Search

This study aims to uses paleomagnetic and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) methods to recognize the initial deposit position and to track the paleoflow at the origin of an iron skarn-related deposit. The Yamansu deposit is located in eastern Tianshan. This province has a substantial mining potential for Fe–(Cu) skarn, Cu–Ni and V–Ti orthomagmatic deposits, and orogenic Au lodes. Recent publication dates the Yamansu deposit at 323 Ma, and uses this deposit to define a model of Submarine Volcanogenic Iron Oxide (SVIO) deposits (Hou et al., 2014a,b). In the proposed model the Yamansu stratoïd ore bodies formed horizontally within the central venting part of a large submarine composite volcano in a back-arc environment. However, at Yamansu the ore bodies are tilted vertically by the large scale dextral strike-slip faulting during the Permian. The Carboniferous positions are thus overprinted and unknown. Understanding the initial geometry and structures of the Yamansu deposit is then necessary to test and/or improve the proposed SVIO model. Field observations evidence an emplacement of the basalt as sill and their alteration into skarn. Magnetic mineralogy results show that the magnetic remanence and susceptibility are carried by magnetite. Paleomagnetic measurements on massive garnet skarn and basaltic sill distinguish two groups of samples. The higher coercivity samples give a mean remanence direction that is compatible with regional Late Carboniferous directions after bedding correction. This result indicates that both the basaltic sill and the massive garnet skarn were horizontal when formed. The AMS results agree with the paleomagnetic data because the magnetic foliations after bedding correction are horizontal and the well-defined magnetic lineation suggests the existence of a horizontal fluid flow during metasomatism. These results indicate that the basaltic sill horizontally intruded the Carboniferous limestones intercalated within the volcanic pile. Metasomatic iron-rich fluid probably ascended along a pre-existing fault and was injected horizontally into the limestone and sill, and then caused extensive skarnization and deposited the magnetite before tilting due to the Permian right-lateral strike-slip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study aims to apply the AMS method (Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility) at a regional scale to track the fluid circulation direction that has produced an iron metasomatism within pre-existing dolomite host rock. The Urgonian formations hosting the Zn–Pb mineralizations in La Florida (Cantabria, northern Spain) have been taken as target for this purpose. Sampling was carried out, in addition to ferroan dolomite host rock enclosing the Zn–Pb mineralizations, in dolomite host rock and limestone to make the comparison possible between magnetic signals from mineralized rocks, where fluid circulation occurred, and their surrounding formations. AMS study was coupled with petrofabric analysis carried out by texture goniometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations and also Shape Preferred Orientation (SPO) statistics. SEM observations of ferroan dolomite host rock illustrate both bright and dark grey ribbons corresponding respectively to Fe enriched and pure dolomites. SPO statistics applied on four images from ferroan dolomite host rock give a well-defined orientation of ribbons related to the intermediate axis of magnetic susceptibility K 2. For AMS data, two magnetic fabrics are observed. The first one is observed in ferroan dolomite host rock and characterized by a prolate ellipsoid of magnetic susceptibility with a vertical magnetic lineation. The magnetic susceptibility carrier is Fe-rich dolomite. These features are probably acquired during metasomatic fluid circulations. In Fe-rich dolomite host rock, ‹c› axes are vertical. As a rule, (0001) planes (i.e. planes perpendicular to ‹c› axes) are isotropic with respect to crystallographic properties. So, the magnetic anisotropy measured in this plane should reflect crystallographic modification due to fluid circulation. This is confirmed by the texture observed using the SEM. Consequently, AMS results show a dominant NE–SW elongation interpreted as the global circulation direction and a NW–SE secondary elongation that we have considered as sinuosities of the fluid trajectory. The second type of magnetic fabric is essentially observed in the limestone and characterized by an oblate form of the ellipsoid of magnetic susceptibility, a horizontal magnetic foliation and mixed magnetic susceptibility carriers. It is interpreted as a sedimentary fabric. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to better define the dependence of the mineral texture on flow, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and microscopic observations have been performed on calcite-rich precipitations occurring in a horizontal pipe where the flow direction is clearly defined. A total of 65 cubes were cut from five slices, magnetic studies identified-pseudo-single domain magnetite as the major AMS carrier. Horizontal foliation characterizes the magnetic fabrics and the lineation is parallel to the pipe axis, that is, the flow direction. The origin of this lineation is discussed and is interpreted to be mainly the consequence of elongated pseudo-single domain magnetite. To complete the magnetic fabric studies, shape preferred orientation statistics were performed on 563 calcite sections in the (0001) calcite plane. It shows elongated shapes with a general orientation parallel to the pipe axis. The mean shape orientation is the average of two distinct subpopulations that deviated slightly from the pipe axis. Observation on calcite shapes and the direction of the magnetic lineation are coherent, suggesting that it is possible to track hydrothermal palaeocirculation using magnetic lineation and petrographic fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The magnetite fabrics measured by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and by shape preferred orientation (SPO) optical methods are classically used as flow kinematics indicators in lava flows. The development of magnetite fabrics during simple shear strains γ≤20 was performed using a suspension of 1% volume fraction of multidomain magnetite randomly contained in a mixture of silicone and wax. We measured AMS fabric and SPO ellipsoids by calculating a quadratic shape tensor from oriented thin-sections. For γ <8, fabrics obey to the theoretical model of rotation of Jeffery (1922). Fabrics are usable to determine the flow kinematics, including the amount of applied finite strain. For γ >8, fabric elements, foliation and lineation, are stabilised closely parallel to the flow plane and the shear direction, respectively. Two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations using measured aspect ratios of magnetite point out that the large scattering of aspect ratios and the initial orientation distribution of particles are together responsible for a wide-ranging loss of periodicity. The stable AMS and SPO fabrics observed at large strains in experiments are the result of these primary fabric properties combined to collisions between particles and, possibly, their complex three-dimensional shapes. In addition, the constant angular relationship observed at large strains between fabrics and flow components is related to the transient collisions. Consequently, the determination of the lava flow kinematics by using fabric properties measured either by AMS or by SPO analyses should be indubitably associated to a detailed study of the three-dimensional shape of the solid carriers. Regularly shaped populations of low elongated particles will be capable to produce cyclic to oscillating fabrics, while the fabric of elongated particles will be more sensitive to the shape parameters and collisions, ultimately favouring stable fabrics at large strains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]