Abstract
In a geochemical study of the Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary Bergslagen ore province in central Sweden, more than 1000 eruptive rocks were analyzed for main and trace elements. The volcanic rocks form a bimodal suite dominated by rhyolites but deficient in andesites. Igneous geochemical variation bears little relevance to the occurrence and distribution of ores which mostly appear related to secondary alteration patterns. Hydrothermal metasomatic alteration occurs on a regional scale and has affected markedly more than half of the 732 analyzed, macroscopically fresh, porphyritic volcanic rocks. Metasomatism produced extreme Na- and K-differentiation, and Fe-Mg-Si relationships incompatible with igneous variation patterns. Enrichment in Na and Mg, and leaching of ore-forming metals are prominent in the lower parts of the volcanic pile, whereas meta-volcanics enriched in K and volcanogenic sediments associated with ores and marbles dominate the upper levels. The metasomatic alteration of the volcanic rocks and the formation of most ores are two aspects of a comprehensive process of hydrothermal convection which circulated sea water, extracted the ore-forming elements from the lower levels of the volcanic pile and enriched them at or close to the top of the volcanic sequence.
Published Version
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