Implications from inclusions in topaz for greisenisation and mineralisation in the Hensbarrow topaz granite, Cornwall, England

Textural and geochemical studies of inclusions in topaz from greisens in the Hensbarrow topaz granite stock (St. Austell, Cornwall) are used to constrain the composition of fluids responsible for late stage greisening and mineralisation. The topaz contains an abundant and varied suite of inclusions including aqueous liquid + vapour (L + V), quartz, zinnwaldite, albite, K-feldspar, muscovite, ilmenorutile, apatite, columbite, zircon, varlamoffite [(Sn, Fe)(O, OH)₂] and qitianlingite [(Fe⁺²,Mn⁺²)₂(Nb,Ta)₂W⁺⁶O₁₀]. Primary L + V inclusions in topaz show relatively high T _h (mainly 300 to >500 °C) and a narrow range of salinities (23–30 wt % NaCl equivalent) compared with those in greisen quartz (150–450 °C, 0–50 wt % NaCl equivalent). Textures indicate that topaz formed earlier than quartz and the fluid inclusion data are interpreted as indicating a cooling of the hydrothermal fluids during greisenisation, mixing with meteoric waters and a decrease in pressure causing intermittent boiling. The presence of early-formed albite and K-feldspar as inclusions in the topaz is likely to indicate that the greisen-forming fluid became progressively more acid during greisenisation. The most distinctive inclusions in the topaz are wisp- and bleb-shaped quartz, < 50 μm in size, which show textural characteristics indicating former high degrees of plasticity. They often have multiple shrinkage bubbles at their margins rich in Sn, Fe, Mn, S and Cl and, more rarely, contain euhedral albite, K-feldspar, stannite or pyrrhotite crystals up to 40 μm in size. The quartz inclusions show similar morphologies to inclusions in topaz from quartz-topaz rocks elsewhere which have been interpreted as trapped “silicate melt”. Their compositions are, however, very different to those expected for late stage topaz-normative granitic melts. From their textural and chemical characteristics they are interpreted as representing crystallised silica colloid, probably trapped as a hydro gel during greisenisation. There is also evidence for the colloidal origin of inclusions of varlamoffite in the topaz. These occurrences offer the first reported evidence in natural systems for the formation of colloids in high temperature hydrothermal fluids. Their high ore carrying potential is suggested by the presence of varlamoffite and the occurrence of stannite, pyrrhotite and SnCl within the quartz inclusions. Received: 9 April 1996 / Accepted: 12 November 1996     

Geochemical and petrographic studies of Ta mineralization in the Nuweibi albite granite complex, Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Nuweibi albite granite is one of 14 known Sn-Ta-Nb bearing granitoids in the Eastern Desert region of Egypt. The granite is a highly leucocratic, albite-rich rock with accessory columbite-tantalite, cassiterite, microlite and ixiolite as well as topaz, garnet and white mica. Ages of 450–600 Ma were obtained from zircons by the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb evaporation method. Great uncertainty is caused by the small size and poor quality of the grains, but the precision is sufficient to indicate that the granite is late- or postorogenic with respect to the Panafrican orogeny. The Nuweibi granite is divided into a western and an eastern part by a regional fault. Both parts of the granite are compositionally similar but there are important differences and a clear compositional gap between them, so they are considered separate facies of an intrusive complex. The eastern part of the granite is more highly mineralized, has higher modal albite contents and higher Ta/Nb ratios, both in the whole rock and in the ore minerals. It is suggested that the two parts of the granite evolved from a common source and were emplaced sequentially, the eastern part representing a later, more fractionated magma. Textural evidence strongly suggests that the granite has a magmatic origin overall, but disturbance of geochemical trends at the whole-rock scale and at the scale of zoning profiles in individual grains of columbite-tantalite indicate post-magmatic overprinting. By analogy with other Ta-bearing albite granites, the sodic bulk composition of the Nuweibi granite can be explained by fluorine enrichment in the magma. Fluorine contents in the magma were high enough to stabilize topaz, and muscovites contain 2–4 wt.%. F. However, whole-rock F contents are low. We speculate that the low Ca, Al and P contents of the magma prevented abundant F-bearing minerals to form and led to loss of fluorine to now-eroded roof rocks. Received: 8 November 1995 / Accepted: 10 June 1996     

Sedimentological evaluation of Pb-Zn exploration potential of the Precambrian Griquatown Fault Zone in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa

The Griquatown Fault Zone (GFZ) is a major target for Pb-Zn exploration in South Africa. The sedimentary, structural and thermal history of the fault zone are evaluated. The fault zone experienced a synsedimentary period of activity between 2550 and 2500 Ma and a major post-Postmasburg Group (less than 2223 Ma) episode of mainly vertical movements. Possible source rocks for generation of metalliferous brines are abundant along the southwestern margin of the Kaapvaal craton and shales southwest of the GFZ are time correlative to a thick peritidal stromatolitic carbonate sequence in the northeast. Fluids driven by compaction and orogenic pressure migrated across the GFZ , via the carbonates, towards the east. Metamorphic overprint south of the GFZ, based on illite crystallinity, and fluid inclusions north of the fault zone are above the oil window. Metamorphic peaks south of the fault zone are at 1750 Ma and 1213 Ma and the intensity of metamorphic overprint decreases from west to east. Because of high temperatures of metamorphic and orogenic overprint and possible remobilisation of fluids, Mississippi-Valley-Type (MVT) ore deposits are unlikely to be found within the Griquatown Fault Zone, but are expected, rather, to the northeast of it. Higher temperature, remobilised vein-related deposits could, however, occur in the GFZ itself. Received: 11 June 1996 / Accepted: 7 January 1997     

