Effets de la charge des édifices volcaniques sur la propagation de structures régionales compressives : exemples naturels et modèles expérimentaux

Nous présentons ici des exemples naturels d'édifices volcaniques coniques reposant sur un substratum fragile, soumis à une compression régionale ainsi que des résultats expérimentaux. Nous montrons que la charge de l'édifice induit une perturbation de la déformation régionale se traduisant par une déflexion et une horizontalisation des structures compressives régionales. Le contrôle tectonique est de nature topographique. Nous discutons ensuite certaines conséquences, en particulier concernant l'étalement gravitaire des volcans. We present natural examples and experimental models of volcanic cones located above brittle substratum undergoing regional compressive deformation. The volcanic loading induces a strain partitioning involving deflection and flattening of regional compressive structures. The main control is the topographic load. Anticlinal thrust ridges, observed around many volcanoes, have generally been interpreted as being due to gravitational spreading; however, this study shows that this is not necessarily the case, as they can also be a symptom of regional compression

Numerical investigation of transient hydrothermal processes around intrusions: heat-transfer and fluid-circulation controlled mineralization patterns.

International audienceNew insights on the circulation of fluids around magmatic intrusions have been obtained through coupled hydrothermal numerical modelling that takes into account i) a continuous variation of permeability with depth, ii) the period of intrusion emplacement, iii) the physical likelihood of ore deposition using a restricted rock alteration index, and iv) the so-far unexplored pluton floor, and then comparing the results against well-constrained natural cases showing different emplacement depths, high permeability zones (cracked thermal aureoles), faults and plutonic apexes. We show that emplacement depth is a key physical parameter controlling the extent and geometries of advective heat dissipation zones, and that shallow apexes strongly modify the fluid-flow pattern by acting as a focus for convective fluids and mineralization zones. We also show that the cooling phase is not the main convective phase for large plutons commonly associated with long-lived magma emplacement; major advective heat dissipation and mineral deposition zones may also develop before and during the hottest phase of the emplacement, i.e. before magma crystallization. The comparison with natural cases shows that we successfully reproduce, in space and time, the physical conditions required for mineral deposition. In particular, extensional detachment is able to restrain and modify classical fluid-flow patterns induced by coeval intrusion. Finally, even though lacking chemical arguments, we conclude that convection induced by granite emplacement plays a major role in the genesis of granite-related Au deposits. Moreover, the formation of this type of deposit is favoured and controlled by the presence of a fractured thermal aureole around the intrusion

Mode of formation of gold-bearing mineralization on top of the boboras (Galicia, Spain) - The combined role of mechanical instabilities, strain localization and vein formation.

International audienceThe Galician Hercynian segment constitutes the core of the Ibero-Armorican orogenic arc, characterized by few tectonic units that record three main phases of deformation (D1 to D3). Four generations of granite, syn- to post-D3 intruded the major tectonic units. From older to younger, we find: i) syn-kinematic biotite-rich granodiorite (G1); ii) syn-kinematic two micas granites (G2) ; iii) biotite-dominant granites (G3) and iii) late-kinematic biotite-rich granodiorite (G4). Numerous sills, dykes and vein systems are widespread within the metasediments of the para-autochton unit. Gold-bearing quartz veins were spatially associated with G3 granites likely the Boborás intrusion, concerned by this work. The Boborás granite (G3) outcrops as a small NS-elongated elliptical intrusion. Granite is homogeneous and exhibits an equigranular texture composed of quartz, oligoclase, microcline, biotite dominant and muscovite

Mise en évidence d'une tectonique compressive Éocène-Oligocène dans l'Ouest de la Cordillère orientale de Colombie, d'après la structure en duplex des gisements d'émeraude de Muzo et de Coscuez (Evidence for an Eocene-Oligocene compressive tectonics in the western part of Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, from the duplex structure of the Muzo and Coscuez emerald deposits)

The structures of the emerald deposits of the western part of Eastern Cordillera of Colombia (thrusts, ramps, duplexes, tear faults) have been formed by three deformational events forming a single thrust-tectonics phase, synchronous with the emerald-forming hydrothermalism. As this hydrothermalism is Late Eocene-Early Oligocene in age, it is also the age of the thrust tectonics

Geochronological constraints on the magmatic and hydrothermal evolution of the tras-os-montes hercynian domain (Galica, Spain) : position of the AU, SN-W mineralizing events.

