Abstract
Rapid and progressive reaction of alkaline–carbonatitic tuffs with magmatic and crustal fluids disguises their initial character and origin. This is collectively indicated from (a) the extensive literature on zeolite formation from volcanic glass precursors and alkaline fluids, (b) mineralogical characteristics of specific zeolite species, (c) a comparative review of global distributions of alkaline–carbonatite suites and of zeolite minerals, and (d) new trace element data from zeolite samples. A unifying conceptual model based on tectonic and geological settings, hydrological regime and mineralogy is presented that helps to explain the global distributions and current understanding of occurrences. The model will assist in resource exploration by contributing deeper understanding of the economically important bedded zeolite deposits and further, serve as a guide to the discovery of new alkaline–carbonatitic suites, potentially of economic significance (metallic ores and rare earth elements). It follows that future testing of the hypothesis will impact on models of natural carbon cycling as volcanic contributions of CO2 are reviewed.
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