The Yungul carbonatite dykes associated with the epithermal fluorite deposit at Speewah, Kimberley, Australia: carbon and oxygen isotope constraints on their origin

The Yungul carbonatite dykes at Speewah in the Kimberley region of Western Australia were emplaced along a north-trending splay from the northeast-trending Greenvale Fault located at the western boundary of the Halls Creek Orogen. The Yungul carbonatite dykes intrude a thick composite sill of the Palaeoproterozoic Hart Dolerite (~1,790 Ma), consisting of tholeiitic dolerite and gabbro with its felsic differentiates that form the Yilingbun granophyres and associated granites. The carbonatite dykes consist of massive, calcite carbonatite that host very coarse, pegmatitic veins and pods of calcite, and have largely replaced (carbonatitized) and fenitized the country rock Hart Dolerite suite in a zone up to 150 m wide. Dykes of red-brown siliceous fluidized-breccia and epithermal-textured veins consisting of bladed quartz, adularia and fluorite are closely associated with the carbonatite dykes. The Yungul carbonatites are closely associated with fluorite occurrences with resources currently reported as 6.7 Mt at 24.6% CaF₂. The precise age of the Yungul carbonatite is not known, although it is believed to be post early Cambrian. The total REE content of the Yungul carbonatite is low (174.0–492.8 ppm; La/Yb 2.28–10.74) and thus atypical for calciocarbonatite. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns for the carbonatite are relatively flat compared to average calciocarbonatite, and show small negative Eu anomalies. These unusual geochemical features may have been acquired from the Hart Dolerite suite during emplacement of the carbonatite, a process that involved extensive replacement and fenitization of country rocks. Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of massive calcite carbonatite and the coarse calcite veins and pods from the carbonatite suggest a deep-seated origin. The C and O isotope compositions show an overall positive correlation that can be attributed to both magmatic and magmatic-hydrothermal processes in their evolution. The magmatic δ¹³C-δ¹⁸O trend is also indicative of crustal contamination and/or low-temperature water/rock exchange. The carbon isotopic compositions have δ¹³C values that range from about ?5.2‰ to ?6.3‰ that support a mantle-derived origin for the Yungul carbonatites and are consistent with earlier conclusions based on whole-rock geochemistry and radiogenic isotopes studies.     

Oxygen isotope thermometry in carbonatites, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

Summary Crystallization temperatures of the oceanic carbonatites of Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, have been determined from oxygen isotope fractionations between calcite, silicate minerals (feldspar, pyroxene, biotite, and zircon) and magnetite. The measured fractionations have been interpreted in the light of late stage interactions with meteoric and/or magmatic water. Cathodoluminescence characteristics were investigated for the carbonatite minerals in order to determine the extent of alteration and to select unaltered samples. Oxygen isotope fractionations of minerals of unaltered samples yield crystallization temperatures between 450 and 960°C (average 710°C). The highest temperature is obtained from pyroxene–calcite pairs. The above range is in agreement with other carbonatite thermometric studies.This is the first study that provides oxygen isotope data coupled with a CL study on carbonatite-related zircon. The CL pictures revealed that the zircon is broken and altered in the carbonatites and in associated syenites. Regarding geological field evidences of syenite–carbonatite relationship and the close agreement of published zircon U/Pb and whole rock and biotite K/Ar and Ar–Ar age data, the most probable process is early zircon crystallization from the syenite magma and late-stage reworking during magma evolution and carbonatite segregation. The oxygen isotope fractionations between zircon and other carbonatite minerals (calcite and pyroxene) support the assumption that the zircon would correspond to the early crystallization of syenite–carbonatite magmas.     

The giant Vergenoeg fluorite deposit in a magnetite–fluorite–fayalite REE pipe: a hydrothermally-altered carbonatite-related pegmatoid?