International audienceThe study area is located in the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zone (GTMZ zone, Arenas et al. 1986, Fig. 1), that belongs to the internal zone of the Hercynian belt and is composed of a relative autochthonous and parautochthonous units overthrusted by allochthonous complexes (Ribeiro et al. 1990). This domain of Palaeozoic schists is affected by a low to high temperature – medium pressure metamorphism. These rocks exhibit a well-developed regional schistosity related to nappes emplacement (D1 and D2 events) and are affected by NS-trending crenulation lineation and folds (D3 event) The late D3 event is characterized by a high-temperature metamorphism leading to development of local migmatite. Both parautochthonous and allochthonous units are intruded by syn- and post-kinematic plutons. Four generations of granites (G1 to G4) are identified by their textural and geochemical characteristics and by crosscutting relationships. Gold deposits are spatially associated with the G3 granites whereas Sn-W deposits are represented, in the study area, by disseminated and vein-type mineralization spatially close to the G2 granites (fig. 1)

Metal mobility during hydrothermal breakdown of Fe-Ti oxides : insights from Sb-Au mineralizing event (Variscan Armorican Massif, France)

Hydrothermal alteration related to Sb-Au mineralization is widespread in the Variscan Armorican Massif, but mineral replacement reactions are not well characterized, in particular the hydrothermal breakdown of ilmenite-titanohematite. Based on petrography, electron probe micro-analyzer and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer analyses, we document mineralogical change at rock- and mineral-scale and the redistribution of Sb and others trace elements during the recrystallization of ilmenite-titanohematite to hydrothermal rutile. Hydrothermal alteration is mainly potassic with associated carbonation. The replacement mechanism is interpreted to be an interface-coupled dissolution-reprecipitation process. Results show that Mn, Zn, Co, Ni, Sn, Mo and U are released during hydrothermal alteration, whereas Sb and W are incorporated in newly-formed hydrothermal rutile from the hydrothermal fluid. Furthermore, the concentration of Sb evolves through time suggesting a change in fluid composition likely related to an enrichment of fluid in Sb during rutile crystallization. Considering that Fe-Ti oxides breakdown during hydrothermal alteration is common within epithermal and mesothermal/orogenic Au-Sb mineralizing systems, results report in this study yield important constraints about metal mobility and exchanges in hydrothermal gold systems

Nb-Ta fractionation in peraluminous granites: A marker of the magmatic-hydrothermal transition: REPLY

International audienceWe thank A. Stepanov and co-authors (Stepanov et al., 2016) forgiving us the opportunity to clarify some important points made in ouroriginal manuscript (Ballouard et al., 2016) and to discuss the issuesraised in their Comment. In Ballouard et al. (2016), we propose that thedecrease of the Nb/Ta ratios to <~5 in peraluminous granites “is theconsequence of both fractional crystallization and sub-solidus hydrothermalalteration,” an interpretation challenged by Stepanov et al. (2016)who argue that low Nb/Ta ratios in peraluminous granites are betterexplained by magmatic fractionation and that the role of magmatichydrothermalprocesses is not significant

Palaeozoic oolitic ironstone of the French Armorican Massif: a chemical and structural trap for orogenic base metal-As-Sb-Au mineralization during Hercynian strike-slip deformation.

In the Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux quarry (Armorican Hercynian belt, western France), an epigenetic hydrothermal alteration affects an oolitic ironstone layer intercalated within the Lower Ordovician Grès armoricain Formation. The hydrothermal overprint produced pervasive and massive sulphidation with stratoid pyritized lenticular bodies within the oolitic ironstone layer. These sulphide lenses are spatially associated with strike-slip faults and extend laterally from them. Following the massive sulphidation stage (Fe-As, stage 1), subsequent fracturing allowed the deposition of base metals (stage 2) and Pb-Sb-Au (stage 3) parageneses in veins. The dominant brittle structures are vertical extension veins, conjugate shear veins and strike-slip faults of various orders. All these structures are filled with the same paragenetic sequence. Deformation analysis allows the identification of structures that developed incrementally via right lateral simple shear compatible with bulk strain affecting the Central Armorican Domain. Each increment corresponds to a fracture set filled with specific parageneses. Successive hydrothermal pulses reflect clockwise rotation of the horizontal shortening direction. Geothermometry on chlorite and arsenopyrite shows an input of hot hydrothermal fluids (maximum of 390-350°C) during the main sulphide stage 1. The subsequent stages present a marked temperature drop (300-275°C). Lead isotopes suggest that the lead source is similar for all hydrothermal stages and corresponds to the underlying Neo-proterozoic basement. Lead isotope data, relative ages of deformation and comparison with neighbouring deposits suggest large-scale fluid pulses occurred during the whole Hercynian orogeny rather than pulses restricted to the late Hercynian period. The vicinity of the Hercynian internal domain appears as a key-control for deformation and fluid flow in the oolitic ironstones which acted as a chemical and structural trap for the hydrothermal fluids. The epigenetic mineralization of Saint-Aubin-des-Châteaux appears to be very similar to epigenetic sulphidation described in BIF-hosted gold deposits

Internal structures and dating of non-sulphide Zn deposits 5 using rock magnetism: insights from the Moroccan High Atlas

