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Research Interests

Marine Hydrogeology

In ocean crust, fluid flow between the basaltic basement aquifer and the overlying ocean is an important control on heat transport, solute transport, and alteration of the crust. 随着沉积物逐渐积聚在海洋地壳上，它们改变了 基底含水层流体循环的性质. My interests in marine hydrogeology include fluid and heat circulation patterns in ocean crust, permeability evolution 海洋地壳，流体和热量通过海底沉积物流动. I have studied fluid and heat flow in diverse settings, including the flanks of mid-ocean ridges, subduction zones (e.g.、哥斯达黎加、南开海槽、卡斯卡迪亚和智利南部)， and estuaries.

 

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Follow this link for information on an ongoing project examining hydrothermal circulation 在靠近卡斯卡迪亚俯冲带的洋壳中 CHINOoK (Cascadia)深海热液环流(K).

Below: Photo of AUV Sentry being deployed to map a seep site offshore Oregon.

 

As ocean crust subducts, fluid circulation within it is an important control on subduction zone temperature. 与现在和以前的学生，我研究的演变 俯冲地壳中的热液循环. 在这些研究中，我们检查了一些一般的 aspects of fluid and heat circulation in subducting crust — for example, how far into a subduction zone can fluid circulation in the ocean crust aquifer persist, and what 是这种循环的热后果吗?  We have examined fluid and heat circulation in the Nankai Trough (southern Japan), Cascadia, southern Chile, Mexico, and northern Japan subduction zones.  我们发现流体循环的热效应 in subducting crust may extend the seismogenic portion of the plate boundary fault 比先前估计的更靠近海岸线和人口稠密地区.

I am also interested in how water derived from mineral dehydration reactions affects 俯冲带流体压力分布.  In the subduction zone offshore Costa Rica, I examined how the release of water bound in minerals may affect the distribution of fluid overpressures (and therefore effective stress) on the plate boundary fault.  That study focused on dehydration reactions in sediment at fairly low temperatures (<150 ˚C).  在正在进行的项目中，我正在研究如何从水的释放 basement rocks of oceanic crust at higher temperatures may affect the distribution of excess fluid pressures in subduction zones, and how fluid sources from the subducting 板块连接与地幔楔蚀变和熔融作用.  这对理解有影响 俯冲带的整个“管道系统”.

 

Fault zone permeability

In collaboration with geologists and hydrogeologists in our department, I am working on a geological, geophysical, and hydrological study of field-scale fault-zone cementation and permeability. 地质断层通常只有在它们产生时才会成为新闻 damaging earthquakes.  然而，缺点也悄悄地对社会产生了重要影响 that most people never think about – they control the flow of groundwater and petroleum in aquifers and oil fields.  事实上，断层作为流体的屏障可以使 高产水井或油井与糟糕油井之间的区别.   This is true for the Rio Grande aquifer system, in which groundwater levels can vary by hundreds of feet as fault zones are crossed. 通过这项研究，我们将解决困难 question of the role that natural cements plays in controlling the ease with which fluids pass through faults. 

 下图:洛马布兰卡断层的坚固胶结部分.

The cements are composed of minerals precipitated from groundwater over thousands of years or more.  当矿物质沉淀时，它们会填满岩石的孔隙，造成堵塞 使液体难以流动. However, determining the distribution of fault-zone cements is difficult.  因此，断裂带胶结作用是典型的 在估计断层对流体流动的影响时未考虑. In our study, we are taking advantage of unique electrical properties of natural cements to map their 3-D distribution in an exceptionally well-exposed fault zone a few miles north of Socorro, NM.  然后，我们将直接测量水泥对地下水的影响 通过从断层附近的井中取水来流动.

下图为Loma Blanca断层取心和安装井作业.

 

沉积学/沉积物物理性质

Variations in sediment type and porosity can lead to large differences in sediment permeability. My previous sediment oriented studies range from determining sedimentation patterns on the northern California margin from reflection seismic data to laboratory consolidation and permeability testing of sediments from San Francisco Bay, the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank, and the Congo Fan.

