Small-scale positive flower structures

Field relations indicate that small-scale positive flower structures along sub-regional strike-slip faults localize ore in particular 4 m thick, bedded ore zones in Mississippi Valley-type Pb-Zn deposits of the Viburnum Trend, southeast Missouri, U.S.A. Outwardly divergent, shallow-dipping, duplex-deformed fault splays control ore and merge inwardly with sub-vertical fault strands. The characteristics of both duplex-deformed splays and ore suggest that the flower structures acted as drains for fluids being moved vertically along the strike-slip faults. This ore control differs from pipe-like conduits of transtensional dilation jogs in that duplex-deformed splays form under transpression and develop horizontal veins adjacent to strike-slip faults.     

Marble-hosted sulfide ores in the Angouran Zn-(Pb–Ag) deposit, NW Iran: interaction of sedimentary brines with a metamorphic core complex

The Angouran Zn-(Pb–Ag) deposit, Zanjan Province, NW Iran, is located within the central Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone of the Zagros orogenic belt. The deposit has proven and estimated resources of 4.7 Mt of sulfide ore at 27.7% Zn, 2.4% Pb, and 110 g/t Ag, and 14.6 Mt of oxidized carbonate ores at 22% Zn and 4.6% Pb. It is hosted by a metamorphic core complex that is unconformably overlain by a Neogene volcanic and evaporite-bearing marine to continental sedimentary sequence. The sulfide orebody, precursor to the significant nonsulfide ores, is located at the crest of an open anticline at the contact between Neoproterozoic to Cambrian footwall micaschists and hanging wall marbles. ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar data on muscovite from mineralized and unaltered footwall micaschists suggest a rapid Mid-Miocene exhumation of the metamorphic basement (∼20 Ma) and yield an upper age constraint for mineralization. The fine-grained sulfide ore is massive, replacive, often brecciated, clearly postmetamorphic and dominated by Fe-poor sphalerite, with minor galena, pyrite, anhydrite, quartz, muscovite, dolomite, and rare calcite. Sphalerite contains Na–Ca–Cl brine inclusions (23–25 mass% total dissolved solids) with homogenization temperatures of 180–70°C. Fluid inclusion chemistry (Na–K–Li–Ca–Mg–Cl–Br), ore geochemistry, S, and Pb isotope data suggest that the Angouran sulfide ore formed by the interaction of modified, strongly evaporated Miocene seawater and the lithotypes of an exhumed metamorphic core complex. Minor contributions of metals from Miocene igneous rocks cannot be excluded. Mineralization occurred in a collisional intra-arc setting with high heat flow, probably during the transition from an extensional to a compressional regime. The Angouran deposit may represent a new type of low-temperature carbonate-hosted Zn–Pb ore that is distinct from Mississippi Valley type and sedimentary-exhalative deposits.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Trend-surface analysis as an aid in exploration for Mississippi valley-type ore deposits

An examination of the characteristics of Mississippi Valley-type ore deposits shows that these deposits have many similarities which appear to be structurally controlled. To define the relationship between the ore deposits and these structural conditions, trend-surface analysis using the Precambrian surface as the datum plane was performed within the general Missouri area. Examination of the residual maps prepared from this analysis shows that all the ore deposits have the same spatial relationship to areas of strong residual highs. A more detailed study was conducted in the area of the Viburnum Trend using a datum plane just below the ore horizon. The spatial relationship shown on the Precambrian residual map was even better defined in this study. From this study, it appears that the optimum structural conditions necessary for the deposition of Mississippi Valley-type ore deposits exist in regions located next to and slightly downgradient from areas which exceed one positive standard deviation from the trend surface. The methods described in this paper could comprise an extremely useful tool in exploration programs as they can define high probability locations in which to concentrate further exploration efforts.This paper was presented at Symposium 116.3, Quantitative Strategy for Exploration, held as part of the 25th International Geological Congress, Sydney, Australia, August 1976.     

