Fault-fluid compositions from fluid-inclusion observations and solubilities of fracture-sealing minerals

Host-rock chemical alteration and syntectonic veins in and near fault zones are evidence for episodic fracturing and fluid transport during faulting. Alteration minerals, vein fillings, and fluid inclusions may be used to estimate fault-fluid chemistry, temperature, and pressure. Fluid inclusions in thrust faults, reverse faults hosting mesothermal gold deposits, and exhumed footwall rocks of normal faults show that fluid components include...