Massive sulfide deposits in the Noranda mining camp, northwestern Québec, are mainly associated with extensive footwall alteration defined by intense chloritization and sericitization. However, Fe-carbonate alteration also occurs in proximity to some deposits. To test the exploration significance of carbonate alteration in the camp, two areas of intense carbonate alteration were examined, around the small Delbridge deposit and near the new Pinkos occurrence in the Cyprus Rhyolite. Between 1969 and 1971, the Delbridge deposit produced 370,000 t of ore grading 9.6% Zn, 0.61% Cu, 110 g/t Ag, and 2.1 g/t Au. Recent drilling at the new Pinkos occurrence intersected 2.64 m of massive to semi-massive sulfides grading 8.1% Zn and 18.2 g/t Ag. Alteration mapping has shown that the distribution of Fe-carbonates can be used to identify vertically extensive zones of hydrothermal upflow at both properties. At Delbridge, intense Fe-carbonate alteration in brecciated rhyolite defines a pipe-like upflow zone that extends vertically for up to 300 m within the stratigraphic footwall of the massive sulfides and 100 m into the hanging wall. The location of known massive sulfide mineralization coincides with the intersection of the alteration pipe and a favorable horizon marked by the occurrence of fine-grained volcaniclastic rocks. At Pinkos, a similar zone of Fe-carbonate alteration occurs in outcrops of coherent rhyolite. Fe-carbonate alteration is most intensely developed along polygonal cooling fractures in massive rhyolite and decreases in intensity towards the centers of the columns. Fe-carbonate stringers and locally abundant matrix carbonate occur in fragmental rocks at the stratigraphic top of the coherent rhyolite flows and are most intense at the location of sulfide-bearing outcrops that mark the known mineralized horizon. Whereas Fe-carbonate alteration defines the central part of the hydrothermal upflow zones at both properties, disseminated pyrite occurs at the margins and is widespread outside the main upflow zones. This may indicate that Fe-carbonate in the main upflow zones formed at the expense of earlier disseminated sulfides. Replacement of pyrite by synvolcanic Fe-carbonate alteration at Delbridge and Pinkos can probably be attributed to a relatively high concentration of dissolved CO2, possibly of magmatic origin, in the main-stage ore-forming fluids.

The sheeted complex of the ~92 Ma Tenpeak pluton, in the Northern Washington Cascades crystalline core, forms a <1.5-km wide zone with a moderate, NE-dip at the SW margin of the pluton. Sheeted magmatic complexes, such as the one in the Tenpeak pluton, are common in plutons and represent examples of incremental growth of plutons. Though it is widely accepted that plutons are constructed incrementally over prolonged timescales of several million years, it is not clear if and to what degree individual batches of magma interact, the timing and size of each magma pulse, and the role, timing, and location of magmatic differentiation. This project uses a combination of field evidence, bulk rock chemistry, and mineral geochemistry to address the (1) role of magma mixing and fractionation, (2) constraints on the relative timing of magma differentiation, (3) diversity of mixing styles preserved, and (4) physical properties that dictate how individual batches of magma interact within this sheeted complex. Rock samples were collected throughout the complex from mafic, felsic, dioritic, thinly-banded, and gradational sheets. Field evidence shows a range of sheet contacts that vary from sharp to diffuse, strong prevalence of mafic enclaves, and localized cases of mechanical mixing in which plagioclase feldspars from a felsic sheet are incorporated into a mafic sheet. In general, sheet thickness increases farther from the contact with the White River shear zone. The bulk rock and mineral chemistry suggests that the felsic magmas in sheets formed independently from the more mafic and hybridized sheets. The composition of the felsic sheets cannot be modeling by binary mixing processes involving mafic and felsic magmas or result from fractionating the most mafic magmas. However, mass-balance calculations using a linear least-squares mass balance calculation and Rayleigh fractionation models indicate that it is possible to explain the range of felsic compositions by internal, crystal fractionation driven mostly by plagioclase crystallization (~40-58%). Negative Eu anomalies in amphiboles from the felsic sheets imply that plagioclase fractionation commenced prior to the onset of amphibole crystallization. With the exception of the most primitive mafic sheet sampled, the mafic and hybridized sheets represent variable proportions of the mafic parental magma and the range of felsic differentiated magmas. Efficient mixing that resulted in these mafic to hybridized magmas must also have occurred prior to mineral growth as the mineral chemistry reflects intermediate, mixed compositions. The bulk rock and mineral chemistry of the most primitive, mafic sheet suggest that it did not mix with any felsic magmas. However there is evidence that the mafic sheet underwent plagioclase fractionation prior to emplacement. This is evident by lower bulk rock Sr/Ba relative to calculated Sr/Bamelt of plagioclase