The optimal windows for seismically-enhanced gold precipitation in the epithermal environment

Epithermal gold (Au) deposits result from the combination of a sustained flux of metal-rich fluids and an efficient precipitation mechanism. Earthquakes may trigger gold precipitation by rapid loss of fluid pressure but their efficiency and time-integrated contribution to gold endowment are poorly constrained. In order to quantify the feedbacks between earthquake-driven fracturing and gold precipitation in the shallow crust, we studied the gold-rich fluids in the active Tolhuaca geothermal system, located in the highly seismic Southern Andes of Chile. We combined temperature measurements in the deep wells with fluid inclusion data, geochemical analyses of borehole fluids and numerical simulations of coupled heat and fluid flow to reconstruct the physical and chemical evolution of the hydrothermal reservoir. The effect of seismic perturbations on fluid parameters was constrained using a thermo-mechanical piston model that simulates the suction pump mechanism occurring in dilational jogs. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of fluid parameters on gold precipitation by calculating the solubility of gold in pressure (P)–enthalpy (H) space. The reconstructed fluid conditions at Tolhuaca indicate that single-phase convective fluids feeding the hydrothermal reservoir reach the two-phase boundary with a high gold budget (~ 1–5 ppb) at saturated liquid pressures between 20 and 100 bar (210 °C < T_sat < 310 °C). We show that if hydrothermal fluids reach this optimal threshold for gold precipitation at a temperature near 250 °C, small adiabatic pressure drops (~ 10 bar) triggered by transient fault-rupture can produce precipitation of 95% of the dissolved gold. Our results at the active Tolhuaca geothermal system indicate that subtle, externally-forced perturbations – equivalent to low magnitude earthquakes (Mw < 2) of a hydrothermal reservoir under optimal conditions – may significantly enhance gold precipitation rates in the shallow crust and lead to overall increases in metal endowment over time.     

海底热液循环中矿物沉淀过程数值模拟

为了探索高渗透性洋壳中高温热液循环系统的形成机制,以数值模拟为手段研究热液循环中的矿物沉淀过程及其对洋壳渗透率的反馈.在热液对流-矿物反应模型中考虑了硬石膏、黄铁矿和黄铜矿的沉淀和溶解反应,基于矿物的溶度积计算矿物的沉淀/溶解量,并将其转换为渗透率的变化.结果显示,黄铁矿和黄铜矿分布于350～380°C等温线范围内,并...     

Fluid inclusion evidence for hydrothermal fluid evolution in the Darreh-Zar porphyry copper deposit,Iran

The Darreh-Zar porphyry copper deposit is associated with a quartz monzonitic–granodioritic–porphyritic stock hosted by an Eocene volcanic sedimentary complex in which magmatic hydrothermal fluids were introduced and formed veins and alteration. Within the deepest quartz-rich and chalcopyrite-poor group A veins, LVHS2 inclusions trapped high salinity, high temperature aqueous fluids exsolved directly from a relatively shallow magma (0.5 kbar). These late fluids were enriched in NaCl and reached halite saturation as a result of the low pressure of magma crystallization and fluid exsolution. These fluids extracted Cu from the crystallizing melt and transported it to the hydrothermal system. As a result of ascent, the temperature and pressure of these fluids decreased from 600 to 415 °C, and approximately 500–315 bars. At these conditions, K-feldspar and biotite were stabilized. Type A veins were formed at a depth of ∼1.2 km under conditions of lithostatic pressure and abrupt cooling. Upon cooling and decompressing, the fluid intersected with the liquid–vapor field resulting in separation of immiscible liquid and vapor. This stage was recorded by formation of LVHS1, LVHS3 and VL inclusions. These immiscible fluids formed chalcopyrite–pyrite–quartz veins with sericitic alteration envelopes (B veins) under the lithostatic–hydrostatic pressure regime at temperatures between 415 and 355 °C at 1.3 km below the paleowater table. As the fluids ascended, copper contents decreased and these fluids were diluted by mixing with the low salinity-external fluid. Therefore, pyrite-dominated quartz veins were formed in purely hydrostatic conditions in which pressure decreased from 125 bars to 54 bars and temperature decreased from 355 to 298 °C. During the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution, the composition and P–T regime changed drastically and caused various types of veins and alterations. The abundance of chalcopyrite precipitation in group B veins suggests that boiling and cooling were important factors in copper mineralization in Darreh-Zar.     

