ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: INTRODUCTION The evaporite deposits of the Werra district, especially in the Hattorf mining field, are considered a worldwide unique location for the occurence of numerous basalt dikes and magmatic fluid phases fixed in salt rocks. In spite of the great number of studies dealing with the magmatites in the Werra region, previous investigations have rarely attempted more than a predominantly 'qualitative' description of the basaltic rocks and the effects of volcanism on the evaporites (see Chapter 2). The method of interpreting the mineralogical and chemical composition of the evaporites at the basalt contact is based on previous works (KNIPPING 1984; KNIPPING & HERRMANN 1985). This study should contribute to understanding (i) the mechanism of intrusion of the basaltic rnelts and (ii) the metamorphic processes occurring in the evaporites caused by mobile phases during volcanism. Hence, the following methods were applied: The mineralogical and chemical description of the basaltic rocks with recent nomenclature including the possible differences between individual dikes and between surface- and subsurface-exposed basalts. Seven surface and 48 subsurface exposures at the Hattorf mine of Kali & Salz AG were studied. Application of the most recent knowledge on basalt genesis for interpreting observational and experimental results. Studies on the sulfur and carbon isotope distributions of the native sulfur from several subsurface exposures and the enrichments of gases (predominantly CO2) in the evaporites. Calculation of the spatial and temporal temperature distribution in the evaporite rocks following intrusion of the basaltic melts. For purposes of clarity a few of the terms which will be used frequently here will first be defined: basalt - all of the intrusive rocks studied can be assigned mineralogically and chemically to the basalt family in a broader sense. Thus, the terms basaltic rock or, in short, basalt will be used for these rocks. rock salt - instead of the term salt for halitic rocks the term rock salt is used. Besides, the evaporites are generally designated as host rocks (for the basalt dikes) as well. gases - especially in the German literature the term carbon dioxide or carbonic acid (= Kohlensäure) is frequently used for the gases enclosed in the evaporites of the Werra-Fulda district. ACKERMANN et al (1964) found, in addition to carbon dioxide, considerable amounts of nitrogen and minor amounts of methane. In the following therefore the terms gas mixture or gas will be used. The various basalt dikes found in the Hattorf mining field are described here in terms of their mineralogy and geochemistry for the first time. In doing so it is necessary to number them from east to west. To avoid confusion with older numerations (e.g. SIEMENS 1971) the various dike systems are designated by capital letters (A to P).