Dykes, sulphide deposits, and regional metamorphism: criteria for determining their time relationship

Abstract

Relation of orebodies to adjacent dykes, often obscured by their mutual interpenetration along the contact, may be further masked due to the effects of intervening or subsequent regional metamorphism. The actual chronological sequence of the three episodes (Viz. mineralization intrusion, and dregional metamorphism) - an information often crucial from stratigraphic an oregenetic viewpoints - can be deciphered only through analyses of changes in the fabric, mineralogy, and chemistry of the contact zone and through consideration of heat and mass transfer phenomena across the interface. An attempt is made to establish objective criteria for recognition of the actual sequence of events, after examining numerous cases representing almost all possible time-sequence combinations.