Petrophysical Facies and Inferences on Permeability at Brothers Volcano, Kermadec Arc, Using Downhole Images and Petrophysical Data
Authors: Massiot Cécile , McIntosh Iona , Deans Jeremy , Milicich Sarah D. , Caratori Tontini Fabio , de Ronde Cornel E. J. , Adam Ludmila , Kolandaivelu Kannikha , Guerin Gilles 
Published: February 2022

Downhole data and cores collected during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 376 at Brothers volcano, Kermadec arc, provide unprecedented, in situ views of volcanic facies and fluid pathways in an actively forming volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) ore deposit. Brothers volcano is a submarine caldera with extensive sea-floor hydrothermal alteration. Downhole data were collected in two holes: Hole U1530A at the NW Caldera and Hole U1528D at the Upper Cone.

Textural analysis of microresistivity images in Hole U1530A provides a continuous image facies record that greatly improves findings based upon sporadic and partial (18%) core recovery. Between 90 and 214 meters below sea floor (mbsf), the heterogeneous image facies with local pattern variations is consistent with the volcaniclastic facies interpreted from cores. Between 232 and 445 mbsf, a volcanic facies was not recognizable in cores because of overprinting alteration, apart from five intervals of coherent lava flows that were less altered. Based on the fairly constant petrophysical data, Vp-porosity relationship, and presence of five to six coherent image facies intervals on the microresistivity image, we propose that the apparent volcaniclastic textures observed on cores and microresistivity images beneath 232 mbsf are dominantly lava flows. The change from volcaniclastic to dominant lava flow facies occurs over a transition zone (214–232 mbsf) where all petrophysical properties gradually change. In Hole U1528D, cores and petrophysical data show a similar transition from deep coherent lava flows to shallower, largely volcaniclastic sequences at ~270 mbsf.

Down to 232 mbsf in Hole U1530A and 360 mbsf in Hole U1528D, the overall first-order downward decrease in porosity is interpreted to be caused by compaction and increased alteration intensity. Volcanic facies and fractures exert a second-order local control on petrophysical properties. Beneath 232 mbsf in Hole U1530A, the prolonged hydrothermal activity is inferred to have diminished local petrophysical property variations within the proposed lava flow-dominated rock package. High downhole fluid temperatures in Hole U1528D contrast with the moderate temperatures in Hole U1530A. Permeable zones show a mix of structural (inferred fault in Hole U1530A) and lithological controls in both holes. Some low-permeability layers and/or lithological interfaces possibly focus fluids laterally in higher-permeability layers, which may act as a trap for metal-rich fluids to form stratabound massive sulfides and deposits. Matrix is likely too low in permeability to conduct fluids but provides perfect conditions for the storage of supersaline brines. In Hole U1530A, located near active vents at the sea floor, the relatively low fluid temperature and the alteration overprint of moderate temperature demonstrate the high spatial and temporal variations at Brothers volcano.

The implications of the new stratigraphy and controls on permeability proposed here for Brothers volcano include a better understanding of the following: (1) submarine volcanic eruption sequences, (2) permeability in active submarine volcanoes, and (3) the formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits on (and near) the sea floor.