Multiple hydro‐fracturing by boron‐rich fluids in the Late Miocene contact aureole of eastern Elba Island (Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract

AbstractIn eastern Elba Island (Tuscany, Italy), a shallow crustal level felsic, tourmaline‐bearing, dyke‐sill swarm of Late Miocene age is associated with abundant tourmaline‐quartz hydrothermal veins and metasomatic masses. Development of these veins and masses in the host rocks demonstrates multiple hydro‐fracturing by magmatic, boron‐rich saline fluid. Tourmalines in felsic dykes are schorl, whereas in veins and metasomatic masses, tourmaline composition ranges from schorl‐dravite through dravite to uvite. This compositional shift is evidence for an increasing contribution to the magmatic boron‐rich fluids by a Mg‐Ca‐Ti‐rich external component represented by biotite‐rich and amphibolite host rocks. This system can be envisaged as an exposed proxy of the high temperature hydrothermal system presently active in the deepest part of the Larderello‐Travale geothermal field (Tuscany).