dusel experiment development and coordination (dedc) internal design review july 16-18, 2008 steve...

DUSEL Experiment Development and Coordination (DEDC)Internal Design Review

July 16-18, 2008Steve Elliott, Derek Elsworth, Daniela Leitner, Larry Murdoch, Tullis C. Onstott and Hank Sobel

Homestake DUSEL Initial Suite of ExperimentsDUSEL Experiment Development and Coordination

Group Name: PODS (petrology, ore deposits, structure…)

• Interested principals and collaboratorsColin J. PatersonMichael P. TerryBrennan JordanKelli A. McCormickNuri UzunlarMaribeth H. PriceAlvis L. LisenbeeDerric L. Iles

Edward F. DukeJames E. Fox Diane Wolfgram Christopher H. GammonsColleen Elliott Ryan Morelli David L HustonRichard Goldfarb

Richard H. SibsonDavid Craw Ross LargeLeonid DanyshevskyScott CooperGenet DukeCarol D. Frost Shari Kelley Erich Petersen Paul SpryBernhardt Saini-Eidukat A. James MacDonaldEric Sonnenthal Mark Conrad Jason Love Gail Postrollo Dean Peterson


Science

• Objective: Fundamental Question– What are the respective roles of deformation and dynamothermal

metamorphism in the production of fluids (magma and hydrothermal) and their flow-paths in orogenic systems?

• Why is DUSEL the best or only place this experiment can be done? – Unique geology: single system with fluid-migration critical in metal

concentration, complexly deformed with contrasting rock rheologies– Extensive underground access, large core archive, and potential to acquire

scientifically targeted core within and below Homestake/DUSEL – Synergistic inerteractions with other working groups– DUSEL provides an exceptional resource for addressing questions involving

deformation, fluid flow, and mineralization.

• Why is it important to do these experiments in the near future? – Pre-construction and construction phases may allow the best access to unlined

mine walls in some parts of the facility – Some proposed research activities support planning for construction and initial

suites of experiments of other working groups.


Science

• Expected results and their significance: – Structural studies will document the timing and nature of the transition from

horizontal to vertical deformational flow during tectonic transpression– Modeling (kinematic and thermal-mechanical) will establish link between

transition to vertical flow and magmatism, fluid flow/mineralization, and doming– Study of chronology and geometry of fluid flow will involve documentation

of veins associated with tectonic processes to generate chrono-spatial models of flow paths

– Element mobilization and precipitation mechanisms will be determined by stable isotope and fluid inclusion studies allowing alternative hypotheses for the origin of mineralizing fluids to be tested

– Synthesis: the studies listed above are all linked by processes; the focus on the DUSEL facility and close working relationship among collaborators will facilitate effective synthesis

– Results will have broader significance for: study of transpressional origins; links between deformation and fluid generation and flow; large scale mineralized paleohydrothermal systems

– Other results will be produced by synergistic activities with, and in support of, other working groups


Proposed Experiments (Describe A+ Experiments in multiple slides: maybe 1 to 5 slides)

• Approach: – Characterize 3-D geometries of structures and fabrics and their

timing relationships in the Homestake mine, through lithologic mapping, chemostratigraphy, and determination of intensity of strain and rheologic properties at the conditions of metamorphism

– From this work, a model of the structural evolution will be developed through comparison with existing kinematic and thermal-mechanical models to gain insight into processes of magma generation and flow-path development.



• Approach:– Through additional mapping, mineralogy/petrography, and chemical

and isotopic analyses, we will characterize in 3-D the geometry and chronology of paleo-flowpaths, manifested in multiple generations of quartz veins (Paleoproterozoic and early Tertiary), with implications for fluid and element mobilization and concentration

– This work will be followed by experiments of element mobilization and precipitation mechanisms as models for formation of giant Paleoproterozoic ore-forming systems, as well as mineralization related to Tertiary magmatic-hydrothermal systems.



• Approach: – Synergistic activities with, and in support of, other working

groups:• Baseline characterization: proposed research to characterize rock

chemistry and mineralogy, and map structural patterns and fabrics in the rocks will contribute to the baseline characterization dataset.

• Ultra-deep biological observatory: geologic characteristics of the core that this group produces will contribute to evaluating the fundamental question posed in this proposal. In turn, PODS offers the expertise in geology and local geologic knowledge that will aid in consultation on and interpretation of rock units that may be intersected.

• Induced flow and transport: Our proposed experiments of element mobilization and precipitation mechanisms contribute to the heater experiment.

• Physics – Low background counting facility: geochemical characterization of core in the planned laboratory construction areas will provide data on the abundance of U, Th, K, and other elements necessary to model shielding requirements for facility. Future collaboration with may also include sharing analytical facilities


Facility Needs

• Facilities – Underground access to several levels. Highest priority levels are the

300, 2600, and 4100 L– Ventilation underground and access to water and hoses (to wash walls)– Access to databases (Vulcan, map archives, logs) and the core archive.– Core lab for sample preparation for hand samples and core.– Contract drill rig and crew for drilling through areas identified in present

and future research proposals.• E&O

– We envision many opportunities to involve graduate students, undergraduate students, and science teachers in research projects, underground mapping, and workshops or short courses that we develop in cooperation with Universities and professional societies

• Risk identification and management– Lack of access to critical areas of the mine because of tunnel instability,

flooding, or ventilation issues– Lack of access to necessary existing resources, such as databases and

archives


Schedule

• Development needs prior to conducting experiments at Homestake: • Safe access underground to targeted levels• A 3D database (Vulcan) of mine related information • A functioning core archive and core-examination laboratory.

• S-4 activities to be proposed • Attend AGU DUSEL Working Group meeting and dentify further collaborators at fall

AGU • Use 3D database and document and core archives to plan sites for underground

research• Acquire safety training for those researchers needing underground access.• Conduct underground visits for site selection and preliminary sample and data

collection • Conduct grant writing workshop for collaborators in Rapid City, and visit

SUSEL/DUSEL facility and core archive • Submit S-5 proposal

• Schedule• Dec. 2008, AGU/DUSEL meeting• Oct. – Dec. 2008, use of databases and archives• Oct. – Dec. 2008, underground safety training as needed• Oct. 2008 – Feb. 2009, underground visits• Jan. 2009, Grant writing workshop and visit to SUSEL/DUSEL facility and core

archive• May 2009, submit S-5 proposal.

dusel experiment development and coordination (dedc) internal design review july 16-18, 2008 steve...

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