Master of Science / Department of Geology / Brice LaCroix / The Los Burros mining district (LBMD) is located within the Lucia subterrane (Underwood et al., 1995) along the Sur- San Gregorio-San Simeon-Hosgri fault system of California’s Franciscan complex. The LBMD presented an attractive gold prospecting and mining area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recent interest in the area has focused on fault-offset modelling through thermochronology (Underwood et al., 1995, Chapman et al., 2016). However, the mechanism, conditions, and timing of ore formation in the area are poorly constrained due to a lack of academic interest and documentation. This research seeks to arrive at a better understanding of gold emplacement mechanisms in the LBMD through an examination of lithologic and structural controls coupled with source fluid composition and peak P/T constraints. Sampling and mapping of lithologies and structures within the vicinity of the LBMD were conducted during the summer of 2016. Samples were collected for clay-fraction and bulk-rock mineralogy via XRD analyses, petrographic inspection and interpretation, including fluid inclusion microscopy/microthermometry as well as Raman spectroscopy. These analyses were conducted in an endeavor to constrain and explain a previously identified regional thermal anomaly within the vicinity of the LBMD with the intention of characterizing and modelling the impacts of structural controls on gold deposition. The results of this study suggest gold deposition from a gas-poor, metamorphic source-fluid with approximately 300 ppm CH₄, CO₂ density of 0.15 g/cm³, and an average salinity of 1.7 wt % NaCl equivalent. These data, along with peak P/T conditions of ~285°C and 680 bars were inferred using input from illite crystallinity data, fluid inclusion microthermometry, and the application of the Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM) geothermometer used by Lahfid et al. Gold mobilization from sulfide and carbonaceous-rich sediments through polyphase deformation events led to emplacement along structural and lithologic contacts likely as a syn-orogenic event. Gold emplacement occurred during the reorientation of the regional structure by transpression.

Stone stripes are linear accumulations of rock debris separated by finer material and oriented down the steepest available slope. In north central Oregon, the stone stripes are composed of basalt fragments and occur where the soil mantle averages less than 1 m in depth. They are best developed in areas of higher elevation, usually from about 900 to 1100 m, and are most prominent on convex to straight slopes of 15 to 30 degrees. The stripes vary from a few meters to over 150 in length, and their widths range from 0.3 to over 3 m. The depth of the stone stripes ranges from 20 to over 65 cm. Morphological investigations of stone stripes in north central Oregon reveal that: (1) surface rock orientation is not very strongly related to slope direction or gradient; (2) stripe depth does not seem to be connected to width of the stripe nor to position on the slope; (3) vertical sorting occurs in a rock size ratio of about 5:3:2 from surface, to middle, to base; (4) the introduction of cattle has resulted in considerable stripe modification; and (5) vegetation encroachment and infilling with soil are stabilizing the stripes from the edges inward. The stone stripes found throughout north central Oregon are of such a size and magnitude that they cannot be adequately explained by geomorphic processes currently operating in the region. Although these processes are sufficient to cause some stripe movement and modification, the initial striped patterns were probably developed under periglacial conditions during the cooler, moister phases of the Quaternary. Evidence which lends credence to a cold climate origin for these stone stripes includes: (1) other forms of patterned ground, i.e." sorted circles, nets, and polygons; (2) soil mounds; (3) talus slopes; (4) terracettes; (5) convex slopes; and (6) stripe stabilization through vegetation encroachment, soil infilling, and heavy lichen growth.

Geothermal energy potential depends on locating highly porous and permeable zones that support fluid flow to extract heat. Hot springs in the playa of Surprise Valley, CA are distributed along gaps and bends in magnetic anomalies interpreted as sub-cropping mafic dikes (Glen et al., 2013). In addition to these dikes in the Valley Playa, dikes outcrop in the Hays Canyon Range (HCR) that defines the eastern margin of the valley. Dikes in the HCR have two distinct attitudes (1) N-S striking dikes (~180) that dip 60oW, and (2) NNW-SSE striking dikes (~330) that dip 85oE. Both attitudes are spatially associated with locally high fracture density and minor hydrothermal alteration that may have formed from dike emplacement. This study tests whether the distribution of hot springs can be explained by elastic distortions around an array of opening dikes that promotes localized dilation to support a network of open secondary structures focusing fluid flow to supply the hot springs. This is done through two mechanical model experiments which use boundary elements in an elastic half-space. The first model is a sensitivity study investigating the role of dike dimensions and position in the density stratigraphy on their opening. Field analysis constrains the strike-length, thickness, and the upper tip position of dikes, although height is unknown. The model reproduced the mapped dike-length (4000 m) and thickness (2.0 m) with a dike-height of 60000m and a magma density of 2500 kg/m3 which is consistent with mafic dikes. The second model applies the dike dimensions and calculates the resulting stress state and fracture potential around an array of dikes conforming to both attitudes of the dike array mapped magnetic anomalies and informed by from field results of dike orientation in the Hays Canyon Range. Simulations of the N-S trend predict regions of enhanced Coulomb stress and tension that promote fracture formation and opening near dike tips where segments are isolated and where two closely spaced dike segments underlap. Conversely, compression is enhanced along the dike walls and where the segments closely overlap. The NNW-SSE trending array of dikes predict increased Coulomb stress and tension at similar locations in the array, but with more extreme values. Thus, the NNW-SSE dike array geometry better matches areas of enhanced fracturing with locations with active hot springs (as well as regions of enhanced compression with their absence) than the geometry of the N-S dike array. / Geology / Accompanied by 3 *.M files: 1)Sawyer_temple_0225M_171/WORKFLOW_p3dResults_Sensitivity_positionbc_interrogation_3d_NCD.m 2)Sawyer_temple_0225M_171/WORKFLOW_p3dResults_Sensitivity_positionbc_figures.m 3)Sawyer_temple_0225M_171/WORKFLOW_p3d_SV_toy_dikes_Sensitivity_positionbc.m

Epithermal vein and carbonate replacement deposits in Cunningham Gulch are located within the western San Juan Tertiary volcanic field in southwestern Colorado. The Pride of the West epithermal vein system is hosted within the intracaldera facies of the Sapinero Mesa Tuff, a voluminous ash-flow tuff that erupted from and resulted in the formation of the San Juan Caldera at 28 mybp. The Pride of the West vein system is developed along a radial fracture formed during resurgence of the San Juan Caldera prior to eruption of the Crystal Lake Tuff (27.5 mybp). This eruption led to the concomitant collapse of the Silverton Caldera, nested within the larger San Juan Caldera. The Pride of the West, Osceola, and Little Fanny mines are positioned near the intersection of the Pride radial fracture system and the buried structural margin of the San Juan Caldera, suggesting that ore concentration was controlled by this structural setting. Large limestone blocks of the Mississippian Leadville Formation are incorporated into the intracaldera fill volcanics in the mine area. These blocks appear to have been engulfed within mudflow breccias of the Tertiary San Juan Formation (32.1 mybp). They were then emplaced in their present structural position within a caldera-collapse breccia which caved from the oversteepened margin of the San Juan Caldera. Regional propylitic alteration of the hosting volcanics to a chlorite-calcite-pyrite assemblage preceded vein-associated alteration and mineralization. The veins are enveloped by a narrow phyllic alteration assemblage of quartz, sericite, illite, kaolinite, and pyrite. The veins are comprised of sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, hematite, magnetite, quartz, pyroxmangite, calcite, and minor barite. Substantial bodies of replacement ore are present where the vein structures intersect the limestone blocks; the mineral assemblages of the replacement deposits are identical to those of the feeding vein structures. Commonly, replacement textures are spectacular concentrations, especially the "zebra ore" which primarily consists of regularly spaced, alternating bands of sulfides and quartz. These "zebra" laminations are stratigraphically controlled and appear to represent replacement of a depositional or diagenetic fabric. Main ore-stage mineralization began with widespread deposition of quartz with or without pyrite, followed by sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and galena. Post ore-stage brecciation and silicification events are evident and were followed by deposition of calcite and minor barite during the waning stages of the hydrothermal system. The distributions of Fe, Mn, Pb, and Ca suggest a lateral component of fluid flow from northwest the southeast, away from the structural margin of the Silverton Caldera. Fluid inclusion data from both vein and replacement-type sphalerite and quartz indicate that mineral deposition occurred over a range of 200 to 312°C (mean 243°C) from solutions containing 1 to 5% total salts. The high base metal to precious metal content of the ore, the phyllic alteration assemblage, and the temperature and composition of the ore-forming fluid indicate that the mine workings are within the lower portion of a fossil geothermal system. / text