Sulfur isotope evidence for penetration of MVT fluids into igneous basement rocks,southeast Missouri,USA

Previous studies of galena and sphalerite from Paleozoic MVT deposits in the Viburnum Trend, southeast Missouri documented large variations in ³⁴S values throughout the ore-forming event. The present study of Cu-Fe-sulfides reveals a similar ³⁴S variation that reflects two end-member sulfur reservoirs whose relative importance varied both temporally and spatially. More ³⁴S-enriched sulfides (³⁴S approaching 25) indicate introduction of sulfur from basinal sedimentary sources, whereas more ³²S-enriched sulfides (³⁴S < 5) may reflect fluids moving through underlying granitic basement. Two areas containing Precambrian, igneous-hosted FeCu mineralization in southeast Missouri (West and Central Domes of Boss-Bixby) were investigated to elucidate their relationship to Cu-rich MVT orebodies hosted nearby within the overlying Cambrian Bonneterre Dolomite. Mineralization at Boss-Bixby is composed of an early phase of iron oxide deposition followed by Cu-Fe-sulfides. The Central Dome is faulted and its mineralization is more fracture-controlled than the typically podiform ores of the West Dome. The ³⁴S values of West Dome sulfides are 0.9 to 6.5 and pyrite-chalcopyrite indicate a temperature of 525° ± 50 °C. These data indicate an igneous source of sulfur during Precambrian ore deposition. In contrast, ³⁴S values of Central Dome sulfides are 9.4 to 20.0 and pyrite-chalcopyrite indicate temperatures of 275° ± 50 °C. Similar ³⁴S values are obtained for chalcopyrite from the overlying MVT deposits. We speculate that deeply circulating, basin-derived MVT fluids mobilized sulfur and copper from the underlying igneous basement and redeposited them in overlying Curich MVT orebodies, as well as overprinting earlier Precambrian sulfides of the Central Dome with a later, Paleozoic MVT sulfur isotope signature. Many models for MVT fluid circulation in the Midcontinent region of North America assume that igneous basement rocks are an impermeable boundary, but in southeast Missouri, evidence exists for structurally controlled MVT fluid movement > 600 m vertically through underlying Precambrian igneous rocks. Such basement involvement has been suggested for other carbonate-hosted base-metal districts (e.g. Irish base metal deposits) and should be considered an integral part of the ore-forming process in southeast Missouri.     

河南栾川杨树凹-百炉沟MVT铅锌矿带地质特征

河南栾川地区马圈-百炉沟铅锌矿带位于华北陆块南缘中-新元古代被动大陆边缘中的浅海台地相碳酸盐岩环境，矿化以铅锌(银)为主，矿床赋存于官道口群中的三个古含水层系统(基本上是由下部含(透)水的碎屑岩(砂岩)与上覆相对不透水的碳酸盐岩组成)中，矿体形态比较简单，富矿段多赋存于多组构造交汇部位，硅化、角砾岩化、白云岩化、滑石化是矿区最主要的围岩蚀变。矿床地质特征可与北美Missouri地区的MVT矿床对比，成因属密西西比河谷型(MVT)。研究表明，位于龙家园组、冯家湾组中的含水层是最重要的找矿层位，角砾岩化、白云岩化、滑石化等是主要的找矿标志，沿马圈～竹园沟一百炉沟推覆断层北侧(官道口群)地区是寻找MVT型铅锌银矿床最主要的远景区。     

RbSr and KAr ages of paleozoic glauconites from Ohio—Indiana and Missouri,U.S.A.

Glauconite pellets from the Lower Silurian Brassfield Formation on both limbs of the Cincinnati Arch in Ohio and Indiana give a RbSr age of 370 ± 11 Ma, which is substantially younger than the stratigraphic age of the formation. The age is concordantcwith conventional KAr ages of 355 ± 6 and 368 ± 5 Ma for two of the same glauconites. Concordant ages were also obtained from the Viburnum Trend in Missouri, where glauconite pellets from the Davis Formation in an ore-zone collapse structure into the underlying Bonneterre Formation give a RbSr age of 387 ± 21 Ma and conventional KAr ages of 368 ± 5 and 369 ± 5 and 369 ± 5 Ma. A third suite of glauconite from the Bonneterre Formation in the Old Lead Belt ～ 10 km from the nearest ore body has given a RbSr age of 423 ± 7 Ma and slightly older conventional KAr ages of 434 ± 6, 445 ± 6 and 441 ± 11 Ma.Because these glauconite-bearing rocks have been buried to depths of less than 1 km, thermal resetting of the RbSr and KAr systematics appears unlikely. The initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios of the RbSr isochrons are similar to the ratios for vein- and vug-filling dolomite and calcite. This is consistent with resetting of the RbSr and KAr systems during diagenetic changes which included the isotopic equilibration (perhaps by cation exchange) of the Sr in the glauconite with that in the diagenetic and Mississippi Valley-type ore fluids. This interpretation implies that the age of the Mississippi Valley-type mineralization in the Viburnum Trend is Devonian rather than Carboniferous—Permian as has been inferred from paleomagnetic measurements.Cation-exchange experiments with a dilute Sr-bearing solution and an artificial oilfield brine indicate that glauconite adsorbs large amounts of Sr, some of which is sufficiently strongly attached to the glauconite lattice as to resist leaching with ammonium acetate. The introduction of this strongly attached Sr may be the first step in the resetting of the RbSr systematics of glauconite by cation exchange.     

