Basalt Intrusions in Evaporites ebook is available to be downloaded here now.
- Title: Title: Basalt Intrusions in Evaporites
- Author: Bernhard Knipping
- Publisher: Springer
- Pages: 138
Various salt deposits found worldwide have experienced a phase of volcanic activity during their history. In addition to the economic significance of the alteration and redistribution processes occurring during volcanism such deposits aid in understanding the interaction between basalts and salt rocks.
During the Miocene (about 10 – 25 Ma) basaltic melts intruded into the Zechstein evaporites of the Werra-Fulda region (Germany), which formed more than 250 Maago. They reached the surface at only a few points and usually solidified at greater depths. Today, about 15 NS-striking systems of basaltic dikes are exposed at the Hattorf potash mine. Mobile components such as 1-120 and CO 2 found their way into
the neighbouring salt rocks ~luring and following intrusion of the magmas. Thus, extensive mineral reactions have a close genetic relationship to the basalt volcanism.
These mineral reactions led to the alteration of entire deposits, above all the K-Mg rocks of the potash seams, which are particularly sensitive to hydrous solutions and increased temperature. During these processes gaseous mixtures were fixed in partially great amounts in chloride rocks through recrystallization of salt minerals. Native sulfur was also found occasionally at and near basalt dikes.
Hence the sulfate type potash salts of the Werra-Fulda mining district are particularly suitable for studies concerning evaporite and basalt genesis as well as problems concerning underground disposal of heat-producing toxic wastes (natural analogue).
I would like to sincerely thank Prof. Dr. A.G. Herrmann for initiating this study and for his continuous support through discussions. He also enabled the K-Ar age dating of five basalt samples. The scientific work was made possible by a grant from the German Research Council (DFG), to whom I am particularly grateful.
For the extensive sampling in the Hattorf mine I had the friendly support of the main administration of Kali und Salz AG and the management at the Hattorf mine. Karl und Salz AG also enabled three K-Ar whole-rock datings. I would like to thank above all Dr. K.-Ch. K~ding, H. Klee, and Dr. G. v.Struensee for their support during sampling and many discussions.