Hydrocarbon-bearing fluid migration produces brecciation at high pressure condition in subduction

It has been recently proposed that high-pressure genesis of abiotic hydrocarbon can lead to strain localization in subducted carbonate rocks¹. However, the mechanical effects of the migration of these hydrocarbon-bearing fluids on the infiltrated rocks still need to be constrained.

In this study, we investigate omphacitite (i.e. omphacite-rich rock) adjacent to an high-pressure methane source from the Western Italian Alps (Italy) using a multiscale and analytical approach including petrographic, microstructural, X-ray compositional mapping and electron backscatter diffraction analyses (EBSD). In the field, omphacitite bands are 1-5 metres thick and tens of metres long and are adjacent to carbonate rocks affected by high-pressure reduction and methane production.

Hand specimens and thin sections display a brecciated structure, with omphacitite fragments ranging in size from a few microns to several centimetres, surrounded by a matrix of jadeite, omphacite, grossular, titanite, and graphite. X-ray compositional maps and cathodoluminescence images highlight oscillatory zoning and skeletal (jackstraw) textures in jadeite, omphacite and garnet in the matrix, suggesting a fast matrix precipitation under plausible disequilibrium conditions. CH₄ and H₂ are found in fluid inclusions in the jadeite grains. This feature suggests a potential link between the genesis of CH₄ in the adjacent carbonate rocks and the brecciation event.

EBSD analysis was performed on omphacitite clasts close to their borders, where omphacite grain size varies between a few microns and a maximum of 100 microns. Those omphacite grains display no crystallographic preferred orientation, abundant low angle boundaries and low (< 5°) internal lattice distortion. We interpret these textures as formed by pervasive and diffuse micro-fracturing related to the brecciation occurring at high pore fluid pressure, reaching sub-lithostatic values. This study suggests that at high-pressure conditions in subduction zones, the genesis and migration of hydrocarbon-bearing fluids can trigger fracturing in adjacent lithotypes.

¹Giuntoli, F., Vitale Brovarone, A. & Menegon, L. Feedback between high-pressure genesis of abiotic methane and strain localization in subducted carbonate rocks. Sci. Rep. 10, 9848 (2020).

This work is part of project that has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. 864045).