Types Of Hydrothermal Alteration Research Articles

Remote sensing and geochemical investigations of sulfide-bearing metavolcanic and gabbroic rocks (Egypt): Constraints on host-rock petrogenesis and sulfide genesis

Field geology, geochemical analyses and multi-sensor remotely sensed data of Landsat-8, ASTER and Sentinel-2 were used to detect various types of hydrothermal alteration and sulfide-gold mineralization in Neoproterozoic metavolcanic and gabbroic rocks from Darhib and El-Beida areas in the South Eastern Desert (SED) of Egypt. We also used RADAR data of Sentinel-1 using PCI Geomatica software to decipher the structural lineaments that control this mineralization. Different styles of disseminated to massive sulfide deposits include: 1) undeformed magmatic disseminated ores in Darhib gabbros, metavolcanic rocks and metabasic dykes; 2) deformed (remobilized) massive ores mostly of a magmatic-hydrothermal origin in Darhib tremolite talc rocks along E-W shear zones; 3) hydrothermal sulfide ores along El-Beida NW–SE shear zones. Cu-Zn massive ores represent the main sulfides in the Darhib silicified tremolite-talc rocks and meta-andesites, and occur as bands, veins and patches along Darhib E-W shear zones. Discontinuous occurrences of sulfide ores-bearing tremolite-talc rocks indicate that major shear zones act as structural controls on mineralization. Sulfide ores consist chiefly of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite and galena as well as minor covellite and bornite. These ores are highly concentrated along E-W striking Darhib shear zones and resulted from granite-derived hydrothermal fluids that form/and or accumulate sulfide minerals from the sulfide-bearing metavolcanic rocks around shear zones. Two stages of hydrothermal alterations are recorded in the Darhib talc mine including pre- (talcification, amphibolitization and carbonatization) and syn- (silicification and chloritization) sulfide ore alterations. Disseminated sulfide mineralization hosted in Darhib gabbros, metavolcanic rocks and metabasic dykes is of a magmatic origin, similar to Cu-Ni sulfide deposits hosted in gabbroic varieties in worldwide mafic–ultramafic intrusions. On the other hand, El-Beida gold-sulfide-bearing quartz and quartz carbonate veins are hosted in ferruginated and silicified metavolcanics/ metavolcaniclastic rocks along NW–SE shear zones (Najd Fault System trend). These are spatially associated with regional convergent structures (high-angle convergent wrench structures), suggesting orogenic gold type mineralization. The E-W with minor WNW-ESE shear zones in Darhib and NW-SE trending shear zones in El- Beida structurally controlled sulfides and gold mineralization in the SED of Egypt. El-Beida sulfide mineralization occurs as disseminated ores that consist mainly of pyrite, chalcopyrite, covelite and chalcocite with occasional occurrence of gold. The spatial occurrence of native gold in ferrigenous alteration zones indicates the role of iron in gold precipitation through buffering of gold-bearing complexes. Mineralogical and geochemical data of Darhib and El-Beida sulfide-bearing rocks indicate that they crystallized from depleted mantle sources in a back-arc basin setting, starting with the generation of arc-like volcanic rocks in a nascent BAB stage followed by the emplacement of plutonic equivalent of MORB/OIB-like rocks such as gabbroic intrusions in a mature BAB.

Interaction Between Mineralization and Rock Magnetization: New Constraints From a Silurian‐Lower Devonian Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) Deposit

AbstractThe unclear relationship between mineralization, hydrothermal alteration, and rock magnetization in volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits limits us from fully understanding the magnetic anomalies and remagnetization process in this type of deposit. We address the issue by conducting systemic paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, petrographic, and X‐Ray diffraction studies in the Dapingzhang VMS deposit on the northwestern Indochina Block. Magnetite is the dominant magnetic carrier of hydrothermally altered surrounding rocks and orebody. Magnetite consumption and secondary magnetite formation occurred at different stages and types of hydrothermal alteration. The overall decrease in magnetite concentration from chloritization via silicification to mineralization implies that the magnetite was mostly consumed during hydrothermal alterations. Secondary single domain magnetite, which can carry a remagnetization direction, is proposed to be formed during illitization via the smectite‐to‐illite transformation. Secondary superparamagnetic magnetite, which was most likely formed during the late stage of chloritization, is unable to carry the stable characteristic remanent magnetization. The site‐mean direction of high‐temperature and high‐coercivity components is Dg/Ig = 324.5°/43.1°, and kg = 35.1, with α95 = 6.8° before tilt correction, and Ds/Is = 316.2°/37.6°, and ks = 16.4, with α95 = 10.1° after tilt correction, with a negative fold test. However, plate reconstruction is limited by the uncertainty of the tilting process following mineralization and the possibility of remagnetization during burial alteration. Therefore, this study provides a mechanism for rock magnetic variation and remagnetization during VMS mineralization.