First results on the LPO-derived seismic properties of iron ores from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, southeastern Brazil

The role of hydrothermal fluids in assisting the activity of strike-slip faults is investigated using a range of new geological, geophysical, and geochemical data obtained on the Argentat fault, Massif Central, France. This fault zone, 180-km-long and 6 to 8 km-width, has experienced coeval intense channeling of hydrothermal fluids and brittle deformation during a short time span (300–295 Ma). According to seismic data, the fault core is a 4-km-wide, vertical zone of high fracture density that rooted in the middle crust (~ 13 km) and that involved fluids in its deeper parts (9–13 km depth). If stress analyses in the fault core and strain analyses in the damage zone both support a left-lateral movement along the fault zone, it is inferred that hydrothermal fluids have strongly influenced fault development, and the resulting fault has influenced fluid flow. Fluid pressure made easier fracturing and faulting in zones of competent rocks units and along rheological boundaries. Repeated cycles of increase of fault-fracture permeability then overpressure of hydrothermal fluids at fault extremity favored strong and fast development of the crustal-scale strike-slip fault. The high permeability obtained along the fault zone permitted a decrease of coupling across the weak fault core. Connections between shallower and lower crustal fluids reservoirs precipitate the decrease of fault activity by quartz precipitation and sulfides deposition. The zones of intense hydrothermal alteration at shallows crustal levels and the zones of fluid overpressure at the base of the upper crust both controlled the final geometry of the crustal-scale fault zone.     

Micro‐scale silicon isotope heterogeneity observed in hydrothermal quartz precipitates from the >3.7 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt,SW Greenland

Pillow basalt and chert form integral lithologies comprising many Archean greenstone belt packages. To investigate details of these lithologies in the >3.7 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt, SW Greenland, we measured silicon isotope compositions of quartz crystals, by secondary ion mass spectrometry, from a quartz‐cemented, quartz‐amygdaloidal basaltic pillow breccia, recrystallized chert and chert clasts thought to represent silica precipitation under hydrothermal conditions. The recrystallized chert, chert clasts and quartz cement have overlapping δ³⁰Si values, while the δ³⁰Si values of the quartz amygdules span nearly the entire range of previously published values for quartz precipitates of any age, despite amphibolite facies metamorphism. We suggest that the heterogeneity is derived from kinetic isotope fractionation during quartz precipitation under disequilibrium conditions in a hydrothermal setting, consistent with the pillow breccia origin. On the basis of the present data, we conclude that the geological context of each sample must be carefully evaluated when interpreting δ³⁰Si values of quartz.     

Crustal shear-wave velocity structure beneath northeast India from teleseismic receiver function analysis

We investigated the seismic shear-wave velocity structure of the crust beneath nine broadband seismological stations of the Shillong–Mikir plateau and its adjoining region using teleseismic P-wave receiver function analysis. The inverted shear wave velocity models show ∼34–38 km thick crust beneath the Shillong Plateau which increases to ∼37–38 km beneath the Brahmaputra valley and ∼46–48 km beneath the Himalayan foredeep region. The gradual increase of crustal thickness from the Shillong Plateau to Himalayan foredeep region is consistent with the underthrusting of Indian Plate beyond the surface collision boundary. A strong azimuthal variation is observed beneath SHL station. The modeling of receiver functions of teleseismic earthquakes arriving the SHL station from NE backazimuth (BAZ) shows a high velocity zone within depth range 2–8 km along with a low velocity zone within ∼8–13 km. In contrast, inversion of receiver functions from SE BAZ shows high velocity zone in the upper crust within depth range ∼10–18 km and low velocity zone within ∼18–36 km. The critical examination of ray piercing points at the depth of Moho shows that the rays from SE BAZ pierce mostly the southeast part of the plateau near Dauki fault zone. This observation suggests the effect of underthrusting Bengal sediments and the underlying oceanic crust in the south of the plateau facilitated by the EW-NE striking Dauki fault dipping 30⁰ toward northwest.     