that cannot be reconciled without removing ~40-58% plagioclase. In contrast to the felsic sheets, the amphiboles from this mafic sheet lack Eu anomalies implying that amphibole crystallization occurred prior to major plagioclase fractionation. Chemical evidence reveals that magma mixing played an important role in controlling the chemical composition of individual sheets and field observations suggesting that there was a range of mixing styles. Throughout the sheeted complex, there are localized sites of mechanical mixing where plagioclase phenocrysts from adjacent felsic sheets are mechanically mixed into mafic sheets. Evidence for mechanical mixing is present across both sharp and gradational contacts. This implies varying rheological and viscosity contrasts between different sheets, though in both cases crystallinity and viscosity appears sufficiently low to allow crystals to migrate across sheet contacts. Variability in sheet thickness and contact type suggests that the physical parameters (i.e. temperature, viscosity, rheology, and magma flux) of the system continue to evolve throughout the formation of the sheeted complex. Near the White River, sheets are thin and more heterogeneous but become progressively thicker (>302 m) and more felsic in composition up-section. The composition of plagioclase and amphibole is remarkably uniform in all of the felsic sheets suggesting that each sheet formed from an array of felsic parental magmas. Thicker, felsic sheets most likely reflect hotter conditions where larger magma fluxes could be accommodated or viscosity-temperature contrasts that were low enough to allow for efficient mixing between two adjacent sheets and therefore erase sheet contacts. / Graduation Date: 2013

Volatiles are a fundamental component of the Magmatic-Hydrothermal model of platinum group element (PGE) ore deposition for PGE deposits in layered mafic intrusions such as Bushveld and Stillwater. Volatiles have the potential to complex with PGEs in silicate melts and hydrothermal fluids, increasing PGE solubility; in order to assess the models of PGE ore deposition reliable estimates on the solubilities in the various magmatic phases must be known. However, experimental studies on the solubility and partitioning behaviour of PGEs in mafic magmatic-hydrothermal systems under relevant conditions are sparse, and the data that do exist produce conflicting results and new or adapted experimental methods must be applied to investigate these systems. Experimental results are presented here, investigating the effect of volatiles (i.e. H2O, Cl and CO2) on Pt and Ir solubility in a haplobasaltic melt and fluid-melt partitioning of Pt between an aqueous fluid and a haplobasaltic melt under magmatic conditions using a sealed-capsule technique. Also included are the details of the development of a novel experimental technique to observe fluid-melt partitioning in mafic systems and application of the method to the fluid-melt partition of Pt. Solubility experiments were conducted to assess the effect of volatiles on Pt and Ir solubility in a haplobasaltic melt of dry diopside-anorthite eutectic composition at 1523K and 0.2GPa. Synthetic glass powder of an anhydrous, 1-atm eutectic, diopside-anorthite (An42-Di58) haplobasalt composition was sealed in a platinum or platinum-iridium alloy capsule and was allowed to equilibrate with the noble metal capsule and a source of volatiles (i.e. H2O, H2O-Cl or H2O-CO2) at experimental conditions. All experiments were run in an internally-heated pressure vessel equipped with a rapid quench device, with oxygen fugacity controlled by the water activity and intrinsic hydrogen fugacity of the autoclave (MnO-Mn3O4). The resultant crystal- and bubble-free run product glasses were analyzed using a combination of laser ablation ICP-MS and bulk solution isotope-dilution ICP-MS to determine equilibrium solubilities of Pt and Ir and investigate the formation and contribution of micronuggets to overall bulk determined concentrations. In water-bearing experiments, it was determined that water content did not have an intrinsic effect on Pt or Ir solubility for water contents between 0.9 wt. % and 4.4 wt. % (saturation). Water content controlled the oxygen fugacity of the experiment and the resulting variations in oxygen fugacity, and the corresponding solubilities of Pt and Ir, indicate that over geologically relevant conditions both Pt and Ir are dissolved primarily in the 2+ valence state. Pt data suggest minor influence of Pt4+ at higher oxygen fugacities; however, there is no evidence of higher valence states for Ir. The ability of the sealed capsule technique to produce micronugget-free run product glasses in water-only experiments, allowed the solubility of Pt to be determined in hydrous haplobasalt at lower oxygen fugacities (and concentrations) then was previously observed. Pt and Ir solubility can be represented as a function of oxygen fugacity (bars) by the following equations: [Pt](ppb)= 1389(fO-sub-2)+7531(fO-sub-2)^(1/2) [Ir](ppb)=17140(fO-sub-2)^(1/2) In Cl-bearing experiments, experimental products from short run duration (<96hrs) experiments contained numerous micronuggets, preventing accurate determination of platinum and iridium solubility. Longer run duration experiments showed