Geology,Alteration, and Mineralization of the Kay Tanda Epithermal Gold Deposit,Lobo, Batangas,Philippines

The Kay Tanda epithermal Au deposit in Lobo, Batangas is one of the Au deposits situated in the Batangas Mineral District in southern Luzon, Philippines. This study aims to document the geological, alteration, and mineralization characteristics and to determine the age of the mineralization, the mechanism of ore deposition, and the hydrothermal fluid characteristics of the Kay Tanda deposit. The geology of Kay Tanda consists of (i) the Talahib Volcanic Sequence, a Middle Miocene dacitic to andesitic volcaniclastic sequence that served as the host rock of the mineralization; (ii) the Balibago Diorite Complex, a cogenetic intrusive complex intruding the Talahib Volcanic Sequence; (iii) the Calatagan Formation, a Late Miocene to Early Pliocene volcanosedimentary formation unconformably overlying the Talahib Volcanic Sequence; (iv) the Dacite Porphyry Intrusives, which intruded the older lithological units; and (v) the Balibago Andesite, a Pliocene postmineralization volcaniclastic unit. K‐Ar dating on illite collected from the alteration haloes around quartz veins demonstrated that the age of mineralization is around 5.9 ± 0.2 to 5.5 ± 0.2 Ma (Late Miocene). Two main styles of mineralization are identified in Kay Tanda. The first style is an early‐stage extensive epithermal mineralization characterized by stratabound Au‐Ag‐bearing quartz stockworks hosted at the shallower levels of the Talahib Volcanic Sequence. The second style is a late‐stage base metal (Zn, Pb, and Cu) epithermal mineralization with local bonanza‐grade Au mineralization hosted in veins and hydrothermal breccias that are intersected at deeper levels of the Talahib Volcanic Sequence and at the shallower levels of the Balibago Intrusive Complex. Paragenetic studies on the mineralization in Kay Tanda defined six stages of mineralization; the first two belong to the first mineralization style, while the last four belong to the second mineralization style. Stage 1 is composed of quartz ± pyrophyllite ± dickite/kaolinite ± diaspore alteration, which is cut by quartz veins. Stage 2 is composed of Au‐Ag‐bearing quartz stockworks associated with pervasive illite ± quartz ± smectite ± kaolinite alteration. Stage 3 is composed of carbonate veins with minor base metal sulfides. Stage 4 is composed of quartz ± adularia ± calcite veins and hydrothermal breccias, hosting the main base metal and bonanza‐grade Au mineralization, and is associated with chlorite‐illite‐quartz alteration. Stage 5 is composed of epidote‐carbonate veins associated with epidote‐calcite‐chlorite alteration. Stage 6 is composed of anhydrite‐gypsum veins with minor base metal mineralization. The alteration assemblage of the deposit evolved from an acidic mineral assemblage caused by the condensation of magmatic volatiles from the Balibago Intrusive Complex into the groundwater to a slightly acidic mineral assemblage caused by the interaction of the host rocks and the circulating hydrothermal waters being heated up by the Dacite Porphyry Intrusives to a near‐neutral pH toward the later parts of the mineralization. Fluid inclusion microthermometry indicates that the temperature of the system started to increase during Stage 1 (T = 220–250°C) and remained at high temperatures (T = 250–290°C) toward Stage 6 due to the continuous intrusion of Dacite Porphyry Intrusives at depth. Salinity slightly decreased toward the later stages due to the contribution of more meteoric waters into the hydrothermal system. Boiling is considered the main mechanism of ore deposition based on the occurrence of rhombic adularia, the heterogeneous trapping of fluid inclusions of variable liquid–vapor ratios, the distribution of homogenization temperatures, and the gas ratios obtained from the quantitative fluid inclusion gas analysis of quartz. Ore mineral assemblage and sulfur fugacity determined from the FeS content of sphalerite at temperatures estimated by fluid inclusion microthermometry indicate that the base metal mineralization at Kay Tanda evolved from a high sulfidation to an intermediate sulfidation condition.     

Runoff generation in zero-order precambrian shield catchments: The stormflow response of a heterogeneous landscape

Hydrometric and isotopic (oxygen-18) observations were used to delineate the runoff processes operating in several headwater catchments on the Precambrian Shield of Canada. The catchments comprise patches of conifer forest situated on thin soils among areas of lichen-covered granitic bedrock. Horton overland flow occurred from the lichen-bedrock areas in all precipitation events that exceeded 4–6 mm. Runoff from the forest stands occurred mainly as subsurface stormflow, but in some instances saturation overland flow was observed. The occurrence of saturation overland flow was controlled by the topography of the bedrock beneath the forest soils. The area contributing runoff and the pathway by which water was conveyed to the catchment outflow switched from the open lichen-bedrock areas producing overland flow on the rising limb of the storm hydrograph to the forest stands contributing subsurface stormflow on the recession limb of the hydrograph. The areal extent and position of the landscape units in the basin were important to the rate and magnitude of stormflow production. Runoff was generated from the catchments only during and immediately after snowmelt and/or rainfall events. The catchments were dry and/or frozen for about 70% of the year.     