A combined EMPA and LA-ICP-MS study of Li-bearing mica and Sn–Ti oxide minerals from the Qiguling topaz rhyolite (Qitianling District,China): The role of fluorine in origin of tin mineralization

The Sn-rich Qiguling topaz rhyolite dike intrudes the Qitianling biotite granite of the Nanling Range in southern China; the granite hosts the large Furong Sn deposit. The rhyolite dike is typically peraluminous, volatile-enriched, and highly evolved. Whole-rock F and Sn concentrations attain 1.9 wt.% and 2700 ppm, respectively. The rhyolite consists of a fine-grained matrix formed by quartz, feldspar, mica and topaz, enclosing phenocrysts of quartz, feldspar and mica; it is locally crosscut by quartz veinlets. Lithium-bearing micas in both phenocrysts and the groundmass can be classified as primary zinnwaldite, “Mus-Ann” (intermediate member between annite and muscovite), and secondary Fe-rich muscovite. Topaz is present in the groundmass only; common fluorite occurs in the groundmass and also in a specific cassiterite, rutile and fluorite (Sn–Ti–F) assemblage. Cassiterite and rutile are the only Sn and Ti minerals; both cassiterite and Nb-rich rutile are commonly included in the phenocrysts. The Sn–Ti–F assemblage is pervasive, and contains spongy cassiterite in some cases; cassiterite also occurs in quartz veinlets which cut the groundmass. Electron microprobe and LA-ICP-MS compositions were used to study the magmatic and hydrothermal processes and the role of F in Sn mineralization. The presence of zinnwaldite and “Mus-Ann”, which are respectively representative of early and late mica crystallization during magma differentiation, also suggests a significant decrease in f(HF)/f(H₂O) of the system. Cassiterite included in the zinnwaldite phenocrysts is suggested to have crystallized from the primary magma at high temperature. Within the Sn–Ti–F aggregates, rutile crystallized as the earliest mineral, followed by fluorite and cassiterite. Spongy cassiterite containing inclusions of the groundmass minerals indicate a low viscosity of the late fluid. The cassiterite in the quartz veinlets crystallized from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, which possibly mixed with meteoric water. In general, cassiterite precipitated during both magmatic and hydrothermal stages, and over a range of temperatures. The original fluorine and tin enrichments, f(HF)/f(H₂O) change in the residual magma, formation of Ca,Sn,F-rich immiscible fluid, decrease of the f(HF) during groundmass crystallization, and mixing of magma-derived fluids with low-saline meteoric water during the late hydrothermal stage, are all factors independently or together responsible for the Sn mineralization in the Qiguling rhyolite.     

Exhumation of the Saualpe eclogite unit, Eastern Alps: constraints from 40Ar/39Ar ages and structural investigations

Summary The Cretaceous Eclogite-Gneiss unit and its tectonic overburden (Micaschist, Phyllite and Lower Magdalensberg units) and the underlying Preims subunit of the Saualpe, Eastern Alps, have been investigated in order to constrain the mode of exhumation of the type locality of eclogites. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of white mica from the eclogite-bearing unit suggest rapid, uniform cooling and exhumation between 86 and 78 Ma (Santonian-Campanian). Overlying units show upwards increasingly older ages with an age of 261.7 ± 1.4 Ma in the uppermost, low-grade metamorphic unit (Lower Magdalensberg unit). We consider this Permian age as geologically significant and to record a Permian tectonic event. Rocks of phyllite and micaschist units along western margins of the Saualpe block yield amphibole and white mica ages ranging from 123 to 130 Ma. These are considered to closely date the age of nappe stacking, whereas a single biotite age of 66–68 Ma from a shear zone is interpreted to date retrogression during normal faulting. Biotite and amphibole of Micaschist and Eclogite-Gneiss units show variable contents of extraneous argon. Consequently, their ages are in part geologically meaningless whereas other samples yield meaningful ages. The white mica ages from the Eclogite-Gneiss unit range from 78 to 85 Ma and argue for cooling through ca. 400 °C during the time as the westerly adjacent Upper Cretaceous Krappfeld collapse basin formed. The Preims subunit with paragneiss and marbles is considered to represent a large synmetamorphic shear zone at the base of the overthrusting Eclogite-Gneiss unit. The unit comprises a flat-lying foliation and a SE-trending lineation. This zone is interpreted to represent a zone of top-NW thrusting. A major ductile low-angle normal fault with top to ESE shear has been detected between the Eclogite-Gneiss and overlying units, and between the Micaschist and Phyllite units. The ductile thrust at the base and the low-angle normal fault at the top are considered to confine a NW-ward extruding high-pressure wedge. The new observations argue for rapid exhumation of a subducted high-pressure wedge within a subduction channel. Rapid surface erosion of the exhuming wedge might have facilitated exhumation. Eroded sedimentary rocks are preserved within adjacent Gosau basins, although only pebbles of low-grade metamorphic rocks of the uppermost tectonic unit can be found in these basins.     