Summary The world-class Paleoproterozoic Vergenoeg fluorite deposit in South Africa is hosted in a breccia pipe comprising units with varying proportions of pegmatoidal fayalite, magnetite, fluorite and siderite. The adjacent A-type Bushveld granites also have associated fluorite deposits containing fluorite with similar REE patterns, fluid inclusion and Sr isotope compositions to those at Vergenoeg, leading to the proposal that there is a genetic relationship. This is despite the silica-undersaturated nature (SiO₂<30%) of the Pipe and its extreme enrichment in Ca, F, Fe, Nb, P and REE compared to granites. Both liquid immiscibility from a granitic melt and granitic magmato-hydrothermal activity have been proposed as genetic mechanisms to explain this exotic composition. However, the Vergenoeg Pipe shows greater similarities to alkaline rocks, in particular the Phalaborwa carbonatite of similar age, including: i) size and shape, ii) associated maars, iii) mineralogical zoning, iv) geochemical, radiogenic and stable isotope composition, and v) presence of both high-T and low-T fluid inclusions. This suggests an alternative genetic relationship with alkaline magmas, in which some geochemical and radiogenic isotopic similarities to Bushveld granites are the consequence of broadly contemporaneous development in the same tectonic setting within the same lithosphere, whereas others may be due to hydrothermal overprinting. Similarities with Phalaborwa and also with Bayan Obo, Mongolia, indicate that the Vergenoeg pegmatoid pipe could be an extreme carbonatite-associated member of the Fe-oxide Cu–Au (±REE±P) group of deposits.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00710-003-0012-6Tables 1-4 available as electronic supplementary material     

Isotopic constraints on the origin of AMCG-suite rocks on the Lofoten Islands, N Norway

Summary ¶Sm–Nd, Rb–Sr and Pb–Pb isotopic compositions of 34 intrusive AMCG (anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite) suite rocks and spatially related ferrodiorites and gabbros from the Lofoten Islands, northern Norway, suggest that almost all Lofoten intrusive rocks can be modelled as a mixture of mainly two components: Archean lower crustal material and an about 1.8Ga mantle-derived component. Isotopically, the gabbros and anorthosites overlap the mangeritic rocks in all three isotope systems. Hence, the isotopic data are in agreement with a model that relates the mangeritic rocks to the fractionation of crustally contaminated mantle-derived basaltic melts. Overlap in all three isotopic systems indicates that at least part of the assimilation process predates or accompanies fractionation. Whole rock geochemistry supports this model: based on major, minor, and trace element data, primitive 1.79–1.86Ga mangerites could have formed from anorthosite residual liquids – the ferrodiorites – by fractionation processes involving Fe–Ti oxides, Fe–Mg silicates and apatite combined with contamination of the ferrodiorites with about 50wt.% crustal anatectic melt.Received May 7, 2002; revised version accepted November 26, 2002 Published online: April 14, 2003     

Sedimentary provenance of Mid-Devonian clastic sediments in the Teplá-Barrandian Unit (Bohemian Massif): U–Pb and Pb–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons by laser ablation ICP-MS

Summary The provenance of the Mid-Devonian clastic sediments in the Teplá-Barrandian Unit (TBU) of the Bohemian Massif was investigated by laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating, bulk sediment geochemistry and mineralogical study of the heavy mineral fraction. In contrast to the island arc provenance of the TBU Neoproterozoic sediments, the Early Palaeozoic sediments contain significant amounts of differentiated crustal material. The detrital zircon populations in the Barrandian Mid-Devonian siltstones and sandstones show ages ranging from Archaean (3.0Ga) to Early Palaeozoic (0.39Ga). Major age maxima are at 2.6Ga, 2.0–2.25Ga, 0.62 and 0.51Ga. The youngest identified zircons so far correspond to Lower and Mid-Devonian ages. The extensive mechanical abrasion of zircons having Archaean (3.0, 2.8 and 2.6Ga) to Paleoproterozoic ages (2.25–2.0Ga) suggest their provenance from recycled old sedimentary sequences. The relatively large number of zircons with ages between 2.0 and 3.0Ga may indicate the presence of relicts of the Archaean/Paleoproterozoic crust in the source areas of the studied Mid-Devonian sediments. The absence of detrital zircon ages between 0.9 and 1.2Ga and the presence of zircon ages of 2.0–2.25 and 0.5–0.8Ga correspond to the zircon age pattern from the Gondwana-related North African, rather than Gondwana-related South American and Baltic terranes. The material was entering the basin predominantly from the west and consisted primarily of detrital material of Cambrian granitoids and recycled material of Neoproterozoic meta-sedimentary sequences.     