阿尔金山喀腊大湾西铅锌矿床地质特征及成矿条件分析

喀腊大湾西铅锌矿床位于阿尔金成矿带红柳沟-拉配泉成矿亚带,矿床产于长城系喀腊大湾组碳酸盐岩中,矿体形成和产出受推覆逆冲断裂控制.赋矿岩石为角砾状白云石化大理岩,具网脉状、角砾状构造.该矿矿床地质特征和矿石结构、构造等具北美密西西比河谷型(MVT)铅锌矿床基本特征,初步认为矿床成因类型为沉积变质-热液改造型铅锌矿床,具很好找矿前景.     

Variscan silicic magmatism and related tin-tungsten mineralization in the Erzgebirge-Slavkovský les metallogenic province

Integration of geochemical, mineralogical, isotopic, and geochronological data with geodynamic considerations suggests that the Variscan granites in the Erzgebirge-Slavkovsky les domain originated from repeated melting events and were emplaced over a period of about 40 Ma (330–290 Ma). Several lines of evidence exist supporting the idea that Erzgebirge granites assigned to different types (biotite granites, two-mica granites, strongly peraluminous P-rich Li-mica granites, and slightly peraluminous P-poor granites) are in most cases not genetically related via continuous fractional crystallization from a common magmatic reservoir. The genesis of the Slavkovsky les granites, however, might be discussed in terms of an uninterrupted fractionation series. Geological models of Sn-W deposits based upon geochemical and structural results imply that the main ore depositional events followed immediately the emplacement and solidification processes of melt via fluid-melt immiscibility, breccia-pipe formation and/or pervasive rock-fluid interactions. Received: 4 August 1998 / Accepted: 5 January 1999     

贵州五指山背斜纳雍枝铅锌矿地质特征及找矿前景分析

纳雍枝铅锌矿床位于五指山背斜北东部,是五指山矿集区的组成部分.区内铅锌矿体产于清虚洞组的白云岩中,自下而上共划分为9个矿体层,属沉积型铅锌矿床.矿石类型为碳酸盐岩型铅锌矿石.五指山地区位于紫云-垭都深大断裂的北东侧,南东侧有安顺-凯里深断裂,这些深断裂是纳雍枝矿床深部物质来源的前提,次一级的构造为矿床的形成提供了矿质流动的通道.五指山背斜Pb、Zn综合异常明显的部位,异常与区内构造较吻合,与矿床(点)展布方向一致.该矿床与典型密西西比河谷铅锌矿床具有较高的可比性.通过对纳雍枝铅锌矿床地质特征的总结及分析,认为五指山地区的找矿前景十分广阔.     

AMS Radiocarbon Age of the Upper Mississippi Valley Roxana Silt

Accelerator mass spectrometer radiocarbon ages of the Roxana Silt (loess) along the Upper Mississippi Valley of Wisconsin and Minnesota indicate that loess sedimentation of the Roxana Silt occurred between about 55,000 and 27,000 ¹⁴ C yr B.P. However, due to local environmental controls, the basal age at any given site may range from 55,000 to 35,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P. The radiocarbon ages presented here are in agreement with previous radiocarbon ages for the Roxana Silt in its type area of west-central Illinois, but indicate that long-term sedimentation rates along the bluffline of the Upper Mississippi Valley were very slow (4-8 cm/1000 yr) compared to long-term sedimentation rates along the bluffline of the type area (40-70 cm/1000 yr). Comparison of radiocarbon ages for midcontinent middle Wisconsinan loess deposits indicates that sedimentation along the Mississippi River valley may have preceded loess sedimentation along the Missouri River valley by as much as 20,000 yr or that basal ages for middle Wisconsinan loess along the Missouri Valley are erroneously young. The bracketing ages for the Upper Mississippi Valley Roxana Silt indicate that the Mississippi River valley was receiving outwash sedimentation between 55,000 and 27,000 ¹⁴C yr B.P.     