The Rožná uranium deposit (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic): shear zone-hosted, late Variscan and post-Variscan hydrothermal mineralization

Three major mineralization events are recorded at the Rožná uranium deposit (total mine production of 23,000 t U, average grade of 0.24% U): (1) pre-uranium quartz-sulfide and carbonate-sulfide mineralization, (2) uranium, and (3) post-uranium quartz-carbonate-sulfide mineralization. (1) K–Ar ages for white mica from wall rock alteration of the pre-uranium mineralization style range from 304.5 ± 5.8 to 307.6 ± 6.0 Ma coinciding with the post-orogenic exhumation of the Moldanubian orogenic root and retrograde-metamorphic equilibration of the high-grade metamorphic host rocks. The fluid inclusion record consists of low-salinity aqueous inclusions, together with H₂O-CO₂-CH₄, CO₂-CH₄, and pure CH₄ inclusions. The fluid inclusion, paragenetic, and isotope data suggest that the pre-uranium mineralization formed from a reduced low-salinity aqueous fluid at temperatures close to 300°C. (2) The uraniferous hydrothermal event is subdivided into the pre-ore, ore, and post-ore substages. K–Ar ages of pre-ore authigenic K-feldspar range from 296.3 ± 7.5 to 281.0 ± 5.4 Ma and coincide with the transcurrent reorganization of crustal blocks of the Bohemian Massif and with Late Stephanian to Early Permian rifting. Massive hematitization, albitization, and desilicification of the pre-ore altered rocks indicate an influx of oxidized basinal fluids to the crystalline rocks of the Moldanubian domain. The wide range of salinities of fluid inclusions is interpreted as a result of the large-scale mixing of basinal brines with meteoric water. The cationic composition of these fluids indicates extensive interaction with crystalline rocks. Chlorite thermometry yielded temperatures of 260°C to 310°C. During this substage, uranium was probably leached from the Moldanubian crystalline rocks. The hydrothermal alteration of the ore substage followed, or partly overlapped in time, the pre-ore substage alteration. K–Ar ages of illite from ore substage alteration range from 277.2 ± 5.5 to 264.0 ± 4.3 Ma and roughly correspond with the results of chemical U–Pb dating of authigenic monazite (268 ± 50 Ma). The uranium ore deposition was accompanied by large-scale decomposition of biotite and pre-ore chlorite to Fe-rich illite and iron hydrooxides. Therefore, it is proposed that the deposition of uranium ore was mostly in response to the reduction of the ore-bearing fluid by interaction with ferrous iron-bearing silicates (biotite and pre-ore chlorite). The Th data on primary, mostly aqueous, inclusions trapped in carbonates of the ore substage range between 152°C and 174°C and total salinity ranges over a relatively wide interval of 3.1 to 23.1 wt% NaCl eq. Gradual reduction of the fluid system during the post-ore substage is manifested by the appearance of a new generation of authigenic chlorite and pyrite. Chlorite thermometry yielded temperatures of 150°C to 170°C. Solid bitumens that post-date uranium mineralization indicate radiolytic polymerization of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons and their derivatives. The origin of the organic compounds can be related to the diagenetic and catagenetic transformation of organic matter in Upper Stephanian and Permian sediments. (3) K–Ar ages on illite from post-uranium quartz-carbonate-sulfide mineralization range from 233.7 ± 4.7 to 227.5 ± 4.6 Ma and are consistent with the early Tethys-Central Atlantic rifting and tectonic reactivation of the Variscan structures of the Bohemian Massif. A minor part of the late Variscan uranium mineralization was remobilized during this hydrothermal event.     

Liquidus Equilibria in the System K2O-Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2-F2O-1-H2O to 100 MPa: II. Differentiation Paths of Fluorosilicic Magmas in Hydrous Systems

We investigated phase equilibria in the six-component systemNa₂O–K₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–F₂O_–1–H₂Oat 100 MPa to characterize differentiation paths of naturalfluorine-bearing granitic and rhyolitic magmas. Topaz and cryoliteare stable saturating solid phases in calcium-poor systems.At 100 MPa the maximum solidus depression and fluorine solubilityin evolving silicic melts are controlled by the eutectics haplogranite–cryolite–H₂Oat 640°C and 4 wt % F, and haplogranite–topaz–H₂Oat 640°C and 2 wt % F. Topaz and cryolite form a binaryperalkaline eutectic at 660°C, 100 MPa and fluid saturation.The low-temperature nature of this invariant point causes displacementof multiphase eutectics with quartz and alkali feldspar towardsthe topaz–cryolite join and enables the silicate liquidusand cotectic surfaces to extend to very high fluorine concentrations(more than 30 wt % F) for weakly peraluminous and subaluminouscompositions. The differentiation of fluorine-bearing magmasfollows two distinct paths of fluorine behavior, depending onwhether additional minerals buffer the alkali/alumina ratioin the melt. In systems with micas or aluminosilicates thatbuffer the activity of alumina, magmatic crystallization willreach either topaz or cryolite saturation and the system solidifiesat low fluorine concentration. In leucogranitic suites precipitatingquartz and feldspar only, the liquid line of descent will reachtopaz or cryolite but fluorine will continue to increase untilthe quaternary eutectic with two fluorine-bearing solid phasesis reached at 540°C, 100 MPa and aqueous-fluid saturation.The maximum water solubility in the haplogranitic melts increaseswith the fluorine content and reaches 12· 5 ±0· 5 wt % H₂O at the quartz–cryolite–topazeutectic composition. A continuous transition between hydrousfluorosilicate melts and solute-rich aqueous fluids is not documentedby this study. Our experimental results are applicable to leucocraticfluorosilicic magmas. In multicomponent systems, however, thepresence of calcium may severely limit enrichment of fluorineby crystallization of fluorite. KEY WORDS: granite; rhyolite; topaz; cryolite; magmatic differentiation     