K–Ar and Ar–Ar dating of the Palaeozoic metamorphic complex from the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mts., Central Dinarides, Bosnia and Hercegovina

Summary K–Ar and Ar–Ar whole rock and mineral ages are presented for 25 samples of metamorphic rocks from the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mts., representing one of the largest allochthonous Palaeozoic terranes incorporated within the Internal Dinarides. Four main age groups can be distinguished: 1) Variscan (343Ma), 2) post-Variscan (288–238Ma), 3) Early Cretaceous (mainly 121–92Ma), and 4) Eocene (59–35Ma) ages. Apart from this, an Oligocene (31Ma) age was obtained on Alpine vein hyalophane. The radiometric dating indicates a polyphase metamorphic evolution of the Palaeozoic formations and suggests a pre-Carboniferous age of the volcano-sedimentary protoliths, an Early Carboniferous age of Variscan metamorphism and deformation, post-Variscan volcanism, an Early Cretaceous metamorphic overprint related to out-of-sequence thrusting of the Palaeozoic complex, and an Eocene and Oligocene metamorphic overprint related to the main Alpine compressional deformation and subsequent strike-slip faulting, and uplift of the metamorphic core. Accordingly, the Mid-Bosnian Schist Mts. can be correlated in its multistage geodynamic evolution with some Palaeozoic tectonostratigraphic units from the Austroalpine domain in the Eastern Alps.Deceased     

Tectonic controls on the genesis of ignimbrites from the Campanian Volcanic Zone, southern Italy

Summary ¶The Campanian Plain is an 80×30km region of southern Italy, bordered by the Apennine Chain, that has experienced subsidence during the Quaternary. This region, volcanologically active in the last 600ka, has been identified as the Campanian Volcanic Zone (CVZ). The products of three periods of trachytic ignimbrite volcanism (289–246ka, 157ka and 106ka) have been identified in the Apennine area in the last 300ka. These deposits probably represent distal ash flow units of ignimbrite eruptions which occurred throughout the CVZ. The resulting deposits are interstratified with marine sediments indicating that periods of repeated volcano-tectonic emergence and subsidence may have occurred in the past. The eruption, defined as the Campanian Ignimbrite (CI), with the largest volume (310km³), occurred in the CVZ 39ka ago. The products of the CI eruption consist of two units (unit-1 and unit-2) formed from a single compositionally zoned magma body. Slightly different in composition, three trachytic melts constitute the two units. Unit-1 type A is an acid trachyte, type B is a trachyte and type C of unit-2 is a mafic trachyte.The CI, vented from pre-existing neotectonic faults, formed during the Apennine uplift. Initially the venting of volatile-rich type A magma deposited the products to the N–NE of the CVZ. During the eruption, the Acerra graben already affected by a NE–SW fault system, was transected by E–W faults, forming a cross-graben that extended to the gulf of Naples. E–W faults were then further dislocated by NE–SW transcurrent movements. This additional collapse significantly influenced the deposition of the B-type magma of unit-1, and the C-type magma of unit-2 toward the E–SE and S, in the Bay of Naples. The pumice fall deposit underlying the CI deposits, until now thought to be associated with the CI eruption, is not a strict transition from plinian to CI-forming activity. It is derived instead from an independent source probably located near the Naples area. This initial volcanic activity is assumed to be a precursor to the CI trachytic eruptions, which vented along regional faults.Received October 23, 2002; revised version accepted July 29, 2003     

Converging P-T paths of Mesozoic HP-LT metamorphic units (Diego de Almagro Island, Southern Chile): evidence for juxtaposition during late shortening of an active continental margin

