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Quartz Veins (quartz + vein)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Earth and Environmental Science	89%
Humanities and Social Sciences	6%

Selected Abstracts

U-Pb SHRIMP Dating of Zircon from Quartz Veins of the Yangshan Gold Deposit in Gansu Province and Its Geological Significance

ACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 2 2004
QI Jinzhong
Abstract, The Yangshan gold deposit is a super-large fine-grained disseminated gold deposit located in southern Gansu Province. Its metallogenic age has been determined by using the cathodoluminescence image and ion probe U-Pb dating techniques. It is found that zircons from quartz veinlet of the fine-grained disseminated gold ore show characters of magmatic origin with prism idiomorphism, oscillatory zoning and dominant Th/U ratios of 0.5,1.5. Three main populations of zircons are obtained, giving average 206Pb/238U ages of 197.6±1.7 Ma, 126.9±3.2 Ma and 51.2±1.3 Ma respectively. The first age corresponds to the K-Ar age of the plagiogranite dike, while the latter two ages indicate that buried Cretaceous and Tertiary intrusives exist in the orefield, suggesting that the Yangshan gold deposit was genetically related to the three magmatic hydrothermal activities. By contrast, zircons from coarse gold-bearing quartz vein in the mining area are much older than the host rock, indicating that the vein was formed earlier and was not contaminated by later magmatic fluids. It is concluded that the coupling of multiperiodic hydrothermal activities in the mining area has contributed a lot to mineralization of the Yangshan gold deposit. [source]

Infiltration of basinal fluids into high-grade basement, South Norway: sources and behaviour of waters and brines

GEOFLUIDS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2003
S. A. Gleeson
Abstract Quartz veins hosted by the high-grade crystalline rocks of the Modum complex, Southern Norway, formed when basinal fluids from an overlying Palaeozoic foreland basin infiltrated the basement at temperatures of c. 220°C (higher in the southernmost part of the area). This infiltration resulted in the formation of veins containing both two-phase and halite-bearing aqueous fluid inclusions, sometimes with bitumen and hydrocarbon inclusions. Microthermometric results demonstrate a very wide range of salinities of aqueous fluids preserved in these veins, ranging from c. 0 to 40 wt% NaCl equivalent. The range in homogenization temperatures is also very large (99,322°C for the entire dataset) and shows little or no correlation with salinity. A combination of aqueous fluid microthermometry, halogen geochemistry and oxygen isotope studies suggest that fluids from a range of separate aquifers were responsible for the quartz growth, but all have chemistries comparable to sedimentary formation waters. The bulk of the quartz grew from relatively low ,18O fluids derived directly from the basin or equilibrated in the upper part of the basement (T < 200°C). Nevertheless, some fluids acquired higher salinities due to deep wall-rock hydration reactions leading to salt saturation at high temperatures (>300°C). The range in fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and densities, combined with estimates of the ambient temperature of the basement rocks suggests that at different times veins acted as conduits for influx of both hotter and colder fluids, as well as experiencing fluctuations in fluid pressure. This is interpreted to reflect episodic flow linked to seismicity, with hotter dry basement rocks acting as a sink for cooler fluids from the overlying basin, while detailed flow paths reflected local effects of opening and closing of individual fractures as well as reaction with wall rocks. Thermal considerations suggest that the duration of some flow events was very short, possibly in the order of days. As a result of the complex pattern of fracturing and flow in the Modum basement, it was possible for shallow fluids to penetrate basement rocks at significantly higher temperatures, and this demonstrates the potential for hydrolytic weakening of continental crust by sedimentary fluids. [source]

Fluid flow during exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust: zircon U-Pb age and O-isotope studies of a quartz vein within ultrahigh-pressure eclogite

JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
Y.-F. ZHENG
Abstract Quartz veins in high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks witness channelized fluid flow that transports both mass and heat during collisional orogenesis. This flow can occur in the direction of changing temperature/pressure during subduction or exhumation. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircon from a kyanite-quartz vein within ultrahigh-pressure eclogite in the Dabie continental collision orogen yields two age groups at 212 ± 7 and 181 ± 13 Ma, which are similar to two groups of LA-ICPMS age at 210 ± 4 and 180 ± 5 Ma for the same sample. These ages are significantly younger than zircon U-Pb ages of 224 ± 2 Ma from the host eclogite. Thus the two age groups from the vein date two episodes of fluid flow involving zircon growth: the first due to decompression dehydration during exhumation, and the second due to heating dehydration in response to a cryptic thermal event after continental collision. Laser fluorination O-isotope analyses gave similar ,18O values for minerals from both vein and eclogite, indicating that the vein-forming fluid was internally derived. Synchronous cooling between the vein and eclogite is suggested by almost the same quartz,mineral fractionation values, with regularly decreasing temperatures that are in concordance with rates of O diffusion in the minerals. While the quartz veining was caused by decompression dehydration at 700,650 °C in a transition from ultrahigh-pressure to high-pressure eclogite-facies retrogression, the postcollisional fluid flow was retriggered by heating dehydration at ,500 °C without corresponding metamorphism. In either case, the kyanite,quartz vein formed later than the peak ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic event at the Middle Triassic, pointing to focused fluid flow during exhumation rather than subduction. The growth of metamorphic zircon in the eclogite appears to have depended on fluid availability, so that their occurrence is a type of geohygrometer besides geochronological applicability to dating of metamorphic events in orogenic cycles. [source]

Microfabric of folded quartz veins in metagreywackes: dislocation creep and subgrain rotation at high stress

JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 8 2009
C. A. TREPMANN
Abstract The microfabrics of folded quartz veins in fine-grained high pressure,low temperature metamorphic greywackes of the Franciscan Subduction Complex at Pacheco Pass, California, were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy including electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The foliated host metagreywacke is deformed by dissolution,precipitation creep, as indicated by the shape preferred orientation of mica and clastic quartz without any signs of crystal-plastic deformation. The absence of crystal-plastic deformation of clastic quartz suggests that the flow stress in the host metagreywacke remained below a few tens of MPa at temperatures of 250,300 °C. In contrast, the microfabric of the folded quartz veins indicates deformation by dislocation creep accompanied by subgrain rotation recrystallization. For the small recrystallized grain size of ,8 ± 6 ,m, paleopiezometers indicate differential stresses of a few hundred MPa. The stress concentration in the single phase quartz vein is interpreted to be due to its higher effective viscosity compared to the fine-grained host metagreywacke deforming by dissolution,precipitation creep. The fold shape suggests a viscosity contrast of one to two orders of magnitude. Deformation by dissolution,precipitation creep is expected to be a continuous process. The same must hold for folding of the vein and deformation of the vein quartz by dislocation creep. The microfabric suggests dynamic recrystallization predominantly by subgrain rotation and only minor strain-induced grain boundary migration, which requires low contrasts in dislocation density across high-angle grain boundaries to be maintained during climb-controlled creep at high differential stress. The record of quartz in these continuously deformed veins is characteristic and different from the record in metamorphic rocks exhumed in seismically active regions, where high-stress deformation at similar temperatures is episodic and related to the seismic cycle. [source]

Fluid flow during exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust: zircon U-Pb age and O-isotope studies of a quartz vein within ultrahigh-pressure eclogite

First combined electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy study of grain boundary structure of deformed quartzite

JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2006
N. SHIGEMATSU
Summary The structures of boundaries in a deformed and dynamically recovered and recrystallized quartz polycrystal (mylonite) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, after the misorientation angles across the same grain boundaries had been analysed using electron backscatter diffraction in a scanning electron microscope. In this new approach, a specific sample area is mapped with electron backscatter diffraction, and the mapped area is then attached to a foil, and by the ion beam thinned for transmission electron microscopy analysis. Dislocations in grain boundaries were recognized as periodic and parallel fringes. The fringes associated with dislocations are observed in boundaries with misorientations less than 9°, whereas such fringes cannot be seen in the boundaries with misorientations larger than 17°. Some boundaries with misorientations between 9° and 17° generally have no structures associated with dislocation. One segment of a boundary with a misorientation of 13.5° has structures associated with dislocations. It is likely that the transition from low-angle to high-angle boundaries occurs at misorientations ranging from approximately 9° to 14°. Change in the grain boundary structure presumably influences the mobility of the boundaries. In the studied deformed quartz vein, a relative dearth of boundaries between misorientation angles of , = 2° and , = 15° has previously been reported, and high-angle boundaries form cusps where they intersect low-angle boundaries, suggesting substantial mobility of high-angle boundaries. [source]

Surface exposure dating of the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine system, western Swiss Alps, using the cosmogenic nuclide 10Be

JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 5 2004
Meredith A. Kelly
Abstract Egesen moraines throughout the Alps mark a glacial advance that has been correlated with the Younger Dryas cold period. Using the surface exposure dating method, in particular the measurement of the cosmogenic nuclide 10Be in rock surfaces, we attained four ages for boulders on a prominent Egesen moraine of Great Aletsch Glacier, in the western Swiss Alps. The 10Be dates range from 10,460±1100 to 9040±1020,yr ago. Three 10Be dates between 9630±810 and 9040±1020,yr ago are based upon samples from the surfaces of granite boulders. Two 10Be dates, 10,460±1100 and 9910±970,yr ago, are based upon a sample from a quartz vein at the surface of a schist boulder. In consideration of the numerous factors that can influence apparently young 10Be dates and the scatter within the data, we interpret the weighted mean of four boulder ages, 9640±430,yr (including the weighted mean of two 10Be dates of the quartz vein), as a minimum age of deposition of the moraine. All 10Be dates from the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine are consistent with radiocarbon dates of nearby bog-bottom organic sediments, which provide minimum ages of deglaciation from the moraine. The 10Be dates from boulders on the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine also are similar to 10Be dates from Egesen moraines of Vadret Lagrev Glacier on Julier Pass, in the eastern Swiss Alps. Both the morphology of the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine and the comparison with 10Be dates from the inner Vadret Lagrev Egesen moraine support the hypothesis that the climatic cooling that occurred during the Younger Dryas cold episode influenced the glacial advance that deposited the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine. Because of the large size and slow response time of Great Aletsch Glacier, we suggest that the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine was formed during the last glacial advance of the multiphased Egesen cold period, the Kromer stage, during the Preboreal chron. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Alteration Patterns Related to Hydrothermal Gold Mineralizaition in Meta-andesites at Dungash Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
Hossam A. Helba
Abstract: The hydrothermal alteration patterns associating with the gold prospect hosted by metavolcanics in the Dungash area, Eastern Desert of Egypt, were investigated in order to assign their relationship to mineralization. The metavolcanics of andesitic composition are generated by regional metamorphism of greenschist facies superimposed by hydrothermal activity. Epidote and chlorite are metamorphic minerals, whereas sericite, carbonates, and chlorite are hydrothermal alteration minerals. The auriferous quartz vein is of NEE-SWW trend and cuts mainly the andesitic metavolcanics, but sometimes extends to the neighbouring metapyroclastics and metasediments. Quartz-sericite, sericite, carbonate-sericite, and chlorite-sericite constitute four distinctive alteration zones which extend outwards from the mineralized quartz vein. The quartz-sericite and sericite zones are characterized by high contents of SiO2, K2O, Rb, and As, the carbonate-sericite zone is by high contents of CaO, Au, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Y, and the chlorite-sericite zone is by high contents of MgO, Na2O, Zn, Ba, and Co. Gold and sulphide minerals are relatively more abundant in the carbonate-sericite zone followed by the sericite one. The geochemistry of the alteration system was investigated using volume-composition and mass balance calculations. The volume factors obtained for the different alteration zones, mentioned above (being 1.64, 1.19, 1.17, and 1.07, respectively), indicate that replacement had taken place with a volume gain. The mass balance calculations revealed addition of SiO2, K2O, As, Cu, Rb, Ba, Ni, and Y to the system as a whole and subtraction of Fe2O3 from the system. Initial high aK+ and aH+ for the invading fluids is suggested. As the fluids migrated into wallrocks, they became more concentrated in Mg, Ca, and Na with increasing activities of CO2 and S. The calculated loss-gain data are in agreement with the microscopic observations. Breakdown of ferromagnesian minerals and feldspars in the quartz-sericite, sericite, and chlorite-sericite zones accompanied by loss in Mg, Fe, Ca, and Na under acidic conditions and low CO2/H2O ratio may obstruct the formation of carbonates and sulphides, and the precipitation of gold in these zones. The role of metamorphic fluids in the area is expected to be restricted to the liberation of Au and some associated elements from their hosts. [source]