Application of the k-Prototype Clustering Approach for the Definition of Geostatistical Estimation Domains

The definition of geostatistical domains is a stage in the estimation of mineral resources, in which a sample resulting from a mining exploration process is divided into zones that show homogeneity or minimal variation in the main element of interest or mineral grade, having geological and spatial meaning. Its importance lies in the fact that the quality of the estimation techniques, and therefore, the correct quantification of the mineral resource, will improve in geostatistically stationary areas. The present study seeks to define geostatistical domains of estimation for a mineral grade, using a non-traditional approach based on the k-prototype clustering algorithm. This algorithm is based on the k-means paradigm of unsupervised machine learning, but it is exempt from the one-time restriction on numeric data. The latter is especially convenient, as it allows the incorporation of categorical variables such as geological attributes in the grouping. The case study corresponds to a hydrothermal gold deposit of high sulfidation, located in the southern zone of Peru, where estimation domains are defined from a historical record of data recovered from 131 diamond drill holes and 37 trenches. The characteristics directly involved were the gold grade (Au), silver grade (Ag), type of hydrothermal alteration, and type of mineralization. The results obtained showed that clustering with k-prototypes is an efficient approach and can be used as an alternative or complement to the traditional methodology.

Geología, alteración hidrotermal y mineralogía del sistema de vetas Sofía-Julia-Valencia, distrito minero Andacollo, Neuquén, Argentina

The Sofía-Julia-Valencia vein system, located in the Andacollo mining district in central west Argentina, is hosted by ENE-WSW oriented strike-slip faults which are the result of reactivation of normal faults affecting Carboniferous to Jurassic rocks during Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene. These veins contain a total resource of 22,900 Oz of gold with 5.5-6.7 g/t AuEq. Geologic mapping and a U-Pb age of 71±1Ma in zircon, obtained in an altered and mineralized dacitic dyke of the district, allowed to associate the mineralizing event to the Naunauco Andesitic belt magmatism (Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene) and to the Cretaceous-Paleogene Metallogenic Belt of the Andes in southwestern Argentina. The ore bodies are made up of multiple veins and veinlets that, from oldest to youngest, correspond to: (1) scarce early quartz+pyrite+molybdenite+iron poor-sphalerite veinlets, (2) quartz+epidote+calcite±albite (apatite+rutile+titanite+light rare earth elements bearing phosphates) associated with quartz+biotite, epidote (actinolite)+chlorite+calcite, with pyrite+pyrrhotite±chalcopyrite±(iron rich-sphalerite), marcasite veins. These veins are cut and reopened by (3) polymetallic veins and veinlets formed by quartz+sericite±carbonates (chlorite), with iron-gold rich sphalerite+silver rich-galena+chalcopyrite+pyrite, native gold±arsenopyrite±(pyrrhotite, bornite, argentite). Pyrite (4) and (5) carbonate+framboidal pyrite veinlets cuts all the previous ones. Multistage carbonate generation brecciate and cut previous veins and veinlets. Quartz shows granular, comb textures and some calcites developed platy textures. Four hydrothermal alteration types affected the veins host rock: (1) patches of early potassic alteration; (2) widespread propylitic alteration with disseminated sulfides; (3) later phyllic alteration overlapped to the previous ones; and (4) late supergene alteration. The sphalerite and chlorite composition in the veins (1 and 2) along with their mineral assamblages indicates they were formed by initially alkaline fluids (e.g., feldspar stable) with intermediate sulfur and oxygen fugacity and mesothermal temperature conditions (~400-240 °C), that evolved to conditions of lower sulfur (e.g., pyrrhotite stable) and oxygen fugacity, temperature

Hydrothermal alteration and corresponding reservoir significance of the Permian Emeishan basaltic lavas, west Sichuan, China

Reservoir spaces, such as vesicles, ‘secondary’ amygdales, dissolution caverns and geodes, are widely developed in the Emeishan basaltic lavas in the Zhoudaping section, Leshan, west Sichuan, China. The dissolution characteristics, cementation sequences, hydrothermal activity stages, as well as fluid types, and their effects on the reservoir capacity were investigated for each stage. Macroscopically, the dissolution features present as irregular dissolution zones, which are characterised by a light red colour. Microscopically, in the dissolved zone, the cementation-filling minerals are associated with complex fill sequences, such as quartz/laumontite/chlorite–chlorite/saponite–epidote/celadonite–cryptocrystalline chlorite–laumontite/calcite/quartz. The U–Pb geochronology shows that the age of chlorite fill in amygdales is 235.3 ± 19.6 Ma; the coarse-crystalline quartz inside dissolution caverns/geodes, 124.47 ± 5.63 to 123.84 ± 5.63 Ma; and the siliceous mineral-filled amygdales, 118.34 ± 3.70 to 114.08 ± 3.76 Ma, which correspond to the early Late Triassic and the mid–late Early Cretaceous, respectively. Combined with geochemical characteristics of post-dissolution fill, the amygdales are affected by two stages of hydrothermal activity: chlorite filling of the amygdales corresponds to post-magma hydrothermal fluids during the early Late Triassic, and the siliceous mineral-fill in amygdales corresponds to deep-sourced hydrothermal fluids during the mid–late Early Cretaceous. The geodes/dissolution caverns result from a single stage of hydrothermal activity related to the mid–late Early Cretaceous deep-source low-temperature hydrothermal fluid. The Late Triassic post-magma hydrothermal fluids are generally destructive to pores, and tectonic-related dissolution of deep-sourced hydrothermal fluids has a positive effect on the formation of reservoir spaces, greatly enhancing fluid storage and flow capacities of the volcanic lavas. We recommend the multi-stage hydrothermal dissolution during Late Triassic–Early Cretaceous and faults, fractures and columnar joints be the focus of hydrocarbon exploration. KEY POINTS The reservoir spaces developed in the Zhoudaping section, such as amygdales, dissolution caverns and geodes, were controlled by different stages and types of hydrothermal alteration. Amygdales are the product of two hydrothermal events, which correspond to post-magma hydrothermal fluids during the early Late Triassic and the deep-sourced hydrothermal fluids of the mid–late Early Cretaceous. Geodes/dissolution caverns are affected by deep-source low-temperature hydrothermal fluids in the mid–late Early Cretaceous. The multi-stage hydrothermal dissolution during the Late Triassic–Early Cretaceous and faults, fractures and columnar joints should be the focus of hydrocarbon exploration.

