Hydrothermal alteration of basalts in the ultramafic-associated Tianxiu Vent Field, Carlsberg Ridge

Abstract

The Tianxiu vent field (TVF) is the first active ultramafic-associated hydrothermal field to be discovered at the termination of a detachment fault on the slow-spreading Carlsberg Ridge. Most hydrothermal chimneys in the TVF are developed on the basaltic apron. This paper presents mineralogical, petrological, and geochemical data for altered basalts in and surrounding the TVF. The basalt samples can be classified into seafloor-weathered and hydrothermally altered (i.e., slightly saponite-altered, highly saponite-altered, and silicified) types. At the periphery of the TVF, the basalts have experienced seafloor weathering, which has resulted in slight mineralogical and geochemical changes. In the TVF, most basalts have interacted with diffuse low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, leading to variable degrees of saponite alteration. As the distance from the vents decreases, basaltic glass, olivine, and pyroxene are progressively replaced by saponite; Zn, Cu, Co, and U are enriched; and Ca and Mn are depleted. Magnesium, Fe, and Li have been lost due to olivine replacement by saponite, and have been gained due to pyroxene replacement by saponite. In the fluid flow conduits, the basalts have interacted with focused medium- to high-temperature fluids, which has led to the replacement of saponite by opal; depletion in Mg, Fe, Li, and rare earth elements; and enrichment in Zn, Cu, Co, and U. We propose a new hydrothermal alteration model for basalts in an ultramafic-associated vent field. Based on a comparison with mafic-hosted vent fields along mid-ocean ridges, we propose that: (1) the permeable host rocks promote lateral fluid flow, widespread mixing with cold seawater, and pervasive low-temperature hydrothermal alteration; and (2) H2S-poor reducing fluids reduce the solubility of U and inhibit the precipitation of Fe, leading to high Cu/Fe and Zn/Fe ratios, and high U concentrations. The hydrothermal alteration model for the TVF is applicable to similar vent fields and can guide exploration for seafloor massive sulfide deposits along slow-spreading ridges.