Geology and Genesis of the Superlarge Jinchang Gold Deposit, NE China

ACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 4 2008
JIA Guozhi
Abstract The superlarge Jinchang gold deposit is located in the joint area between the Taipingling uplift and the Laoheishan depression of the Xingkai Block in both eastern Jilin and eastern Heilongjiang Province. Wall rocks of the gold deposits are the Neoproterozoic Huangsong Group of metamorphic rocks. Yanshanian magmatism in this region can be divided into 5 phases, the diorite, the graphic granite, the granite, the granite porphyry and the diorite porphyrite, which resulted in the magmatic domes and cryptoexplosive breecia chimney followed by large-scale hydrothermal alteration. Gold mineralization is closely related to the fourth and fifth phase of magmatism. According to the occurrences, gold ores can be subdivided into auriferous pyritized quartz vein, auriferous quartz-pyrite vein, auriferous polymetallic sulfide quartz vein and auriferous pyritized calcite vein. The ages of the gold deposit are ranging from 122.53 to 119.40 Ma. The ore bodies were controlled by a uniform tectono-magmatic hydrothermal alteration system that the ore-forming materials were deep derived from and the ore-forming fluids were dominated by magmatic waters with addition of some atmospheric water in the later phase of mineralization. Gold mineralization took place in an environment of medium to high temperatures and medium pressures. Ore-forming fluids were the K+ -Na+ -Ca2+ -Cl, -SO42- type and characterized by medium salinity or a slightly higher, weak alkaline and weak reductive. Au in the ore-forming fluids was transported as complexes of [Au (HS)2],, [AuCl2],, [Au(CO2)], and [Au(HCO3)2],. Along with the decline of temperatures and pressures, the ore-forming fluids varied from acidic to weak acidic and then to weak alkaline, which resulted in the dissociation of the complex and finally the precipitation of the gold. [source]

U-Pb SHRIMP Dating of Zircon from Quartz Veins of the Yangshan Gold Deposit in Gansu Province and Its Geological Significance

Contrasting paleofluid systems in the continental basement: a fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of hydrothermal vein mineralization, Schwarzwald district, Germany

GEOFLUIDS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2007
B. BAATARTSOGT
Abstract An integrated fluid inclusion and stable isotope study was carried out on hydrothermal veins (Sb-bearing quartz veins, metal-bearing fluorite,barite,quartz veins) from the Schwarzwald district, Germany. A total number of 106 Variscan (quartz veins related to Variscan orogenic processes) and post-Variscan deposits were studied by microthermometry, Raman spectroscopy, and stable isotope analysis. The fluid inclusions in Variscan quartz veins are of the H2O,NaCl,(KCl) type, have low salinities (0,10 wt.% eqv. NaCl) and high Th values (150,350°C). Oxygen isotope data for quartz range from +2.8, to +12.2, and calculated ,18OH2O values of the fluid are between ,12.5, and +4.4,. The ,D values of water extracted from fluid inclusions vary between ,49, and +4,. The geological framework, fluid inclusion and stable isotope characteristics of the Variscan veins suggest an origin from regional metamorphic devolatilization processes. By contrast, the fluid inclusions in post-Variscan fluorite, calcite, barite, quartz, and sphalerite belong to the H2O,NaCl,CaCl2 type, have high salinities (22,25 wt.% eqv. NaCl) and lower Th values of 90,200°C. A low-salinity fluid (0,15 wt.% eqv. NaCl) was observed in late-stage fluorite, calcite, and quartz, which was trapped at similar temperatures. The ,18O values of quartz range between +11.1, and +20.9,, which translates into calculated ,18OH2O values between ,11.0, and +4.4,. This range is consistent with ,18OH2O values of fluid inclusion water extracted from fluorite (,11.6, to +1.1,). The ,D values of directly measured fluid inclusion water range between ,29, and ,1,, ,26, and ,15,, and ,63, and +9, for fluorite, quartz, and calcite, respectively. Calculations using the fluid inclusion and isotope data point to formation of the fluorite,barite,quartz veins under near-hydrostatic conditions. The ,18OH2O and ,D data, particularly the observed wide range in ,D, indicate that the mineralization formed through large-scale mixing of a basement-derived saline NaCl,CaCl2 brine with meteoric water. Our comprehensive study provides evidence for two fundamentally different fluid systems in the crystalline basement. The Variscan fluid regime is dominated by fluids generated through metamorphic devolatilization and fluid expulsion driven by compressional nappe tectonics. The onset of post-Variscan extensional tectonics resulted in replacement of the orogenic fluid regime by fluids which have distinct compositional characteristics and are related to a change in the principal fluid sources and the general fluid flow patterns. This younger system shows remarkably persistent geochemical and isotopic features over a prolonged period of more than 100 Ma. [source]