Alteration and mineralization patterns in orogenic gold deposits: Constraints from deposit observation and thermodynamic modeling

Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization types of orogenic gold deposits display many variations depending on formation depths, types of host rock, compositions of ore fluids, spatial positions, fluid/rock ratios, and repetitive modifications during multiple fluid infiltrations in the complicated processes of fluid-rock interaction. Therefore, establishing holistic reference patterns of hydrothermal alteration with associated mineralization for the orogenic gold system is necessary. Based on the observation of typical orogenic gold deposits and thermodynamic simulation of fluid-rock reaction, the general features of proposed patterns include:(1)Orogenic ore fluids are capable of transporting sufficient gold from deep (5 kbar and 600°C) to shallow (1 kbar and 200°C) crustal levels, resulting in alteration and mineralization occurred in a much-varied depth. Only considering the effects of fluid-rock reaction and sulfidation, the formation of pyrrhotite and pyrite at relatively high and low P-T conditions, respectively, is the most important mechanism driving gold precipitation. In addition, the changes of fluid fO2 and pH can also trigger a decrease in the gold solubility in fluids.(2)Multiple waves of fluid infiltration are capable of dissolving the early-formedulfides and gold, and reprecipitate them in the distal alteration zones, which can explain the irregular gold concentration distribution patterns in wide alteration zones. The fluids under higher P-T conditions (5 kbar and 600°C and 3 kbar and 400°C) are more capable of dissolving early-formed sulfides and gold. Additionally, the later infiltrated fluids can transform early-formed pyrrhotite into pyrite.(3)The model of interactions between ore fluids and aluminosilicate rocks at varied P-T conditions indicates that the alteration mineral assemblages in hypozonal deposits (>12 km) mainly include biotite, amphibole, anorthite, K-feldspar, quartz, and pyrrhotite assemblages; that those in mesozonal deposits (6 to 12 km) are characterized by chlorite, calcite, quartz, muscovite, pyrite or pyrrhotite. The epizonal deposits (<6 km) commonly develop more abundant Fe-Mg bearing carbonates (e.g., dolomite, ankerite, and siderite), quartz, muscovite, and pyrite. The compositional variations of ore fluids and host rocks have important controls on the development of iron-oxides and carbonaceous material.(4) The alteration halo is relatively restricted under hypozonal to lower mesozonal conditions. However, broad carbonation develops under upper mesozonal to epizonal conditions, with Fe-Mg bearing carbonates and calcite distributed in proximal and distal zones, respectively.

Late Permian orogenic gold mineralization at Haoyaoerhudong, northern China: Constraints from hydrothermal titanite and apatite chemistry

The giant Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit is located on the north margin of the North China Craton. This deposit takes the form of lenticular orebodies hosted by the Mesoproterozoic carbonaceous schist, phyllite, and slate. Gold-related hydrothermal alteration types recognized at Haoyaoerhudong are silicification, sulfidation, biotitization, and graphitization. In addition, titanite and apatite were recorded in hydrothermal system. There are four types of hydrothermal apatite, namely, rounded Ap-S in altered schist, fractured Ap-V1 in quartz–biotite–sulfide veins, anhedral Ap-V2 in quartz–sulfide stringers, and Ap-V3 with abundant fluid inclusions in quartz–sulfide veinlets. As for different titanite types, Ttn-S is found to replace ilmenite in altered schist. Clustered Ttn-V1 is associated with graphite and gold in quartz–biotite–sulfide veins. Anhedral Ttn-V2 generally coexists with pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite in quartz–sulfide stringers. Euhedral Ttn-V3 is intergrown with Ap-V3 in quartz–sulfide veinlets. A U–Pb age of 255.6 ± 2.5 Ma (MSWD = 4.2, n = 27) was obtained for Ttn-V3 via in situ U–Pb analyses, which is younger than the nearby biotite granite (272.9 ± 1.5 Ma MSWD = 2.1, N = 25). The Haoyaoerhudong deposit can therefore be considered the product of a postmagmatic mineralization event at around 256 Ma. Apatite and titanite trace elements are robust tools for tracking fluid pathways in orogenic gold deposits. The enrichment of Mn, Fe, Y, and rare earth elements (REE) is observed in Ap-S but is progressively depleted from Ap-V1 through Ap-V2 to Ap-V3. There are also higher concentrations of Mn, Fe, Mo, Bi, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and REE for Ttn-S than other titanites. Nevertheless, the K, Ba, Sr, and V concentrations are enriched in Ttn-V3, similar to the enrichment of Sr in Ap-V3. The apatite and titanite compositions measured here indicate the low salinity but Sr and alkali metals -enriched ore-forming fluids, typical for orogenic gold systems. Systematic geochemical variations in Eu, Mn, and V concentrations may imply that the ore-forming fluids were slightly oxidized compared to altered schist. The interaction between the carbonaceous schist and hydrothermal fluids would have led to CO2 consumption and apatite, titanite, and graphite formation. We further concluded that Sn vs. Mo, V vs. Th/U, and Zr + Hf vs. Th/U diagrams help to distinguish hydrothermal titanite in orogenic gold deposits from those in porphyry, skarn, and iron oxide–copper–gold deposits.