Geological Evolution of Selected Granitic Pegmatites in Myanmar (Burma): Constraints from Regional Setting,Lithology, and Fluid-Inclusion Studies

Pegmatite deposits commonly occur in the 1500 km long, N-S-trending, tungstentin-bearing granitoid belt in Myanmar. Pegmatites are emplaced as veins and dikes that cut granitoid, migmatite, granitoid gneiss, gneiss, and schist. The pegmatite veins and dikes are mostly 2 to 5 meters wide and 30 to 150 meters long, and some are traceable over a distance of 300 meters.

The pegmatites are composed of quartz, orthoclase, albite, microcline microperthite, and muscovite, with minor biotite, tourmaline, beryl, garnet, topaz, lepidolite, magnetite, wolframite, cassiterite, and rare columbite. They are commonly zoned, feldspars and muscovite being more abundant in the center and quartz more common at the margin. The zoning pattern is rather distinct in the pegmatite body, where tourmaline is present. The light-colored felsic minerals are confined to the core zone and the dark-colored tourmaline crystals to the outer zone.

Numerous fluid inclusions have been found in quartz, topaz, and beryl. Most of the inclusions are rounded to elliptical, with a variable degree of liquid filling. All inclusions are aqueous, two-phase (liquid and vapor) inclusions with no daughter minerals. Homogenization temperatures of 173 fluid inclusions were measured in this study.

Geothermometric studies indicate that the pegmatites were formed over a homogeniza-tion temperature range of 230° to 410°C. Salinities of fluid inclusions in pegmatite minerals yielded from 1.0 to 10.8 NaCl equiv. wt‰. Topaz and quartz single crystals (several cm across) from the Sakangyi pegmatite provide an opportunity to extract the fluids trapped in these minerals. The Na/K ratios of the fluid inclusions in two topaz samples were 3.0 to 4.9, and those of two quartz samples were 2.9 to 10.5, suggesting the presence of substantial potassium in the pegmatite-forming fluids. In this study, evidence for phase separation of the pegmatite-forming fluids was not observed. The post-magmatic, hydrothermal fluids responsible for the pegmatite veins evidently emanated from cooling S-type granitoids, with which they are spatially associated.     

Sulfur and lead isotope geochemistry of hypogene mineralization at the Barite Hill Gold Deposit, Carolina Slate Belt, southeastern United States: a window into and through regional metamorphism

The Barite Hill gold deposit, at the southwestern end of the Carolina slate belt in the southeastern United States, is one of four gold deposits in the region that have a combined yield of 110 metric tons of gold over the past 10 years. At Barite Hill, production has dominantly come from oxidized ores. Sulfur isotope data from hypogene portions of the Barite Hill gold deposit vary systematically with pyrite–barite associations and provide insights into both the pre-metamorphic Late Proterozoic hydrothermal and the Paleozoic regional metamorphic histories of the deposit. The δ³⁴S values of massive barite cluster tightly between 25.0 and 28.0‰, which closely match the published values for Late Proterozoic seawater and thus support a seafloor hydrothermal origin. The δ³⁴S values of massive sulfide range from 1.0 to 5.3‰ and fall within the range of values observed for modern and ancient seafloor hydrothermal sulfide deposits. In contrast, δ³⁴S values for finer-grained, intergrown pyrite (5.1–6.8‰) and barite (21.0–23.9‰) are higher and lower than their massive counterparts, respectively. Calculated sulfur isotope temperatures for the latter barite–pyrite pairs (Δ=15.9–17.1‰) range from 332–355 °C and probably reflect post-depositional equilibration at greenschist-facies regional metamorphic conditions. Thus, pyrite and barite occurring separately from one another provide pre-metamorphic information about the hydrothermal origin of the deposit, whereas pyrite and barite occurring together equilibrated to record the metamorphic conditions. Preliminary fluid inclusion data from sphalerite are consistent with a modified seawater source for the mineralizing fluids, but data from quartz and barite may reflect later metamorphic and (or) more recent meteoric water input. Lead isotope values from pyrites range for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 18.005–18.294, for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 15.567–15.645, and for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb from 37.555–38.015. The data indicate derivation of the ore leads from the country rocks, which themselves show evidence for contributions from relatively unradiogenic, mantle-like lead, and more evolved or crustal lead. Geological relationships, and stable and radiogenic isotopic data, suggest that the Barite Hill gold deposit formed on the Late Proterozoic seafloor through exhalative hydrothermal processes similar to those that were responsible for the massive sulfide deposits of the Kuroko district, Japan. On the basis of similarities with other gold-rich massive sulfide deposits and modern seafloor hydrothermal systems, the gold at Barite Hill was probably introduced as an integral part of the formation of the massive sulfide deposit. Received: 17 August 1998 / Accepted: 12 October 2000     

