Carbon released by sill intrusion into young sediments measured through scientific drilling

The intrusion of igneous sills into organic-rich sediments accompanies the emplacement of igneous provinces, continental rifting, and sedimented seafloor spreading. Heat from intruding sills in these settings alters sedimentary organic carbon, releasing methane and other gasses. Recent studies hypothesize that carbon released by this mechanism impacts global climate, particularly during large igneous province emplacements. However, the direct impacts of sill intrusion, including carbon release, remain insufficiently quantified. Here, we present results from International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 385 comparing drill-core and wireline measurements from correlative sedimentary strata at adjacent sites cored in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, one altered by a recently intruded sill and one unaffected. We estimate 3.30 Mt of carbon were released due to this sill intrusion, representing an order of magnitude less carbon than inferences from outcrops and modeling would predict. This attenuated carbon release can be attributed to shallow intrusion and the high heat capacity of young, high-porosity sediments. Shallow intrusion also impacts sub-seafloor carbon cycling by disrupting advective fluxes, and it compacts underlying sediments, increasing potential carbon release in response to subsequent intrusions.

Automated summary

The intrusion of igneous sills into organic-rich sediments leads to the release of carbon, including methane, which can impact global climate. However, the direct impacts of sill intrusion and carbon release remain insufficiently understood. A recent study in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, estimated that 3.30 Mt of carbon were released due to a sill intrusion, which is an order of magnitude less than predicted by previous studies. This attenuated carbon release is attributed to shallow intrusion and young, high-porosity sediments.