Compaction-driven fluid flow below the brittle-ductile transition may be a means of transporting fluids during metamorphism. In particular, when a decompaction weakening mechanism is introduced to account for the rock viscosity reduction due to fluid overpressures, channeling instabilities evolve into high-porosity/permeability fluid conduits that focus mass and energy transfer. In this study, we consider a crustal rheology that accounts simultaneously for upward-increasing viscosity and decompaction weakening to examine the nucleation and evolution of fluid channelization in two dimensions (2-D). The model shows that plume-shaped flow patterns can develop on time scales as short as 10(4) years, during which the plume tails act as fluid conduits and the plume heads act as fluid dispersion zones near the brittle-ductile transition. Collection of fluids into conduits is accomplished by a basal fluid catchment zone characterized by strong lateral fluid pressure gradients but low porosity/permeability. Relatively narrow ranges of viscous activation energy (approximate to 100 kJ mol(-1)) and decompaction weakening factor (approximate to 10(-4)) are constrained if the fluid conduits are of kilometer scale in width. Significant thermal excursions (approximate to 65 degrees C) can be induced if a high flow rate, potentially from rapid intermittent dehydration, is realized within channels. Moreover, if the focused fluids emanate from external anomalously hot sources (e.g., magma intrusion), thermal pulses (>100 degrees C), and steep lateral temperature gradients (>50 degrees C km(-1)) can be generated. Given the focusing efficiency estimated from our 2-D compaction model, simple 3-D modeling further shows that tubular conduits have the potential to cause thermal pulses >200 degrees C within 10(4) years.

A series of localized high-temperature granulite-facies domains ('hot spots') are present within the regional (10-100km(2) scale) amphibolite-facies rocks of the Central Maine Terrane in central New Hampshire (NH), USA. Based on the spatial coincidence of a thermal anomaly and contours of depressed delta O-18 values centered on networks of quartz-graphite and pegmatitic veins in the vicinity of Bristol, NH, it was proposed in an earlier study that large-scale ascending hot fluid focused through a vein network drove heating and introduced isotopically distinct fluids. The thermal anomaly could be preserved only if the timescales of heating were extremely short, otherwise conduction would smooth the field temperature gradient. Herein, we conduct a petrological test to estimate the peak temperatures and the durations of metamorphism across the Bristol region, using pseudosection analysis as well as forward modeling of garnet growth-diffusion-resorption profiles. This region attained granulite-facies conditions in the sillimanite-K-feldspar-cordierite zone over a larger area than previously mapped. Cordierite is variably present, which reflects bulk compositional controls on its stability as well as its destruction during retrogression. The forward modeling reveals protracted (5-8 Myr) granulite-facies conditions of 0.5-0.6 GPa and similar to 750-820 degrees C, and an overall counterclockwise P-T path. Furthermore, a short-lived thermal anomaly or 'spike' (> 100 degrees C, similar to 0.15 Myr) is superimposed on the granulite-facies core, reaching ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) conditions > 900 degrees C, much higher than previously recognized in the area. The short timescale is fully consistent with the localized radius of the thermal anomaly of similar to 1.5 km. Subsequently, the area underwent variably developed amphibolite-facies retrogression at similar to 650 degrees C and 0.4-0.5 GPa, accompanied by fluid infiltration, garnet breakdown, and muscovite growth. The transient thermal spike and the counterclockwise P-T path indicate that heat transfer could not have been solely the result of internal heating of overthickened crust. We posit that external heat fluxes driven by Acadian plutonism, in addition to heat generation in crust enriched in heat-producing elements, led to the granulite-facies metamorphism. Magmatic loading in the crust, potentially in response to an elevated basal heat flux during the Acadian orogeny, can account for the counterclockwise P-T path. Heat transported advectively by channelized flow of magma or magma evolving hydrothermal fluids is the most likely cause of the transient and local UHT thermal anomaly. The results show that UHT metamorphic events can be extremely brief.

