The recognition of variations in sample suites using fluid inclusion
decrepitation
- applications in mineral exploration
Kingsley Burlinson
Memoirs Geological Society of India, No. 11, (1988) pp67-78
Abstract
Mineral samples often look identical in hand specimen
but
contain completely different fluid inclusion populations. The
decrepitation
method provides a rapid and cheap method of observing the variations in
the fluid inclusion populations as a means of discriminating between
such
similar looking samples. It is possible to use decrepitation on samples
of pervasive silicification as well as on quartz veins and comparison
of
such samples shows the relationship between coexisting veins and
silicification.
Decrepitation responses from vein quartz and chert at gold mines in the
Northern Territory, Australia, are quite different and aid in the
geological
mapping of the area. Opal samples give a particularly characteristic
narrow
decrepitation peak while variations between carbonate samples can aid
in
the discrimination between sedimentary carbonate horizons.
Decrepitation
differences in magnetite samples at Tennant Creek, N.T., Australia,
could
not be correlated with the known gold distribution, but do indicate
that
the ore bodies are quite complex and significantly different from
normal
sedimentary banded iron formations. Although the method is best used to
compare suites of similar samples, in some cases it can also provide an
insight into the genesis of the deposits.
Applied Mineral Exploration
Discussion and research relevant to mineral
exploration.