Research Article| September 01, 2004 Paleo-fluid flow and deformation in the Aztec Sandstone at the Valley of Fire, Nevada—Evidence for the coupling of hydrogeologic, diagenetic, and tectonic processes Peter Eichhubl; Peter Eichhubl 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar W. Lansing Taylor; W. Lansing Taylor 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David D. Pollard; David D. Pollard 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Atilla Aydin Atilla Aydin 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Peter Eichhubl 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA W. Lansing Taylor 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA David D. Pollard 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA Atilla Aydin 1Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2115, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 16 Jul 2003 Revision Received: 01 Jan 2004 Accepted: 09 Jan 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2004) 116 (9-10): 1120–1136. https://doi.org/10.1130/B25446.1 Article history Received: 16 Jul 2003 Revision Received: 01 Jan 2004 Accepted: 09 Jan 2004 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Peter Eichhubl, W. Lansing Taylor, David D. Pollard, Atilla Aydin; Paleo-fluid flow and deformation in the Aztec Sandstone at the Valley of Fire, Nevada—Evidence for the coupling of hydrogeologic, diagenetic, and tectonic processes. GSA Bulletin 2004;; 116 (9-10): 1120–1136. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B25446.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Paleo-fluid flow conditions are reconstructed for an exhumed faulted and fractured sandstone aquifer, the Jurassic Aztec Sandstone at Valley of Fire, Nevada. This reconstruction is based on detailed mapping of multicolored alteration patterns that resulted from syndepositional reddening of the eolian sandstone and repeated episodes of dissolution, mobilization, and reprecipitation of iron oxide and hydroxide. A first stage of bleaching and local redeposition of hematite is attributed to upward migration of reducing basinal fluid during and subsequent to Late Cretaceous Sevier thrusting and foreland deposition of clastic sediments. A second stage of bleaching and iron remobilization, precipitating predominantly goethite and minor iron sulfates, occurred during Miocene strike-slip faulting associated with Basin and Range tectonics. This second stage is explained by mixing of reducing sulfide-rich basinal fluid with meteoric water entering the aquifer. The distribution of alteration patterns indicates that regional-scale fluid migration pathways were controlled by stratigraphic contacts and by thrust faults, whereas the outcrop-scale focusing of flow was controlled by structural heterogeneities such as joints, joint-based faults, and deformation bands as well as the sedimentary architecture. The complex interaction of structural heterogeneities with alteration is consistent with their measured hydraulic properties, demonstrating the significance of structural heterogeneities for focused fluid flow in a porous sandstone aquifer. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.