Fluid Inclusion Study of Epithermal Quartz Veins from the Kyaukmyet Prospect, Monywa Copper-Gold Ore Field, Central Myanmar

The Kyaukmyet prospect is located near the main ore bodies of the Kyisintaung and Sabetaung high-sulfidation Cu-Au deposits, Monywa copper-gold ore field, central Myanmar. Lithologic units in the research area are of mainly rhyolite lava, lapilli tuff and silicified sandstone, mudstone and siltstone units of Magyigon Formation which hosted to be polymetallic mineralization. Our field study recorded that epithermal quartz veins are hosted largely in rhyolite lava and lapilli tuff units. Those quartz veins show crustiform, banded (colloform), lattice bladed texture and comb quartz. The main objectives of the present research in which fluid inclusion studies were considered to conduct the nature, characteristics and hydrothermal fluids evolution from the epithermal quartz veins. In this research, there are three main types of fluid inclusions are classified according to their phase relationship (1) two-phase liquid-rich inclusions, (2) the coexisting liquid-rich and vapor-rich inclusions, and (3) only vapor-rich inclusions. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusions yielded homogenization temperatures (Th) of 148–282 °C and final ice-melting temperature (Tm) of -0.2°C to -1.4°C . The value of (Tm) are equal to the salinities reaching up 0.35 to 2.07 wt % NaCl equiv. respectively. Estimation formation temperature of the quartz veins provide 190°C and 210°C and paleo-depth of formation are estimated to be between 130m and 210m. Petrography of fluid inclusion and microthermometric data suggest that fluid boiling as well as mixing processes were likely to be happened during the hydrothermal fluid evolution at the Kyaukmyet prospect. According to the characteristics of many parameters including petrography of fluid inclusion, microthermometric data, paleo-depth, evidence of quartz vein textures and types of hydrothermal alteration from the Kyaukmyet prospect allows to interpret these data to be the low-sulfidation epithermal system.

Stratigraphic-lithological factors of the location of gold mineralization in the central part of the Bukantau Mountains in Uzbekistan

The leading role in the placement of gold mineralization in the Bukantau mountains belongs to structural and lithological factors. For gold-ore and gold-silver occurrences, sandy-shale strata of the flyschoid and olistostrome formations are favorable, then, rocks of the volcanogenic-dolomite-siliceous formation and then the carbonate formation (Okzhetpes type). The leading types of near-ore hydrothermal alteration of the host rocks in the studied deposits are silicification and, to a lesser extent, carbonatization and sericitization. They are accompanied by chloritization, biotitization, argillization, etc. Gold ore deposits and ore occurrences of sulfide-disseminated ores are confined mainly to the deposits of the Karashakh suite of the Middle Carboniferous (C2b + m1 kr). Moreover, gold-sulfide mineralization in the rocks of the Karashakh Formation is unevenly distributed.

Lithogeochemistry of various hydrothermal alteration types associated with precious and base metal epithermal deposits in the Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province, NW Iran: Implications for regional exploration

In this study, the styles, types, and degrees of hydrothermal alteration associated with Pb-Zn-Cu-Ag-Au epithermal deposit systems in the Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province are evaluated using petrographic studies, as well as mass changes and molar elements ratios (MER), in order to examine regional exploration implications. The MER plots show that the hydrothermally altered rocks were most affected by various types of K-metasomatism, mainly characterized by K gains and Na and Ca losses. The intensity of K-metasomatism is related to precious and base-metal mineralization, showing increasing K trends toward the ore veins. The alteration index (AI) and chlorite-carbonate-pyrite index (CCPI) reveal that argillic, sericitic, and propylitic alteration types are the main zones of alteration surrounding ore veins indicating that AI increases and CCPI decreases toward more proximal to the structures linked to these ore systems. Determination of mass changes in altered rocks surrounding selected epithermal deposits suggest Si, K, and Al gains and Na and Ca losses increasing in intensity toward ore veins, consistent with alteration zoning from the silicic and K-metasomatic (sericite and argillic) inner zones to the propylitic (Fe-rich chlorite alteration) outer zone typical of epithermal ore systems. Data from this study show that the intensity of K-metasomatism in the acidic rocks is greater than in the intermediate and mafic rocks, where it is related to high to intermediate sulfidation epithermal systems. We suggest that exploration can be focused on highly altered volcanic rocks (especially andesite-dacite) with both high intensity of K-metasomatism and higher Pb, Zn, Ag, Au, Ba and Rb and lower Sr.