Rates Of Postglacial rock weathering on glacially scoured outcrops (Abisko,Riksgränsen area, 68°N)

GEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 3-4 2002
Françoise André, Marie
Ice,polished quartz veins, feldspar phenocrysts and quartzite layers were used as reference surfaces to assess the impact of Postglacial rock weathering in Lapland (68°N). Over 3200 measurements were carried out on roches moutonées and glaciofluvially scoured outcrops distributed within three study areas covering 8 km2. Inferred weathering rates demonstrate that 10,000 years of Holocene weathering did not significantly modify the geometry of Weichselian rock surfaces. However, rates of general surface lowering range from 1 to 25, depending on the rock type, with average values at 0.2 mm ka,1 for homogeneous crystalline rocks (irrespective of their acidity and grain size), 1 mm ka,1 for biotite,rich crystalline rocks, and 5 mm ka,1 for carbonate sedimentary rocks. Accelerated rates were recorded in weathering pits and along joints with values up to ten times higher than on the rest of the rock surface. Comparisons with cold and temperate areas suggest that solution rates of carbonate rocks are highly dependent on climate conditions, whilst granular disintegration of crystalline rocks operates at the same rate whatever the environment. It probably means that microgelivation is not efficient on ice,polished crystalline outcrops even under harsh climate conditions, and that granular disintegration proceeds under various climates from the same ubiquitous combination of biochemical processes. Last, the weathering state of Late,Weichselian roches moutonées can be usefully compared to that of Preglacial tors of the nearby Kiruna area. [source]

Microfabric of folded quartz veins in metagreywackes: dislocation creep and subgrain rotation at high stress

Geochemical and stable isotope resetting in shear zones from Täschalp: constraints on fluid flow during exhumation in the Western Alps

JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
I. Cartwright
Abstract Fluid flow at greenschist facies conditions during exhumation of the western Alps occurred in several penecontemporaneous systems, including shear zones at lithological contacts, deformed contacts between serpentinite bodies and metabasalts, albite veins within metabasalts, and calcite + quartz veins within calcareous schists. Fluid flow in shear zones that juxtapose metasediments and ophiolitic rocks within the Piemonte Unit reset O and H isotope ratios. ,18O values are buffered by the wall rocks; however, calculated fluid ,2H values are similar within all the shear zones suggesting that they formed an interconnected network. The similarity of ,2H values of the sheared rocks and those of unsheared calcareous schists suggests that the fluids were derived from, or had equilibrated with, the schists that envelop the ophiolite rocks. Time-integrated fluid fluxes at the sheared contacts estimated from changes in Si in metabasalts were up to 105 m3 m,2, with the fluid flowing up temperature driven either by topography or seismic pumping. Individual shear zones were active for c. 2,3 Myr, implying average fluid fluxes of up to 10,9 m3 m,2 s,1. Rocks in shear zones within the ophiolite away from contacts with the metasediments show much less marked isotopic and geochemical changes, implying that fluid volumes decreased into the ophiolite unit, consistent with the source of fluids being the metasediments. Fluids were generated by dehydration reactions that were intersected during exhumation and, while many rocks show the affects of fluid,rock interaction, large-scale fluid flow between major units was not common. [source]

Evolution of Caledonian deformation fabrics under eclogite and amphibolite facies at Vårdalsneset, Western Gneiss Region, Norway

JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 3 2000
Engvik
The Vårdalsneset eclogite situated in the Western Gneiss Region, SW Norway, is a well preserved tectonite giving information about the deformation regimes active in the lower crust during crustal thickening and subsequent exhumation. The eclogite constitutes layers and lenses variably retrograded to amphibolite and is composed of garnet and omphacite with varying amounts of barroisite, actinolite, clinozoisite, kyanite, quartz, paragonite, phengite and rutile. The rocks record a five-stage evolution connected to Caledonian burial and subsequent exhumation. (1) A prograde evolution through amphibolite facies (T =490±63 °C) is inferred from garnet cores with amphibole inclusions and bell-shaped Mn profile. (2) Formation of L>S-tectonite eclogite (T =680±20 °C, P=16±2 kbar) related to the subduction of continental crust during the Caledonian orogeny. Lack of asymmetrical fabrics and orientation of eclogite facies extensional veins indicate that the deformation regime during formation of the L>S fabric was coaxial. (3) Formation of sub-horizontal eclogite facies foliation in which the finite stretching direction had changed by approximately 90°. Disruption of eclogite lenses and layers between symmetric shear zones characterizes the dominantly coaxial deformation regime of stage 3. Locally occurring mylonitic eclogites (T =690±20 °C, P=15±1.5 kbar) with top-W kinematics may indicate, however, that non-coaxial deformation was also active at eclogite facies conditions. (4) Development of a widespread regional amphibolite facies foliation (T =564±44 °C, P<10.3,8.1 kbar), quartz veins and development of conjugate shear zones indicate that coaxial vertical shortening and sub-horizontal stretching were active during exhumation from eclogite to amphibolite facies conditions. (5) Amphibolite facies mylonites mainly formed under non-coaxial top-W movement are related to large-scale movement on the extensional detachments active during the late-orogenic extension of the Caledonides. The structural and metamorphic evolution of the Vårdalsneset eclogite and related areas support the exhumation model, including an extensional detachment in the upper crust and overall coaxial deformation in the lower crust. [source]