M.Sc. / This study has served to expand the geological map of surroundings of the Venetia Mine (Limpopo Province, South Africa) incorporating the area lying south of the kimberlite deposit and bounded in the south by the Dowe-Tokwe fault. The most significant structural conclusion stemming from this mapping project is that the Venetia Synform seems to be tectonically separate from the surrounding area and actually forms a klippe (shallowly dipping thrust) against the Krone Metamorphic terrane and the Gotha Complex. Petrographic descriptions of quartzofeldspathic lithologies found in the Krone Metamorphic Terrane to the west of the Venetia klippe (Mellonig, 2004) are identical suggesting that they belong to the Gotha igneous complex. There are no differences in geochemical compositions of monzogranite to granodiorite, tonalite and quartz diorite from Farms Gotha and Venetia. The rocks are I-type granitoids that generally form in continental magmatic arcs. The amount of U and Th in the igneous rocks of the Farms Gotha and Venetia (contained in minerals found within quartz, plagioclase, amphibole and K-feldspar crystal boundaries and the magmatic zircons of the Farm Gotha samples) and the pattern produced by heat producing elements (Council for Geoscience Radiogenic Map), indicate that that the unexpectedly high concentration of these elements are not the result of regional metamorphism, but is the remnant of the final crystallisation phase of the magma of the area. REE plots of the Venetia Mine samples show negative Eu anomalies, indicating the presence of plagioclase and K-feldspar in the magma source of the Venetia mine samples. The assumption is, that most samples retained their original chemical compositions having experienced only weak deuteric alteration and no dynamic metamorphism.

Orientador: Marcos Aurélio Farias de Oliveira / Banca: José de Araújo Nogueira Neto / Banca: Francisco de Assis Negri / Banca: Antenor Zanardo / Banca: Antonio Carlos Artur / Resumo: O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados de estudos petrográficos, geoquímicos, isotópicos e geotermobarométricos em rochas granulíticas, obtidos na região de Arceburgo - Santa Cruz da Prata (MG), dentro da Faixa Brasília e mais especificamente do Complexo Guaxupé. A geologia da área inclui metassedimentos representados por quartzitos foliados e rochas com intercalações de quartzo detrítico, associados a tipos da suíte charnockítica (charnockitos e alaskitos, charnockitos, álcali feldspato charnockito, granada gnaisse charnockito, enderbitos) além de granulitos tonalitos (máficos), biotita gnaisse com granada e biotita muscovita gnaisse. Essas rochas constituem faixas alongadas segundo a direção N600W, com ângulo de mergulho pequeno que varia entre 25 e 400, em média, para SW. As texturas predominantes são do tipo granoblástica ou mais freqüentemente blastomiloníticas, com quartzo e feldspato muito deformados e porfiroclastos de feldspato pertítico muito comuns, formando sigmóides. Os minerais essenciais são: feldspato potássico pertítico (mesopertita), plagioclásio (oligoclásio-andesina), hiperstênio, diopsídio, hornblenda marrom e biotita vermelha. A granada é observada apenas em litotipos como granada gnaisse charnockito, granulito tonalito (máfico) e biotita gnaisse com granada, localizados próximo a Zona de Cisalhamento Varginha. Diagramas ETRs e multielementos possibilitou a divisão das amostras em dois grupos geoquímicos que correspondem a duas assinaturas geoquímicas (crosta superior e crosta inferior) que podem ser interpretadas como conseqüência da geração e evolução dessas rochas em períodos e ambientes crustais de características distintas. Diagramas de classificação sugerem que a evolução do conjunto granulítico se deu partindo de composições mais... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This paper shows the results of petrographic studies, geochemical, and isotopic Geothermobarometry rocks in granulites, conducted in the region of Arceburgo - Santa Cruz de la Plata (MG), in the Brasilia Belt and more specifically the complex Guaxupé. The geology includes metasediments represented by quartzite and foliated rocks with intercalations of detrital quartz associated with types of the suite charnockites (charnockites e alaskites, charnockites, alkali feldspar charnockites, garnet gneiss, charnockites, enderbitos) as well as mafic tonalities granulites, biotite gneiss with garnet and biotite muscovite gneiss. These rocks are tracks elongated along the direction N600W, with small dip angle of between 25 and 40, on average, to SW. The textures are the predominant type granoblastic blastomiloníticas or more frequently, with quartz and feldspar and very deformed porfiroclastos feldspar perthite very common, forming sigmoid. The essential minerals are:feldspar perthite (mesopertita), plagioclase (oligoclase-andesite), hypersthene, diopside, hornblende and biotite red brown. The garnet is observed only in lithotypes charnockites and garnet gneiss, garnet enderbito gneiss and biotite gneiss with garnet, located near Varginha Shear Zone. ETRs and multi-element diagrams enabled the division of samples into two geochemical groups that correspond to two geochemical signatures (the upper crust and lower crust) can be interpreted as a consequence of the generation and evolution of rocks in crustal environments and periods with different characteristics. Classification diagrams suggest that the evolution of all Granulitic occurred starting with more basic compositions reaching acid compositions, probably due to processes Anatexia which points to the protolith rocks of basic composition... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