Reaction Mechanism and Water/Rock Ratios Involved in Epidosite Alteration of the Oceanic Crust

AbstractEpidosites are a prominent type of subseafloor hydrothermal alteration of basalts in ophiolites and greenstone belts, showing an end‐member mineral assemblage of epidote + quartz + titanite + Fe‐oxide. Epidosites are known to form within crustal‐scale upflow zones and their fluids have been proposed as deep equivalents of black‐smoker seafloor vent fluids. Proposals of the mass of fluid per mass of rock (W/R ratio) needed to form epidosites are contradictory, varying from 20 (Sr isotopes) to &gt; 1,000 (Mg mobility). To test these proposals we have conducted a petrographic, geochemical and reactive‐transport numerical simulation study of the chemical reaction that generates km3‐size epidosite zones within the lavas and sheeted dike complex of the Samail ophiolite, Oman. At 250–400°C the modeled epidosite‐forming fluid has near‐neutral pH (∼ 5.2), high fO2, low sulfur and very low Fe (10−6 mol/kg) contents. These features argue against a genetic link with black‐smoker fluids. Chemical buffering by the epidosite fluid enriches the precursor spilites in Ca and depletes them in Na and Mg. Completion of the spilite‐to‐epidosite reaction requires enormous W/R ratios of 700–∼40,000, depending on initial Mg content and temperature. Collectively, the variably altered rocks in the Samail epidosite zones record flow of ∼1015 kg of fluid through each km3 of precursor spilite rock. This fluid imposed on the epidosite an Sr‐isotope signature inherited from the previous rock‐buffered chemical evolution of the fluid through the oceanic crust, thereby explaining the apparently contradictory low W/R ratios based on Sr isotopes.

Determination of slope susceptibility in hydrothermally altered rocks region with a case study in wonotirto district, blitar regency, east java province, indonesia

The significance of slope susceptibility study in hydrothermally altered area is to determine which area that geological landslide hazard is potentially occurred. This study is aimed to develop a geological hazard map based on overlaying of slope data and types of hydrothermal alteration, with the case study in Wonotirto district, Blitar regency, East Java province. Wonotirto district lies on a high topographic terrain covered up by hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks. To achieve these aims, this study was performed a suite of research methods, which are conducted through four work stages including geological mapping and slope observation, sampling, laboratory analysis and data interpretation. Slope data measurement is based on DEM data and verified in the field. Laboratory analyses consist of petrography, XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and geomechanical properties analysis for the representative samples. The hydrothermal alteration occurred in study area consists of 4 (four) alteration types i.e. silicification, advanced argillic, argillic and propylitic alteration. Overlaying of slope data, geomechanical properties of rocks and the provided alteration map by using ArcGIS software leads the determination of slope susceptibility of the area. The area covered by extensive argillic-altered rocks shows highest slope susceptibility. On the map, the high slope susceptibility places on the northernmost sector of the study area. Meanwhile, the moderate slope susceptibility area occupies the central part of the map and the southernmost part has the lower slope susceptibility. Argillic altered rocks contain abundant clay minerals such as smectite and illite. Smectite, particularly, is a clay mineral type which has high swelling potential index. The abundantly presence of the clay minerals in the altered rocks may trigger the formation of geological landslide failure/hazard in the region.

Syndepositional hydrothermalism selectively preserves records of one of the earliest benthic ecosystems, Moodies Group (3.22 Ga), Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa

Abstract The ~3.22 Ga Moodies Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB), South Africa, provides a unique window into Archaean sedimentary, magmatic and ecological processes. In the central BGB, a regional mafic complex, consisting of a genetically related major mafic sill, a peperitic dyke stockwork, and extensive basaltic lava flows affected thick quartzose sandstones of the Moodies Group. We argue that epithermal hydrothermalism associated with this magmatic event occurred, at least in part, syndepositionally and in places destroyed, in other places preserved the abundant benthic microbial mats in terrestrial- and coastal-facies sandstone of this unit. We differentiate four principal types of hydrothermal alteration: (1) Sericitization resulted from ubiquitous feldspar breakdown; (2) iron-oxide alteration replaced the original matrix by fine-grained iron oxide; (3) silicification replaced matrix and most non-silica grains by microcrystalline silica and locally preserved kerogenous microbial mats; and (4) hydraulic fracturing at shallow depth brecciated consolidated Moodies Group sandstone and created closely spaced, randomly oriented fractures and quartz-filled veins. Because stockwork intrusion locally interacted with unconsolidated water-saturated sediment and because the dykes connect the sill with the mafic lava but also follow zones of structural weakness, we suggest that hydrothermalism associated with this magmatic event occurred syndepositionally but was also – within the resolution of radiometric age data – contemporaneous with tight regional folding. We conclude that microbial organisms in Paleoarchaean coastal (tidal, estuarine) environments may have been formerly widespread, possibly even abundant, but are nearly nowhere preserved because they were easily degradable. Preservation of Early Archaean microbial mats in a thermal aureole in the central BGB was controlled by the “just right” degree of heating and very early hydrothermal silicification.