Some of my work in this area examines the thermal, diagenetic, and consolidation history 靠近日本外海南开海槽俯冲带的沉积物. I have examined 南开边缘半深海沉积物的硅胶结作用. I sailed on an IODP expedition to examine cementation/deformation of sediment approaching and entering the Nankai Trough subduction zone.  我也在描述热状态 the Nankai Trough subduction zone.

Publications

*表示学生第一作者，Spinelli的主要指导老师

*Norvell, B., *T. Kyritz, G.A. Spinelli, R.N. Harris, K. Dickerson, A.M. Tréhu, S. Carbotte, S. Han, B. Boston, M. Lee, and CHINOoK项目科学派对，2023年. 热显著流体渗流通过 thick sediment on the Juan de Fuca plate entering the Cascadia subduction zone, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 24, e2023GC010868, http://doi.org/10.1029/2023GC010868.

Spinelli, G.A., A. Clark, M. Clark, S. Edel, S. Farrar, J. Fastle, C. Greigo, et al., 2022. Magnetic 在索科罗峡谷发现埋藏玄武岩体的磁场强度证据. In Socorro Region III, New Mexico Geological Society 72nd Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, ed. D.J. Koning, K.J. Hobbs, F.M. Phillips, W.J. Nelson, S.M. Cather, A.C. Jakle, and B. Van Der Werff, 112–113. http://doi.org/10.56577/FFC-72.

*Barnes, H., *J.R. Hinojosa, G.A. Spinelli, P.S. Mozley, D. Koning, T.G. Sproule, and J.L. Wilson, 2021.  Detecting fault zone characteristics and paleo-valley incision using electrical resistivity: Loma Blanca Fault, New Mexico, Geophysics, http://doi.org/10.1190/geo2020-0375.1.

Harris, R.N., G.A. Spinelli, M. Hutnak, 2020.  海洋地壳热液循环的热流证据 offshore Grays Harbor, Washington, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, http://doi.org/10.1029/2019GC008879.

*Sproule, T.G., G.A. Spinelli, J.L. Wilson, M.D. Fort, P.S. Mozley, and J. Ciarico, 2020. The effects of fault-zone 在野外尺度下，胶结作用对地下水流动的影响; Groundwater, http://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13062.

*Lucero, A.C., G.A. Spinelli, J. He, 2019.  海洋板块弯曲增厚的热效应 南开海槽和日本海沟俯冲带的地壳含水层 Journal of Geophysical Research, doi:10.1029/2018JB016556. Abstract.

Huepers, A., L.N. Warr, G. Grathoff, K. Wemmer, G. Spinelli, and M. Underwood, 2019. 蒙脱石-伊利石成岩作用的时空特征 in the Nankai Trough accretionary prism revealed by samples from 3 km below seafloor, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. doi:10.1029/2018GC008015. Abstract.

Spinelli, G., I. Wada, K. Wang, J. He, R. Harris, and M. Underwood, in 2018. Diagenetic, metamorphic, and hydrogeologic consequences of 俯冲地壳中的热液循环, Geosphere. doi: 10.1130/GES01653.1. Abstract.

Harris, R.N., G.A. Spinelli, and A.T. Fisher, 2017. 浅层热液环流与热结构 subduction zones, Geosphere, doi:10.1130/GES01498.1. Abstract.

*Perry, M., G.A. Spinelli, I. Wada, and J. He, 2016. 模拟温度和流体源分布 the Mexican subduction zone: effects of hydrothermal circulation and implications for plate boundary seismic processes, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, doi:10.1002/2015GC006148. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., I. Wada, J. He, and M. Perry, 2016. 流体循环的热效应 在智利俯冲带的板块融化上俯冲地壳， Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 434, 101-111, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2015.11.031. Abstract.

*Rotman, H.M.M., and G.A. Spinelli, 2014. 智利中南部俯冲非常一致的热状态 zone from 36°S to 45°S, Journal of Geophysical Research, doi:10.1002/2013JB010811. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., 2014. Long-distance fluid and heat transport in the oceanic crust entering the Nankai subduction zone, NanTroSEIZE transect, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 389, 86-94, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2013.12.013. Abstract.