Summary On Diego de Almagro Island in Chilean Patagonia (51°30S), a convergent strike slip zone, the Seno Arcabuz shear zone, separates the Diego de Almagro Metamorphic Complex from very low grade metagreywackes in the east, which were intruded by Jurassic granitoids. The Diego de Almagro Metamorphic Complex is composed of a metapsammopelitic sequence containing blueschist intercalations in the west and (garnet) amphibolite lenses in the east. Peak metamorphic conditions (stage I) at 9.5–13.5kbar, 380–450°C in the blueschist and at 11.2–13.2, 460–565°C in the amphibolite indicate subduction and accretion at different positions within the deepest part of the accretionary wedge. A K–Ar age of 117±28Ma of amphibole approximately dates the peak of metamorphism in the amphibolite. The early retrograde stage of metamorphism occurred under static conditions and resulted in localized equilibration (stage II) at 6.3–9.6kbar, 320–385°C in the blueschist and 6.1–8.4kbar, 310–504°C in the amphibolite. Both P-T paths converge within a midcrustal level.In contrast, an orthogneiss of trondhjemitic composition occurring within the Seno Arcabuz shear zone is associated with a garnet mica-schist containing a high temperature/intermediate pressure assemblage formed at 4.9–6.5kbar, 580–690°C. A muscovite K–Ar age of 122.2±4.6Ma dates cooling after this event which is related to a concomitant magmatic arc. These rocks were overprinted by a mylonitic deformation, which is caused by convergent strike slip shearing and ends during formation of a retrograde phengite-chlorite-stilpnomelane assemblage at a minimum pressure of approximately 5.7kbar (at 300°C).Zircon fission track ages from rocks of the Seno Arcabuz shear zone are 64.9±2.7 and 64.9±2.7Ma; they record the end of shearing in the Seno Arcabuz shear zone that juxtaposed all rocks in the middle crust. Zircon fission track ages ranging from 78 to 105Ma in the South Patagonian batholith to the east indicate earlier cooling through 280°C. The rocks of the Diego de Almagro Metamorphic Complex were initially slowly exhumed and resided at a midcrustal level before being emplaced via shearing in the Seno Arcabuz shear zone. Apatite fission track ages (54±8Ma) from the Seno Arcabuz shear zone show that exhumation and cooling rates increased after this event. The incorporation of continental crust within the subduction system was a late process, which modified the Cretaceous accretionary wedge, resulting in considerable shortening of the convergent margin.     

Nickel tenor variations between Archaean komatiite-associated nickel sulphide deposits, Kambalda ore field, Western Australia: the metamorphic modification model revisited

Summary Geochemical data for 870 ore samples of 14 nickel sulphide (NiS) deposits from throughout the major Archaean Kambalda ore field, Western Australia, reveal highly heterogeneous Ni tenor (wt% Ni in 100wt% sulphide) variation that is difficult to explain solely by magmatic processes. The Ni tenor values for the deposits range from 6.2wt% Ni (Helmut deposit) to 19.7wt% Ni (Carnilya Hill deposit), close to the range for within single deposits (9.7–19.3wt% Ni). Contents of Ni and platinum-group elements (PGE) broadly increase with decreasing Fe and with increasing abundance of metamorphic pyrite+magnetite±silicates. In turn, the abundance of the metamorphic phases appears to be complexly related to structural setting, metamorphic grade, alteration type, and proximity to felsic intrusion. Chondrite-normalised multi-element plots of deposit compositions reveal relative depletions in Au, As, Bi, and Te.The relationship of increasing Ni content with secondary phase abundance indicates a strong role for metamorphic modification in the tenor variation. Replacement of pyrrhotite by pyrite+magnetite±chlorite during oxidation reduced the abundance of Fe sulphide relative to Ni sulphide and increased the Ni tenor of the residual sulphide. The extent of the oxidation reflects the extent of alteration fluid ingress along deformation structures and fabrics during talc-carbonate alteration, regional metamorphism, and felsic intrusion related to D3. The relative depletions of Au, As, Bi and Te combined with relative enrichments of these metals in nearby orogenic gold deposits mean that NiS deposits could represent metal reservoirs for Archaean gold hydrothermal systems.     

Metagranitoids from the eastern part of the Central Rhodopean Dome (Bulgaria): U–Pb, Rb–Sr and 40Ar/39Ar timing of emplacement and exhumation and isotope-geochemical features