Halogen chemistry as an indicator of metamorphic fluid interaction with the Ponder pluton,Coast Plutonic Complex,British Columbia,Canada

During hydrothermal fluid activity associated with the intrusion of the Ponder pluton, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia, Canada, the halogen composition of biotite, amphibole and apatite is controlled by the composition of the metamorphic fluid. The core of the pluton was not affected by infiltrating fluids, and the fluorine composition of biotite was controlled by the biotite Fe-Mg ratio. The edge of the cooling, crystallized pluton interacted with a chlorine-rich, fluorine-poor fluid which changed the halogen composition of biotite and amphibole. The composition of the metamorphic fluid derived from biotite and apatite compositions was relatively high in chlorine and low in fluorine. The concentration of chlorine in the metamorphic fluid increases towards the pluton, whereas fluorine remains constant. This suggests that the metamorphic fluid near the pluton had the greatest potential for masstransfer of metals.     

Metamorphism and metallogeny in the Eastern Alps

The two Alpine orogenic phases of the Eastern Alps, in the Cretaceous and in the Tertiary, were both accompanied by the formation of mineral deposits. However, subduction-related magmatic belts as well as the typical “Andean” ore deposits are missing. Therefore, the role of metamorphism in East Alpine metallogeny was tentatively explored for more than 60 y, although for a long time without tangible results. Microthermometric, geochemical and isotopic investigations of fluid inclusions from selected Alpine mineral deposits presented allow a preliminary confirmation of the involvement of metamorphic fluids in their origin. Deposits which were formed immediately after the first, Cretaceous orogeny, were produced at high pressures by fluids of very high salinity and high density, and with an isotopic composition of the water falling into the metamorphic field. These fluids are best understood as products of metamorphic de-volatilization of rocks of the subducted South Pennine domain. In contrast to this, the deposits formed after the second, Tertiary orogeny, originated at relatively low pressures from fluids with an appreciable content of CO₂ and of low to moderate salinities. Isotopic compositions of this carbon indicate a deep crustal or even mantle source for CO₂, while the water is isotopically more heterogeneous and may have mixed sources, both surficial and metamorphic. Tectonic control of these mineralizations is late-orogenic trans-tensional faulting, which exposed hot metamorphic rocks to fluid convection along brittle structures. These deposits conform best to the model of metamorphogenic metallogenesis by retrograde leaching, although ponded metamorphic fluids and mantle volatiles may also have been involved. Received: 4 August 1998 / Accepted: 5 January 1999     

Intermediate Alkali-Alumino-silicate Aqueous Solutions Released by Deeply Subducted Continental Crust: Fluid Evolution in UHP OH-rich Topaz-Kyanite Quartzites from Donghai (Sulu, China)

Minerals, fluid inclusions and stable isotopes have been studiedin ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) OH-rich topaz–kyanite quartzitesfrom Hushan (west of Dongai), in southern Sulu (China). Thequartzites underwent a metamorphic evolution characterized bya peak stage (3·5 GPa and 730–820°C) with theanhydrous assemblage coesite + kyanite I, followed by an earlynear-isothermal decompression stage (2·9 GPa and 705–780°C)with growth of kyanite II, muscovite, and OH-rich topaz, andby decompression-cooling stages, represented by paragonite (1·9GPa and 700–780°C) and pyrophyllite (0·3 GPaand 400°C) on kyanite (I and II) and OH-rich topaz, respectively.These rocks may exhibit unusually low ¹⁸O and D values acquiredbefore undergoing UHP metamorphism. Five distinct fluid generationsare recognized. Type I: concentrated peak solutions rich inSi, Al, and alkalis, present within multiphase inclusions inkyanite I. Type II: CaCl₂-rich brines present during the growthof early retrograde OH-rich topaz. Type III, IV, and V: lateaqueous fluids of variable salinity, and rare CO₂ present duringamphibolite- and late greenschist-facies conditions. A numberof conclusions may be drawn from these relationships that havean effect on fluid evolution in deeply subducted continentalrocks. (1) At a pressure of about 3·5 GPa alkali–alumino-silicateaqueous solutions, with compositions intermediate between H₂Ofluid and melt (H₂O > 25 and 50 wt %) evolved from quartzites,probably generated by dehydration reactions. (2) During earlydecompression stages, at the transition from UHP to high-pressure(2·9 GPa) conditions, brines of external origin withhigher water contents (82 wt % H₂O) initiated the growth ofOH-rich topaz and muscovite. (3) The subsequent decompression,at P <2 GPa, was defined by a limited circulation of NaClaqueous fluids, and CO₂ infiltration. Overall, fluid inclusionsand stable isotopes highlight a metamorphic fluid–rockinteraction characterized by internally derived intermediateaqueous solutions at UHP, followed by infiltration of Cl-richbrines with higher water activities. KEY WORDS: ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism; OH-rich topaz; fluid inclusions; stable isotopes; supercritical liquids     