*Rotman, H.M.M., and G.A. Spinelli, 2013. Global analysis of the effect of fluid flow on subduction zone temperatures, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, doi:10.1002/ggge.20205. Abstract.

Harris, R., M. Yamano, M. Kinoshita, G. Spinelli, H. Hamamoto, and J. Ashi, 2013. 热流测定和热学的综合 沿日本南开海槽模拟 Journal of Geophysical Research, doi:10.1002/jgrb.50230. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., and A. Hutton, 2013. 数据报告:来自Sites沉积物的无定形二氧化硅含量 NanTroSEIZE样带上四国盆地C0011和C0012 综合海洋钻探计划论文集, 322, doi:10.2204/iodp.proc.322.204.2013. Article.

*Cozzens, B.D., and G.A. Spinelli, 2012. A wider seismogenic zone at Cascadia due to fluid circulation in subducting oceanic crust, Geology, 40 (10), 899-902, doi:10.1130/G33019.1. Article.

Spinelli, G.A., and R.N. Harris, 2011. 热液环流与海山俯冲的热效应 Temperatures in the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment transect, Japan, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 12, Q0AD21, doi:10.1029/2011GC003727. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., and R.N. Harris, 2011. 轴向冷却遗留问题对分配的影响 海洋岩石圈热液提取; Journal of Geophysical Research, 116, B09102, doi:10.1029/2011JB008248. Abstract.

Harris, R.N., F. Schmidt-Schierhorn, and G.A. Spinelli, 2011. Heat flow along the NanTroSEIZE transect: Results from IODP Expeditions 315 以及日本纪井半岛近海的316号， Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 12, Q0AD16, doi:10.1029/2011GC003593. Abstract.

*White, R., G.A. Spinelli, P.S. Mozley, and N.W. Dunbar, 2010. 火山玻璃蚀变对沉积物的重要性 stabilization: offshore Japan, Sedimentology, 58 (5), 1138-1154, doi:10.1111/j.1365-3091.2010.01198.x. Abstract.

Harris, R.N., G.A. Spinelli, C.R. Ranero, I. Grevemeyer, and H. Villinger, 2010. The thermal regime of the Costa Rica margin wedge 2: Thermal models of the shallow Middle America subduction zone offshore Costa Rica, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems,11 (12), Q12S28, doi:10.1029/2010GC003272. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Wang, K., 2009. 流体循环、温度和变质作用之间的联系 subducting slabs, Geophysical Research Letters, 36, L13302, doi:10.1029/2009GL038706. Abstract.

*Kummer, T.D., Spinelli, G.A., 2009. Thermal effects of fluid circulation in the basement aquifer of subducting ocean crust,Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, B03104, doi:10.1029/2008JB006197. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Wang, K., 2008. 俯冲地壳流体循环对南开边缘的影响 seismogenic zone temperatures, Geology, 36 (11), 887-890. Abstract.

Hutnak, M., Fisher, A.T., Harris, R., Stein, C., Wang, K., Spinelli, G., Schindler, M., Villinger, H., and E. Silver, 2008. Surprisingly large heat and 流体通过海洋地壳的中间板块露头， Nature Geoscience, doi:10.1038/ngeo264. Abstract.

*Kummer, T.D., Spinelli, G.A., 2008. Hydrothermal circulation in subducting crust reduces subduction zone temperatures.Geology, 36 (1), 91-94. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Saffer, D.M., 2007. 俯冲带的海沟平行流体流动 temperature differences.Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 8, Q09009, doi:10.1029/2007GC001673. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Mozley, P.S., Tobin, H.J., Underwood, M.B., Hoffman, N.W., Bellew, G.M., 2007. Diagenesis, sediment strength, and pore collapse in sediment approaching the Nankai Trough subduction zone. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 119 (3), 377-390. Abstract.

Hutnak, M., Fisher, A.T., Stein, C., Harris, R., Wang, K., Silver, E., Spinelli, G., Pfender, M., Ellsworth, C., Villinger, H., Pisani, P.C., DeShon, H., MacKnight, B., 2007. The thermal state of 18-24 Ma upper lithosphere subducting below the Nicoya Peninsula, northern Costa Rica margin. In T. Dixon and C. Moore (eds.), 俯冲逆冲断层的发震带, Columbia Univeristy Press.

