USING GIS TO REVISIT STABLE ISOTOPE AND GEOTHERMOMETRY DATA TO IDENTIFY ZONES OF INFILTRATION BY MAGMATIC FLUIDS, UBEHEBE PEAK, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Studies of the Ubehebe Peak Aureole in Death Valley National Park, California show evidence that the presence of magmatic fluids heavily influences metamorphism of the host rock (Roselle et .al 1999). The stable isotope and geothermometry data from that study indicate that magmatic fluids did not infiltrate the area uniformly. At the time of Roselle et. al 1999, geographic information systems (GIS) had not progressed enough for a comprehensive spatial comparison between the geothermometry and stable isotope data without a prohibitively large sample size. This study uses GIS to interpolate that data into surfaces that reflect δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C, and temperature within the aureole. A correlation between high temperature and low isotope ratios would suggest that infiltration of magmatic fluid caused the isotope fractionation. This correlation may also allow the infiltration zones to be mapped. Comparison of these surfaces to topography and local geology will improve understanding of fluid infiltration associated with magmatic intrusions.