Microstructural tectonometamorphic processes and the development of gneissic layering: a mechanism for metamorphic segregation

JOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 1 2000
Williams
The Mary granite, in the East Athabasca mylonite triangle, northern Saskatchewan, provides an example and a model for the development of non-migmatitic gneissic texture. Gneissic compositional layering developed through the simultaneous evolution of three microdomains corresponding to original plagioclase, orthopyroxene and matrix in the igneous rocks. Plagioclase phenocrysts were progressively deformed and recrystallized, first into core and mantle structures, and ultimately into plagioclase-rich layers or ribbons. Garnet preferentially developed in the outer portions of recrystallized mantles, and, with further deformation, produced garnet-rich sub-layers within the plagioclase-rich gneissic domains. Orthopyroxene was replaced by clinopyroxene and garnet (and hornblende if sufficient water was present), which were, in turn, drawn into layers with new garnet growth along the boundaries. The igneous matrix evolved through a number of transient fabric stages involving S-C fabrics, S-C-C, fabrics, and ultramylonitic domains. In addition, quartz veins were emplaced and subsequently deformed into quartz-rich gneissic layers. Moderate to highly strained samples display extreme mineralogical (compositional) segregation, yet most domains can be directly related to the original igneous precursors. The Mary granite was emplaced at approximately 900 °C and 1.0 GPa and was metamorphosed at approximately 750 °C and 1.0 GPa. The igneous rocks crystallized in the medium-pressure granulite field (Opx,Pl) but were metamorphosed on cooling into the high-pressure (Grt,Cpx,Pl) granulite field. The compositional segregation resulted from a dynamic, mutually reinforcing interaction between deformation, metamorphic and igneous processes in the deep crust. The production of gneissic texture by processes such as these may be the inevitable result of isobaric cooling of igneous rocks within a tectonically active deep crust. [source]

Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Beryl-Bearing Granitoids, Eastern Desert, Egypt: Metallogenic and Exploration Constraints

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Hamdy M. Abdalla
Abstract Mineral chemistry and geochemical characteristics of beryl-bearing granitoids in Eastern Desert of Egypt, were examined in order to identify the metallogenetic processes of the host granitoids. The investigated Be-bearing granitoids and type occurrences are classified into two groups: (i) peraluminous, Ta , Nb + Sn + Be ± W-enriched, Li-albite granite (e.g. Nuweibi and Abu Dabbab); and (ii) metasomatized, Nb >> Ta + Sn + Be ± W ± Mo-enriched alkali feldspar granite (i.e. apogranite; e.g. Homr Akarem, Homr Mikpid and Qash Amir). In these two groups, beryl occurs as stockwork greisen veins, greisen bodies, beryl-bearing cassiterite ± wolframite quartz veins, dissemination, and miarolitic pegmatites. Beryl of the Be-granitoids, particularly those of miarolitic pegmatites, contains appreciable contents of Fe, Na, and H2O. An important feature of the Be-apogranites is the occurrence of white mica as the sole mafic mineral in the unaltered alkali feldspar granite in lower zones. Presence of white mica as volatile-rich pockets suggests that the melt underwent disequilibrium crystallization, rapid nucleation rates, and exsolving and expulsion of volatiles. [source]

Fluid Evolution and Metallogenic Dynamics during Tectonic Regime Transition: Example from the Jiapigou Gold Belt in Northeast China

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Jun Deng
Abstract The Jiapigou gold belt, one of the most important gold-producing districts in China, is located in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). The tectonic evolution of the gold belt is closely related to the Siberian Plate (SP) in the north, Yangtze Craton (YC) in the south and Pacific Plate in the east. In order to investigate the nature of the tectono-fluid-metallogenic system, the authors investigated the relationships among the tectonic regimes, fluid evolution and metallogenesis. This paper examined the corresponding spatial,temporal relationship between the ore-controlling tectonic regime and hydrothermal fluid evolution in the Jiapigou gold belt. There are two types of gold mineralization: disseminated ores that are distributed within the NW-trending main ductile shear zone and gold-bearing quartz veins and minor disseminated ores that are distant to the ductile shear zone. The fluid inclusions in quartz contain a large amount of CO2. Metamorphic fluids of middle to high temperatures and pressures and meteoric waters of low temperatures and pressures mixed together during mineralization. A proposed ore-forming model is as follows: in the pre-ore phase, the collision of SP and NCC resulted in the NS-trending compression of the ore belt. This formed the NE-trending and NW-trending shear faults and EW-trending folds. During the ore-forming phase, the collision of YC and NCC resulted in dextral shearing of the NW-trending Jiapigou fault and the NE-trending Green faults. High-pressure fluids caused by the compression flowed into the dilatant zone. This may have caused both phase separation of CO2 -bearing fluids and the mixing of meteoric waters, metamorphic waters and magmatic source fluids and finally resulted in the disequilibrium of the ore fluids and precipitation of ore minerals. [source]

