Experimental investigation of kinetics and rheology during diagenesis

摘要

Two processes of enormous economic consequence occur within the upper to middle crust: the formation, migration, entrapment, and degradation of hydrocarbons, and hazardous seismicity. Substantial scientific evidence suggests that both these processes are influenced by devolatilization reactions during diagenesis. However, surprisingly few laboratory studies have been conducted on materials actively undergoing low-grade metamorphism or diagenesis. Because of this, there exists no suitable basis for understanding the rates at which devolatilization occurs, and what effects this process has on deformation at shallow to moderate depths in the crust. The authors are conducting a coordinated deformation and kinetic study of an important devolatilization reaction: the breakdown of laumontite. Laumontite is a common zeolite whose equilibrium phase relations and room-temperature frictional behavior are well understood. Besides serving as a model system for more complicated rocks, laumontite is an important mineral in its own right, particularly for hydrocarbon fields in sandstones and for fault zones in the crust. Hydrostatic experiments are being conducted to investigate the kinetics and mechanism of laumontite dehydration, and triaxial deformation experiments will enable characterization of the effect of differential stress on the reaction and the effect of synkinematic dehydration on the mechanical behavior of rock. The authors anticipate results of significant import for hydrocarbon exploration and recovery and for understanding the strength and seismic potential of crustal fault zones.