Pratson, L.F., Nittrouer, C.A., Wiberg, P.L., Steckler, M.S., Swenson, J.B., Cacchione, D.A., Karson, J.A., Murray, A.B., Wolinsky, M.A., Gerber, T.P., Mullenbach, B.L., Spinelli, G.A., Fulthorpe, C.S., O’Grady, D.B., Parker, G., Driscoll, N.W., Burger, R.L., Paola, C., Orange, D.L., Field, M.E., Friedrichs, C.T., Fedele, J.J., 2007. Seascape evolution 在碎屑大陆架和斜坡上. In C.A. Nittrouer, J.A. Austin, M.E. Field, J.H. Kravitz, J.P.M. Syvitski, and P.L. Wiberg (eds.), Continental Margin Sedimentation, Blackwell Publishing, p. 339-380.

Spinelli, G.A., Saffer, D.M., Underwood, M.B. 2006. 三维水文地质响应 温度变化，哥斯达黎加俯冲边缘. Journal of Geophysical Research, 111, B04403, doi:10.1029/2004JB003436. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Underwood, M.B. 2005. 南开海槽俯冲地壳热史模拟 constraints from in situ sediment temperature and diagenetic reaction progress. Geophysical Research Letters, 32, L09301, doi:10.1029/2005GL022793. Abstract.

Underwood, M.B., Hoke, K.D., Fisher, A.T., Davis, E.E., Giambalvo, E., Zuehlsdorff, L., Spinelli, G.A. 2005. Provenance, stratigraphic architecture, and hydrogeologic influence of turbidites on the mid-ocean ridge flank of northwestern Cascadia Basin, Pacific Ocean. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 75(1), 149-164. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Fisher, A.T., 2004. 地形粗糙的玄武岩内的热液循环 胡安·德·富卡山脊侧翼的地下室. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 5, Q02001, doi:10.1029/2003GC000616. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Giambalvo., E.R., Fisher, A.T., 2004. 沉积物渗透性、分布和影响 on fluxes in oceanic basement. In Davis, E.E. and Elderfield, H. (Eds.), 海洋岩石圈的水文地质学. Cambridge University Press.

Spinelli, G.A., Saffer, D.M., 2004. 逆冲下沉积脱水的沿走向变化 哥斯达黎加的尼科亚边缘与地震活动的上倾极限有关. Geophysical Research Letters, 31, L04613, doi: 10.1029/2003GL018863. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Underwood, M.B., 2004. 进入哥斯达黎加俯冲带的沉积物特征 区域:水沿板块界面分配的含义. The Island Arc, 13(3), 432-451. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Zuehlsdorff, L., Fisher, A.T., Spiess, V., Wheat, C.G., Mottl, M.J., Giambalvo, E.R., 2004. Hydrothermal seepage patterns above a buried basement ridge, eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Journal of Geophysical Research, 109 (B1), B01102, doi:10.1029/2003JB002476. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Field, M.E., 2003. 构造和沉积物源位置的控制 strike variations in transgressive deposits on the northern California margin. Marine Geology, 197 (1-4), 35-47. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Fisher, A.T., Wheat, C.G., Tryon, M.D., Brown, K.D., Flegal, A.R., 2002. Groundwater seepage into northern San Francisco Bay estimated from seepage meters and porewater 地球化学:对溶解金属预算的影响;Water Resources Research, 38 (7), doi: 10.1029/2001WR000827. Abstract.

Spinelli, G.A., Field, M.E., 2001. 加利福尼亚北部大陆斜坡沟壑的演变 margin, Journal of Sedimentary Research, 71 (2), 237-245. Abstract.

Alley, R.B., Shuman, C.A., Meese, D.A., Gow, A.J., Taylor, K.C., Cuffey, K.M., Fitzpatrick, J.J., Grootes, P.M., Zielinski, G.A., Ram, M., Spinelli, G.A., Elder, B., 1997. Visual-stratigraphic dating of the GISP2 ice core: Basis, reproducibility, and application, Journal of Geophysical Research, 102 (C12), p. 26367-26381.