Archean lode-gold deposits: fluid flow and chemical evolution in vertically extensive hydrothermal systems

The range of conditions of formation of lode-gold deposits from the sub-greenschist to the lower-granulite facies in Archean greenstone belts, and the generally steeply plunging, vertically continuous pipe-like or tabular geometries of individual deposits, indicate long-distance hydrothermal fluid advection along well-defined channelways in the upper and middle crust. From presently available gold solubility data, destabilisation of gold-bisulphide complexes through H₂S loss from the fluid to the wallrock was the dominant gold precipitation mechanism within these hydrothermal systems as a whole. This inference is supported by the S:Au ratios of ores. Sulphur and Au precipitation in the hydrothermal system is estimated to be relatively inefficient, with only 10–50% of S or Au contained in the fluid precipitated over any kilometre length of fluid channelway. The relative inefficiency of gold precipitation allowed mineralisation over a significant depth range in a crustal profile.     

Garnet‐controlled very low velocities in the lower mantle transition zone at sites of mantle upwelling

Deep mantle plumes and associated increased geotherms are expected to cause an upward deflection of the lower–upper mantle boundary and an overall thinning of the mantle transition zone between about 410 and 660 km depth. We use subsequent forward modelling of mineral assemblages, seismic velocities, and receiver functions to explain the common paucity of such observations in receiver function data. In the lower mantle transition zone, large horizontal differences in seismic velocities may result from temperature‐dependent assemblage variations. At this depth, primitive mantle compositions are dominated by majoritic garnet at high temperatures. Associated seismic velocities are expected to be much lower than for ringwoodite‐rich assemblages at undisturbed thermal conditions. Neglecting this ultralow‐velocity zone at upwelling sites can cause a miscalculation of the lower–upper mantle boundary on the order of 20 km.     

Quartz precipitation and fluid inclusion characteristics in sub-seafloor hydrothermal systems associated with volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits

Results of a numerical modeling study of quartz dissolution and precipitation in a sub-seafloor hydrothermal system have been used to predict where in the system quartz could be deposited and potentially trap fluid inclusions. The spatial distribution of zones of quartz dissolution and precipitation is complex, owing to the fact that quartz solubility depends on many inter-related factors, including temperature, fluid salinity and fluid immiscibility, and is further complicated by the fact that quartz exhibits both prograde and retrograde solubility behavior, depending on the fluid temperature and salinity. Using the PVTX properties of H₂O-NaCl, the petrographic and microthermometric properties of fluid inclusions trapped at various locations within the hydrothermal system have been predicted. Vapor-rich inclusions are trapped as a result of the retrograde temperature-dependence of quartz solubility as the convecting fluid is heated in the vicinity of the magmatic heat source. Coexisting liquid-rich and vapor-rich inclusions are also trapped in this region when quartz precipitates as a result of fluid immiscibility that lowers the overall bulk quartz solubility in the system. Fluid inclusions trapped in the shallow subsurface near the seafloor vents and in the underlying stockwork are liquid-rich with homogenization temperatures of 200?C400°C and salinities close to that of seawater. Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits represent the uplifted and partially eroded remnants of fossil submarine hydrothermal systems, and the relationship between fluid-inclusion properties and location within the hydrothermal system described here can be used in exploration for VMS deposits to infer the direction towards potential massive sulfide ore.     

On the petrology of brittle precursors of shear zones – An expression of concomitant brittle deformation and fluid–rock interactions in the ‘ductile’ continental crust?

