Abstract
The Rammelsberg sulfide deposit is classically considered as a SEDEX-type deposit. The origin of SEDEX-type massive sulfides links with the evolution of their hosting basins. They frequently constitute the source for the metal-enriched basinal brines transported afterwards as mineralizing hydrothermal fluids. This study revisits previous data concerning the analysis of the basin that hosts the Rammelsberg deposit, the Goslar basin, updating its subsidence analysis and providing new tectonic and total subsidence curves from two different paleogeographic locations: the depocenter and the basin margin. The basin evolution is defined by five stages depicting different subsidence intensity and mechanisms for each of these locations. The stratigraphic position of Rammelsberg coincides with a drastic change in the basin evolution. A rapid tectonic subsidence event is proposed as a trigger mechanism for hydrothermal activity. The paleogeographic location and the relation between supply of mineralizing fluids and sedimentation rate were critical for the concentration or dissemination of sulfides.
Highlights
The origin of mineral deposits hosted by sedimentary rocks links with the evolution of their hosting basins
The two subsidence curves contain initial short and steep stages that become moderately steep and longer at the end. Both curves are composed of five stages that embrace the entire geodynamic and depositional history of the Goslar basin
Stage 1 represents a rapid tectonic subsidence event linked to the basin break-up
Summary
The origin of mineral deposits hosted by sedimentary rocks links with the evolution of their hosting basins. The use of subsidence analysis in the study of sedimentary basins hosting ore deposits is unusual, despite the fact that sedimentation rate, and even subsidence nature, are considered key parameters in the preservation of such ore deposits [19] This applies even to ore deposits strongly influenced by sedimentary processes, such as BIF [20,21]. In this regard, the pioneer study by Large [3,22] related the genesis of the massive sulfide deposits of Rammelsberg and Meggen with the evolution of the German Rhenohercynian basin. Maynard and Klein [2] successfully applied this subsidence analysis methodology to three sedimentary basins intentionally different in size and origin, all including sizable mineral deposits. Other synsedimentary ore deposits could be analyzed using the same methodology here applied
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