MINERAL TRANSFORMATIONS OF HYALOCLASTITE DURING LITHOGENESIS IN MASSIVE SULFIDE BEARING REGIONS OF URALS

Abstract

The features of the submarine transformations from primary hyaloclastites to oxide-ferruginous rocks of the Urals massive sulfide deposits are identified. These processes are accompanied by formation of smectite and Si-Fe phases transformed into chlorite-hematite-quartz association during lithogenesis. The formation of Ti, Mn, Ca, K, P, and REE authigenic minerals is a result of leaching of these elements from hyaloclastites. The presence of carbonates or biogenic material intensifies the processes of formation of authigenic mineralization. The low to moderate temperatures 119–221 °C of Fe-Mg chlorite formation (according to chlorite geothermometer) indicate alteration of primary hyaloclastites in the course of anadiagenesis.

Keywords

• massive sulfide deposits
• oxide-ferruginous
• hyaloclasts
• iron-magnesium chlorite
• mössbauer spectrum
• chlorite geothermometer