decreasing amounts of micronuggets, allowing accurate determination of solubility; results indicate that under the conditions studied chlorine has no discernable effect on Pt solubility in the silicate melt from 0.6 to 2.75 wt. % Cl (saturation). Over the same conditions, a systematic increase in Ir solubility is found with increasing Cl content; however, the observed increase is within the analytical variation/error and is therefore not conclusive. If there is an effect of Cl on PGE solubility the effect is minor resulting in increased Ir solubilities of 60% at chlorine saturation. However, the abundance of micronuggets in short run duration experiments, which decreases in abundance with time and increases with Cl-content, offers compelling evidence that Cl-bearing fluids have the capacity to transport significant amounts of Pt and Ir under magmatic conditions. It is suggested that platinum and iridium dissolved within the Cl-bearing fluid are left behind as the fluid dissolves into the melt during the heating stages of the experiment, leaving small amounts of Pt and Ir along the former particle boundaries. With increasing run duration, the metal migrates back to the capsule walls decreasing the amount of micronuggets contained within the glass. Estimates based on this model, using mass-balance calculations on the excess amount of Pt and Ir in the run product glasses (i.e. above equilibrium solubility) in short duration experiments, indicate estimated Pt and Ir concentrations in the Cl-bearing fluid ranging from tens to a few hundred ppm, versus ppb levels in the melt. Respective apparent (equilibrium has not been established) partition coefficients (D,fluid-melt) of 1x10^3 to 4x10^3 and 300-1100 were determined for Pt and Ir in Cl-bearing fluids; suggesting that Cl-bearing fluids can be highly efficient at enriching and transporting PGE in mafic magmatic-hydrothermal ore-forming systems. Platinum solubility was also determined as a function of CO2 content in a hydrous haplobasalt at controlled oxygen fugacity. Using the same sealed capsule techniques and melt composition as for H2O and Cl, a hydrous haplobasaltic melt was allowed to equilibrate with the platinum capsule and a CO2-source (CaCO3 or silver oxalate) at 1523 K and 0.2 GPa. Experiments were conducted with a water content of approximately 1 wt. %, fixing the log oxygen fugacity (bars) between -5.3 and -6.1 (log NNO = -6.95 @ 1573 K and 0.2 GPa). Carbon dioxide contents in the run product glasses ranged from 800-2500 ppm; and over these conditions, CO2 was found to have a negligible effect on Pt solubility in the silicate melt. Analogous to the Cl-bearing experiments, bulk concentrations of Pt in CO2-bearing experiments increased with increasing CO2 content due to micronugget formation. Apparent Pt concentrations in the H2O-CO2 fluid phase, prior to fluid dissolution, were calculated to be 1.6 to 42 ppm, resulting in apparent partition coefficients(D,fluid-melt) of 1.5 x 10^2 to 4.2 x 10^3, increasing with increasing mol CO2:H2O up to approximately 0.15, after which increasing CO2 content does not further increase partitioning. As well, a novel technique was developed and applied to assess the partitioning of Pt between an aqueous fluid and a hydrous diopside-anorthite melt under magmatic conditions. Building upon the sealed-capsule technique utilized for solubility studies, a method was developed by adding a seed crystal to the capsule along with a silicate melt and fluid. By generating conditions favourable to crystal growth, and growing the crystal from the fluid, it is possible to entrap fluid inclusions in the growing crystal, allowing direct sampling of the fluid phase at the conditions of the experiment. Using a diopside seed crystal with the diopside-anorthite eutectic melt, it was possible to control diopside crystallization by controlling the temperature, thus allowing control of the crystallization and fluid inclusion entrapment conditions. Subsequent laser ablation ICP-MS analysis of the fluid inclusions allowed fluid–melt partition coefficients of Pt to be determined. Synthetic glass powder of an anhydrous, 1-atm eutectic, diopside-anorthite (An42¬Di58) haplobasalt composition (with ppm levels of Ba, Cs, Sr and Rb added as internal standards), water and a diopside seed crystal were sealed in a platinum capsule and were allowed to equilibrate at experimental conditions. Water was added in amounts to maintain a free fluid phase throughout the experiment, and the diopside crystal was separated from the melt. All experiments were run in an internally heated pressure vessel equipped with a rapid-quench device, with oxygen fugacity controlled by the water activity and intrinsic hydrogen fugacity of the autoclave (MnO-Mn3O4). Experiments were allowed to equilibrate (6-48 hrs) at experimental conditions (i.e. 1498K, 0.2 GPa, fluid+melt+diopside stable) before temperature was dropped (i.e. to 1483K) to induce crystallization. Crystals were allowed to grow for a period of 18-61 hours, prior to rapid isobaric quenching to 293K at the conclusion of the experiment. Experimental run products were a crystal- and bubble-free glass and the diopside seed crystal with a fluid-inclusion-bearing overgrowth. Analysis of fluid inclusions provides initial solubility