Scanning electron microscope–cathodoluminescence analysis of quartz reveals complex growth histories in veins from the Butte porphyry copper deposit, Montana

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2002 Scanning electron microscope–cathodoluminescence analysis of quartz reveals complex growth histories in veins from the Butte porphyry copper deposit, Montana Brian Rusk; Brian Rusk 1Department of Geological Sciences, 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark Reed Mark Reed 1Department of Geological Sciences, 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Brian Rusk 1Department of Geological Sciences, 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Mark Reed 1Department of Geological Sciences, 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 12 Dec 2001 Revision Received: 05 Apr 2002 Accepted: 16 Apr 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2002) 30 (8): 727–730. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0727:SEMCAO>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 12 Dec 2001 Revision Received: 05 Apr 2002 Accepted: 16 Apr 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Brian Rusk, Mark Reed; Scanning electron microscope–cathodoluminescence analysis of quartz reveals complex growth histories in veins from the Butte porphyry copper deposit, Montana. Geology 2002;; 30 (8): 727–730. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)030<0727:SEMCAO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Scanning electron microscope–cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL) analysis of quartz reveals textures that cannot be observed using optical microscopy or backscattered electrons. These cryptic textures yield insight into timing and physical conditions of quartz growth, especially in environments with multiple quartz-precipitation events. Hydrothermal quartz from quartz-sulfide veins in the porphyry copper deposit in Butte, Montana, was analyzed by SEM-CL, revealing the following textures: euhedral growth zones, wide nonluminescing bands that cut across multiple quartz grains, rounded luminescent quartz grain cores with euhedral overgrowths, nonluminescing "splatters" of quartz connected by networks of cobweb-like nonluminescing quartz in otherwise luminescent quartz, concentric growth zones, and wide nonluminescent grain boundaries. These textures indicate that many veins have undergone fracturing, dilation, growth of quartz into fluid-filled space, quartz dissolution, and recrystallization of quartz. Precipitation and dissolution textures indicate that early quartz-molybdenite veins formed as a result of pressure fluctuations between lithostatic and hydrostatic at high temperatures, and later pyrite-quartz veins formed near hydrostatic pressure in response to temperature decrease through and beyond the field of retrograde quartz solubility. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.