Influence of time on metamorphism of sedimentary organic matter in liquid-dominated geothermal systems, western North America

Temperature (T in °C) and mean vitrinite reflectance (Rm in %) of sedimentary organic matter samples from six geothermal systems plot about a line approximated by a regression equation of the form Rm = 0.435 exp 0.00683T. Reaction duration ranges from 103 or 104 to 106 yr in these systems. Strong te...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geology (Boulder) 1983-07, Vol.11 (7), p.384-388
Main Author: Barker, Charles E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alteration
basins
burial metamorphism
evolution
geothermal systems
igneous and metamorphic rocks
indicators
liquid phase
macerals
metamorphism
organic compounds
organic materials
petrology
reactions
reflectance
regression analysis
sedimentary basins
sedimentary rocks
statistical analysis
temperature
thermal alteration
time factor
United States
vitrinite
Western U.S
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Summary:Temperature (T in °C) and mean vitrinite reflectance (Rm in %) of sedimentary organic matter samples from six geothermal systems plot about a line approximated by a regression equation of the form Rm = 0.435 exp 0.00683T. Reaction duration ranges from 103 or 104 to 106 yr in these systems. Strong temperature dependence of Rm indicates that after about 104 yr, reaction duration has little or no influence on metamorphism of organic matter in liquid-dominated geothermal systems. Vitrinite reflectance can be used to determine the maximum temperature reached in hot sedimentary basins of moderate longevity.—Modified journal abstract.
ISSN:0091-7613
1943-2682
DOI:10.1130/0091-7613(1983)11<384:IOTOMO>2.0.CO;2