estimates of Pt in a H2O fluid phase at 1488 K and 0.2 GPa at or near ppm levels and fluid melt partition coefficients ranging from 2 – 48. This indicates substantial metal enrichment in the fluid phase in the absence of major ligands such as carbonate or chlorine. The results of this study indicate that the volatiles studied (i.e. H2O, CO2, and Cl) do not have a significant effect on Pt and Ir solubility in a haplobasaltic melt at magmatic conditions. These results suggest that complexing of Pt and Ir by OH, Cl, and carbonate species in a haplobasaltic melt is insignificant and the presence of these volatiles will not result in significantly increased PGE contents over their dry counterparts, as has been suggested. Preliminary evidence of minor Cl-complexing of Ir is presented; however, resulting in only a slight increase (<100%) in Ir solubility at Cl-saturation. Significant partitioning of Pt and Ir into a fluid phase at magmatic conditions has been demonstrated; with estimates of fluid-haplobasaltic melt partition coefficients increasing from 1x10^1 for pure water to up to an apparent 4x10^3 with the addition of Cl or CO2 to the system. This result indicates complexing of Pt and Ir with OH< HxCOy≤ Cl. Using these estimates, Cl- or CO2-bearing magmatic fluids can be highly efficient at enriching and transporting platinum group elements (PGEs) in mafic magmatic-hydrothermal ore-forming systems.

Volatiles are a fundamental component of the Magmatic-Hydrothermal model of platinum group element (PGE) ore deposition for PGE deposits in layered mafic intrusions such as Bushveld and Stillwater. Volatiles have the potential to complex with PGEs in silicate melts and hydrothermal fluids, increasing PGE solubility; in order to assess the models of PGE ore deposition reliable estimates on the solubilities in the various magmatic phases must be known. However, experimental studies on the solubility and partitioning behaviour of PGEs in mafic magmatic-hydrothermal systems under relevant conditions are sparse, and the data that do exist produce conflicting results and new or adapted experimental methods must be applied to investigate these systems. Experimental results are presented here, investigating the effect of volatiles (i.e. H2O, Cl and CO2) on Pt and Ir solubility in a haplobasaltic melt and fluid-melt partitioning of Pt between an aqueous fluid and a haplobasaltic melt under magmatic conditions using a sealed-capsule technique. Also included are the details of the development of a novel experimental technique to observe fluid-melt partitioning in mafic systems and application of the method to the fluid-melt partition of Pt. Solubility experiments were conducted to assess the effect of volatiles on Pt and Ir solubility in a haplobasaltic melt of dry diopside-anorthite eutectic composition at 1523K and 0.2GPa. Synthetic glass powder of an anhydrous, 1-atm eutectic, diopside-anorthite (An42-Di58) haplobasalt composition was sealed in a platinum or platinum-iridium alloy capsule and was allowed to equilibrate with the noble metal capsule and a source of volatiles (i.e. H2O, H2O-Cl or H2O-CO2) at experimental conditions. All experiments were run in an internally-heated pressure vessel equipped with a rapid quench device, with oxygen fugacity controlled by the water activity and intrinsic hydrogen fugacity of the autoclave (MnO-Mn3O4). The resultant crystal- and bubble-free run product glasses were analyzed using a combination of laser ablation ICP-MS and bulk solution isotope-dilution ICP-MS to determine equilibrium solubilities of Pt and Ir and investigate the formation and contribution of micronuggets to overall bulk determined concentrations. In water-bearing experiments, it was determined that water content did not have an intrinsic effect on Pt or Ir solubility for water contents between 0.9 wt. % and 4.4 wt. % (saturation). Water content controlled the oxygen fugacity of the experiment and the resulting variations in oxygen fugacity, and the corresponding solubilities of Pt and Ir, indicate that over geologically relevant conditions both Pt and Ir are dissolved primarily in the 2+ valence state. Pt data suggest minor influence of Pt4+ at higher oxygen fugacities; however, there is no evidence of higher valence states for Ir. The ability of the sealed capsule technique to produce micronugget-free run product glasses in water-only experiments, allowed the solubility of Pt to be determined in hydrous haplobasalt at lower oxygen fugacities (and concentrations) then was previously observed. Pt and Ir solubility can be represented as a function of oxygen fugacity (bars) by the following equations: [Pt](ppb)= 1389(fO-sub-2)+7531(fO-sub-2)^(1/2) [Ir](ppb)=17140(fO-sub-2)^(1/2) In Cl-bearing experiments, experimental products from short run duration (<96hrs) experiments contained numerous micronuggets, preventing accurate determination of platinum and iridium solubility. Longer run duration experiments showed decreasing amounts of micronuggets, allowing accurate determination of solubility; results indicate that under the conditions studied chlorine has no discernable effect on Pt solubility in the silicate melt from 0.6 to 2.75 wt. % Cl (saturation). Over the same conditions, a systematic increase in Ir solubility is found with