Orogenic Gold Mineralization in the Qolqoleh Deposit, Northwestern Iran

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Farhang Aliyari
Abstract The Qolqoleh gold deposit is located in the northwestern part of the Sanandai-Sirjan Zone, northwest of Iran. Gold mineralization in the Qolqoleh deposit is almost entirely confined to a series of steeply dipping ductile,brittle shear zones generated during Late Cretaceous,Tertiary continental collision between the Afro-Arabian and the Iranian microcontinent. The host rocks are Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary sequences consisting of felsic to mafic metavolcanics, which are metamorphosed to greenschist facies, sericite and chlorite schists. The gold orebodies were found within strong ductile deformation to late brittle deformation. Ore-controlling structure is NE,SW-trending oblique thrust with vergence toward south ductile,brittle shear zone. The highly strained host rocks show a combination of mylonitic and cataclastic microstructures, including crystal,plastic deformation and grain size reduction by recrystalization of quartz and mica. The gold orebodies are composed of Au-bearing highly deformed and altered mylonitic host rocks and cross-cutting Au- and sulfide-bearing quartz veins. Approximately half of the mineralization is in the form of dissemination in the mylonite and the remainder was clearly emplaced as a result of brittle deformation in quartz,sulfide microfractures, microveins and veins. Only low volumes of gold concentration was introduced during ductile deformation, whereas, during the evident brittle deformation phase, competence contrasts allowed fracturing to focus on the quartz,sericite domain boundaries of the mylonitic foliation, thus permitting the introduction of auriferous fluid to create disseminated and cross-cutting Au-quartz veins. According to mineral assemblages and alteration intensity, hydrothermal alteration could be divided into three zones: silicification and sulfidation zone (major ore body); sericite and carbonate alteration zone; and sericite,chlorite alteration zone that may be taken to imply wall-rock interaction with near neutral fluids (pH 5,6). Silicified and sulfide alteration zone is observed in the inner parts of alteration zones. High gold grades belong to silicified highly deformed mylonitic and ultramylonitic domains and silicified sulfide-bearing microveins. Based on paragenetic relationships, three main stages of mineralization are recognized in the Qolqoleh gold deposit. Stage I encompasses deposition of large volumes of milky quartz and pyrite. Stage II includes gray and buck quartz, pyrite and minor calcite, sphalerite, subordinate chalcopyrite and gold ores. Stage III consists of comb quartz and calcite, magnetite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite and gold ores. Studies on regional geology, ore geology and ore-forming stages have proved that the Qolqoleh deposit was formed in the compression,extension stage during the Late Cretaceous,Tertiary continental collision in a ductile,brittle shear zone, and is characterized by orogenic gold deposits. [source]

Porphyry-Type Mineralization at Selogiri Area, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
Akira Imai
Abstract The Selogiri area, situated in Wonogiri regency, Central Java, is one of several gold prospecting areas in the Southern areas Mountain Range in Java, Indonesia. Three types of dioritic,andesitic intrusive rocks occur in the Selogiri area, namely, hornblende andesite porphyry, hornblende diorite porphyry and hornblende diorite, exposed in a half-circular depression where volcanic breccia and tuff are widely distributed. The occurrence of stockwork quartz veinlets and associated with magnetite and malachite coating along the cracks in the diorite porphyry suggests porphyry type mineralization. This is also supported by the occurrence of polyphase hypersaline fluid inclusions in the stockwork veinlet quartz. Small-scale miners are mining NS-trending quartz veins for gold associated with base metal sulfides. These veins are probably epithermal-type mineralization that overprinted porphyry-type mineralization. The Neogene intermediate to silicic hydrous magmatism in Java could have formed the porphyry-type mineralization in Selogiri, as in the rest of the Sunda,Banda arc. [source]

Yerranderie a Late Devonian Silver,Gold,Lead Intermediate Sulfidation Epithermal District, Eastern Lachlan Orogen, New South Wales, Australia

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Peter M. Downes
Abstract Felsic volcanic units of the Early Devonian Bindook Volcanic Complex host the Yerranderie epithermal silver,gold,lead district 94 km west,southwest of Sydney. Mineralization in the district forms part of a fault-controlled, intermediate sulfidation, epithermal silver,gold,base metal vein system that has significant mineral and alteration zonation. Stage 1 of the mineral paragenesis in the veins developed quartz and carbonate with early pyrite, whereas stage 2 is a crustiform banded quartz,pyrite,arsenopyrite assemblage. Stage 3, the main stage of sulfide deposition, comprises early sphalerite, followed by a tetrahedrite,tennantite,gold assemblage, then a galena,chalcopyrite,native silver,pyrite assemblage, and finally a pyrargyrite,polybasite,pearceite assemblage. Stage 4 involves the deposition of quartz veins with minor (late) pyrite and stage 5 is characterized by siderite that infilled remaining voids. Mineral zonation occurs along the Yerranderie Fault, with bornite being restricted to the Colon Peaks,Silver Peak mine area, whereas arsenopyrite, which is present in both the Colon Peaks,Silver Peak and Wollondilly mine areas, is absent in other lodes along the Yerranderie Fault. The Yerranderie Fault, which hosts the major lodes, is surrounded by a zoned alteration system. With increasing proximity to the fault the intensity of alteration increases and the alteration assemblage changes from an outer quartz,muscovite,illite,(ankerite) assemblage to a quartz,illite,(pyrite,carbonate) assemblage within meters of the fault. 40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovite from the alteration zone gave a 372.1 ± 1.9 Ma (Late Devonian) age, which is interpreted to be the timing of the quartz,sulfide vein formation. Sulfur isotope values for sulfides range from 0.1 to 6.2, with one outlier of ,5.6 ,34S,. The results indicate that the initial ore-forming fluids were reduced, and that sulfur was probably sourced from a magmatic reservoir, either as a direct magmatic contribution or indirectly through dissolution and recycling of sulfur from the host volcanic sequence. The sulfur isotope data suggest the system is isotopically zoned. [source]