Hydrothermal origin for the 2 billion year old Mount Tom Price giant iron ore deposit, Hamersley Province, Western Australia

Giant iron-ore deposits, such as those in the Hamersley Province of northwestern Australia, may contain more than a billion tonnes of almost pure iron oxides and are the world's major source of iron. It is generally accepted that these deposits result from supergene oxidation of host banded iron formation (BIF), accompanied by leaching of silicate and carbonate minerals. New textural evidence however, shows that formation of iron ore at one of those deposits, Mount Tom Price, involved initial high temperature crystallisation of magnetite-siderite-iron silicate assemblages. This was followed by development of hematite- and ferroan dolomite-bearing assemblages with subsequent oxidation of magnetite, leaching of carbonates and silicates and crystallisation of further hematite. Preliminary fluid inclusion studies indicate both low and high salinity aqueous fluids as well as complex salt-rich inclusions with the range of fluid types most likely reflecting interaction of hydrothermal brines with descending meteoric fluids. Initial hematite crystallisation occurred at about 250 °C and high fluid pressures and continued as temperatures decreased. Although the largely hydrothermal origin for mineralisation at Mount Tom Price is in conflict with previously proposed supergene models, it remains consistent with interpretations that the biosphere contained significant oxygen at the time of mineralisation. Received: 16 February 1999 / Accepted: 14 May 1999     

Retrograde mineral and fluid evolution in high-pressure metapelites (Schistes lustrés unit, Western Alps)

Fluid inclusions have been analysed in successive generations of syn-metamorphic segregations within low-grade, high-pressure, low-temperature (HP–LT) metapelites from the Western Alps. Fluid composition was then compared to mass transfer deduced from outcrop-scale retrograde mineral reactions. Two types of quartz segregations (veins) occur in the `Schistes lustrés' unit: early blueschist-facies carpholite-bearing veins (BS) and retrograde greenschist-facies chlorite-bearing veins (GS). Fluid inclusions in both types of segregations are aqueous (no trace of dissolved gases such as CO₂, CH₄, N₂), with significant differences in density and composition (salinity). BS fluids are moderately saline fluids (average 9.1 wt% eq. NaCl) characterized by a chronological trend towards more dilute composition (from 15 down to 0 wt% eq. NaCl), whereas GS fluids have a very constant salinity of ∼3.7 wt% eq. NaCl. Both types of inclusions were continuously reset to lower densities along the retrograde path, until a temperature of ∼300 °C. Mass-balance calculations, together with fluid inclusion data, suggest that GS fluids result from the mixing between two fluid sources: one initial, early metamorphic, moderately saline HP fluid and a second nearly pure water fluid provided by the breakdown of carpholite. Estimates of the amount of water released by carpholite breakdown result in a dilution of the interstitial fluid phase (from 10 to 2.5–4 wt% eq. NaCl) consistent with the actual shift of the fluid composition. Alkali elements required for the formation of the GS chlorite + phengite assemblage after carpholite could be locally provided by HP phengite. This is taken as an indirect evidence that, during the generation of both BS and GS fluids, mixing with externally derived fluids may have been very limited. The location, amount and constant composition of the less saline GS fluids appear to be related to an interconnected porosity at the time of inclusion formation. Received: 19 October 1998 / Accepted: 19 July 2000     

40Ar/39Ar and oxygen isotope studies of polymetamorphism from Tinos Island, Cycladic blueschist belt, Greece

Abstract Petrological, oxygen isotope and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar studies were used to constrain the Tertiary metamorphic evolution of the lower tectonic unit of the Cyclades on Tinos. Polyphase high-pressure metamorphism reached pressures in excess of 15 kbar, based on measurements of the Si content in potassic white mica. Temperatures of 450–500° C at the thermal peak of high-pressure metamorphism were estimated from critical metamorphic assemblages, the validity of which is confirmed by a quartz–magnetite oxygen isotope temperature of 470° C. Some ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar spectra of white mica give plateau ages of 44–40 Ma that are considered to represent dynamic recrystallization under peak or slightly post-peak high-pressure metamorphic conditions. Early stages in the prograde high-pressure evolution may be documented by older apparent ages in the high-temperature steps of some spectra. Eclogite to epidote blueschist facies mineralogies were partially or totally replaced by retrograde greenschist facies assemblages during exhumation. Oxygen isotope thermometry of four quartz–magnetite pairs from greenschist samples gives temperatures of 440–470° C which cannot be distinguished from those deduced for the high-pressure event. The exhumation and overprint is documented by decreasing ages of 32–28 Ma in some greenschists and late-stage blueschist rocks, and ages of 30–20 Ma in the lower temperature steps of the Ar release patterns of blueschist micas. Almost flat parts of Ar–Ar release spectra of some greenschist micas gave ages of 23–21 Ma which are assumed to represent incomplete resetting caused by a renewed prograde phase of greenschist metamorphism. Oxygen isotope compositions of blueschist and greenschist facies minerals show no evidence for the infiltration of a δ¹⁸O-enriched fluid. Rather, the compositions indicate that fluid to rock ratios were very low, the isotopic compositions being primarily controlled by those of the protolith rocks. We assume that the fundamental control catalysing the transformation of blueschists into greenschists and the associated resetting of their isotopic systems was the selective infiltration of metamorphic fluid. A quartz–magnetite sample from a contact metamorphic skarn, taken near the Miocene monzogranite of Tinos, gave an oxygen isotope temperature of 555° C and calculated water composition of 9.1%. The value of δ¹⁸O obtained from this water is consistent with a primary magmatic fluid, but is lower than that of fluids associated with the greenschist overprint, which indicates that the latter event cannot be directly related to the monozogranite intrusion.     