increasing Cl content; however, the observed increase is within the analytical variation/error and is therefore not conclusive. If there is an effect of Cl on PGE solubility the effect is minor resulting in increased Ir solubilities of 60% at chlorine saturation. However, the abundance of micronuggets in short run duration experiments, which decreases in abundance with time and increases with Cl-content, offers compelling evidence that Cl-bearing fluids have the capacity to transport significant amounts of Pt and Ir under magmatic conditions. It is suggested that platinum and iridium dissolved within the Cl-bearing fluid are left behind as the fluid dissolves into the melt during the heating stages of the experiment, leaving small amounts of Pt and Ir along the former particle boundaries. With increasing run duration, the metal migrates back to the capsule walls decreasing the amount of micronuggets contained within the glass. Estimates based on this model, using mass-balance calculations on the excess amount of Pt and Ir in the run product glasses (i.e. above equilibrium solubility) in short duration experiments, indicate estimated Pt and Ir concentrations in the Cl-bearing fluid ranging from tens to a few hundred ppm, versus ppb levels in the melt. Respective apparent (equilibrium has not been established) partition coefficients (D,fluid-melt) of 1x10^3 to 4x10^3 and 300-1100 were determined for Pt and Ir in Cl-bearing fluids; suggesting that Cl-bearing fluids can be highly efficient at enriching and transporting PGE in mafic magmatic-hydrothermal ore-forming systems. Platinum solubility was also determined as a function of CO2 content in a hydrous haplobasalt at controlled oxygen fugacity. Using the same sealed capsule techniques and melt composition as for H2O and Cl, a hydrous haplobasaltic melt was allowed to equilibrate with the platinum capsule and a CO2-source (CaCO3 or silver oxalate) at 1523 K and 0.2 GPa. Experiments were conducted with a water content of approximately 1 wt. %, fixing the log oxygen fugacity (bars) between -5.3 and -6.1 (log NNO = -6.95 @ 1573 K and 0.2 GPa). Carbon dioxide contents in the run product glasses ranged from 800-2500 ppm; and over these conditions, CO2 was found to have a negligible effect on Pt solubility in the silicate melt. Analogous to the Cl-bearing experiments, bulk concentrations of Pt in CO2-bearing experiments increased with increasing CO2 content due to micronugget formation. Apparent Pt concentrations in the H2O-CO2 fluid phase, prior to fluid dissolution, were calculated to be 1.6 to 42 ppm, resulting in apparent partition coefficients(D,fluid-melt) of 1.5 x 10^2 to 4.2 x 10^3, increasing with increasing mol CO2:H2O up to approximately 0.15, after which increasing CO2 content does not further increase partitioning. As well, a novel technique was developed and applied to assess the partitioning of Pt between an aqueous fluid and a hydrous diopside-anorthite melt under magmatic conditions. Building upon the sealed-capsule technique utilized for solubility studies, a method was developed by adding a seed crystal to the capsule along with a silicate melt and fluid. By generating conditions favourable to crystal growth, and growing the crystal from the fluid, it is possible to entrap fluid inclusions in the growing crystal, allowing direct sampling of the fluid phase at the conditions of the experiment. Using a diopside seed crystal with the diopside-anorthite eutectic melt, it was possible to control diopside crystallization by controlling the temperature, thus allowing control of the crystallization and fluid inclusion entrapment conditions. Subsequent laser ablation ICP-MS analysis of the fluid inclusions allowed fluid–melt partition coefficients of Pt to be determined. Synthetic glass powder of an anhydrous, 1-atm eutectic, diopside-anorthite (An42¬Di58) haplobasalt composition (with ppm levels of Ba, Cs, Sr and Rb added as internal standards), water and a diopside seed crystal were sealed in a platinum capsule and were allowed to equilibrate at experimental conditions. Water was added in amounts to maintain a free fluid phase throughout the experiment, and the diopside crystal was separated from the melt. All experiments were run in an internally heated pressure vessel equipped with a rapid-quench device, with oxygen fugacity controlled by the water activity and intrinsic hydrogen fugacity of the autoclave (MnO-Mn3O4). Experiments were allowed to equilibrate (6-48 hrs) at experimental conditions (i.e. 1498K, 0.2 GPa, fluid+melt+diopside stable) before temperature was dropped (i.e. to 1483K) to induce crystallization. Crystals were allowed to grow for a period of 18-61 hours, prior to rapid isobaric quenching to 293K at the conclusion of the experiment. Experimental run products were a crystal- and bubble-free glass and the diopside seed crystal with a fluid-inclusion-bearing overgrowth. Analysis of fluid inclusions provides initial solubility estimates of Pt in a H2O fluid phase at 1488 K and 0.2 GPa at or near ppm levels and fluid melt partition coefficients ranging from 2 – 48. This indicates substantial metal enrichment in the fluid phase in the absence of major ligands such as carbonate or chlorine. The results of this study indicate that the volatiles studied (i.e. H2O, CO2, and Cl) do not have a significant effect on Pt and Ir solubility in a haplobasaltic melt at magmatic conditions. These results suggest that complexing of Pt and Ir by OH, Cl, and carbonate species in a haplobasaltic melt is insignificant and the presence of these volatiles will not result in significantly increased PGE contents over their dry counterparts, as has been suggested. Preliminary evidence of minor Cl-complexing of Ir is presented; however, resulting in only a slight increase (<100%) in Ir solubility at Cl-saturation. Significant partitioning of Pt and Ir into a fluid phase at magmatic conditions has been demonstrated; with estimates of fluid-haplobasaltic melt partition coefficients increasing from 1x10^1 for pure water to up to an apparent 4x10^3 with the addition of Cl or CO2 to the system. This result indicates complexing of Pt and Ir with OH< HxCOy≤ Cl. Using these estimates, Cl- or CO2-bearing magmatic fluids can be highly efficient at enriching and transporting platinum group elements (PGEs) in mafic magmatic-hydrothermal ore-forming systems.

Mitt kandidatarbete är en teknikstudie där jag grottat ner mig i keramikens geologiska ursprung. I arbetet har jag utgått ifrån magmatiska och metamorfa bergarter som granit och gnejs. De innehåller kvarts, fältspat och glimmer i perfekta proportioner för att redan vara färdiga keramiska glasyrer. Jag har sedan provat att tillsätta lermineralet kaolin för att göra egna stengodsleror utifrån två äldre recept på parian och porslin. Genom att själv krossa och mala sten vill jag synliggöra alla moment som kan ingå i framställningen av lera samt medvetandegöra den fysiska närheten till materialet. / My work is a technique study with focus on the geological origin of ceramics. I have examined magmatic and metamorphic rocks such as granites and gneiss. They consist of minerals like quartz, feldspar and mica in perfect proportions to already be a “ready-made” ceramic glaze, if grinded down to powder. With an ancient Chinese recipe of how to make porcelain I’ve tried to make my own clay version using granite and gneiss, adding the clay mineral kaolin. Using a technique where I crush and grind the stones into powder by hand, my wish is to visibility all of the different parts that takes place in the making of clay and bring to awareness how physically close we often aren't, but could be, to the origin of the material. / <p>Opponent: Jelena Rundqvist</p>

Most basaltic volcanoes are affected by recurrent lateral instabilities during their evolution. Numerous factors have been shown to be involved in the process of flank destabilization occurring over long periods of time or by instantaneous failures. However, the role of these factors on the mechanical behaviour and stability of volcanic edifices is poorly-constrained as lateral failure usually results from the combined effects of several parameters. Our study focuses on the morphological and structural comparison of two end-member basaltic systems, La Reunion (Indian ocean, France) and Stromboli (southern Tyrrhenian sea, Italy). We showed that despite major differences on their volumes and geodynamic settings, both systems present some similarities as they are characterized by an intense intrusive activity along well-developed rift zones and recurrent phenomena of flank collapse during their evolution. Among the factors of instability, the examples of la Reunion and Stromboli evidence the major contribution of intrusive complexes to volcano growth and destruction as attested by field observations and the monitoring of these active volcanoes. Classical models consider the relationship between vertical intrusions of magma and flank movements along a preexisting sliding surface. A set of published and new field data from Piton des Neiges volcano (La Reunion) allowed us to recognize the role of subhorizontal intrusions in the process of flank instability and to characterize the geometry of both subvertical and subhorizontal intrusions within basaltic edifices. This study compares the results of numerical modelling of the displacements associated with high-angle and low-angle intrusions within basaltic volcanoes. We use a Mixed Boundary Element Method to investigate the mechanical response of an edifice to the injection of magmatic intrusions in different stress fields. Our results indicate that the anisotropy of the stress field favours the slip along the intrusions due to cointrusive shear stress, generating flank-scale displacements of the edifice, especially in the case of subhorizontal intrusions, capable of triggering large-scale flank collapses on basaltic volcanoes. Applications of our theoretical results to real cases of flank displacements on basaltic volcanoes (such as the 2007 eruptive crisis at La Reunion and Stromboli) revealed that the previous model of subvertical intrusions-related collapse is a likely mechanism affecting small-scale steeply-sloping basaltic volcanoes like Stromboli. Furthermore, our field study combined to modelling results confirms the importance of shallow-dipping intrusions in the morpho-structural evolution of large gently-sloping basaltic volcanoes like Piton de la Fournaise, Etna and Kilauea, with particular regards to flank instability, which can cause catastrophic tsunamis.

