The smectite to chlorite transition in the Chipilapa geothermal system, El Salvador

University of Bristol, Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol, United Kingdom
Comision Ejecutive Hidroelectrica del Rio Lempa, El Salvador

Clay mineralogical X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe studies have been carried out on separated <2 mu m fractions from cutting and core material from three wells in the Chipilapa geothermal system in El Salvador. The data indicate that the smectite to chlorite transition is prevalent, but a secondary smectite to illite transition is also present. At depths approximately <750 m, smectite with very minor chlorite mixed-layers (approximately <15%) is dominant, and has a composition midway between a di- and tri-smectite. At approximately 750 m there is a very clear distinction and sharp transition into discrete chlorite with very minor smectite mixed-layers (approximately <10%). Corrensite is recorded only as a rare and minor phase. Smectite occurs in abundance at temperatures up to approximately 200 degrees C, and the transition from a smectite-dominant to chlorite-dominant assemblage takes place over a narrow temperature range ( approximately 150 to 200 degrees C). The stability range of smectite is very similar to that recorded in other geothermal systems, whereas the smectite to chlorite transition differs greatly from that recorded in other systems. The transition does not involve continuous chlorite/smectite mixed-layering but a marked step: It is the sharpest and most discontinuous stepped sequence of this mineralogical transition recorded.

This record provided courtesy of AGI/GeoRef.