Tectonic control of pyrrhotite phase distribution studied on a fold structure

A fold structure within a pyrite ore specimen has been analysed with respect to the amount and distribution of pyrrhotite modifications present. The relative distribution of the two types of pyrrhotite, hexagonal 5C and monoclinic 4C, was found to be strongly dependent upon the stress distribution. Within very short distances the hexagonal fraction of the total amount of pyrrhotite varied from nearly zero up to 0.65 giving steep and structurally well defined gradients. The monoclinic phase was preferably located to regions deformed by intense shearing. It is suggested that the influence of anisotropic stresses accelerated the conversion of hexagonal to monoclinic pyrrhotite. Variations in the distribution of the total amount of pyrrhotite were also observed and partly ascribed to migration of pyrrhotite.