Fluid migration at the basement/sediment interface along the margin of the Southeast basin (France): implications for Pb–Zn ore formation

This study investigates the isotopic composition (C, O, S and Sr) of carbonates, sulphates and sulphide cements in the rock matrix and fracture fillings in geological formations of the Southeast basin of France, using core samples collected during the Deep Geology of France programme (GPF Ardèche theme). The Southeast basin belongs to the Alpine Tethyan margin. It is one of the thickest sedimentary basins in Europe, reaching upwards of 9 km in certain locations. The main fluid transfer from the basin is related to the large Pb–Zn Mississippi Valley-type district along the southern margin of the Massif Central block. A synthesis of the tectonic, mineralogical and petrographic investigations on the GPF boreholes shows that a major fluid circulation event occurred across the Alpine margin of Tethys during the Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Bathonian). It produced a general cementation of the rock porosity through precipitation of dolomite, sulphate and barite. Fracture fillings yield isotopic signatures distinct from the matrix cements. Matrix cements have particular characteristics, i.e. δ³⁴S and δ¹³C that agree with a marine origin. The δ³⁴S values of Permo-Carboniferous to Triassic sulphides from fracture cements are interpreted as resulting from the thermo-chemical reduction of sulphates. Fracture sulphates in the same geological formations yield δ³⁴S values that define a relatively homogeneous end-member, whose composition is similar to sulphates in the Largentière Pb–Zn ore deposit. The source of S is attributed to the Permo-Carboniferous succession. The borehole fracture fillings are attributed to a major fluid circulation stage compatible with the Early Jurassic stage identified from the geological investigation of the boreholes. The formation of the Largentière deposit is considered as resulting from the mixing of this Early Jurassic fluid with continental hydrothermal fluids circulating in a basement horst, along its margin with the sedimentary basin. Other Pb–Zn deposits may also be related to fluid migration along the basement/sedimentary cover interface in the eastern and western parts of the Massif Central. This regional fluid circulation event may represent a geodynamic marker of the Jurassic extensional phase.     

The Kuh-e-Surmeh mineralization, a carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb deposit in the Simply Folded Belt of the Zagros Mountains, SW Iran

The Kuh-e-Surmeh carbonate-hosted zinc-lead deposit, located within the Simply Folded Belt of the Zagros Mountains in southwestern Iran, is an orogen-related Mississippi Valley type deposit originally formed in the foreland Thrust Belt of the Zagros Mountains. Structural and textural observations indicate that ore deposition took place as open-space fillings in brecciated carbonate rock and as internal sediments consisting of fine-grained ore minerals interlayered with carbonates. The preferred genetic model for the concentration of the ore metals is that of dewatering of the Zard-Kuh basin due to regional tectonic compaction tectonism and expulsion of basin-derived fluids into the highly porous and brecciated dolomitized rocks of the Dalan Formation. The metals precipitated from dense basinal brine (15 wt% equiv. NaCl) at low temperatures (less than 200 °C), typically within strata of a Late Paleozoic carbonate platform. Received: 21 July 1998 / Accepted: 20 August 1999     

New data on deep structure, tectonics, and mineralogeny of the Zeya-Bureya Basin

The Zeya-Bureya Basin is a part of the East Asian intracontinental riftogenic belt, which includes oil-and-gas bearing and Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary basins perspective for oil and gas (Upper Zeya, Songliao, Liaohe, North Chinese). The basins are characterized by certain geophysical features: reduced thickness of the Earth’s crust and lithosphere, a higher thermal flow and a raised roof of the asthenosphere. The Zeya-Bureya Basin is composed of Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary-volcanic units, with respect to which the deep structure data are absent. In 2010, geoelectric studies were carried out in this territory using the method of magnetotelluric sounding along the profile Blagoveshchensk-Birokan. These works yielded geoelectric sections down to 2 and 200 km depth. The sedimentary cover is characterized by electric resistivity of 20–50 Ohm m and by thickness of 1700 m. In the section, the Khingan-Olonoi volcanogenic trough is distinct for resistivity of 200–300 Ohm m at a background of 500–1000 Ohm m of the basement rocks. The Zeya-Bureya Basin, in terms of its geophysical characteristics, differs from oil-and-gas bearing basins of the riftogenic belt (thickness of the lithosphere is increased up to 120 km, thermal flow is low, 40–47 mW/m²). The structure of mantle underplating is explicitly seen in the section. The geophysical characteristics close to those of the Zeya-Bureya Depression are typical for gold-bearing structures of the Lower Amur ore district. Nevertheless, manifestations of oil-and-gas bearing potential in particular grabens are possible.     