Important geochemical and tectonic events in the Paleoproterozoic Era lay the foundation for the status and operation of the modern Earth, including the initial rise of atmospheric oxygen paving the path for animal evolution, and the emergence of modern plate tectonic processes leading to the amalgamation of the Canadian Shield (Laurentia). Rudimentary geological and geochronological documentation of Paleoproterozoic sedimentary basins is the foundation from which we can ask larger questions about geochemical changes or plate tectonic events on the evolving Earth, since those questions are largely answered by analyzing the sedimentary record. This thesis outlines the stratigraphy, detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, elemental and isotopic geochemistry, and basin evolution of the Paleoproterozoic Penrhyn and Piling basins on the Rae craton in Arctic Canada, which record important tectonic and geochemical events on both a regional and global scale. The concentration of the redox-sensitive trace element, U, in seawater has not been constant throughout geologic time and is linked to changes in oceanic and atmospheric oxygen content. Secular variations in the record of U contents of shales and iron formations indicate that the redox state of the atmosphere-ocean system after the Great Oxidation Event (GOE) was more dynamic than previously thought. Trends towards lower oxygen content recorded after ~2.05 Ga in the middle Proterozoic suggest that oxygen level decreased. This is contrary to traditional models assuming unidirectional atmospheric oxygen rise throughout the Proterozoic. The data demonstrate the earliest signal of oxidative U cycling, manifested in 2.47 - 2.43 Ga iron formations, and show that oxygenation was a protracted process initiated shortly after the end of the Archean. It has been proposed that a global and long-lived magmatic and tectonic shutdown event from ~2.45 to 2.22 Ga played a causal role in the GOE, since it overlaps the time interval in which atmospheric oxygen initially rose on Earth. Coupled U-Pb, Hf, and O isotope data on magmatic and detrital zircon determine that plate tectonic processes continued to operate during this interval. It is argued instead that plate tectonic processes are necessary to promote conditions favorable for atmospheric oxygen to rise.

Massive sulfide deposits in the Noranda mining camp, northwestern Québec, are mainly associated with extensive footwall alteration defined by intense chloritization and sericitization. However, Fe-carbonate alteration also occurs in proximity to some deposits. To test the exploration significance of carbonate alteration in the camp, two areas of intense carbonate alteration were examined, around the small Delbridge deposit and near the new Pinkos occurrence in the Cyprus Rhyolite. Between 1969 and 1971, the Delbridge deposit produced 370,000 t of ore grading 9.6% Zn, 0.61% Cu, 110 g/t Ag, and 2.1 g/t Au. Recent drilling at the new Pinkos occurrence intersected 2.64 m of massive to semi-massive sulfides grading 8.1% Zn and 18.2 g/t Ag. Alteration mapping has shown that the distribution of Fe-carbonates can be used to identify vertically extensive zones of hydrothermal upflow at both properties. At Delbridge, intense Fe-carbonate alteration in brecciated rhyolite defines a pipe-like upflow zone that extends vertically for up to 300 m within the stratigraphic footwall of the massive sulfides and 100 m into the hanging wall. The location of known massive sulfide mineralization coincides with the intersection of the alteration pipe and a favorable horizon marked by the occurrence of fine-grained volcaniclastic rocks. At Pinkos, a similar zone of Fe-carbonate alteration occurs in outcrops of coherent rhyolite. Fe-carbonate alteration is most intensely developed along polygonal cooling fractures in massive rhyolite and decreases in intensity towards the centers of the columns. Fe-carbonate stringers and locally abundant matrix carbonate occur in fragmental rocks at the stratigraphic top of the coherent rhyolite flows and are most intense at the location of sulfide-bearing outcrops that mark the known mineralized horizon. Whereas Fe-carbonate alteration defines the central part of the hydrothermal upflow zones at both properties, disseminated pyrite occurs at the margins and is widespread outside the main upflow zones. This may indicate that Fe-carbonate in the main upflow zones formed at the expense of earlier disseminated sulfides. Replacement of pyrite by synvolcanic Fe-carbonate alteration at Delbridge and Pinkos can probably be attributed to a relatively high concentration of dissolved CO2, possibly of magmatic origin, in the main-stage ore-forming fluids.