International audienceThe renewal of interest in Zn-Pb non-sulphide ores has been induced by mineral processing improvement and leads to new exploration and mining projects in the world. Although the mineralogy is often precisely known, and despite several studies linking ore deposition to regional tectonics, absolute dating of non-sulphide stages is rare and structure of ore bodies was largely disregarded. Geochronological data from non-sulphide ores are essential to timely constrain alteration episodes and to insert supergene ore genesis in the climate and tectonic evolution of the metallogenic province. The access to internal organization of ore could reveal post-mineralization episodes related to supergene evolution. Thus, a rock magnetism study combining anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and palaeomagnetism was performed on four non-sulphide deposits from the Moroccan High Atlas. AMS generally shows similar horizontal magnetic fabrics for ores and the clayey and carbonaceous internal sediments filling karstic cavities. The palaeomagnetic directions of ores and internal sediments are compatible, and the calculated poles are consistent with the last 30 Ma of the Africa apparent polar wander path, with an upper age at 0.78 Ma. The proposed three-step scenario is placed within the evolution of the Moroccan High Atlas belt. Deposition of primary sulphides is contemporaneous with opening of the Tethyan and Atlantic oceans. During the Tertiary, intracontinental deformation gave rise to the High Atlas fold-and-thrust belt and to regional uplift. Finally, Zn-Pb sulphides hosted in carbonates experienced oxidation under an arid climate to form karst-related Zn-Pb non-sulphide ores. These promising results pave the way for an efficient method to constrain the internal fabrics and age of Zn supergene deposits

Late-Hercynian Intrusion-related gold deposits: an integrated model on the Tighza polymetallic district, central Morocco

International audienceLate-Hercynian Intrusion-related gold deposits: an integrated model on the Tighza polymetallic district, central Morocco, African Earth Sciences (2015), doi: http://dx.Gold have been recently recognized in the Tighza (formerly Jebel Aouam) district, in the Hercynian belt of central Morocco. This district has long been known for its W mineralization, as well as major Pb-Ag-Zn, and minor Sb-Ba deposits, all geographically associated with late-Hercynian calc-alkaline magmatism. Gold mineralization in the district is mainly hosted by thick W-Au quartz veins located around the “Mine granite” small granitic plug. Within the veins, gold grade is highest (up to 70 g/t) close to the granite but rapidly decreases going outward from the granite, defining a perigranitic zoning. Anomalous gold grades have also been measured in hydrothermal skarn layers close to two other granitic plugs (Kaolin granite and Mispickel granite), associated with disseminated As-Fe sulfides. The paragenetic sequence for the W-Au quartz veins shows three stages: 1) an early oxidized stage with wolframite-scheelite associated with early quartz (Q1), 2) an intermediate Bi-As-Te-Mo-Au sulfide stage with loellingite, bismuth minerals and native gold with a later quartz (Q2), restricted to a narrow distance from the granite, and 3) a late lower temperature As-Cu-Zn–(Pb) stage with abundant massive pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite and sphalerite, locally forming independent veins (“pyrrhotite vein”). Both Q1 hyaline and Q2 saccharoidal gold-bearing quartz display aqua-carbonic fluids with minor H2S and Cu and an homogeneous composition (81 mole% H2O, 18 mole% CO2 and about 1 mole% NaCl). The trapping pressure is estimated to 1.5 to 2 kbar with temperature ranging from 300° to 350°C. Q1 inclusions have exploded indicating an uplift of the Tighza block, that lead to saccharoidal Q2 quartz deposition with multiphase NaCl-saturated fluid inclusions. 40Ar/39Ar dating demonstrates that the “Mine granite”, tungsten skarnoid, scheelite-molybdenite veins, and very likely gold-bearing veins are coeval, emplaced at 286 ± 1 Ma. Multiple and widespread metal sources are indicated by radiogenic isotope studies. Nd and Sr isotope compositions of scheelite and granites suggest the participation of a juvenile component while lead isotopes demonstrate a major participation of the basement.Both gold mineralization and zoning suggest that the system developed at the end of the magmatic activity, accompanying a major transition in magmatic fluid composition. The morphology of the gold-bearing mineralization is dependent of the permeability and the reactivity of host-rocks: focus circulation of fluids through pre-existing tectonic corridors, reactivated by late-Hercynian intrusions favor the formation of large W-type gold veins, while infiltration of fluid within reactive stratigraphic layers gives rise to skarn mineralization. A 40Ar/39Ar date (W1 north vein: 291.8 ± 0.3 Ma) indicates that hydrothermal circulation predates gold and tungsten deposition in open fractures as well as Mine granite emplacement.The W-Au mineralization preceded the onset of a large convective hydrothermal cell around the intrusion that led to the formation of the Pb-Ag-Zn mined veins. The Tighza polymetallic district displays numerous similarities with the R-IRG model that was defined in the American Cordillera, such as thermal and zonation patterns, carbonic hydrothermal fluids and chronology of intrusion and related deposits, but also provides new insight to the R-IRG model such as wide Au-quartz veins instead of sheeted Au-veins, oxidation state of the magma, and Sr-Nd isotopic data. These results establish a major magmatic contribution and discard a direct genetic relationship between gold mineralization and major neighboring Pb-Ag-Zn veins. A large number of classic Pb-Zn district of the Western Hercynides belong to the same clan