Hydrology of a headwater basin wetland: Groundwater discharge and wetland maintenance

The link between groundwater and surface hydrology in a small headwater drainage basin in the zone of glacial deposition of southern Ontario south of the Precambrian Shield was examined for two years. The basin is situated in a discharge zone of a regional aquifer and contains a small treed spring-fed swamp. The swamp exists because of the groundwater and has little effect on the maintenance of streamflow. Groundwater input to the swamp is an order of magnitude larger than precipitation. Groundwater of local and regional origin passes through the swamp by two routes: surface streamlets, where groundwater that emerges at specific seepage points in the swamp is conveyed over the ground surface with little interaction with the swamp itself, and by diffuse seepage in the swamp and through the bed of the stream. While the diffuse seepage input is the smaller component of groundwater it maintains the swamp's saturation. Groundwater input to the swamp from the specific seepage points and diffuse flow varies little over a year; therefore the saturation of the swamp and baseflow from the basin display little seasonal variation compared to other wetland types. The existence of the valley bottom in the headwater basin alters the seasonal and storm hydrology and is important to biogeochemical transformation of emerging groundwater.     

A granite–gabbro complex from Madagascar: constraints on melting of the lower crust

The Ranomandry Complex is a Neoproterozoic, nested intrusion from central Madagascar composed of a gabbroic core within a coeval peraluminous granite ring intruding pelitic metasediments. Although xenocryst entrainment and magma mixing have both contributed to marginal phases of the granite, the primary melt is characterised by steep LREE/HREE ratios and negligible, or slightly positive, Eu anomalies. Both isotopic and trace element systematics preclude an origin from either partial melting of the metapelitic country rock or from fractional crystallisation of the gabbroic magma. However, trace-element modelling suggests an origin from the dehydration melting of a plagioclase-poor, garnet-bearing metagreywacke at temperatures of 850–900 °C and at lower crustal pressures (>10 kbar). Melting of an enriched subcontinental mantle generated gabbroic magmas that caused advective heating and anatexis at the base of thickened continental crust during their ascent. Transport of the resulting granite magma was facilitated by the pre-existing plumbing system that overcame thermal and mechanical problems associated with both diapirism and self-propagating dykes as mechanisms for long-distance transport of granite magmas. The nested geometry of the intrusions is an indication of a structurally homogeneous lower crust that contains no pre-existing shear zones or fault systems.     

Transpressive duplex and flower structure: Dent Fault System, NW England

Revised mapping along the Dent Fault (northwest England) has improved the resolution of folds and faults formed during Variscan (late Carboniferous) sinistral transpression. A NNE-trending east-down monocline, comprising the Fell End Syncline and Taythes Anticline, was forced in Carboniferous cover above a reactivated precursor to the Dent Fault within the Lower Palaeozoic basement. The Taythes Anticline is periclinal due to interference with earlier Acadian folds. The steep limb of the monocline was eventually cut by the west-dipping Dent Fault. The hangingwall of the Dent Fault was dissected by sub-vertical or east dipping faults, together forming a positive flower structure in cross-section and a contractional duplex in plan view. The footwall to the Dent Fault preserves evidence of mostly dip-slip displacements, whereas strike-slip was preferentially partitioned into the hangingwall faults. This pattern of displacement partitioning may be typical of transpressive structures in general. The faults of the Taythes duplex formed in a restraining overlap zone between the Dent Fault and the Rawthey Fault to the west. The orientations of the duplex faults were a response to kinematic boundary conditions rather than to the regional stress field directly. Kinematic constraints provided by the Dent and neighbouring Variscan faults yield a NNW–SSE regional shortening direction in this part of the Variscan foreland.     

Employment and worktravel in a selection of English inner cities

The inner parts of many of the western world's metropolitan areas are currently suffering such drastic decline that many governments are attempting to rejuvenate their economic fortunes This is the context in which the present study is set, focusing attention on five major English cities — London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Leicester — and using census employment and worktravel data for small areas. The study first reports on the relationships between the skills offered by residents, both male and female, and those demanded by employers in inner city areas. In addition to the consideration of the detailed variety of manufacturing and servicing activities taking place, an examination of the office and non-office components of both is undertaken. The second main aspect of the study considers the patterns of worktravel movement linking the places of residence and workplaces so described. The research concludes with a view on the policy implications of the results in the light of the overall context of the rejuvenation of inner city areas.     

The puzzling structure of a sunspot

Why does a sunspot look the way it does? Steven Tobias and Nigel Weiss find answers to this question, by relating new high-resolution observations to recent theoretical studies of the spot's magnetic field.     

