Lithological and spatial controls on the distribution of quartz veins in andesite- and rhyolite-hosted epithermal Au–Ag deposits of the Hauraki Goldfield, New Zealand

Vein distributions in line samples from four epithermal Au–Ag deposits of the Hauraki Goldfield were logged and quantified by vein spacing, vein density, vein thickness and percentage of vein extension. One deposit is hosted in andesite lavas (Martha Hill), one in andesite lavas and dacite porphyry, dacitic tuffs and pyroclastic breccias (Golden Cross), and two in rhyolite lavas and rhyolitic tuffs with minor andesite lavas or andesite dikes (Ohui and Wharekirauponga). The vein systems in these deposits form fault-controlled arrays of extensional veins. Vein spacing distributions are non-fractal over two to three orders of magnitude (1 mm to 5 m), and therefore fractal dimension statistics are not applicable. The coefficient of variation (C_v) of vein spacing was used as a measure of the degree of vein clustering. Rock type has a marked influence on vein spacing distributions, with veining in rhyolite lava having lower average thickness and percentage extension, but a generally higher degree of vein clustering compared with veining in andesite lava in the same deposit. Vein spacing distributions in well-jointed lithologies, mainly andesite lava, have C_v values (0.8–1.2) that are indicative of anticlustered to weakly clustered patterns, particularly in the vein stockwork of the upper part of the Golden Cross deposit. These C_v values are consistent with field observations that joints are a major control on vein spacing. In the poorly jointed dacitic and rhyolitic rocks, the veins are weakly to strongly clustered as shown by higher C_v values (1.2–2.4), and are commonly associated with normal faults. Overall, andesite lava and dacite porphyry and pyroclastics host thicker and more persistent veins than rhyolite lava and tuff. These larger veins contain significant volumes of high-grade gold mineralisation. The higher chemical reactivity to hydrothermal fluids of andesite and dacite compared with rhyolite may have aided propagation and thickening of the veins in andesite-hosted deposits. Within an individual epithermal deposit, location close to thick veins, representing major fluid conduits, commonly overrides the effect of different lithologies. Sites that are deeper and located within or adjacent to major vein structures have higher average vein thickness, percentage extension and degree of vein clustering. Systematic collection and analysis of vein spacing, thickness and density data can be used to define trends that are useful in the exploration of gold-bearing epithermal vein deposits. Received: 25 August 1998 / Accepted: 23 December 1999     

Application of short-wave infrared spectroscopy to define alteration zones associated with the Elura zinc–lead–silver deposit, NSW, Australia

Short-wave infrared reflectance spectra obtained from a Portable Infrared Mineral Analyser (PIMA) have been used to define alteration zones adjacent to base metal sulfide ore bodies at the Elura Mine, Cobar, Australia. The spectroscopic work identified white mica (sericite), chlorite and carbonates of hydrothermal origin in the alteration zones associated with the ore bodies. Weathering, alteration and ore zones can be discriminated by variations in the intensity and wavelength of relevant absorption features. Hydrothermal alteration is classified into four principal types, namely sericitic, silicic, chloritic and carbonate alteration. The first three types comprise overprinting hydrothermal assemblages of quartz, sericite, chlorite, ankerite, siderite, calcite and sulfides developed in strongly altered metasiltstone and slate of Early Devonian age, adjacent to the zinc–lead–silver mineralisation. An extensive zone of carbonate alteration, manifested as porphyroblasts of siderite in the host metasediments, is recognised beyond the zones of strong alteration. Spectral analysis is consistent with the mineralogical data obtained from XRD and XRF analyses and defines the limits of the alteration zones to distances of about 80 m around the ore bodies. The study demonstrates the potential for spectral analysis to assist with drill hole logging and the identification of alteration zones as part of mineral exploration and development programs.     