OpenStereo foi desenvolvido originalmente para preencher uma lacuna entre aplicativos de anáalise para geologia estrutural, como um software livre, gratuito e multi-plataforma. Ao longo dos anos ele adquiriu um grande núumero de usuários, com citações regulares. Este trabalho objetivou a reestruturação do OpenStereo como um todo, mudando-o para uma nova estrutura de interface gráfica e construíndo-o do zero visando desempenho, estabilidade e facilidade de manutenção e extensão. Diversas novas funcionalidades foram incluídas tais como projetos, conversão de notação de atitudes, ajuste de pequenos círculos, extração de atitudes de modelos tridimensionais e conversão de shapefiles de linhas para dados circulares. A pesquisa gerou dois subprodutos principais: um novo método gráfico para ajuste de pequenos círculos e a biblioteca de análise de dados estruturais Auttitude. / OpenStereo was originally developed to fill a gap among software packages for structural geology analysis, as a free open source cross-platform software. Over the years it has acquired a great number of users, with regular citations. This work aimed to restructure OpenStereo as a whole, changing to a new graphical interface framework and building it from the ground up for speed, stability, ease of maintenance and extension. Many new functionalities were also included, such as project management, structural attitudes notation handling, small circle fitting, extractions of attitudes from three-dimensional models and conversion of lines shapefiles to circular data. The research involved had two main byproducts, a new graphical method for small circle data fitting and a directional data analysis library, Auttitude.

Orientador: Norberto Morales / Banca: Antonio Roberto Saad / Banca: Maurício da Silva Borges / Neste trabalho é apresentado um estudo das relações existentes entre a ocorrência de depósitos sedimentares nos arredores de Jundiaí (SP) e o papel das falhas e fraturas na sua formação, deformação e preservação, objetivando a investigação de alguns eventos sucedidos na evolução cenozóica da região. Os métodos utilizados envolvem a extração de informações de bases cartográfkas, de fotografias aéreas e imagem de satélite; a obtenção de informações litoestratigrâficas para interpretações paleoambientais e a coleta de dados estruturais para o estudo do controle estrutural sobre os depósitos sedimentares, sobre a morfologia do terreno e para o cálculo de tensores. O embasamento pré-cambriano é composto basicamente por gnaisses com grau variável de migmatização e intercalações de quartzitos, xistos, anfibolitos, gonditos e metaultrabasitos incluídos no Complexo Amparo ou Itapira e, de forma mais restrita, filitos pertencentes ao Grupo São Roque. Intrusões granitóides são bastante comuns na regiao, predominando, na área, o Complexo Grauitóide Itu. Recobrindo o embasamento, aparecem depósitos paleozóicos correlacionados com o Grupo ttarai-é, constituídos por diamictitos, folhelhos, ritmitos, argilitos e siltitos. Estas rochas fonnam corpos isolados, embutidos no embasamento cristalino por falhas normais. Depósitos terciários, compostos por diamictitos, conglomerados, arenitos e argilitos também ocorrem sob a forma de corpos isolados, preservados pela presença de niveis conglomeráticos basais, mais resistentes à erosão, ou devido a falhamentos que ocasionaram abatimento e basculamento de blocos. São definidas nove fácies sedimentares formando associações que sugerem a existência de um antigo sistema de leques aluviais, sob clima semi-árido, cem área fonte na Sena do Japi...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / AbstraThe existing relations between sedimentary deposits of the Jundiaí (SP) region and the role of faults and fractures in their formation, deformation and preservation are examined, with the aim to investigate the Cenozoic events which occurred in the region. The applied methodology includes cartographic information for examining terrain morphoogy accompanied to interpretation of aerial photographs and satellite imagery; lithostigraphic data for interpreting paleoenvironments and structural data for interpreting the structural control of sedimentary deposits, and tensor caiculations. The Precambrian basement of the area is composed of gneisses with variable degrees of migmatization as well as interlayers of quarzites, schists, amphibolites, gondites and metaultrabasics rocks included in the Amparo (or Itapira) Complex and, in a more restricted form, phyllites belonging to the São Roque Group. Granitic rocks are very common in the region, predominating the intrusions of the Itu Complex. Paleozoic deposits cover the basement, which are correlated with the Itararé Group, constituted by diamictites, shales, rhythmites, mudstones and siltstones. These rocks form isolated bodies embedded in to the crystalline basement by normal faults. Tertiary deposits, comprised of diamictites, conglomerates, sandstones and mudstones also occur in the form of isolated relicts, preserved by the presence of levels of basal conglomerates, more erosion resistant, or due to faulting which produced tilting and subsidence of the blocks. Nine sedimentary facies are defined forming associations that suggest the existence of an ancient system of allluvial fans deriving from the Japi Range, under semi-arid climate. The colluvionary deposits comprise a covering formed by unconsolidated material, and consist of basal stone lines recovered by sandy and clayish sediments with disperse quartz millimetric angular grains...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

No description available.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.