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Oxygen isotopes in hydrothermal sinters as an indicator of Quaternary lakewater compositions in the Kenya Rift Valley

  • W. G. Darling
  • , B. Spiro

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Siliceous sinter deposits deriving from hydrothermal activity during the Quaternary are found at various elevations on dormant volcanic centres in the northern Kenya Rift Valley, East Africa. These sinters have been dated by U-series methods, giving ages from 7 ka to over 500 ka BP (Sturchio et al, 1993). Given various assumptions, the δ 18O-SiO 2 compositions of the sinters can be converted back to δ 18O- H 2O values to compare with lakewater compositions inferred from stromatolites. The data suggest that sinters can assist in constraining palaeo-hydrological reconstructions for the late Quaternary in the East African Rift Valley region, particularly during the cooler episodes. Whether sinters can be used in this way further back in the geological record is still under debate.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWater-Rock Interaction - Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-12
Pages1475-1479
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event12th International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-12 - Kunming, China
Duration: 31 Jul 20074 Aug 2007

Publication series

NameWater-Rock Interaction - Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-12
Volume2

Conference

Conference12th International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, WRI-12
Country/TerritoryChina
CityKunming
Period31/07/074/08/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Water Science and Technology

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