The inherited localization model for shear zone development suggests that ductile deformation in the middle and lower continental crust is localized on mechanical anisotropies, like fractures, referred to as shear zone brittle precursors. In the Neves area (Western Tauern Window, Eastern Alps), although the structural control of these brittle precursors on ductile strain localization is well established, the relative timing of the brittle deformation and associated localized fluid flow with respect to ductile deformation remains in most cases a matter of debate. The present petrological study, carried out on a brittle precursor of a shear zone affecting the Neves metagranodiorite, aims to determine whether brittle and ductile deformations are concomitant and therefore relate to the same tectonic event. The brittle precursor consists of a 100–500 µm wide recrystallized zone with a host mineral‐controlled stable mineral assemblage composed of plagioclase–garnet–quartz–biotite–zoisite±white mica±pyrite. Plagioclase and garnet preserve an internal compositional zoning interpreted as the fingerprint of Alpine metamorphism and fluid–rock interactions concomitant with the brittle deformation. Phase equilibrium modelling of this garnet‐bearing brittle precursor shows that metamorphic garnet and plagioclase both nucleated at 0.6 ± 0.05 GPa, 500 ± 20°C and then grew along a prograde path to 0.75 ± 0.05 GPa, 530 ± 20°C. These amphibolite facies conditions are similar to those inferred from ductile shear zones from the same area, suggesting that both brittle and ductile deformation were active in the ductile realm above 500°C for a depth range between 17 and 21 km. We speculate that the Neves area fulfils most of the required conditions to have hosted slow earthquakes during Alpine continental collision, that is, coupled frictional and viscous deformation under high‐fluid pressure conditions ~450°C. Further investigation of this potential geological record is required to demonstrate that slow earthquakes may not be restricted to subduction zones but are also very likely to occur in modern continental collision settings.     

河北省承德县磴西—烟筒山一带银铅锌多金属矿地质特征及矿床成因

河北省承德县磴西—烟筒山一带银铅锌多金属矿位于温家沟—东山断裂带内,区内已知有姑子沟银铅锌矿、富豪银矿,以及新发现的富含金银的锌多金属矿.矿体多为隐伏矿体,受断裂破碎带的控制;矿体呈单脉、复脉状产出,有分支复合特点,银-铅锌-金等多金属矿共生;同位素地球化学特征和包裹体地球化学特征显示,成矿元素、硫和热液主要为地壳深部...     

Origin of Ore-forming Fluids Responsible for Gold Mineralization of the Pongkor Au-Ag Deposit, West Java, Indonesia: Evidence from Mineralogic, Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry and Stable Isotope Study of the Ciurug–Cikoret Veins

The Pongkor gold–silver mine is situated at the northeastern flank of the Bayah dome, which is a product of volcanism in the Sunda–Banda Arc. The hydrothermal alteration minerals in the Ciurug–Cikoret area are typical of those formed from acid to near‐neutral pH thermal waters. On the surface, illite/smectite mixed layer mineral (I/Sm), smectite and kaolinite, and spotting illite, I/Sm and K‐feldspar alteration occur at the top of the mineralized zone. Silicification, K‐feldspar and I/Sm zones are commonly formed in the wall rock, and gradually grade outwards into a propylitic zone. The mineralization of precious metal ore zone is constrained by fluid temperatures between 180 and 220°C, and with low salinity (<0.2 wt% NaCl equivalent) and boiling condition. The minimum depth of vein formation below the paleo‐water table is approximately 90–130 m for the hydrostatic column. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope data for quartz and calcite show relatively homogeneous fluid composition (?53 to ?68‰δD and ?5.7 to +0.3‰δ¹⁸O H₂O). There is no specific trend in the data with respect to the mineralization stages and elevation, which suggests that the ore‐forming fluids did not significantly change spatially during the vein formation. The stable isotope data indicate mixing between the hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water and interaction between the hydrothermal fluids and the host rock.     

Crustal structure under the Sydney Basin and Lachlan Fold Belt,determined from explosion seismic studies

The Lachlan Fold Belt has the velocity‐depth structure of continental crust, with a thickness exceeding 50 km under the region of highest topography in Australia, and in the range 41–44 km under the central Fold Belt and Sydney Basin. There is no evidence of high upper crustal velocities normally associated with marginal or back‐arc basin crustal rocks. The velocities in the lower crust are consistent with an overall increase in metamorphic grade and/or mafic mineral content with depth. Continuing tectonic development throughout the region and the negligible seismicity at depths greater than 30 km indicate that the lower crust is undergoing ductile deformation.

The upper crustal velocities below the Sydney Basin are in the range 5.75–5.9 km/s to about 8 km, increasing to 6.35–6.5 km/s at about 15–17 km depth, where there is a high‐velocity (7.0 km/s) zone for about 9 km evident in results from one direction. The lower crust is characterised by a velocity gradient from about 6.7 km/s at 25 km, to 7.7 km/s at 40–42 km, and a transition to an upper mantle velocity of 8.03–8.12 km/s at 41.5–43.5 km depth.