Structure of the Transkei Basin and Natal Valley, Southwest Indian Ocean, from seismic reflection and potential field data

Marine geophysical data from the southern Natal Valley and northern Transkei Basin, offshore southeast Africa, were used to study the structure of the crust and sedimentary cover in the area. The data includes seismic reflection, gravity and magnetics and provides information on the acoustic basement geometry (where available), features of the sedimentary cover and the basin's development. Previously mapped Mesozoic magnetic anomalies over a part of the basin are now recognized over wider areas of the basin. The ability to extend the correlation to the southeast within the Natal Valley further confirms an oceanic origin for this region and provides an opportunity to amplify the existing plate boundary reconstructions.The stratigraphic structure of the southern Natal Valley and the northern Transkei Basin reflects processes of the ocean crust formation and subsequent evolution. The highly variable relief of the acoustic basement may relate to the crust formation in the immediate vicinity of the continental transform margin. Renewed submarine seismicity and neotectonic activity in the area is probably related to the diffuse boundary between the Nubia and Somalia plates.2.5-D crustal models show that a 1.7–3.2-km-thick sediment sequence overlies a 6.3±1.2-km-thick normal oceanic crust in the deep southern Natal Valley and Transkei Basin. The oceanic crust in the study area is heterogeneous, made up of blocks of laterally varying remanent magnetization (0.5–3.5 A/m) and density (2850–2900 kg/m³). Strong modifications of accretionary processes near ridge/fracture zone intersections may be a reason of such heterogeneity.     

Origin and evolution of high-salinity, Zn–Pb mineralising fluids in the Variscides of Belgium

High-salinity, Na–Ca–Cl-rich fluids (˜20 wt% salts) in inclusions in gangue and ore minerals from Mesozoic Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits in the Verviers Synclinorium (eastern Belgium) and in Cretaceous vein calcites at the Variscan front were investigated by microthermometric and crush-leach analysis. The MVT deposits formed at temperatures of ˜110 °C while the Cretaceous vein calcites were precipitated at temperatures <50 °C. Their Cl–Br content (Cl/Br ratio between 246 and 458) suggests that the fluids probably originated by the evaporation of seawater during basin development at the southern margin of the Caledonian Brabant Massif in the Late Palaeozoic. The Na–Ca–K content (Na: 29,700–49,600 ppm, Ca: 25,700–46,200 ppm, K: 1,000–5,620 ppm) is similar to that of the mineralising fluids in other Pb–Zn districts, interpreted to be of evaporative origin (e.g. Newfoundland, East Tennessee, Polaris). Furthermore, comparison of the Na–Ca–K content of the fluids with that of an evolved evaporitic brine enables the recognition of major water–rock interactions that modified the fluid composition. It indicates that the ambient fluids participated in the early diagenetic dolomitisation of Upper Palaeozoic carbonates and also in the albitisation of plagioclase in Lower Palaeozoic siliciclastics of the Caledonian basement. Illitisation of smectites or dissolution of K-feldspar probably controlled the K-content of the fluids. A model is proposed where the bittern brines migrated down into the deep subsurface because of their density during extension. After the Variscan orogeny, these fluids were finally expelled along extensional faults, resulting in the formation of Zn–Pb deposits. Received: 26 April 2000 / Accepted: 22 November 2000     

Geological framework of the Archean and Paleoproterozoic Tanami Region, Northern Territory