Synthesis of hydrothermal alteration, rock mechanics and geophysical mapping to constrain failure and debris avalanche hazards at Mt. Ruapehu (New Zealand)

ABSTRACT Composite volcanoes can progressively weaken through hydrothermal alteration, which may lead to volcano collapse, forming far-reaching debris avalanches. This work reviews and synthesises the type and extent of hydrothermal alteration on Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand, from rock mechanical, mineralogical, hyperspectral imaging and aero-magnetic studies for input into the first debris avalanche models of Mt. Ruapehu. Mt. Ruapehu shows surface weathering processes, forming goethite, hematite and phyllosilicate assemblages, and hydrothermally altered rock, with phyllosilicate, Fe- oxides and sulphates, pyrite, jarosite, alunite, anhydrite and sulphur. The surface alteration mapped by hyperspectral remote sensing is linked to the deep-seated (≤500 m) alteration by aero-magnetic inversion modelling. Textural analysis and mapping show that alteration weathering and porosity distribution are a result of the both the primary lithology, age, and location relative to active or fossil hydrothermal systems. The synthesis of the aero-magnetic data, previous magnetotelluric models, hyperspectral and hydrothermal mapping, and rock mechanics studies enabled the construction of a schematic model to provide inputs for modelling potential flank failure zones. These models suggest that the southwest and west flanks of Mt. Ruapehu have the highest probability of collapsing and generating debris avalanches.

Petrographic and mineralogical study of hydrothermal alteration of the Rokko Granite at Hakusui‐kyo and Horai‐kyo along the Arima‐Takatsuki Tectonic Line in western Japan

AbstractField, hand specimen, and microscopic investigations alongside X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed four types of hydrothermal alteration (Type‐A, ‐B, ‐C, and ‐D) based on the mode of occurrence of altered rocks and alteration mineral assemblage at Hakusui‐kyo and Horai‐kyo along the Arima‐Takatsuki Tectonic Line (ATTL) in western Japan. Type‐A alteration locally occurred as gray alteration halos with sulfide minerals. Type‐B and ‐C alterations were confined to fault gouge veins and occurred as greenish‐gray veins and brown veins, respectively. Type‐C alteration crosscut Type‐B alteration. These alterations were associated with a number of granitic fragments including cohesive breccia and micrographic facies. Type‐D alteration occurred locally in brown sediments. Different mineralogical features in the four alterations are summarized as (Type‐A) illite; (Type‐B) chlorite; (Type‐C) limonite (Fe3+ hydroxides and goethite) and calcite; and (Type‐D) limonite. We propose that the alterations can be broadly divided into Paleocene hydrothermal alteration (Type‐A) and post‐Late Miocene hydrothermal alteration (Type‐B, ‐C, and ‐D): Type‐A alteration occurred at approximately 200 °C during hydrothermal activity after a granitic intrusion in Late Cretaceous; Type‐B, ‐C and ‐D alterations occurred under hydrothermal activity accompanying deep fluids with repeated ascents invoked by the seismicity of the ATTL after the Late Miocene. The fluids may have been the “Arima‐type thermal waters” (i.e., mixtures of convective groundwater and Na‐Ca‐Cl‐HCO3‐type fluids). Type‐B alteration occurred in fractures at depths where the temperature was ≥150 °C. Type‐C alteration overprinted Type‐B alteration as a result of mixing of new deep fluids and descending oxidized meteoric water near the surface. Fe3+ hydroxides and calcite precipitated from the fluids due to the oxidation of Fe2+ and the degassing of CO2, respectively, at ambient to near‐boiling temperatures. When the ascending fluids gushed out from the fractures, they generated Type‐D alteration at the surface under similar temperature conditions due to the oxidation of Fe2+.

Applying spectral analysis for identification of alteration zones in north Saveh area, Iran

An extensive series of volcanic rocks are exposed in the north of Saveh city, Iran, which consist of phyllic, argillic and propylitic hydrothermal alteration types. For the purpose of the investigation, a FieldSpec3® spectroradiometer was used to measure the spectral response of the mineral content of these rocks. The spectral analyses of reflectance curve by The Spectral Geologist (TSG) software could discriminate kaolinite and montmorillonite (argillic), illite, muscovite, phengite and paragonite (phyllic), hornblende and chlorite, siderite (propylitic), hematite and goethite from the gossans. It also detected gypsum of hydrothermal alteration zones. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflectance Radiometer (ASTER) image, which was used for mapping the hydrothermal alteration minerals, contains the Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR) wavelengths between 0.52 µm and 0.86 µm, Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) wavelengths between 1.6 µm and 2.43 µm and Thermal Infrared (TIR) wavelengths between 8.125 µm and 11.65 µm with 15, 30 and 90 m spatial resolutions, respectively. For calibration of the ASTER images, the extracted spectra of different rocks and minerals were used for atmospheric and radiometric corrections. Mixture tuned matched filtering (MTMF) and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) were applied on ASTER data to map the hydrothermal alteration of minerals. The use of the spectroradiometry techniques in conjunction with other data exhibits the ability of these new methods for non-destructive and rapid identification of mineral types for more detailed investigation. The results show that the area has undergone different levels of hydrothermal alteration, so much so that phyllic, argillic and propylitic types of hydrothermal alteration are present in the study area. This may point to high potential and promising zones for the exploration of porphyry mineralisation.