Across the central Lachlan Fold Belt, velocities generally increase from 5.6 km/s at the surface to 6.0 km/s at 14.5 km depth, with a higher‐velocity zone (5.95 km/s) in the depth range 2.5–7.0 km. In the lower crust, velocities increase from 6.3 km/s at 16 km depth to 7.2 km/s at 40 km depth, then increase to 7.95 km/s at 43 km. A steeper gradient is evident at 26.5–28 km depth, where the velocity is about 6.6—6.8 km/s. Under part of the area an upper mantle low‐velocity zone in the depth range 50–64 km is interpreted from strong events recorded at distances greater than 320 km.

There is no substantial difference in the Moho depth across the boundary between the Sydney Basin and the Lachlan Fold Belt, consistent with the Basin overlying part of the Fold Belt. Pre‐Ordovician rocks within the crust suggest fragmented continental‐type crust existed E of the Precambrian craton and that these contribute to the thick crustal section in SE Australia.     

Dehydration and anatexis of UHP metagranite during continental collision in the Sulu orogen

Dehydration and anatexis of ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks during continental collision are two key processes that have great bearing on the physicochemical properties of deeply subducted continental crust at mantle depths. Determining the time and P–T conditions at which such events take place is needed to understand subduction‐zone tectonism. A combined petrological and zirconological study of UHP metagranite from the Sulu orogen reveals differential behaviours of dehydration and anatexis between two samples from the same UHP slice. The zircon mantle domains in one sample record eclogite facies dehydration metamorphism at 236 ± 5 Ma during subduction, exhibiting low REE contents, steep MREE–HREE patterns without negative Eu anomalies, low Th, Nb and Ta contents, low temperatures of 651–750 °C and inclusions of quartz, apatite and jadeite. A second mantle domain records high‐T anatexis at 223 ± 3 Ma during exhumation, showing high REE contents, steeper MREE–HREE patterns with marked negative Eu anomalies, high Hf, Nb, Ta, Th and U contents, high temperatures of 698–879 °C and multiphase solid inclusions of albite + muscovite + quartz. In contrast, in a second sample, one zircon mantle domain records limited hydration anatexis at 237 ± 3 Ma during subduction, exhibiting high REE contents, steep MREE–HREE patterns with marked negative Eu anomalies, high Hf, Nb, Ta, Th and U contents, medium temperatures of 601–717 °C and multiphase solid inclusions of albite + muscovite + hydrohalite. A second mantle domain in this sample records a low‐T dehydration metamorphism throughout the whole continental collision in the Triassic, showing low REE contents, steep MREE–HREE patterns with weakly negative Eu anomalies, low Th, Nb and Ta contents, low temperatures of 524–669 °C and anhydrite + gas inclusions. Garnet, phengite and allanite/epidote in these two samples also exhibit different variations in texture and major‐trace element compositions, in accordance with the zircon records. The distinct P–T–t paths for these two samples suggest separate processes of dehydration and anatexis, which are ascribed to the different geothermal gradients at different positions inside the same crustal slice during continental subduction‐zone metamorphism. Therefore, the subducting continental crust underwent variable extents of dehydration and anatexis in response to the change in subduction‐zone P–T conditions.     

Lithospheric structure of the Tien Shan region constrained by joint inversion of receiver function and Rayleigh wave dispersion

We obtain a lithospheric shear‐wave velocity model across the Tien Shan orogenic belt by jointly inverting Rayleigh wave group velocities and teleseismic P‐wave receiver functions at 61 broadband seismic stations deployed in this region. Our new model reveals prominent lateral variations of shear‐wave velocity in both the crust and uppermost mantle. This model reveals different structures in the upper and middle crust across the Talas Fergana Fault, which may suggest the presence of a tectonic boundary between the western and central Tien Shan beneath the fault. According to the velocity images, the depth extent of the fault is ~40 km and this is confined to the crust. Pronounced low‐velocity anomalies are imaged in the middle crust and uppermost mantle beneath the southern and middle Tien Shan, implying that the upwelling of the materials from the upper mantle could have played an important role in the mountain building.     