The Tanami Region, a poorly exposed, mostly Paleoproterozoic province within the North Australian Craton, hosts a number of significant gold deposits in diverse settings. Rare exposures of 2,520–2,500 Ma amphibolite facies Archean gneiss and metasedimentary rocks form basement to the thick overlying metasedimentary succession of the 1,880–1,830 Ma Tanami Group. The basal unit of the Tanami Group is the Dead Bullock Formation, a fining-upward deep-water succession dominated by siltstone, carbonaceous siltstone, iron-rich siltstone and mafic sills. Carbonaceous- and iron-rich lithologies in the upper Dead Bullock Formation represent important hosts for gold mineralization. The conformably overlying Killi Killi Formation represents turbiditic sedimentary rocks that are correlated with the widespread Lander Rock beds of the Arunta Region. Sedimentation of the Tanami Group was terminated by regional deformation and greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism during the Tanami Event (D₁/M₁), at around 1,830 Ma. The Tanami Group is unconformably overlain by rhyolite, siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, and felsic ignimbrite of the Ware Group that were deposited at about 1,825–1,810 Ma. Subsequent ESE–WNW to SE–NW directed shortening (D₂), followed by NE–SW to E–W directed shortening (D₃), has resulted in open NE F₂- and NW F₃-trending folds in both the Tanami and Ware Groups. Voluminous granitoids, dominated by I-type, biotite granodiorite, and monzogranite were intruded in the interval 1,825–1,790 Ma and have been subdivided using geochemical criteria into the Birthday, Frederick, and Grimwade Suites. Basalt and immature sedimentary rocks of the Mount Charles Formation are restricted in extent to the Tanami mine corridor, and are interpreted to reflect a continental rift succession that was deposited around 1,800 Ma, with an early Archean sedimentary provenance. Steep S to SE dipping F₄-fold structures of Tanami and Ware Group metasedimentary rocks, many spatially associated with 1,825–1,790 Ma granitoid intrusions, indicate a period of SSE-directed regional shortening (D₄) syn-to-post the regional granitoid intrusive phase. A network of N to NW striking faults, several of which are interpreted as oblique thrusts with a component of left lateral movement, indicates a period of D₅ convergence during WSW–ENE to E–W directed shortening. The Tanami mine corridor fault system comprises a network of N, NE to ENE striking D₅ faults that merge with N to NW striking faults and probably accommodated movement between granite core domains. D₅ faulting is associated with the main phase of gold mineralization in suitable structural–lithological traps. The Paleoproterozoic basement of the Tanami Region is unconformably overlain by quartz sandstone, lithic arenite, and conglomerate of the Pargee Sandstone. Pargee Sandstone may represent syn-tectonic sedimentation related to the 1,730 Ma Strangways Orogeny, and is unconformably overlain by the late Paleoproterozoic platform cover succession of the Birrindudu Group. The Paleoproterozoic basement and cover sequences have subsequently undergone several episodes of faulting, collectively termed D₆₊. The Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Tanami Region is interpreted to have occurred in an intracratonic setting, but was fundamentally influenced by tectonic events in the adjacent Halls Creek Orogen (1,835–1,805 Ma Halls Creek Orogeny) and Arunta Region (1,815–1,800 Ma Stafford Event). The boundaries between the Tanami Region and Kimberley Region to the northwest and the Arunta Region to the southeast are transitional, and are largely defined by the presence or absence of identifiable Dead Bullock Formation.     

云南文山红舍克铝土矿成因分析

红舍克铝土矿由沉积型及风化堆积型二类。沉积型铝土矿由越北古陆中的岩浆岩、变质岩经长期剥蚀、风化后,经长距离搬运沉积而成,受基底、古岩溶地貌、沉积环境和沉积相的控制。堆积矿床属于表生第四纪岩溶堆积型,不但与岩性、气候、构造、地形地貌关系密切,亦与沉积型矿床有直接因果联系。     

Formation of the Wiesloch Mississippi Valley-type Zn-Pb-Ag deposit in the extensional setting of the Upper Rhinegraben, SW Germany

The Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Zn–Pb–Ag deposit in the Wiesloch area, Southwest Germany, is controlled by graben-related faults of the Upper Rhinegraben. Mineralization occurs as vein fillings and irregular replacement ore bodies consisting of sphalerite, banded sphalerite, galena, pyrite, sulfosalts (jordanite and geocronite), barite, and calcite in the Middle Triassic carbonate host rock. Combining paragenetic information, fluid inclusion investigations, stable isotope and mineral chemistry with thermodynamic modeling, we have derived a model for the formation of the Wiesloch deposit. This model involves fluid mixing between ascending hot brines (originating in the crystalline basement) with sedimentary formation waters. The ascending brines originally had a near-neutral pH (around 6) and intermediate oxidation state, reflecting equilibrium with granites and gneisses in the basement. During fluid ascent and cooling, the pH of the brine shifted towards more acidic (around 4) and the oxidation state increased to conditions above the hematite-magnetite buffer. These chemical characteristics contrast strongly with those of the pore and fracture fluid residing in the limestone aquifer, which had a pH between 8 and 9 in equilibrium with calcite and was rather reduced due to the presence of organic matter in the limestone. Mixing between these two fluids resulted in a strong decrease in the solubility of silver-bearing sphalerite and galena, and calcite. Besides Wiesloch, several Pb–Zn deposits are known along the Upper Rhinegraben, including hydrothermal vein-type deposits like Badenweiler and the Michael mine near Lahr. They all share the same fluid origin and formation process and only differ in details of their host rock and fluid cooling paths. The mechanism of fluid mixing also seems to be responsible for the formation of other MVT deposits in Europe (e.g., Réocin, Northern Spain; Trèves, Southern France; and Cracow-Silesia, Poland), which show notable similarities in terms of their age, mineralogy. and mineral chemistry to the MVT deposit near Wiesloch.     

Zircon age and Nd–Hf isotopic composition of the Yunnan Tethyan belt,southwestern China

The Baoshan block of the Tethyan Yunnan, southwestern China, is considered as northern part of the Sibumasu microcontinent. Basement of this block that comprises presumably greenschist-facies Neoproterozoic metamorphic rocks is covered by Paleozoic to Mesozoic low-grade metamorphic sedimentary rocks. This study presents zircon ages and Nd–Hf isotopic composition of granites generated from crustal reworking to reveal geochemical feature of the underlying basement. Dating results obtained using the single zircon U–Pb isotopic dilution method show that granites exposed in the study area formed in early Paleozoic (about 470 Ma; Pingdajie granite) and in late Yanshanian (about 78–61 Ma, Late Cretaceous to Early Tertiary; Huataolin granite). The early Paleozoic granite contains Archean to Mesoproterozoic inherited zircons and the late Yanshanian granite contains late Proterozoic to early Paleozoic zircon cores. Both granites have similar geochemical and Nd–Hf isotopic charateristics, indicating similar magma sources. They have whole-rock T _DM(Nd) values of around 2,000 Ma and zircon T _DM(Hf) values clustering around 1,900–1,800 and 1,600–1,400 Ma. The Nd–Hf isotopic data imply Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic crustal material as the major components of the underlying basement, being consistent with a derivation from Archean and Paleoproterozoic terrains of India or NW Australia. Both granites formed in two different tectonic events similarly originated from intra-crustal reworking. Temporally, the late Yanshanian magmatism is probably related to the closure of the Neotethys ocean. The early Paleozoic magmatism traced in the Baoshan block indicates a comparable history of the basements during early Paleozoic between the SE Asia and the western Tethyan belt, such as the basement outcrops in the Alpine belt and probably in the European Variscides that are considered as continental blocks drifting from Gondwana prior to or simultaneously with those of the SE Asia.     

庐枞盆地龙桥铁矿床中菱铁矿的地质特征和成因意义

龙桥铁矿床是庐枞火山岩盆地中的一个大型的铁矿床,多年来对其矿床成因的认识存在较大的争论.文章在野外地质研究工作的基础上,通过对矿床中菱铁矿的岩矿分析鉴定和电子探针测试,确定了矿床纹层状矿石中的菱铁矿为沉积成因.通过对菱铁矿的产出特征分析,并结合龙桥铁矿床的部分地质地球化学研究成果,认为在该矿床形成过程中,早期沉积形成了纹层状的菱铁矿层,在燕山期的岩浆热事件中,部分沉积菱铁矿被交代形成了磁铁矿和具有残余骸晶结构等一系列矿石交代组构特征的矿物.纹层状矿石既具有沉积特征,也具有热液改造特征,证实了矿床的形成存在早期(三叠纪)的沉积成矿(菱铁矿)作用和晚期(燕山期)的热液成矿(磁铁矿)作用.菱铁矿的研究为进一步确定龙桥铁矿床的成因提供了新的佐证.