Mud volcanoes provide an accessible channel through which deep subsurface environments can be observed. The manner in which deeply sourced materials shape biogeochemical processes and microbial communities in such geological features remains largely unknown. This study characterized redox transitions, biogeochemical fluxes and microbial communities for samples collected from a methane-rich mud volcano in southwestern Taiwan. Our results indicated that oxygen penetration was confined within the upper 4 mm of fluids/muds and counteracted by the oxidation of pyrite, dissolved sulfide, methane and organic matter at various degrees. Beneath the oxic zone, anaerobic sulfur oxidation, sulfate reduction, anaerobic methanotrophy and methanogenesis were compartmentalized into different depths in the pool periphery, forming a metabolic network that efficiently cycles methane and sulfur. Community members affiliated with various Proteobacteria capable of aerobic oxidation of sulfur, methane and methyl compounds were more abundant in the anoxic zone with diminished sulfate and high methane. These findings suggest either the requirement of alternative electron acceptors or a persistent population that once flourished in the oxic zone. Overall, this study demonstrates the distribution pattern for a suite of oxidative and reductive metabolic reactions along a steep redox gradient imposed by deep fluids in a mud volcano ecosystem.

Resolved measurements of the relative abundances of (CDH3)-C-13 and (CD2H2)-C-12 from a Taiwan mud volcano confirm that thermogenic CH4 with a formation temperature of 150 degrees C is bubbling from a pool of liquid mud. Analysis for both doubly-substituted molecules provides confirmation that isotopic exchange equilibrium was achieved between methane isotopologues. Methane extracted from the headspace of core samples taken from sediments deposited proximal to the bubbling pool of mud shows small departures from isotopic equilibrium.

The source of sulfur for sulfide mineralization is a major question for the origin of platinum group element deposits such as the Rustenburg Layered Suite (RLS) of the Bushveld Complex and the nearby Waterberg Project (WP; a large palladium-dominant deposit) in southern Africa. Both deposits are mafic-ultramafic intrusions associated with the ca. 2.06 Ga Bushveld magmatism but are hosted in distinct country rocks. This contrast allows a critical assessment of the contribution upper crustal assimilation provides to sulfide mineralization, and refinement of our understanding of sources of mass-independent fractionated sulfur (MIF-S) to these intrusions. The WP has a signature of anomalous sulfur (average Delta S-33 = 0.113 parts per thousand +/- 0.016 parts per thousand, 1 s.d.), similar to the RLS (avgerage Delta S-33 = 0.137 parts per thousand +/- 0.025 parts per thousand, 1 s.d.). There is no evidence for influence of host rock as a source of anomalous sulfur. The lack of a significant variation of Delta S-33 values within the WP stratigraphy, and the distinct upper continental crust into which the WP magmas would have been emplaced, shows that addition of upper crustal sulfur is not necessary for PGE formation. This suggests that contamination of WP and RLS magmas with a surface-derived component of Archean age occurred at depth, prior to emplacement.

Ungrouped iron meteorites Tishomingo, Willow Grove, and Chinga, and group IVB iron meteorites, are Ni-rich. Similarities include enrichments of 10-100 x CI for some refractory siderophile elements, and equivalent depletions in more volatile siderophile elements. Superimposed on the overall enrichment/depletion trend, certain siderophile elements (P, W, Fe, Mo) are depleted relative to elements of similar volatility. All three ungrouped irons derive from parent bodies formed in the early Solar System. Willow Grove and Chinga are characterized by cosmic ray exposure corrected W-182/W-184 consistent with metalsilicate segregation on their parent bodies within 1-3 Myr of Solar System formation, within the age range determined for segregation of magmatic iron meteorite parent bodies, including group IVB irons. Tishomingo is characterized by a younger model age 4-5 Myr subsequent to Solar System formation, reflecting either late stage melting resulting from Al-26 decay, or an impact resetting. The discovery of stishovite in Tishomingo, indicating exposure to a minimum shock pressure of 8-9 GPa, is consistent with the latter.

