Fluid geochemistry of Montserrat Island, West Indies

Abstract

 Two geochemical surveys carried out in March 1991 and September 1992 revealed the existence of a hydrothermal system in the southern portion of Montserrat Island, below Soufrière Hills Volcano. This conclusion is supported by the presence of: (a) the thermal springs of Plymouth which are fed by deep Na–Cl waters (Cl concentration ∼25 000 mg/kg, temperature ca. 250  °C) mixed with shallow steam-heated waters; (b) the four fumarolic fields of Galway's Soufrière, Gages Upper Soufrière, Gages Lower Soufrière, and Tar River Soufrière, where acid to neutral, steam-heated waters are present together with several fumarolic vents, discharging vapors formed through boiling of hydrothermal aqueous solutions. Involvement of magmatic fluids in the recharge of the hydrothermal aquifers is suggested by: (a) the high ³He/⁴He ratios of fumarolic fluids, i.e., 8.2 R_A at Galway's Soufrière and 5.9 R_A at Gages Lower Soufrière; (b) the δD and δ¹⁸O values of Na–Cl thermal springs and steam condensates, indicating the involvement of arc-type magmatic water in the formation of deep geothermal liquids; and (c) the CH₄/CO₂ ratios of fumarolic fluids, which are lower than expected for equilibrium with the FeO–FeO_1.5 hydrothermal rock buffer, but being shifted towards the SO₂–H₂S magmatic gas buffer.