Petrology and Mineralization of a Molybdenum-Bearing Alkalic Stock, Sierra Blanca, New Mexico

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1972 Petrology and Mineralization of a Molybdenum-Bearing Alkalic Stock, Sierra Blanca, New Mexico DAVID L GILES; DAVID L GILES Geologic Research Division, Kennecott Exploration, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84104 PRESENT ADDRESS (GILES): NORD RESOURCES CORPORATION, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87107 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar TOMMY B THOMPSON TOMMY B THOMPSON Department of Geology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information DAVID L GILES PRESENT ADDRESS (GILES): NORD RESOURCES CORPORATION, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87107 Geologic Research Division, Kennecott Exploration, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84104 TOMMY B THOMPSON Department of Geology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074 Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 20 Jul 1971 Revision Received: 14 Jan 1972 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1972, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1972) 83 (7): 2129–2148. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1972)83[2129:PAMOAM]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 20 Jul 1971 Revision Received: 14 Jan 1972 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation DAVID L GILES, TOMMY B THOMPSON; Petrology and Mineralization of a Molybdenum-Bearing Alkalic Stock, Sierra Blanca, New Mexico. GSA Bulletin 1972;; 83 (7): 2129–2148. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1972)83[2129:PAMOAM]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Three Rivers stock, a molybdenum-related alkalic hypabyssal complex in south-central New Mexico, consists of three major intrusive phases: (1) an early and passively emplaced thick shell of coarse syenite porphyry, (2) nordmarkite intruded along the northeastern margin of the stock, and (3) late equigranular quartz syenite to alkali granite forcibly injected along a northeasterly trending arch in the syenite porphyry shell. These comagmatic phases developed as the result of extended fractional crystallization of hypersolvus alkalic (high albite) melts, in which disequilibrium precipitation of alkali feldspar played a key role. Rock and mineral textures and compositions vary markedly but systematically within and between phases, and record petrochemical trends culminating with emplacement of the residual alkali granite. Significant molybdenum, with related mineralization and hydrothermal alteration, occurs in a narrow belt along the northeastern margin of the stock. Several lines of field and laboratory evidence indicate that the spatially contiguous metal deposition and hydrothermal activity were generated by and occurred within the framework of Three Rivers magmatic activity and cooling. The hydrothermal mineral assemblage is interpreted as a relatively unfractionated and rapidly quenched derivation of the hydrous phase released by the equigranular quartz syenite, the last major intrusive. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.