HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hinman, N. W. Articles by Walter, M. R. Search for Related Content GeoRef GeoRef Citation

Textural Preservation in Siliceous Hot Spring Deposits During Early Diagenesis: Examples from Yellowstone National Park and Nevada, U.S.A.

¹ Department of Geology, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812 U.S.A.
² Australian Centre for Astrobiology, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia

A petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical investigation reveals evidence for selective preservation of microfacies in siliceous sinters. Plio-Pleistocene sinters from Steamboat Springs, Nevada, contain identical but fewer petrographic textures than Pleistocene sinters from Artist Point, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The latter are preserved in altered sediments of unknown origin. A sequence of pore-filling and mineralogical changes explains the excellent preservation of nine microfacies and two petrographic textures. Plio-Pleistocene Steamboat Springs sinters are preserved in successions of andesitic basalt flows and were likely subjected to a more extreme thermal and a different hydrological environment than those from Yellowstone National Park. Most microfacies were obliterated during postdepositional heating of Steamboat Spring sinters. Differences in diagenetic histories related to depositional environment, water chemistry, and/or subsequent burial must account for the loss of textural evidence between the diagenetic stage represented by Artist Point sinters and that of Steamboat Springs sinters. Hence, early postdepositional history affects both the likelihood and quality of microfossil preservation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Y. Lynne, K. A. Campbell, R. S. Perry, P.R.L. Browne, and J.N. Moore Acceleration of sinter diagenesis in an active fumarole, Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand Geology, September 1, 2006; 34(9): 749 - 752. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]