Differential diatom dissolution in Late Quaternary sediments from Lake Manyara,Tanzania: an experimental approach

Diatom dissolution in saline lakes represents an important obstacle to the quantitative reconstruction of water chemistry and climate from lake sediment archives. This problem is here approached experimentally by artificially dissolving diatom-bearing core sediment from Lake Manyara, Tanzania. Manyara holds one of the longest continuous palaeolimnological records from tropical Africa although its interpretation is based on a fragmentary diatom record due to frustule dissolution. These experiments have revealed clear changes in assemblage composition as dissolution operated differentially with respect to diatom taxa. Differential dissolution has considerable impact on the water chemistry estimates derived from transfer functions. Taphonomy, rather than environmental change, may have been responsible for minor fluctuations in the diatom assemblages from Manyara, although major palaeohydrological changes during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene can be identified. Particularly well represented by MANE-87 is a period of intermediate lake level between 27 500 and 23 000 ¹⁴C yr BP which has regional palaeohydrological significance.     

Gravity anomalies and crustal shortening in the eastern Mediterranean

Crustal shortening of the ocean floor in the eastern Mediterranean is recognized by a marked thickening of the sedimentary layer seaward of the Hellenic and Calabrian island arcs. Steep gradients and large negative free-air anomalies in the gravity field along with a highly uniform, low regional heat flow are manifestations of the thickened crust. Bodies of recently deformed sediment in and seaward of the Hellenic Trough reveal the style, polarity, and dynamics of the thickening mechanism.

A linear buried anticlinal structure, inferred from analysis of surface ship gravity profiles, may mark the site of contemporary intrabasinal underthrusting. The distribution of earthquakes beneath the Mediterranean Ridge supports the interpretation that the Anaximander, Ptolomy, and Strabo Mountains are features comparable to large basement nappes. Cyprus is one such structure, offset to the south, where the oceanic crust and part of the upper mantle have been involved in the décollement.     

The production rate of Al from target elements in the Bruderheim chondrite

An 840-g specimen of the Bruderheim chondrite was subjected to magnetic and heavy-liquid mineral separation procedures, resulting in a number of chemically distinct samples. These samples were analyzed for cosmogenic Al²⁶ by non-destructive gamma-gamma coincidence counting. The observed Al²⁶ specific activities were correlated with the chemical composition of potential target elements by a weighted least-squares fitting technique. The calculated Al²⁶ production rates, in dpm per kilogram of target element, are: Al, 1130 ± 190; Si, 245 ± 31; S, 133 ± 11; Mg, 28 ± 30. Production rates from Ca and Ni + Fe were estimated to be 24 and 2.2 dpm/kg, respectively, from spallation systematics.     

Mascali,Mount Etna Region Sicily: An Example of Fascist Planning During the 1928 Eruption and Its Continuing Legacy

The 1928 eruption of Etna, Sicily, although the largest such event this century, has not been studied in detail. In this paper the nature of the eruption, the destruction it caused – including the complete devastation of the town of Mascali (pre-eruption population 2,000) – and emergency responses of the authorities to it are reviewed in the context of fascist politics and planning priorities. It is contended that, although at one level the response to the 1928 eruption was successful, at another fascism merely continued and enhanced a reactive, propitiatory approach to hazard mitigation. We argue that this legacy was not successfully overcome until the middle of the nineteen eighties. Finally contemporary Italian moves towards a more proactive approach to disaster planning, both generally and in the context of Etna, are discussed.     

Major and trace elements in igneous rocks from apollo 15

The concentrations of major and trace elements have been determined in igneous rocks from Apollo 15. All materials analyzed have typical depletions of Eu except for minerals separated from sample 15085. Four samples have concentrations of trace elements that are similar to those of KREEP. The samples of mare basalt from Apollo 15 have higher concentrations of FeO, MgO, Mn, and Cr and lower concentrations of CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, and rare-earth elements (REE) as compared to the samples of mare basalt from Apollos 11, 12, and 14. The samples can be divided into two groups on the basis of their normative compositions. One group is quartz normative and has low concentrations of FeO while the other is olivine normative and has high concentrations of FeO. The trace element data indicate that the samples of olivine normative basalt could be from different portions of a single lava flow. At least two and possible three parent magmas can be identified from the samples of the quartz normative group on the basis of their concentration ratios of Sm to Eu. Within each group, the compositions of the samples appear to be related by crystallization of olivine or pyroxene. Significant variations of the ratio of concentration of Sm to Eu cannot be produced without plagioclase-liquid equilibrium. The source material of mare basalt may be depleted in Eu. Alternatively, the magmas may have assimilated a small volume of material similar to KREEP.Paper dedicated to Prof. Harold C. Urey on the occasion of his 80th birthday on 29 April 1973.