|
|||||
|
|
Timing of mineralization and source of fluids in a slate-belt auriferous vein system, Hill End goldfield, NSW, Australia: Evidence from Ar/Ar dating and O- and H-isotopes |
|
| Authors: | J Lu P K Seccombe D Foster A S Andrew |
| Institution: | a School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia b Department of Geology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, N.S.W. 2308, Australia c Australian Geodynamics Cooperative Research Centre, VIEPS, School of Earth Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia d Centre for Isotope Studies, CSIRO Division of Petroleum Resources, North Ryde, N.S.W. 2113, Australia |
| Abstract: | 40Ar/39Ar dating of metamorphic biotite and alteration muscovite from the auriferous veins and host rocks at the Hill End goldfield, N.S.W., Australia, has distinguished four major geological events, including the timing of gold mineralization. The earliest hydrothermal event occurred during the Middle Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny (370–380 Ma) and resulted in the formation of quartz veins barren of Au. A second and major episode of vein emplacement occurred in the Early Carboniferous during the principal phase of metamorphism and deformation at 359–363 Ma. This was followed by Au accumulation in two stages: (1) after the major phases of quartz deposition, and (2) during and after the development of conspicuous internal vein laminations (? 357 Ma and ? 343 Ma, respectively). Two sources of fluid are proposed for vein and ore formation. The first is a local metamorphic fluid characterized by δ18OH2O values of 8.9 to 12.5 per mil and δDH2O values of ?87 to ?90 per mil. The second is a mixed ore fluid with δ18O and δD values in the range of δ18OH2O 8.4 to 11 per mil and δDH2O of ?49 to ?36 per mil. Progressive entry of this second fluid, sourced from trough-fill or deeper crustal rocks, is linked closely to cycles of gold precipitation at Hill End. |
| Keywords: | gold deposits genesis Ar-40/Ar-39 stable isotopes Hill End goldfield Australia |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ | |