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Re-Os dating of pyrite confirms an early diagenetic onset and extended duration of mineralization in the Irish Zn-Pb ore field
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01/02/2015
Submitted Date
2017-06-06
Subject Terms
absolute age
Ireland
lead ores
Midlands
mineral deposits
genesis
Mississippian
Paleozoic
Re/Os
sedimentary rocks
Carboniferous
carbonate rocks
Europe
metasomatism
lead-zinc deposits
metal ores
orogeny
Western Europe
zinc ores
Ireland
lead ores
Midlands
mineral deposits
genesis
Mississippian
Paleozoic
Re/Os
sedimentary rocks
Carboniferous
carbonate rocks
Europe
metasomatism
lead-zinc deposits
metal ores
orogeny
Western Europe
zinc ores
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Abstract
The Irish Midlands region contains one of the world’s largest hydrothermal Zn-Pb ore districts, but uncertainty exists in the timing of mineralization relative to host rock ages. Consequently, genetic models for ore formation are poorly constrained and remain controversial. Here we use Re-Os geochronology to show that ore-stage pyrite from the Lisheen deposit formed at 346.6 ± 3.0 Ma, shortly after host rock deposition. Pyrite from the Silvermines deposit returns an age of 334.0 ± 6.1 Ma, indicating that at least some mineralization occurred during later burial. These age determinations show that the much younger paleomagnetic ages reported for the Irish Zn-Pb deposits reflect remagnetization during the Variscan orogeny, a process that we suggest affects paleomagnetic dating more widely. The Re-Os ages overlap with the ages of lower Carboniferous volcanic rocks in the Midlands, which are the product of magmatism that has been invoked as the driving force for hydrothermal activity. The relatively low initial Os ratios for both Lisheen (0.253 ± 0.045) and Silvermines (0.453 ± 0.006) are compatible with derivation of Os from these magmas, or from the Caledonian basement that underlies the ore deposits.
Citation
Danny Hnatyshin, Robert A. Creaser, Jamie J. Wilkinson, Sarah A. Gleeson; Re-Os dating of pyrite confirms an early diagenetic onset and extended duration of mineralization in the Irish Zn-Pb ore field. Geology ; 43 (2): 143–146.
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Journal Article
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This journal is published under the terms of Green Open Access. Authors may post a copy of the accepted (i.e., post-peer review) version of their paper (https://doi.org/10.1130/G36296.1) in a repository of their choice or to their personal website after the relevant embargo period has passed. The embargo period will be 12 months from formal online publication.
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ISSN
0091-7613
EISSN
1943-2682