Basin Evolution and Massive Sulfide Deposition at Rammelsberg (Germany): Updating the Subsidence Analysis
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Geological Setting
3. Rammelsberg Deposit
4. Methodology
5. Subsidence Analysis
6. Conclusions
- (1)
- The subsidence analysis of the Goslar basin here presented was performed using data from two different paleogeographic scenarios: the depocenter and the basin margin (Rammelsberg location). A detailed revision of the sedimentological, biostratigraphic, and paleogeographic characteristics of the basin were essential for the accurate construction of the curves in both localities.
- (2)
- The two subsidence curves contain initial short and steep stages that become moderately steep and longer at the end. In detail, both curves are composed of five stages that embrace the entire geodynamic and depositional history of the Goslar basin. Stage 1 represents a rapid tectonic subsidence event linked to the basin break-up. Stage 2 defines a second, more rapid subsidence event that promoted the disparate geodynamic behavior between depocenter and basin margin. At the depocenter, the subsidence was caused by the combined effects of tectonic and sediment load. At the basin margin, the subsidence was tectonic and thermal in origin. Stage 3 is characterized by the deceleration of the tectonic effect in the generation of accommodation space. The main subsidence mechanism in the Goslar depocenter was the sediment load. In the Rammelsberg rise, the subsidence was caused by tectonic and thermal mechanisms, with very scarce participation of the sediment load. Stage 4 represents a quiescent tectonic period. At the basin margin the accommodation was virtually negligible, while at the depocenter the very slow subsidence was mostly caused by sediment load. Finally, during stage 5 the accommodation rate increased in response to deposition of the vast Culm flysch sequence.
- (3)
- The Rammelsberg massive sulfide deposit is located at the boundary between stage 2 and 3, exactly at the inflexion point of the basin margin curve. Its origin is associated with the second and more drastic subsidence event located in stage 2.
- (4)
- This is the first time that a rapid subsidence event is proposed as a trigger mechanism for the activation of the hydrothermal system and for the seismic pumping that transported metal-enriched fluids from reservoir to the seafloor.
- (5)
- Taking apart the environmental conditions of the Goslar basin, the most critical parameter in the generation of the ore deposit was the relation between mineralizing fluid supply and accommodation rate. At the Rammelsberg shoulder, the sedimentation rate favored the generation and preservation of massive sulfides, whereas at the depocenter, the accumulation rate was so high, and the fluid supply so low, that the sulfides were disseminated.
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Stages | Time Span (ma) | Stratigraphic Units | Rammelsberg Ridge | Goslar Depocenter | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AC (cm/ka) | Accommodation Mechanisms | Tec. (%) | AC (cm/ka) | Accommodation Mechanisms | Tec. (%) | |||
5 | 34.7 | Culm related units | 5.9 | Sediment load and tectonic | 43 | 5.9 | Sediment load and tectonic | 19 |
4 | 26.5 | Banded Shales s.l. | 0.1 | Sediment load + tectonic (minimal) | 45 | 2.5 | Sediment load and tectonic | 37 |
3 | 3.9 | Upper Wissenbach Shales | 7.7 | Tectonic and thermal flux | 63 | 17.4 | Sediment load and tectonic | 43 |
2 | 0.3 | Lower Wissenbach Shales | 34.1 | Tectonic and thermal flux | 62 | 271.5 | Tectonic and Sediment load | 58 |
1 | 0.6 | Calceola Shales | 24.5 | Mainly tectonic | 70 | 53.9 | Mainly tectonic | 70 |
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Moreno, C.; González, F.; Sáez, R. Basin Evolution and Massive Sulfide Deposition at Rammelsberg (Germany): Updating the Subsidence Analysis. Minerals 2019, 9, 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9010045
Moreno C, González F, Sáez R. Basin Evolution and Massive Sulfide Deposition at Rammelsberg (Germany): Updating the Subsidence Analysis. Minerals. 2019; 9(1):45. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9010045
Chicago/Turabian StyleMoreno, Carmen, Felipe González, and Reinaldo Sáez. 2019. "Basin Evolution and Massive Sulfide Deposition at Rammelsberg (Germany): Updating the Subsidence Analysis" Minerals 9, no. 1: 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9010045