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Mineralogy and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Epithermal Vein System at the Motrabad Prospect, NE Iran

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc., Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Geololgy, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan Unversity, Gorgan, Iran

3 M.Sc., Geological Survey of Iran, Northeast Territory, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

The Motrabad vein system is located 30 Km southwest of Bajestan in the northern part of the Lut Block. The vein host rocks consist of intermediate to silicic volcanic rocks. The mineralization occurs as irregular veins, veinlets and hydrothermal breccias. Based on field geology and textural evidences four types of quartz veins (A, B, C and D) were identified. Hydrothermal alteration is developed around the veins and tends to be more intense in the vicinity of the veins. Hydrothermal alteration consists of silicic, sericitic, propylitic and argilic assemblages. The plot of the Ishikawa alteration index (AI) Vs. chlorite-carbonate-pyrite index (CCPI), known as alteration box plot, display the main alteration trends. The hydrothermal alteration assemblage of quartz, adularia, chlorite, illite, calcite, and pyrite that envelopes the Motrabad vein system formed from the upwelling of near-neutral to weakly alkaline chloride waters. The mineralogic, alteration and geochemical characteristics of the studied area and their comparison with epithermal ore deposits represent an epithermal system of the low-sulfidation type.
 

Keywords

References
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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 22, Issue 88
December 2013
Pages 155-164
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