Geochemical, fluid inclusion and O–H–S isotope constraints on the origin of the Rangraz copper deposit, Central Iran

The Rangraz copper deposit (5 Mt @ 0.83% Cu) is located 20 km north of Saveh city, Markazi Province, Iran, in the central Uromieh-Dokhtar volcano-plutonic belt. Host rocks are mainly composed of Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks that have been intruded by late Eocene quartz monzodiorites and basaltic-andesitic dikes. The dominant copper-related hydrothermal alteration types include silicification, sericitization, and chloritization-kaolinitization. The ore body takes the form of fault-hosted, NW-SE-striking lodes comprising pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, specular hematite and magnetite as the principal hypogene ore minerals. Gold (maximum spot assays of up to ca. 0.37 ppm Au) and silver (up to 20.6 ppm Ag) have also been recorded. The ore minerals are mainly confined to veins or veinlets showing crustiform, colloform, open space-filling, dissemination and replacements characteristics in texture. The principal gangue minerals are quartz, barite and calcite. Most of the fluid inclusions identified in quartz-chalcopyrite ± specular hematite veins contain two liquid and vapour phases at room temperature. The primary and pseudo-secondary fluid inclusions have low to intermediate homogenization temperatures between 134 and 338 °C and salinities between 3.55 and 16.89 wt% NaCl equivalents. The fluid inclusion data are consistent with a two-stage evolution of the mineralizing system with initial metal precipitation at crustal depths of <2 km followed by a later pulse of metal deposition at shallower crustal levels of <1 km. The calculated 34SH2S values of sulphide mineral separates from the Rangraz copper deposit range from −9.1‰ to −7.3‰, whereas the calculated δD and δ18O values of the ore fluids range from −3.2 to 0.4‰ and −85 to −75‰, respectively. The δ34S values of the Rangraz samples are consistent with a magmatic sulphur source, implying a possible link between copper mineralization and the Rangraz quartz-monzodiorite. The H, S and O isotope data are consistent with extensive mixing of primary magmatic fluids with cooler, oxidizing meteoric waters occurred in the Rangraz deposit and was responsible for triggering the precipitation of ore minerals. Collectively, the fluid inclusion and isotope data point towards the copper-bearing fluids having been subjected to dilution and cooling, probably as a consequence of their mixing with meteoric waters and boiling. Taken as a whole, the geological setting, ore and gangue mineralogy, vein textures, hydrothermal alteration types, and geochemical, stable isotope, and fluid inclusion evidence may be taken to imply that the Rangraz copper deposit belongs to a class of vein-hosted low sulfidation epithermal mineral systems, several of which have been recorded in the Uromieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc.

Occurrence and Distribution of Silver in the World-Class Río Blanco Porphyry Cu-Mo Deposit, Central Chile

Abstract Porphyry Cu-Mo deposits (PCDs) are the world’s major source of Cu, Mo, and Re and are also a significant source of Au and Ag. Here we focus on the world-class Río Blanco PCD in the Andes of central Chile, where Ag is a by-product of Cu mining. Statistical examination of an extensive multielemental inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry data set indicates compositional trends at the deposit scale, including Ag-Cu (r = 0.71) and Ag-In (r = 0.53) positive correlations, which relate to Cu-Fe sulfides and Cu sulfosalts in the deposit. Silver is primarily concentrated in Cu ores in the central core of the deposit, and significant variations in the Ag concentration are related to the different hydrothermal alteration types. The concentration of Ag is highest in the potassic core (avg 2.01 ppm) and decreases slightly in the gray-green sericite (phyllic) zone (avg 1.72 ppm); Ag is lowest in the outer propylitic alteration zone (avg 0.59 ppm). Drill core samples from major hydrothermal alteration zones were selected for in situ analysis of Ag and associated elements in sulfide and sulfosalt minerals. To ensure representativeness, sample selection considered the spatial distribution of the alteration types and ore paragenesis. Chalcopyrite is the most abundant Cu sulfide in Río Blanco, with Ag concentration that ranges from sub-parts per million levels to hundreds of parts per million. The highest concentration of Ag in chalcopyrite is associated with the high-temperature potassic alteration stage. Bornite is less abundant than chalcopyrite but has the highest Ag concentration of all studied sulfides, ranging from hundreds of parts per million up to ~1,000 ppm. The Ag concentration in bornite is higher in lower-temperature alteration assemblages (moderate gray-green sericite), opposite to the behavior of Ag in chalcopyrite. Pyrite has the lowest Ag content, although concentrations of other critical elements such as Co, Ni, and Au may be significant. The highest Ag concentrations, i.e., thousands of parts per million up to weight percent levels, were detected in late-stage Cu sulfosalts (enargite, tennantite, and tetrahedrite). The Ag content in these sulfosalts increases with increasing Sb concentrations, from the Sb-poor enargite to the Sb-rich tetrahedrite. The earliest Ag mineralization event is related to the potassic alteration stage represented by early biotite and transitional early biotite-type veinlets and where the predominant sulfides are chalcopyrite and bornite. Silver mineralization during this stage was predominantly controlled by crystallization of Cu-Fe sulfides. The second Ag mineralization event at Río Blanco is associated with the transitional Cu mineralization stage, which is represented by the gray-green sericite alteration (C-type veinlets). In this alteration type, Ag was partitioned preferentially into chalcopyrite, bornite, and to a lesser extent pyrite. The last Ag mineralization event is related to the late quartz-sericite alteration stage, characterized by D- and E-type veinlets with pyrite-chalcopyrite and enargite-tennantite-tetrahedrite. Our data indicate that Ag was associated with several Cu mineralization episodes at Río Blanco, with Ag concentration apparently controlled by cooling, changes in pH, fO2 and fS2 of the hydrothermal fluids, and the intensity of alteration. Overall, our results provide information on critical metal partitioning between sulfides, plus the distribution of critical element resources at the deposit scale. Knowledge of the mineralogical occurrence of critical metals in PCDs is necessary to better assess their resources and evaluate the potential for their recovery.

