaries. The 60% smectite composition was found at 108°–118°C maximum burial temperatures. The zeolite II/III zone boundary, i.e., the onset of the analcime zone, occurs between 85° and 95°C and may be slightly time-related in the span of 1–15 Ma. The clay and zeolite minerals can be used as temperature indicators in the range of the Neogene age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Geologie, Ecole Normale Superieure, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75230, Paris Cedex, France

    B. Velde

  2. Geological Institute, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Tokyo, 113, Japan

    A. Iijima

Authors
  1. B. Velde
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  2. A. Iijima
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Velde, B., Iijima, A. Comparison of Clay and Zeolite Mineral Occurrences in Neogene Age Sediments From Several Deep Wells. Clays Clay Miner. 36, 337–342 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1988.0360407

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1988.0360407

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