Eocene fault-controlled fluid flow and mineralization in the Paradox Basin, United States

Abstract Sedimentary rocks of the Paradox Basin Colorado Plateau (southwestern USA) record widespread manifestations paleo–fluid flow and fluid-rock reactions including Cu, U-V, Fe-Mn mineral deposits, Si Ca metasomatism, hydrocarbon accumulations, bleached sandstones. Many these are spatially associated with faults. Here we show evidence for a phase fault-related fluid migration mineralization at 41–48 Ma in Basin. We measured K-Ar dates multiple size fractions clay-rich fault gouge, yielding statistically overlapping authigenic (1Md) illite Salt Valley (47.0 ± 3.0 Ma), Kane Springs (47.7 3.8 Cliffdweller (43.4 4.6 Courthouse (41.9 2.3 Lisbon (45.3 0.9 GTO (48.1 2.6 Ma) The latter two have an Rb-Sr isochron age 50.9 3.5 Ma, fault-adjacent bornite has Re-Os 47.5 1.5 Ma. Authigenic from paleo–oil reservoir near formed interaction reduced fluids oxidized red-bed sandstones 41.1 2.5 Moab Keystone faults older ages 59.1 5.7 65.2 1.0 respectively. Our results close temporal relationship between gouge formation, bleaching, Cu during enigmatic time interval, raising questions about drivers Eocene flow.