Petrological Implications of Seafloor Hydrothermal Alteration of Subducted Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt

Abstract Determining the mineralogical changes occurring in subducted oceanic crust is key to understanding short- and long-term geochemical cycles. Although numerous studies have explored the mineral assemblages that form in mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) at different depths below the Earth’s surface, it is widely recognized that seafloor hydrothermal alteration of the uppermost portion of the oceanic crust can change its composition between a ridge and a trench prior to subduction. In this study, we use petrological modelling to explore the effects of different types of pre-subduction hydrothermal alteration on the phase changes that occur during seafloor alteration of MORB-like compositions during subduction along an average Phanerozoic geotherm. We consider a representative composition of altered oceanic crust, as well as extreme end-member scenarios (pervasive spilitization, chloritization, and epidotization). Our models show that epidotization and chloritization of MORB strongly affects phase equilibria at different depths, whereas spilitization and an average style of alteration produce relatively fewer changes on the mineral assemblage to those expected in a pristine MORB. Devolatilization of MORB during subduction occurs mostly in the forearc region, although the type and extent of alteration strongly control the depth and magnitude of fluid released. Altered compositions carry significantly more H2O to sub- and postarc depths than unaltered compositions; the H2O carrying capacity of unaltered and altered compositions is further enhanced during subduction along colder geotherms. Extremely localized areas affected by epidotization can transport up to 22 times more H2O than unaltered MORB and up to two times more than average altered oceanic crust compositions to depths beyond the arc. Regardless of the extent and style of alteration, the stability of hydrous phases, such as epidote and phengite (important trace element carriers), is expanded to greater pressure and temperature conditions. Thus, hydrothermal alteration of the subducted oceanic slab-top represents a viable, and probably common, mechanism that enhances geochemical recycling between the Earth’s hydrosphere and shallow interior.

Evolution of structures and hydrothermal alteration in a Palaeoproterozoic supracrustal belt: Constraining paired deformation–fluid flow events in an Fe and Cu–Au prospective terrain in northern Sweden

Abstract. An approximately 90 km long Palaeoproterozoic supracrustal belt in the northwestern Norrbotten ore province (northernmost Sweden) was investigated to characterize its structural components, assess hydrothermal alteration–structural geology correlations, and constrain a paired deformation–fluid flow evolution for the belt. New geological mapping of five key areas (Eustiljåkk, Ekströmsberg, Tjårrojåkka, Kaitum West, and Fjällåsen–Allavaara) indicates two major compressional events (D1 and D2) have affected the belt, with each associated with hydrothermal alteration types typical for iron oxide–apatite and iron oxide Cu–Au systems in the region. Early D1 generated a regionally distributed, penetrative S1 foliation and oblique reverse shear zones that show a southwest-block-up sense of shear that formed in response to NE–SW crustal shortening. Peak regional metamorphism at epidote–amphibolite facies broadly overlaps with this D1 event. Based on overprinting relationships, D1 is associated with regional scapolite ± albite, magnetite + amphibole, and late calcite alteration of mafic rock types. These hydrothermal mineral associations linked to D1 structures may form part of a regionally pervasive evolving fluid flow event but are separated in this study by crosscutting relationships. During D2 deformation, folding of S0–S1 structures generated F2 folds with steeply plunging fold axes in low-strain areas. NNW-trending D1 shear zones experienced reverse dip-slip reactivation and strike-slip-dominated movements along steep, E–W-trending D2 shear zones, producing brittle-plastic structures. Hydrothermal alteration linked to D2 structures is a predominantly potassic–ferroan association comprising K-feldspar ± epidote ± quartz ± biotite ± magnetite ± sericite ± sulfides. Locally, syn- or post-tectonic calcite is the main alteration mineral in D2 shear zones that intersect mafic rocks. Our results highlight the importance of combining structural geology with the study of hydrothermal alterations at regional to belt scales to understand the temporal–spatial relationship between mineralized systems. Based on the mapping results and microstructural investigations as well as a review of earlier tectonic models presented for adjacent areas, we suggest a new structural model for this part of the northern Fennoscandian Shield. The new model emphasizes the importance of reactivation of early structures, and the model harmonizes with tectonic models presented by earlier workers based mainly on petrology of the northern Norrbotten area.