Summary Geochronological data (U–Pb, Rb–Sr and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar) are used to unravel the Late Alpine high-grade metamorphism, migmatisation and exhumation of Variscan granitoids within the core of the Central Rhodopean dome, Bulgaria. The age of the granitoid protolith is 300±11Ma, as determined by U–Pb analyses on single zircons selected from the core of the dome structure.Rb–Sr whole rock data define an errorchron with a large scatter of the data points due to the Late Alpine metamorphic overprint. The slope of the reference line indicates a Variscan magmatic event. Strontium characteristics are used to discriminate the samples most influenced by metamorphism from those, which reflect possible differences in the protolith age of the granitoids.Petrological-geochemical data, the initial strontium ratio of 0.708±0.001, and _Hf zircon values ranging from –2.58 to –3.82 point to a mixed, but crust-dominated origin of the Variscan magmas; young crustal material and mantle fragments were sources for the I-type metagranitoids.The exhumation of the granitoids from depths greater than 20–25km to about 5km below the surface was a rapid geological process. It started with the formation of granitic eutectic minimum melts at the temperature peak of metamorphism. Monazite crystallisation at about 650°C continued during isothermal decompression to possible depths of about 10–12km. An age of 35.83±0.40Ma was determined using conventional U–Pb isotope methods on four multigrain monazite fractions. A maximum average age of 36.6–37.5Ma (assuming same error uncertainties) for crystallisation of the metamorphic monazites was calculated assuming 10 to 20% monazite resetting during the subsequent Oligocene volcanism and hydrothermal activity in the region of the Central Rhodopean Dome. The rocks were then cooled to about 350–300°C at 35.35±0.22Ma according to ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of biotites and below 300°C at 35.31±0.25Ma (Rb–Sr data), as indicated by crystallisation of adularia in an open vein subsequent to pegmatite intrusion. A minimum exhumation rate of 3–5km per 1 million years can therefore be calculated for the exhumation of the metagranitoids during the period from 38–35Ma.     

Physical evolution of Grande Ronde Basalt magmas, Columbia River Basalt Group, north-western USA

Summary In this paper we present what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first comprehensive study of clinopyroxenes and plagioclases contained in the flows of the Grande Ronde Basalt member of the Columbia River Basalt Group (northwestern USA). The rocks have MgO(wt%)<6%, and trace amounts of Cr and Ni. About 56% of extracted solid containing normative clinopyroxene and plagioclase explains the liquid line of descent from the more mafic sample (MgO wt%=5.89) to the most evolved. The most ubiquitous phases in the basalts are plagioclase and augite. Ilmenite and magnetite are accessories in all rocks. Olivine is present in small amount only in one sample (RT 89-7). Based on principles of Ca–Na plagioclase–liquid exchange, estimates of pre-eruptive magmatic water are < 2.4wt%. From clinopyroxene–liquid equilibria, calculated pressures and temperatures of ascending magmas are between 1atm and 0.617GPa, and 1068°C and 1166°C, respectively. Compositions of magnetite–ilmenite pairs and olivine–clinopyroxene–oxide assemblages yield post-eruptive oxygen fugacities of NNO=–1.923, and one pre-eruptive value of NNO=– 2.455. A simple model of asthenospheric melting and magma ponding in the lower crust fits the physical parameters.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00710-003-0017-1     

Molybdenum mineralization at Alpeiner Scharte, Tyrol (Austria): results of in-situ U–Pb zircon and Re–Os molybdenite dating

Summary Vein-type Mo mineralization at Alpeiner Scharte occurs in the Penninic units of the western Tauern Window in the Eastern Alps. Three types of previously undated metagranitoids (central gneisses) are distinguished and preserve intrusive contacts with pre-Alpine metamorphosed supracrustal rocks. The granitic protoliths represent fractionated late to post-orogenic, calc-alkaline, I-type magmas with minor S-type components. The Mo veins are restricted to a biotite and alkali feldspar-rich gneiss variety and occur in E–W trending normally sub-vertical quartz veins with adjacent thin discontinuous garnet- and biotite-rich zones; the latter are interpreted as metamorphosed vein selvages. Prior to this work the age of the intrusive host rocks as well as the age of Mo mineralization were unknown.The pre-Alpine Mo deposit and its host rocks were affected by four Alpine deformation events (D₁–D₄) and Young-Alpine regional metamorphism. The P-T conditions of this metamorphic event were 550°C and 8kbar and are in agreement with results of previous regional studies.Zircon grains from two orthogneiss samples were dated with the U–Pb method using ion probe techniques. Zircons from the metagranitic host rock of the Mo-veins yielded an emplacement age of 306.8±3.8Ma (2). A second sample from a more leucocratic gneiss lacking Mo-veins gave 305.0±6.6Ma (2). Re–Os dating of molybdenite from the veins yielded an age of 306.8±3.1Ma, in good agreement with the U–Pb zircon ages.This study confirms one of two alternative hypotheses discussed in the literature. It supports the idea that vein-type Mo-mineralization in the western Tauern Window is genetically related to Late Carboniferous (Westphalian) granitoids that were emplaced during the late to post-orogenic stage of the Variscan orogeny. They do not constitute an Alpine metamorphic-hydrothermal deposit. This study further confirms the strength of the Re–Os molybdenite chronometer, in that it was unaffected by subsequent Alpine medium grade regional metamorphism.Present address: Kremstalstraße 32, A-4501 Neuhofen an der Krems, Austria     

