Alkaline Mineralization in a Zone of Hydrothermal Unloading as the Indicator of Deep Metalliferous Fluid (Geothermal Systems of Southern Kamchatka)

Abstract

Formation of alkaline mineralization in a zone of rocks argillization is not typical case and represents the big scientific and practical interest at studying influence of deep fluids on geothermal systems and deposits. The authors group by means of wells drilling on East-Pauzhetsky thermal field have allocated wide number of hydrothermal-metasomatic minerals under the hydrothermal clays: smectites, Fe-Mg chlorites, Ca-Mg carbonates, Ca-Na-K zeolites, potassium feldspar, opal and other silica minerals, phosphates, Fe-Zn-Cu sulfides, titano- and zirconosilicates and other complex mineral mixes. Mineral associations include ore phases, such as rare elements. The data obtained indicate an alkaline environment of mineral formation in the rocks at the base of hydrothermal clays of East-Pauzhetsky thermal field. Such situation in the typical zone of acid leaching (argillization of rocks) can be created due to the acid-alkaline evolution of water-salt solutions by mix a deep alkaline highly mineralized (metalliferous) fluid with meteoric and acid waters. This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 19-05-00102) and by Presidium of the Far East Branch of RAS (project no. 18-2-003).