The petrogenesis of topaz rhyolites from the western United States

High-silica topaz-bearing rhyolites of Cenozoic age are widely distributed across the western USA and Mexico. They are characteristically enriched in fluorine (>0.2 wt.%) and incompatible lithophile elements (e.g. Li, Rb, Cs, U, Th, Be). In addition to topaz, the rhyolites contain garnet, bixbyite, pseudobrookite, hematite and fluorite in cavities or in their devitrified groundmasses. Magmatic phases include sanidine, quartz, oligoclase and Fe-rich biotite. Allanite, fluorite, zircon, apatite and magnetite occur in most; pyroxene, hornblende, ilmenite and titanite occur in some. The rhyolites crystallized over a wide temperature interval (850° to 600° C) at \(f_{0_2 } \) that ranges from QFM to NNO. The REE patterns of most topaz rhyolites are almost flat (La/Yb_N=1 to 3) and have deep Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu^*=0.01 to 0.02). Both parameters decrease with differentiation. Titanite-bearing rhyolites have prominent middle REE depletions. Topaz rhyolites appear to have evolved from partial melts of a residual granulitic source in the Precambrian lower crust. According to the proposed model, the passage of hot mafic magmas through the crust produced partial melts as a result of the decomposition of F-rich biotite or amphibole. An extensional tectonic setting allowed these small batches of magma to rise without substantial mixing with contemporaneous mafic magmas. Some of the compositional differences between topaz rhyolites and peralkaline rhyolites may be attributed to the accumulation of fluorine and fluorphile elements (Al, Be, Li, Rb, U, Th, HREE) in melts which give rise to topaz rhyolites and chlorine and chlorophile elements (Ti, Fe, Mn, Zn, Zr, Nb and LREE) in melts which yield peralkaline rhyolites. Hence the F/Cl ratio of the melt or its source may determine the alumina saturation of the magma series. Topaz rhyolites are distinguishable from calc-alkaline rhyolites by lower Sr, Ba, Eu and higher F, Rb, U and Th. The usually low La/Yb ratios of topaz rhyolites distinguish them from both peralkaline and calc-alkaline rhyolite suites.     

40Ar/39Ar ages of detrital white mica from Upper Austroalpine units in the Eastern Alps, Austria: Evidence for Cadomian and contrasting Variscan sources

Five detrital white mica concentrates from very low-grade, metaclastic sequences within pre-Variscan basement and post-Variscan cover units of the Upper Austroalpine Nappe Complex (Eastern Alps) have been dated with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating techniques to constrain the age of tectonothermal events in their respective source areas. Two samples from early Palaeozoic sandstone exposed within the same Alpine nappe record slightly discordant age spectra. The maximum age recorded in one is 562.2±0.7?Ma, whereas the other yielded a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau age of 607.3±0.3?Ma. These results indicate a source area affected by Cadomian tectonothermal activity. Three detrital muscovite concentrates from post-Variscan, Late Carboniferous and Permian cover sequences exposed within three different Alpine nappes yielded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages of 359.6?±?1.1?Ma, 310.5±1.2?Ma, and 303.3±0.2?Ma. The contrasting detrital white mica ages are interpreted to reflect different source areas. Detrital muscovite from a post-Variscan Carboniferous molasse-type sequence and from a Permian Verrucano-type sequence record ages which indicate “late” Variscan (e.g. 330–300?Ma) metamorphic sources. By contrast, detrital white mica from another Permian Verrucano-type sequence suggests a source area affected by “early” Variscan (e.g. 400–360?Ma) metamorphism. These results help clarify palinspastic relationships and tectonic correlations between pre-Late Carboniferous metamorphic basement sequences and Carboniferous to Permian cover sequences.     

Characterization of the hydrothermal systems associated with Archean VMS-mineralization at Panorama,Western Australia,using hyperspectral,geochemical and geothermometric data

Airborne hyperspectral imagery was used to study the distribution of white mica minerals in Archean (3.2 Ga) submarine hydrothermal systems associated with volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization in a well-exposed volcanic sequence of the Soansville greenstone belt in the Pilbara, Western Australia. White mica mineral abundance and distribution maps were compared with published hydrothermal alteration maps and differences were interpreted using whole-rock geochemistry and temperature estimates from oxygen isotope geothermometric studies of hydrothermally altered rocks. Three different zones were identified from the hyperspectral imagery: 1) Al-rich white mica zones in the upper parts of the volcanic sequence which are related to recharge of unevolved seawater, 2) Al-poor white mica zones at middle and upper levels of the volcanic sequence predominantly related to K alteration by more-evolved hydrothermal fluids, and 3) high to intermediate Al-content white mica zones in lower levels of the sequence and in cross-cutting zones related to intense alteration by laterally flowing and upwelling evolved fluids. The integrated study of the spatial distribution of hyperspectrally detected white mica minerals together with published maps and rock analyses allowed characterization of the hydrothermal systems and reconstruction of paleo fluid pathways.     