(U–Th)/He dating of fluorite: application to the La Azul fluorspar deposit in the Taxco mining district, Mexico

The (U–Th)/He dating method was applied to fluorite of the La Azul fluorspar deposit, Taxco mining district, Mexico. Ages of ten U-rich (4–94 g/g) samples range from 30 to 33 Ma (mean 32±2 Ma, 1). This age range is interpreted as the time of primary fluorite precipitation and is close to the K/Ar age of sericite from a small fluorspar deposit (Los Tréboles) in the same area, and the K/Ar age of the nearby volcanic succession, which is thought to be the main source of fluorine in both deposits. This age is also in concordance with the very few published ages of epithermal deposits in southern Mexico. The dating of fluorite by other methods, particularly for young samples, is a difficult task. We believe that the (U–Th)/He method, which has been applied before to thermochronological studies of apatite, zircon, titanite and hematite, can be used as a tool for direct dating of fluorite with microgram per gram levels of uranium and thorium.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Formation of Ni–Cu–Platinum Group Element sulfide mineralization in the Sudbury Impact Melt Sheet

Summary The Ni–Cu–Platinum Group Element (PGE) sulfide deposits of the Sudbury Structure have provided a major portion of the worlds total nickel production and their host rocks have been the subject of numerous research studies, yet a number of perplexing problems remain to be solved. On the one hand, studies seeking to explain the formation of the Sudbury Structure have now converged on a genetic model which proposes that the Main Mass and Offset Dykes of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) were produced by crystallization of an impact-generated melt sheet. On the other hand, these models have yet to be fully reconciled with the production of the very large volume of magmatic Ni, Cu, Co, and PGE-rich sulfide mineralization and the associated mafic rock types. This paper explores this problem using new precious metal data from the Main Mass and Offset Dykes. These data are used to understand the relationships between these rocks, and to provide constraints on how the Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide ore deposits fit into the geological evolution of the Sudbury Structure.In the two drill cores selected for study in this project, the Mafic Norite has 1–5 modal percent pyrrhotite plus chalcopyrite, and elevated Ni (40–1000ppm), Cu (40–1140ppm), and PGE (1.9–7.8ppb Pd, 1.8–7.3ppb Pt); this is overlain by Felsic Norite that contains pyrrhotite, and has a wide range in concentration of Ni (13–257ppm), Cu (7–328ppm), and PGE (<0.01–6.4ppb Pd, <0.01–5ppb Pt). For a similar range of MgO, the upper portion of the Felsic Norite unit has 5–10 times lower Ni and Cu abundances than within-plate basalts and local crustal rocks, and PGE abundance levels are mostly below analytical determination limits. Stratigraphic studies of other compositional profiles around the SIC demonstrate that this depletion signature of Ni, Cu, and PGE is widespread and developed not only above mineralized embayments and offsets, but also above barren sections of the lower contact of the SIC.The depletion of the upper part of the Felsic Norite in Ni, Cu and PGE is presumably due to equilibration of the magma with magmatic sulfide, and accumulation of this dense sulfide liquid. Results of modeling indicate that the parental magma giving rise to the Mafic and Felsic Norites had initial Ni and Cu contents of 210 and 110ppm, respectively. In addition, Ni, Cu and PGE tenors calculated in 100% sulfide from the Copper Cliff Offset average 13% Cu, 6% Ni, 18ppm Pd, and 19ppm Pt indicating that these sulfides had formed by fractionation from magmas that contained 310ppm Ni, 310ppm Cu, 18ppb Pd and 19ppb Pt. These values are factors of 3 to 5 higher than the Ni, Cu, Pd, and Pt contents of the Onaping Formation with average values of 55ppm Ni, 48ppm Cu, and 4.9ppb Pd as well as the marginal sulfide-poor phase of the Worthington Offset quartz diorite, which has average values of 61ppm Ni, 59ppm Cu, 2.8ppb Pd and 4.0ppb Pt. Both the Onaping Formation and the marginal quartz diorite are believed to represent the initial composition of a large component of the melt sheet. There is therefore a fundamental problem in reconciling the initial metal contents of the SIC magma as indicated by the marginal phases of the Offset dykes and that of the Onaping Formation with the composition of the SIC magma at the times of formation of the sulfides as indicated by their Ni, Cu and PGE tenors.It is proposed that because the SIC melt sheet was initially superheated with a temperature of 1700°C, it was able to dissolve 5 times as much S as it could at its liquidus temperature of 1200°C. It was also initially composed of an emulsion of mafic and felsic melts (Marsh and Zieg, 1999), which may have formed discrete magma cells. As the temperature of the melt sheet decreased, some of these magma cells became S-saturated and the resultant Ni–Cu–PGE sulfides settled downwards and on reaching magma cells lower in the melt sheet were re-dissolved thereby raising the Ni, Cu and PGE contents of the lower magma cells. It was from these enriched magma cells that precipitation of the ore-forming Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide melts eventually took place.The mineral potential of Offset and embayment structures appears to be empirically linked to the thickness of the overlying noritic rocks; for example, the most heavily mineralized embayments and Offset Dykes are located in areas where the Felsic Norite is thickest. It appears unlikely that the entire 1–3km-thick melt sheet was convectively mixing throughout its lateral extent, and so the heterogeneity in sulfide distribution was retained after crystallization and cooling.     

