Ignimbritic cauldrons,alkali granites,and mineral deposits in fault-block mountains

The term fault-block mountains refers to an orogen, formed in an ensialic back arc by extension. The voluminous magmatism due to underplating of hot oceanic lithosphere, extrem thinning of the continental lithosphere and partial melting as well as mantle diapirs will be examplified by three ore provinces:

1. Southwestern North America (Middle Tertiary peralkaline ignimbrites and resurgent cauldrons)
2. Central Iran (Infracambrian ignimbrites and riebeckitegranite)
3. Arabian Shield (Infracambrian alkaligranites and rhyolites, 625-570 m.y.).

An overview of mineral deposits related to resurgent cauldrons will be given, encompassing disseminated deposits (Cu, Mo, Sn), skarns, massive magnetite ores, beryl pegmatites, sedimentary deposits (Pb-Zn; Hg, U, Li; Mn, borates, zeolites), mineralized vents (Au, U, apatite), vein type deposits (Au, Ag, Te, fluorite, U) and hydrothermal replacements (alunite). The value of several deposits exceeds 10 billion German Marks at current prices. The exploration concept based on resurgent cauldrons may also be applied successfully in other provinces.