Alpine tectonic evolution and thermal water circulations of the Argentera Massif (South-Western Alps) |
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| Authors: | Alessandro Baietto P Perello P Cadoppi G Martinotti |
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| Institution: | 1. DST, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Torino, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125, Torino, Italy
2. SEA Consulting Srl, Via Cernaia 27, 10121, Torino, Italy
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| Abstract: | Three groups of thermal springs with temperatures close to 70 °C discharge both in the core (at Bagni di Vinadio and Terme
di Valdieri) and on the external margin (at Berthemont-Les-Bains) of the Argentera Massif. Detailed structural field analysis
carried out on the hydrothermal sites allows us to delineate both a model of Alpine tectonic evolution of the Argentera Massif
and the patterns of hydrothermal circulation that were active during its final exhumation. The observed fault rock assemblages
provide information relative to deformation that occurred in viscous, frictional-to-viscous and frictional crustal regimes.
During the Early Miocene, the Bersezio Fault Zone and the Fremamorta Shear Zone, two main mylonitic shear zones, mainly accommodated
regional transpression and provided pathways for fluid flow promoting mineral reactions in greenschist facies. During the
Late Miocene–Early Pliocene, frictional-to-viscous deformation affected the massif, which underwent predominant transpression
in the internal sectors and extension on the external margin. During the Plio-Pleistocene, deformation in frictional condition
accompanied the final exhumation of the massif in a transpressive regime and resulted in the development of the NW–SE striking
cataclastic zones. The hydraulic properties of these structures mainly influence the patterns of the active thermal circulations
and the localization of the recharge and discharge zones. At Berthemont these faults represent conduits, whereas at Vinadio
and Valdieri they form complex systems of conduits and barriers. In these two latter sites, the cataclastic faults compose
flower structures that constrain laterally the thermal fluid flows while intensely fractured granites sited at depth constitute
a highly-transmissive geothermal reservoir. Less permeable migmatitic gneisses overlaying the granites prevent a massive infiltration
of the cold fluids at depth. This context favours within the high-permeability fractures granites the development of buoyancy-driven
flows which combined with topographically-driven flows, provided the conditions for the upflow of the high-temperature waters. |
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