Genesis of zebra dolomites (Cathedral Formation: Canadian Cordillera Fold and Thrust Belt, British Columbia)

Swennen, R., Vandeginste, V. and Ellam, R.M. (2003) Genesis of zebra dolomites (Cathedral Formation: Canadian Cordillera Fold and Thrust Belt, British Columbia). Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 78-79, pp. 571-577. (doi: 10.1016/S0375-6742(03)00065-7)

Abstract

The late diagenetic zebra dolomites (Middle Cambrian Cathedral Formation: British Columbia, Canada) formed from focalised fluid flow of hot saline fluids (T-h maximum= 180-200 degreesC, T-m = - 18 to - 20 degreesC). delta(18)O values vary around - 18.0 parts per thousand (VPDB) and delta(13)C around - 1.35 parts per thousand. Sr-87/Sr-86 values for the grey (a) replacive dolomite laminae (0.70958 to 0.70970) and for the white, partially replacive laminae and dolomite cement (0.71187 to 0.71228), support involvement of radiogenic fluids which interacted with siliciclastics. Zebra dolomitisation post dates cleavage and is controlled by normal faults. Syn-fracturing dolomitisation in an overpressured regime is invoked for the zebra dolomites formation while the associated coarse crystalline beige dolomites reflect the more passive influx of the dolomitising fluids replacing the host rocks. Overpressuring relates to the fluids that became expulsed during Fold and Thrust Belt development along the paleo-structural Kicking Horse Rim, which defines an area where major pateogeographical changes occurred in the Middle Cambrian. However, the exact age of the dolomites is still uncertain. The fact that MVT mineralisations (Kicking Horse and Monarch deposits), which post-dates zebra formation, occur within a similar structural setting adjacent to the zebra dolomites, suggests that similar fluid flow pathways where re-used several times.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ellam, Professor Rob
• Authors: Swennen, R., Vandeginste, V., and Ellam, R.M.
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Journal of Geochemical Exploration
• ISSN: 0375-6742