Skarn textures and a case study: the Ocna de Fier-Dognecea orefield, Banat, Romania

We address the question of the predictability of skarn textures and their role in understanding the evolution of a skarn system. Recent models of skarn formation show that skarns are ideal for application of self-organisation theory, with self-patterning the rule in fluid-rock interaction systems rather than the exception. Zonation in skarn deposits, a consequence of infiltration-driven metasomatism, can also be treated in terms of self-organisation. Other less commonly described features, such as scalloping, fingering and mineral banding, can be understood by application of reactive infiltration and hydrodynamics at the skarn front. Devolatilisation may trigger formation of back-flow fluxes that overprint previously formed skarn. The range of textures formed from such events can be used to discriminate between prograde and retrograde stages. Refractory minerals, such as garnet, magnetite and pyrite, readily retain overprinting events. Skarns are also composed largely of minerals from solid solution series (garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoids, etc.) and therefore skarn mineralogy helps to establish trends of zonation and evolution. The same minerals can act as ‘chemical oscillators’ and record metasomatic trends.The Ocna de Fier-Dognecea deposit was formed in a 10 km deep skarn system. Zonation and evolution trends therefore represent only the result of interaction between magmatically derived fluids emerging at the source and limestone. From the same reason, the transition from prograde to retrograde regime is not influenced by interaction with external fluids. Thirdly, the mineralisation comprises Fe, Cu and Zn-Pb ores, thus facilitating comparison with skarn deposits that commonly are formed in shallower magmatic-hydrothermal environment. Copper-iron ores (magnetite+Cu-Fe sulphides), hosted by magnesian (forsterite+diopside) skarn, occur in the deepest and central part of the orefield, at Simon Iuda. Their petrological character allows interpretation as the core of the skarn system formed from a unique source of fluids emerging from the subjacent granodiorite. It formed first as a consequence of the local setting, where a limestone indented in the granodiorite permitted strong reaction at 650 °C and focussed the up-streaming, buoyant fluids. The first sharp front of reaction is seen at the boundary between the Cu-Fe core and Fe ores hosted by calcic skarn (Di_70-90-And_70-90), where Cu-Fe sulphides disappear, and forsterite gives way to garnet in the presence of diopside (Di₉₀). Following formation of forsterite, devolatilisation and transient plume collapse is interpreted from a range of piercing clusters and trails. We presume lateral flow to have been initiated at the source, as the emerging fluids are in excess to the fluids driven into reaction by the plume. Formation of the other orebodies, up to 5 km laterally downstream in both directions, is interpreted as skarn fingering at the limestone side. The metasomatic front is perpendicular to the flow along the channel of schists placed between the limestone base and the granodiorite.A metal zonation centred onto the source is defined, based on metal distribution: Cu-Fe/Fe/Zn-Pb. The second front of reaction, at the boundary between the Fe and Zn-Pb zone, has a sulphidation/oxidation character, with diopside giving way to a Fe-Mn-rich pyroxene, (HedJoh)_>60+pyroxmangite±bustamite; garnet is minor. Johannsenite-rich pyroxene (Di_20-40Hed_20-40Joh₄₀) is found in proximal skarn at the upper part of Simon Iuda, stable with Zn_0.95Fe_0.05S, at an inferred 570 °C. In distal skarn from Dognecea and Paulus, Mn-hedenbergite (Di_<10Hed₇₀Joh_20-30) formed at 400 °C is stable with Zn_0.84Fe_0.16S. Extensive compositional fields, eutectic decomposition and lamellar intergrowths characterise pyroxene in the Zn-Pb zone, formed at the magnetite-hematite buffer in the presence of pyrite. Distal skarn has a reducing character, in comparison with the proximal. A drop in both fS₂ and O₂, with the zoned system moving closer to the pyrite-pyrrhotite buffer, is induced from the temperature gradient. Based on pyroxene mineralogy and calculated fS₂, the metal zonation is confirmed as being formed upwards and outwards from the source.The Fe and Zn-Pb zones both have a patterned side coexisting with the unpatterned one. Patterning is seen at scales from macroscopic (rhythmic banding, nodular, spotted, orbicular, mossy, mottled textures) to microscopic scales (oscillatory zonation in garnet and silica-bearing magnetite). Following plume updraft, the path of decarbonation reaction controlled the motion of the skarn front until, towards the end of the prograde stage, a multiple steady state regime developed and produced rhythmic patterns on all scales. The activation of powerful patterning operators, represented by Liesegang banding alone, or coupled with competitive particle growth, show that the skarn front had the characteristics of an unstable coarsening front of reaction.A second retrograde event, carbofracturing, triggered by erratic decarbonation after cessation of infiltration, can be interpreted from overprinting textures in the Fe and Zn-Pb zone. A major drop in fO₂ is inferred from extensive, pseudomorphous replacement of hematite by magnetite. Textures show progressive destruction of prograde assemblages, i.e., piercing clusters, shock-induced, fluid-pressure assisted brecciation and deformation, followed by healing of the disrupted assemblages. Release of trace elements accompanies both retrograde events, with a Bi-Te-Au-Ag association common to both. The importance of shock-induced textures is emphasised in the context of Au enrichment, especially when the retrograde fluids cross the main buffers in fO₂-fS₂ space.The presence of Bi-sulphosalt polysomes in the Fe zone indicates that patterning extends down to the nanoscale. The key role played by polysomatism in stabilising compositional trends that cannot otherwise be formed at equilibrium is a fertile ground yet to be adequately explored.