Identification of methane origins remains a challenging work as current diagnostic signals are often not sufficient to resolve individual formation and post-formation processes. To address such a knowledge gap in a tectonically active and fragmented terrain, samples from mud volcanoes, gas seeps, and springs distributed along structural features onshore and offshore of Taiwan were analyzed for their isotopic compositions of methane, nitrogen, helium, dissolved inorganic carbon, CO2, and water. Our analyses yielded & UDelta;13CH3D and & UDelta;12CH2D2 values ranging between +1.9 & PTSTHOUSND; and +7.8 & PTSTHOUSND; and between +3.0 & PTSTHOUSND; and +19.9 & PTSTHOUSND;, respectively. A portion of the samples were characterized by values that represent the thermodynamic equilibrium at temperatures of 99 & DEG;-260 & DEG;C. These temperature estimates, together with the bulk isotopic compositions and local geothermal gradients (25 & DEG;-30 & DEG;C/km), suggest that methane was formed by thermal maturation of organic matter at depths of 2-9 km below the land surface and channeled upward along faults. Other samples were found to deviate from equilibrium by varying degrees. Considering the geological background, helium isotopic ratios, and nitrogen isotopologue compositions, and methanogens detected at some sites, these gases are either abiotic in origin or a mixture of microbial and thermogenic sources. Regardless of whether the equilibrium of methane isotopologues was reached, few sites hosted by sedimentary formations were characterized by mantle-like helium signatures, indicating decoupled origins and potential degassing of helium from the relic igneous source. Overall, these results suggest the extraction of methane and other gases from multiple depths from strata fragmented by fault displacement in an active orogenic belt.

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of crustal strain measures, sensors require a thorough calibration. In Taiwan, the complicated dynamics of surface and subsurface hydrological processes under semi-tropical climate conditions conjugated with the rough surface topography could have impacted strainmeter deployment, pushing the installation conditions astray from the optimal ones. Here, we analyze the complex response of 11 Gladwin Strain Monitor (GTSM) strainmeter type deployed in north and central Taiwan and we propose a novel calibration methodology which relies on waveform modeling of Earth and ocean tidal strain-related deformations. The approach is completely data-driven, starting from a simple calibration framework and progressively adding complexity in the model depending on the quality of the data. However, we show that a simple quasi-isotropic model (three calibration factors) is generally suitable to resolve the orientation and calibration of 8 instruments out of 11. We also highlight the difficulty of clearly defining the behavior of instruments that are highly affected by hydrological forcing.

A widespread episode of intraplate volcanism followed the cessation of sea-floor spreading in the South China Basin approximately 32-17 Ma BP), affecting large parts of southern China and Indochina, and penetrating oceanic basement and stranded microcontinent fragments. Geochemical data for post-spreading seamount and island lavas define suites of quartz tholeiite, olivine tholeiite, alkali olivine basalt and nephelinite, characterised by OIB-type incompatible-element distributions. High-K alkalic lavas show extreme enrichment in large-ion lithophile and high-field-strength elements relative to N-MORB. Sr-87/Sr-86 and Nd-143/Nd-144 ratios are depleted relative to bulk Earth values and partially overlap with Central Indian Ridge MORB and associated OIB. In contrast, Pb-208/Pb-204 and Pb-207/Pb-204 ratios are variable and surprisingly radiogenic for given MORB-like Pb-206/Pb-204. The isotopic and trace-element systematics confirm source heterogeneity but appear to be decoupled, implying complex mantle enrichment histories. At least two heterogeneous source components are required: a depleted but "contaminated" Indian Ocean MORB type, and an EM-2 reservoir whose isotopic composition corresponds to continent-derived sediment. Dupal-like Pb isotopic compositions (DELTA-7/4Pb=2-13, DELTA-8/4Pb=45-73) are shared by intraplate basalts from Hainan Island, the Penghu Islands, northern Taiwan and post-collision arc basalts from the Philippines. It is proposed these reflect endogenous mantle processes related to disaggregation of the south China margin rather than a northward extension of the southern hemisphere Dupal anomaly.