Chemistry of Micas in Rare-Metal Granitoids and Associated Rocks,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Paragenetic, textural, and chemical characteristics of micas from 10 rare-metal granitic stocks and the associated greisens were examined in order to identify the metallogenetic processes of the host granitoids. The investigated granitoids and type occurrences can be categorized as: (1) metaluminous, Nb + Zr + Y-enriched alkali granite (e.g., Hawashia, Ineigi, and a stock northwest of Um Naggat); (2) peraluminous, Ta > Nb + Sn ± W + Be-enriched Li-albite granites (e.g., Nuweibi, Igla, and Abu Dabbab); and (3) metasomatized, Nb » Ta + Sn + Zr + Y + U ± Be ± W-enriched apogranites (e.g., Um Ara, Abu Rusheid, Mueilha, and Homr Akarem).

Mica of the alkali granite is of the annite-siderophyllite series, and is characterized by an average FeO? of 28.14, low MgO of 0.05, a mean Fe?/(Fe? + Mg)_atom. value of 0.996, TiO₂ of 0.69, enhanced Al₂O₃ of 14.91, MnO of 0.58, Li₂O of 0.26, and moderate to low F of 0.86. These characteristics are representative of the relatively highly evolved nature of the annite-siderophyllite-bearing magmas. The micas closely resemble those of the anorogenic pegmatites and A-type granites.

Primary mica of the Li-albite granites is compositionally constrained between zinnwaldite in the lower zones, and white mica in the apical, more evolved zone, and is associated with columbite-tantalite, topaz, and fluorite. The occurrence of zinnwaldite with high contents of Mn and F indicates its stabilization at rather low temperatures in Li- and F-rich sodic melts. The restriction of white mica with lower Mn, F, and Li contents to the apical zones can be attributed to either volatile degassing or to the beginning of topaz crystallization. These two factors brought about an evolutionary trend for micas, which contrasts with the documented trends of Li-micas in other Li-granites (i.e., from Li-siderophyllite or Li-muscovite to lepidolite).

Micas range in composition between white mica in the lower unaltered zones of the apogranites and Li-siderophyllite-zinnwaldite in the apical microclinized and albitized zones; this systematic compositional change appears to reflect roofward increasing in μ_KF and μ_LiF of the exsolved fluids. Columbite, cassiterite, zircon, xenotime, beryl, and fluorite are common associates of the zinnwaldites. However, white micas from the greisenized apogranite and endogreisen veins have diminishing Li contents. The subsolidus formation of zinnwaldite and Li-siderophyllite in the apogranites, and white mica in the associated greisens, represent transitions from magmatic to hydrothermal environments under the influence of decreasing P, T, salinity, and alkalinity of the exsolved fluids.     

Metamorphic evolution of the Sesia-Lanzo Zone,Western Alps: time constraints from multi-system geochronology

 The Sesia-Lanzo Zone is a polymetamorphic unit containing Hercynian granulite relics overprinted by eclogite and greenschist facies metamorphism and deformation during the Alpine orogeny. Different parts of the unit record different stages on the P-T-deformation evolution, allowing multi-system isotopic studies to unravel the precise timing of the metamorphic history. New Rb–Sr white mica and U–Pb sphene data constrain the age of eclogite facies metamorphism and deformation to 60–70 Ma. This substantially alters the common view of early- to mid-Cretaceous eclogite facies metamorphism in this unit. The new results are more consistent with the established geotectonic framework for the Alpine orogeny, since they do not require a prolonged period of depressed geothermal gradient at a time when the region was in extension. It is also more concordant with recent studies of other units that demonstrate post-Cretaceous high-pressure metamorphism. Step-heated ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar analysis of phengites yields good plateaux giving ages older than the corresponding Rb–Sr age. Such anomalously high ages indicate the presence of radiogenic argon-rich fluids in the grain boundary network under the fluid/pressure conditions acting during this high-pressure metamorphic event. The U–Pb sphene ages are variable in polymetamorphic rocks, and show inheritance of older Pb or sphene crystals into the high-pressure event. Two monometamorphic assemblages yield concordant ages at 66±1 Ma, reflecting crystallisation of the eclogite facies assemblage. The Gneiss Minuti Complex (GMC) lies structurally below the Eclogitic Micaschists, and its pervasive greenschist facies fabric yields tightly clustered Rb–Sr white mica ages at 38–39 Ma. This greenschist event did not affect the majority of the EMC. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages of micas formed at this time were very disturbed, whereas micas surviving from an earlier higher pressure assemblage had their ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar system reset. The greenschist event did not strongly affect U–Pb systematics in Hercynian age sphenes, suggesting that the GMC did not uniformly suffer an eclogite facies metamorphism during the Alpine cycle, but was juxtaposed against the EMC later in the orogeny. This model still requires that the locus of deformation and metamorphism (and possibly fluid flux) moved outboard with time, leaving the Sesia-Lanzo basement as a shear-bounded unreactive block within the orogenic wedge. Received: 12 October 1995/Accepted:25 June 1996