Paul Dennis edited discussion_fluids.tex  over 8 years ago

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\subsection{Fluid isotope compositions, sources and mixing processes}  \subsection{Thermal constraints on fluid flux}  To a first approximation we can use the estimated temperatures of the fluid end members to constrain the flux of fluid needed to develop a thermal anomaly similar to that observed at Dirtlow Rake. The question is how much fluid and how fast does it have to flow along the fault to (i) heat the rock in the fault zone and (ii) prevent significant heat loss via conduction through the walls of the fault? The problem is illustrated in Figure 8. Hydrothermal fluid at an initial temperature $\Theta$_{i} enters the fault at depth \textit{x}_{1} and flows up along the fault to a depth of \textit{x}_{2} where it has cooled to a temperature $\Theta$_{1}. We assume that the heat lost from the fluid (i) heats the immediate fault zone to the temperature of the fluid ($\Theta$_1) and; (ii) is lost through thermal diffusion perpendicular to the fault walls. For a parallel plate slab we can express this energy balance per metre length of fault as: