Mineralogy of gouge in north-northeast-striking faults, Sydney region, New South Wales

Gouges formed in north-northeast-striking fault zones of the Sydney region and associatedhost-rocks were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM and optical microscopy in order to determine their mineralogy. XRD studies reveal that illite, illite–smectite, kaolinite, quartz and dickite are present in varying proportions. Kübler Indices (0.54–0.71) and low smectite contents in illite–smectite (<10% smectite) in most gouges and hostrocks, indicate the assemblages formed at temperatures between 120 and 150°C. Those at the Heathcote Road, Lucas Heights location formed at lower temperatures (<100°C). SEM images of the clays in host sublitharenites and gouges show a variety of sizes and habits that reflect variations in fluid temperature and rate of crystallisation. SEM studies also reveal that detrital quartz grains exhibit overgrowths and etch pits of varying density, size and shape that are more strongly developed in the gouges than in the host rocks. These features are thought to be related to higher fluid/rock ratios brought about by major ingress of fluids into the fault zones. The mineral assemblage present and the features exhibited are believed to have formed in response to a thermal event associated with the early stages of the breakup of Gondwana.