The carbonatite-marble dykes of Abyan Province, Yemen Republic: the mixing of mantle and crustal carbonate materials revealed by isotope and trace element analysis

Summary Dykes of carbonate rocks, that cut gneisses in the Lowder-Mudiah area of southern Yemen, consist of dolomite and/or calcite with or without apatite, barite and monazite. Petrographic observations, mineralogical, XRF and ICP-MS analyses reveal that some of the carbonate rocks are derived from sedimentary protoliths, whereas others are magmatic calcio- and magnesio-carbonatites some of which are mineralized with barite-monazite. The interbanded occurrence and apparent contemporary emplacement of these different rock types within individual dykes, backed by Sr–Nd isotope evidence, are interpreted to show that intrusion of mantle-derived carbonatite magma was accompanied by mobilization of crustal marbles. That took place some 840Ma ago but the REE-mineralization is dated at ca. 400Ma.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00710-004-0056-2     

Sr-rich minerals in a carbonatite skarn, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (Spain)

Summary Metamorphosed carbonatites and related skarn deposits, located in Fuerteventura Basal Complex, contain unusual Sr-rich minerals. Maximum SrO concentration in the following minerals are: calcite, 7.23wt%; apatite, 5.22wt%; epidote, 11.64wt%; clinozoisite, 1.25wt%; allanite, 5.63wt%; britholite, 4.11wt% and a Sr–Na aluminosilicate (probably stronalsite), 16.44wt% SrO. Calcite and apatite are chemically similar to those found in carbonatites and are therefore considered to be of igneous origin. Textural evidence indicates that the first skarn stage garnet+diopside+Sr–Na aluminosilicate formed as the result of chemical interaction between carbonatites and adjacent silicate rocks. The formation of Sr-bearing epidote/clinozoisite, allanite and britholite appears to be related to the release of Sr into the fluid phase from the breakdown of high temperature assemblages during the retrograde skarn stage. During the final evolution stages, further alteration of britholite by bastnäsite and törnebohmite took place. The occurrence of REE minerals shows that the fluids responsible for this metasomatism must also have transported significant quantities of REE.     

