Regional Fluid Flow and Basin Modeling in Northern Alaska
The goal of the project was to construct hydrologic/chemical models that allow us to compare and test conceptual models for ore fluid migration and petroleum generation. The results of this study aided in understanding the petroleum maturation and mineralization history of parts of the Brooks Range that are poorly characterized and understood. This is considered essential for mineral and energy resource assessments of northern Alaska.Abstract
The origin, timing, and flux of fluids generated from Carboniferous to Cretaceous basins in the Brooks Range have outstanding relevance to the mineral and hydrocarbon resources in northern Alaska. Fluid-transported metals that migrated through Paleozoic clastic rocks resulted in enormous mineral deposits, including the largest accumulation of zinc and barite in the world in the Red Dog district of western Brooks Range. Prolific hydrocarbon source rocks of Carboniferous age in the Brooks Range appears to have generated considerable amounts of petroleum that probably contributed to the world-class petroleum resources of the North Slope (e.g., Lisburne petroleum system). The endowment of mineral and energy resources suggests that the scale of fluid flow and flux of metals and petroleum in the sedimentary basins was vast. This project is attempting to improve our understanding of the role of fluid migration and contribute to more effective assessments of resources in sedimentary basins of northern Alaska. Geologic, sedimentologic and paleontologic, geochemical, and structural data will be used to contruct hydrologic/chemical models that will allow us to compare and test conceptual models for ore fluid migration and petroleum generation. Sediment-hosted deposits are an important Pb and Zn resource and comprise more than 50% of the world’s reserves of these metals. The Zn-Pb-Ag deposits in the Red Dog district in Alaska contain at least 40 Mt of contained Zn + Pb, and exploration west and east of Red Dog suggests a high potential for additional resources in northern Alaska. The US economy depends on importing a significant percentage of Ag (54%) and Zn (56%). Accurately assessing the potential for additional resources is therefore important for securing a supply of these mineral commodities. In addition, it has been shown that the Carboniferous rocks that host the zinc deposits in northern Alaska contributed to the petroleum resources of the North Slope. An improved understanding of the timing of process(es) that localized these zinc and barite resources and generated petroleum can lead to a better assessment of the mineral and energy resources in northern Alaska.
Products
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| Regional fluid flow and basin modeling in northern Alaska | Project Website |
Contacts
Kelley, Karen , 303-236-2467Status: completed
Start Year: 2002
End Year: 2007
Project Sites
Location
Brooks RangeNorth Slope