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-05-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:54:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 squisato_e_me_rcla.pdf: 1767564 bytes, checksum: 7402c6efa5c703b95454872a8a0b9bb4 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Este trabalho trata da investigação petrográfica e geoquímica dos derrames da Formação Serra Geral da Bacia do Paraná, distribuídas em quatro regiões distintas: Jaú, Ribeirão Preto, Franca e Fernandópolis, cobrindo praticamente toda a área de exposição dessas rochas no estado de São Paulo. As amostras coletadas nessas regiões foram analisadas através de microscopia de luz polarizada, evidenciando que os basaltos estudados são constituídos fundamentalmente por plagioclásio (30-40%), piroxênios (20-30%), magnetita (5-15%) e apatita (menos de 1%), apresentando textura predominantemente intergranular e suas variedades (intersertal, hialofítica e pilotaxítica). Os dados geoquímicos revelaram que as amostras estudadas correspondem a basaltos de natureza toleítica, com TiO2 ≥ 1,8%, característicos da região norte da Bacia do Paraná. Dados geoquímicos de elementos traços e terras raras mostraram que as rochas estudadas podem ser agrupadas em três diferentes magmas-tipo: Paranapanema (basaltos de Fernandópolis), Urubici (basaltos de Franca) e Pitanga (basaltos de Ribeirão Preto e de Jaú). Os padrões de distribuição desses elementos mostram que eles não podem ser gerados a partir de fontes mantélicas astenosféricas, mas sim, de fontes litosféricas distintas. / A petrographical and geochemistry characterization of flood basalts of Serra Geral Formation of Paraná Basin is here presented. The investigated area is sited in four different regions of São Paulo state: Jaú, Ribeirão Preto, Franca e Fernandópolis. It represents almost the total exposure area of lava flows in São Paulo State. The petrographical data of these rocks reveals that the basalts are constituted mainly by plagioclase (30-40%), pyroxene (20-30%), magnetite (5-15%) and apatite, that characterized a intergranular, intersertal, hialophitic and pilotaxitic textures. The geochemical data show a basic and tholeiitic composition of the studied basalts with TiO2 ≥ 1,8%, characterized of the northern of Paraná Basin. Three different magmatypes were recognized: Paranapanema (basalts of Fernandópolis region), Urubici (basalts of Franca region) and Pitanga (basalts of Ribeirão Preto and Jaú regions). The distribution patterns of these elements in a spider diagram have showed that they are generated by lithospheric mantle.

Cette thèse cible l'étude de la structure thermique de la croûte supérieure (<10km) dans les arcs magmatiques continentaux, et son influence sur l'enregistrement thermochronologique de leur exhumation et de leur évolution topographique. Nous portons notre regard sur deux chaînes de montagne appartenant aux Cordillères Américaines : Les Cascades Nord (USA) et la zone de faille Motagua (Guatemala). L'approche utilisée est axée sur l'utilisation de la thermochronologie (U-Th-Sm)/He sur apatite et zircon, couplée avec la modélisation numérique de la structure thermique de la croûte. Nous mettons en évidence la variabilité à la fois spatiale et temporelle du gradient géothermique, et attirons l'attention du lecteur sur l'importance de prendre en compte la multitude des processus géologiques perturbant la structure thermique dans les chaînes de type cordillère, c'est à dire formées lors de la subduction océanique sous un continent. / This thesis focuses on the influence of the dynamic thermal structure of the upper crust (<10km) on the thermochronologic record of the exhumational and topographic history of magmatic continental arcs. Two mountain belts from the American Cordillera are studied: the North Cascades (USA) and the Motagua fault zone (Guatemala). I use a combined approach coupling apatite and zircon (U-Th-Sm)/He thermochronology and thermo-kinematic numerical modelling. This study highlights the temporal and spatial variability of the geothermal gradient and the importance to take into account the different geological processes that perturb the thermal structure of Cordilleran-type mountain belts (i.e. mountain belts related to oceanic subduction underneath a continent).