Tectonics and crustal structure of the Campania continental margin: relationships with volcanism

Summary ¶The crustal structure of the Campania continental margin is synthesized from outcrop, seismic reflection and gravimetric data. Outcrop and subsurface geological data reveal the presence of NE–SW faults, E–W faults and NW–SE faults. An older extensional event occurred along NW–SE faults and was followed by the main extensional event linked to the activity of NE–SW normal faults. The latter were active between 700 and 400ka producing half-grabens filled by more than 5km of Quaternary deposits. The stratigraphic signature of these tectonic events corresponds to a Lower Pleistocene marine unconformity-bounded unit overlain by Middle Pleistocene rocks belonging to a transgressive-regressive cycle. A crustal section of the Campania margin displays an asymmetric linked fault system characterized by a 10–12km-deep main detachment level, listric normal faults and rollover anticlines. Structural and stratigraphic data document that the inception of volcanic activity at Vesuvius occurred at 400ka, just after the main extensional event, and the volcano is located at the margin of a rollover anticline.Received June 26, 2002; revised version accepted November 9, 2002     

Mineralogy and composition of the chromitites and their platinum-group minerals from Ortaca (Muğla-SW Turkey): evidence for ophiolitic chromitite genesis

Summary A large number of podiform chromitite bodies of massive, disseminated and nodular type have been located in ultramafic units, composed of depleted mantle harzburgite and dunite of the Marmaris Peridotite from Ortaca (Mula, SW Turkey). The chromite ore bodies are surrounded by dunite envelopes of variable thickness, exhibiting transitional boundaries to harzburgite host rocks. Chromitites, containing a large number of inclusions, i.e. silicates, base metal sulphides and alloys, and platinum-group minerals (PGM) have a wide range of chemical composition. The Cr# [Cr/(Cr+Al)] values of most chromitites are high (0.61–0.81) and Mg# [Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)] values range between 0.65 and 0.71 with TiO₂ content lower than 0.24wt.%, which may reflect the crystallization of chromites from boninitic magmas in supra-subduction setting environment.Platinum-group minerals (PGM) such as laurite, erlichmanite and Os–Ir alloys, silicates such as olivine, clinopyroxene and amphibole, and base metal sulphides (BM-S), alloys (BM-A) and arsenides (BM-As) are found as inclusions in chromite or in the serpentine matrix. Platinum-group element (PGE) concentrations of the Ortaca chromitites (OC) are low in all samples. Total PGE (Ir+Ru+Rh+Pt+Pd) ranges from 63ng/g to 266ng/g and Pd/Ir ratios range between 0.23 and 4.75. PGE content is higher and the Pd/Ir ratio lower in Cr-rich chromitites compared to Al-rich ones. There is a strong negative correlation between the Cr# and Pd/Ir ratios (r=–0.930). The PGE patterns show a negative slope from Ru to Pt and a positive slope from Pt to Pd. The low PGE content in the majority of the OC may reflect a lack of sulphur saturation during an early stage of their crystallization. The laurite compositions show a wide range of Ru–Os substitution caused by relatively low temperature and increasing f(S₂) during the chromite crystallization. The high Cr# of and hydrous silicate mineral inclusions in chromite imply that chromite crystallized in a supra-subduction setting.     

Comparison between magmatic activity and gold mineralization at Conical Seamount and Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea

Summary Grab samples from the submarine Conical Seamount, located about 10km south of the giant Ladolam gold deposit, Lihir Island, reveal the highest gold concentrations yet reported from the modern seafloor. Lavas from Conical Seamount are characterized by high K₂O contents, high K₂O/Na₂O ratios, and high Ce/Yb ratios, which are typical of high-K igneous rocks from oceanic (island) arc-settings. The primitive character of the rocks from Conical Seamount implies a magmatic evolution related to a single eruptive phase, which contrasts with the more evolved rocks forming Lihir Island. Geochemical as well as mineral chemical data suggest that the melts from both Conical Seamount and Lihir Island originate from the same magma source. In common with the samples from Lihir Island, elevated oxygen fugacities of 0.7–2.5log units above the FMQ buffer are recorded from the Conical Seamount lavas.There are distinct differences between the mineralization styles at Conical Seamount and at the Ladolam gold deposit, Lihir Island. While early-stage pyritic stockwork mineralization at Conical Seamount is hosted by clay-silica altered basaltic rocks with local alunite±kaolinite alteration, main-stage Au-mineralization occurs in sericite-alkali feldspar altered polymetallic sulfide-bearing siliceous veins. By contrast, early-stage pyritic stockwork mineralization at Ladolam is restricted to biotite–magnetite ± silica-altered monzodiorite, while the main-stage bulk-tonnage mineralization occurs as auriferous pyrite-bearing hydrothermal breccias which, in places, are cut by quartz–chalcedony–illite–adularia–pyrite±marcasite veins containing isolated bonanza gold grades.