Evaluation of deep crustal earthquakes in northern Germany – Possible tectonic causes

We present new evidence for seven deep crustal, intraplate earthquakes in northern Germany, a region regarded as an area of low seismicity. From 2000 to 2018, seven earthquakes with magnitudes of M_L 1.3–3.1, were detected at depths of 17.0–31.4 km. By placing the earthquake hypocentres in a geological three‐dimensional model, we can correlate two of the earthquakes with the Thor Suture, a major fault zone in this area. Five of the earthquakes group in the lower crust near the Moho, which implies that parts of the lower crust and the crust/mantle boundary in northern Germany act as a structural discontinuity on which deformation localizes. Numerical simulation implies that stress changes due to glacial isostatic adjustment most likely triggered these deep crustal earthquakes.     

Lower crustal xenoliths from Junan,Shandong province and their bearing on the nature of the lower crust beneath the North China Craton

Geochronological, petrological and geochemical studies were performed on the granulite xenoliths from a Late Cretaceous basaltic breccia dike in Junan, Shandong province, eastern China. These xenoliths show close similarities to the Nushan granulite xenoliths from the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) and the Archean granulite terrains in terms of mineralogy and bulk rock compositions, but are quite different from the Hanuoba mafic granulite xenoliths from the northern NCC. In-situ zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotopic analyses, together with geochemical data reveal that the protolith of these xenoliths was formed around 2.3 Ga ago, through assimilation–fractional crystallization of a mafic magma. P–T conditions of these xenoliths suggest that the lower crust beneath the Junan region reaches to a depth of 35 km, which agree well with the result deduced from various geophysical methods. The consistent petrological and seismic Moho depths, the observed velocity structure and calculated velocity of these xenoliths imply the absence of underplating induced crust–mantle transition zone, which was well formed in the northern NCC. Compared to 40–50 km depth of the lower crust in Early Jurassic, the lower crust beneath Junan extended to a depth of 30 km in Late Cretaceous, suggesting that the lower crust of NCC was significantly thinned during Late Mesozoic.     

Quartz solubility in the two-phase and critical region of the NaCl-KCl-H2O system: Implications for submarine hydrothermal vent systems at 9°50′N East Pacific Rise

Experiments were performed to investigate quartz solubility in Cl-bearing aqueous solutions at temperature (365-430 °C) and pressure conditions (219-381 bars) near and within the two-phase region of the NaCl-KCl-H₂O system. Dissolved SiO₂ concentrations increased with pressure along a given isotherm, although the magnitude of this decreased with increasing proximity to the two-phase boundary. Upon intersection of the two-phase boundary, however, significant concentrations of dissolved SiO₂ characterized vapor-rich fluids at both subcritical and supercritical conditions. For these fluids, dissolved silica concentrations ranged from 2.81 to 14.6 mmolal, increasing with dissolved chloride concentration. The experimental data permit regression of a density-based relationship, taking account of non-ideal activity-concentration effects, which can be used to better constrain temperatures and pressures from dissolved SiO₂ and chloride in high temperature vent fluids at mid-ocean ridges. Accordingly, pressure and temperature conditions in subseafloor hydrothermal reaction zones at 9°50′N East Pacific Rise (EPR) were estimated applying data from this experimental study to interval (1991-2002) and new field data (2004). Results indicate reaction zone at conditions ranging from 420 to 430 °C at 600 to 1500 m below seafloor. Thus, conditions predicted for 9°50′N East Pacific Rise (EPR) vent fluids suggest that supercritical phase separation might be more common than previously thought.     

A comment on diffusion and the displacement of atoms in metamorphic transformations