Evolution of Hydrothermal System at the Dizon Porphyry Cu-Au Deposit, Zambales, Philippines

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
Akira Imai
Abstract. Evolution of hydrothermal system from initial porphyry Cu mineralization to overlapping epithermal system at the Dizon porphyry Cu-Au deposit in western central Luzon, Zambales, Philippines, is documented in terms of mineral paragen-esis, fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometry, and sulfur isotope systematics. The paragenetic stages throughout the deposit are summarized as follows; 1) stockwork amethystic quartz veinlets associated with chalcopyrite, bornite, magnetite and Au enveloped by chlorite alteration overprinting biotite alteration, 2) stockwork quartz veinlets with chalcopyrite and pyrite associated with Au and chalcopyrite and pyrite stringers in sericite alteration, 3) stringer quartz veinlets associated with molybdenite in sericite alteration, and 4) WNW-trending quartz veins associated with sphalerite and galena at deeper part, while enargite and stibnite at shallower levels associated with advanced argillic alteration. Chalcopyrite and bornite associated with magnetite in quartz veinlet stockwork (stage 1) have precipitated initially as intermediate solid solution (iss) and bornite solid solution (bnss), respectively. Fluid inclusions in the stockwork veinlet quartz consist of gas-rich inclusions and polyphase inclusions. Halite in polyphase inclusions dissolves at temperatures ranging from 360d,C to >500d,C but liquid (brine) and gas (vapor) do not homogenize at <500d,C. The maximum pressure and minimum temperature during the deposition of iss and bnss with stockwork quartz veinlets are estimated to be 460 bars and 500d,C. Fluid inclusions in veinlet stockwork quartz enveloped in sericite alteration (stage 2) consist mainly of gas-rich inclusions and polyphase inclusions. In addition to the possible presence of saturated NaCl crystals at the time of entrapment of fluid inclusions that exhibit the liquid-vapor homogenization temperatures lower than the halite dissolution temperatures in some samples, wide range of temperatures of halite dissolution and liquid-vapor homogenization of polyphase inclusions from 230d,C to >500d,C and from 270d,C to >500d,C, respectively, suggests heterogeneous entrapment of gaseous vapor and hypersaline brine. The minimum pressure and temperature are estimated to be about 25 bars and 245d,C. Fluid inclusions in veinlet quartz associated with molybdenite (stage 3) are dominated by gas-rich inclusions accompanied with minor liquid-rich inclusions that homogenize at temperatures between 350d,C and 490d,C. Fluid inclusions in vuggy veinlet quartz associated with stibnite (stage 4) consist mainly of gas-rich inclusions with subordinate polyphase inclusions that do not homogenize below 500d,C. Fluid inclusions in veinlet quartz associated with galena and sphalerite (stage 4) are composed of liquid-rich two-phase inclusions, and they homogenize into liquid phase at temperatures ranging widely from 190d,C to 300d,C (suggesting boiling) and the salinity ranges from 1.0 wt% to 3.4 wt% NaCl equivalent. A pressure of about 15 bars is estimated for the dilute aqueous solution of 190d,C from which veinlet quartz associated with galena and sphalerite precipitated. In addition to a change in temperature-pressure regime from lithostatic pressure during the deposition of iss and bnss with stockwork quartz veinlets to hydrostatic pressure during fracture-controlled quartz veinlet associated with galena and sphalerite, a decrease in pressure is supposed to have occurred due to unroofing or removal of the overlying piles during the temperature decrease in the evolution of hydrothermal system. The majority of the sulfur isotopic composition of sulfides ranges from ±0 % to +5 %. Sulfur originated from an iso-topically uniform and homogeneous source, and the mineralization occurred in a single hydrothermal system. [source]

Invisible Gold from the Hishikari Epithermal Gold Deposit, Japan: Implication for Gold Distribution and Deposition

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
Nobutaka Shimada
Abstract. The presence of invisible gold was confirmed in arsenian pyrite from the Hishikari epithermal gold deposit, Kagoshima, Japan, by means of EPMA and SIMS analyses. The relative concentration of invisible gold may be positively correlated with As contents (0.01 to 10.37 wt%) of fine-grained arsenian pyrite which commonly occurs in the auriferous quartz veins. Although arsenian pyrite occurs widely in any mineralization stage with electrum and other sulfide, sulfosalts, selenide or telluride minerals, arsenian pyrites having higher As contents accompanied by invisible gold occur dominantly in the middle stage of fine-adularia-quartz and in the late stage of coarse-quartz rather than in the early stage of columnar-adularia. [source]

Dashuigou Tellurium Deposit in Sichuan Province, China: S, C, O, and H Isotope Data and Their Implications on Hydrothermal Mineralization

