The genesis of Rare-alkali metal enrichment in the geothermal anomalies controlled by faults and magma along the northern Yadong-Gulu rift

Abstract

Geothermal water from the hot springs in the Yadong-Gulu rift (YGR) of southern Tibet is extremely enriched in rare-alkali metal (RAM) elements; however, the mechanism of enrichment has long been debated. Much attention has been given to the deep melting magma of the YGR, but no direct evidence indicates whether and how it is connected to the RAM anomaly of hot springs. Determining the mechanism of RAM enrichment and its variations with the time and space of hot springs will contribute to the exploration of the hydrothermal metallogenic systems. This paper presents numerical hydrothermal numerical circulation models constrained by the geological data and the geophysical structure of the YGR. The results illustrate that the depths of boundary faults control the anomalous temperatures of hot springs. High-temperature springs (such as Yangbajing) could be induced by deep faults extending to the middle crust, whereas magma at a depth greater than 10 km has a limited effect on geothermal anomalies. Secondary faults define the extent of hydrothermal circulation and further determine the distribution of thermal anomalies across the rift. We simulate the enrichment and distribution of RAMs from a deep magma source. The pathways of RAMs from the source are consistent with hydrothermal circulation. RAM concentrations are lower in infiltrating groundwater and higher in ascending hot water. In general, deep faults control the hydrothermal circulation of geothermal groundwater. Deep faults and magma further constrain the distribution of RAM anomalies.