Revised and expanded silica (quartz) geothermometer

Abstract

The silica geothermometer has been revised and expanded using all experimental data on the solubility of quartz in water, including data published since the original silica geothermometer was devised. The new formulation can be used graphically or mathematically up to 330/sup 0/C. New equations expressing (1) temperature as a function of silica concentration, (2) silica concentration as a function of enthalpy of water, and (3) enthalpies of liquid water and associated steam as functions of temperature together allow a mathematical calculation of silica geothermometer temperatures that assumes adiabatic cooling followed by single-stage steam loss at any specified temperature. A similar procedure also allows for a mathematical solution of the silica mixing model.