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
Jingwen MAO
Abstract: Dashuigou, a unique tellurium-dominated deposit over the world, is located in the western margin of the Yangtze cra-ton in southwestern China. It is characterized by high-grade tellurium accompanied by bismuth, gold, silver, and sulfur, and occurs in the area of less than one km2. The mineralization is divided into three stages, i.e. (1) tellurium-bearing pyrrhotite,pyrite stage, (2) tetradymite stage, and (3) auriferous quartz veins stage. Tellurium mineralization coexisting with bismuth, silver, selenium, and gold predominantly develops in the stage 2, while the stage 1 is enriched only in sulfur and iron, and the stage 3 is very weakly mineralized with gold. The ,34S values of sulfides in the ore of the deposit vary in a narrow range of ,3.1 - +2.8 per mil with ,3.1 - +2.8 per mil for the stage 1 and ,0.5 - +2.1 for the stage 2, showing the isotopic characteristics of mantle derived sulfur. The ,13C values of vein dolomites vary from ,5.3 to ,7.2 per mil, with ,5.3 - ,6.6 per mil for the stage 1 and ,5.3 - ,7.2 per mil for the stage 2, which are significantly different from those of surrounding Triassic marble with ,13C values of ,0.3 - +2.8 per mil, and show characteristics of mantle derived carbon. The ,18O values of vein dolomites range from +10.2 to +13.1 per mil, which are higher than those of carbonatite, but lower than those of the marble. Their corresponding ,18Owater values are +0.6 - +3.9 per mil, with +2.7 - +3.8 per mil for the stage 1 and +0.6 - +3.9 per mil for the stage 2. The data implies that these vein carbonates were formed by the mixing fluids of magmatic or mantle source with meteoric or formation water. The ,18O values of ore-forming fluids responsible for the formation of vein quartz are estimated to be +3.2 to +6.8, the ,D values of inclusion fluids of the quartz are measured to be ,54 to ,82 per mil. All those stable isotopic data suggest the involvement of the fluids from mantle and/or mantle-derived magmas through fault system in the forming process of the Dashuigou tellurium deposit. [source]

Genesis and Age Constraints on Gold Deposits of the Daerae Mine, Sangju Area, Central-Northern Sobaegsan Massif, Korea

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 3 2001
Seong, Taek YUN
Abstract: Gold mineralization of the Daerae mine represents the first recognized example of the Jurassic gold mineralization in the Sangju area, Korea. It occurs as a single stage of quartz veins that fill fault fractures in Precambrian gneiss of the central-northern Sobaegsan Massif. The mineralogical characteristics of quartz veins, such as the simple mineralogy and relatively gold-rich (65,72 atomic % Au) nature of electrum, as well as the CO2,rich and low salinity nature of fluid inclusions, are consistent with the ,mesothermal-type' gold deposits previously recognized in the Youngdong area (about 50 km southwest of the Sangju area). Ore fluids were evolved mainly through CO2 immiscibility at temperatures between about 250 and 325 C. Vein sulfides characteristically have negative sulfur isotopic values (,1.9 to +0.2 %), which have been very rarely reported in South Korea, and possibly indicate the derivation of sulfur from an ilmenite-series granite melt. The calculated O and H isotopic compositions of hydrothermal fluids at Daerae (,18Owater = +5.2 to +5.9 %; ,Dwater = ,59 to ,67 %) are very similar to those from the Youngdong area, and indicate the important role of magmatic water in gold mineralization. The 40Ar,39Ar age dating of a pure alteration sericite sample yields a high-temperature plateau age of 188.3 0.1 Ma, indicating an early Jurassic age for the gold mineralization at Daerae. The lower temperature Ar-Ar plateau defines an age of 158.4 2.0 Ma (middle Jurassic), interpreted as reset by a subsequent thermal effect after quartz vein formation. The younger plateau age is the same as the previously reported K-Ar ages (145,171 Ma) for the other ,mesothermal,type' gold deposits in the Youngdong and Jungwon areas, Korea, which are too young in view of the new Jurassic Ar-Ar plateau age (around 188 Ma). [source]

Hydrothermal Fluid Evolution Associated with Gold Mineralization at the Wenyu Mine, Xiaoqinling District, China

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
Neng JIANG
Abstract: The Wenyu mesothermal gold deposit is located in the Xiaoqinling district about 1000 km southwest of Beijing in central China. It occurs in the Late Archean to Early Proterozoic metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Three distinct stages of veins have been identified: (I) gold-poor quartz,pyrite veins, (II) gold-rich sulfide,quartz veins, and (III) gold-poor carbonate,quartz veins. Stage II can be subdivided into IIa and IIb. Gold typically occurs as fracture-fillings associated with chalcopyrite and galena. Fluid inclusions were examined in quartz samples from veins of both stage I and II. Three types of fluid inclusions are identified: CO2,H2O, CO2,rich, and aqueous inclusions. The first two types are of primary in origin. The last type occurs in two ways: coexisting with CO2,H2O and CO2,rich inclusions and thus primary in origin; and occurring along late healed fractures and hence secondary in origin. CO2,H2O inclusions display progressively decreasing Th and increasing Thco2, from the highest Th (311,408C) and lowest Thco2 (average 18C) in stage I quartz through middle Th (284,358C) and ThCO2(average 25C) in stage IIa quartz to the lowest Th (275,314C) and highest ThCO2 (average 28C) in stage IIb quartz, indicating an evolving H2O,CO2,NaCl fluid system. CO2,rich and primary aqueous inclusions show consistent ThCO2 or Th with their coexistent CO2,H2O inclusions. Whereas the secondary aqueous inclusions in stage I and IIa quartz have almost the same Th and salinity as the primary aqueous inclusions in stage IIb quartz. Comparing with CO2,H2O inclusions, these non,CO2, low salinity aqueous inclusions may come from different origin, most probably meteoric water. Unlike in both stage I and IIa quartz, fluid inclusions in stage IIb do not show evidence of fluid immiscibility. The fact that most of gold is associated with stage IIa and IIb veins and not with veins of stage I which is the main stage of vein formation suggests that gold deposition occurs at the later stage of fluid immiscibility. The continuing phase separation led to the deposition of large amounts of gold at the Wenyu mine. [source]