Experimental data on diffusion in olivine , are used to define certain terms – diffusion coefficient, jump frequency, characteristic distance, random walk – that are useful in a discussion of atom displacements under natural conditions. Examples of atom displacements in two metamorphic terranes of the Canadian Precambrian Shield are then examined, as follows. (i) In a high‐grade metamorphic terrane in the Mid‐Proterozoic Grenville Province (Otter Lake Area), Mg concentration gradients about dolomite microcrystals in calcite and Na gradients about albite microcrystals in K‐feldspar are viewed as stranded Mg–Ca and Na–K interdiffusion gradients, formed by exsolution during slow cooling from ~700 to ~400 °C. (ii) In the Archean Slave Province (Yellowknife area), the crystallization of sillimanite, near andalusite but within crystals of quartz, possibly occurred by coupled Al–Si and oxygen–vacancy interdiffusion in quartz at ~550 °C. And the crystallization of garnet from chlorite occurred by the two‐way crystal‐boundary diffusion of several kinds of atoms across distances ranging to 3 mm. (iii) In the Otter Lake area, the crystallization of orthopyroxene–hornblende–spinel reaction zones at boundaries between crystals of olivine and plagioclase in metagabbro, evidently occurred by the mechanism of interstitial diffusion, that transported Mg, Fe, Mn and O atoms across the reaction zone from olivine to the plagioclase–(hornblende+spinel) boundary, and Si, Al, Ca and Na atoms from plagioclase to the olivine–orthopyroxene boundary, accompanied by NaSi–CaAl interdiffusion in plagioclase, and the addition of hydrogen and minor Ti, Zn, F, Cl and K from beyond the reaction zone. Also, centimetric reaction zones, with abundant biotite and plagioclase, at boundaries between K‐feldspar gneiss and deformed amphibolite dykes, evidently formed by the reaction, strained hornblende (in amphibolite) + K‐feldspar (in gneiss)→biotite (in amphibolite) + plagioclase (in gneiss), with crystal‐boundary diffusion of (Na + Ca) atoms and of K atoms across the reaction zone.     

Epithermal Gold-Silver Mineralization of the Asachinskoe Deposit in South Kamchatka, Russia

The Asachinskoe epithermal Au‐Ag deposit is a representative low‐sulfidation type of deposit in Kamchatka, Russia. In the Asachinskoe deposit there are approximately 40 mineralized veins mainly hosted by dacite–andesite stock intrusions of Miocene–Pliocene age. The veins are emplaced in tensional cracks with a north orientation. Wall‐rock alteration at the bonanza level (170–200 m a.s.l.) consists of the mineral assemblage of quartz, pyrite, albite, illite and trace amounts of smectite. Mineralized veins are well banded with quartz, adularia and minor illite. Mineralization stages in the main zone are divided into stages I–IV. Stage I is relatively barren quartz–adularia association formed at 4.7 ± 0.2 Ma (K‐Ar age). Stage II consists of abundant illite, Cu‐bearing cryptomelane and other manganese oxides and hydroxides, electrum, argentite, quartz, adularia and minor rhodochrosite and calcite. Stage III, the main stage of gold mineralization (4.5–4.4 ± 0.1–3.1 ± 0.1 Ma, K‐Ar age), consists of a large amount of electrum, naumannite and Se‐bearing polybasite with quartz–adularia association. Stage IV is characterized by hydrothermal breccia, where electrum, tetrahedrite and secondary covellite occur with quartz, adularia and illite. The concentration of Au+Ag in ores has a positive correlation with the content of K₂O + Al₂O₃, which is controlled by the presence of adularia and minor illite, and both Hg and Au also have positive correlations with the light rare‐earth elements. Fluid inclusion studies indicate a salinity of 1.0–2.6 wt% NaCl equivalent for the whole deposit, and ore‐forming temperatures are estimated as approximately 160–190°C in stage III of the present 218 m a.s.l. and 170–180°C in stage IV of 200 m a.s.l. The depth of ore formation is estimated to be 90–400 m from the paleo‐water table for stage IV of 200 m a.s.l., if a hydrostatic condition is assumed. An increase of salinity (>C_NaCl≈ 0.2 wt%) and decrease of temperature (>T ≈ 30°C) within a 115‐m vertical interval for the ascending hydrothermal solution is calculated, which is interpreted as due to steam loss during fluid boiling. Ranges of selenium and sulfur fugacities are estimated to be logfSe2 = ?17 to ?14.5 and logfS2 = ?15 to ?12 for the ore‐forming solution that was responsible for Au‐Ag‐Se precipitation in stage III of 200 m a.s.l. Separation of Se from S‐Se complex in the solution and its partition into selenides could be due to a relatively oxidizing condition. The precipitation of Au‐Ag‐Se was caused by boiling in stage III, and the precipitation of Au‐Ag‐Cu was caused by sudden decompression and boiling in stage IV.