Geochemical and Petrological Characterization of the Back Forty Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit
Date of Award
12-2015
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Geological and Environmental Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Joyashish Thakurta
Second Advisor
Dr. R.V. Krishnamurthy
Third Advisor
Dr. Heather Petcovic
Keywords
VMS deposits, mineral exploration, Michigan Upper-Peninsula, geology, hydrothermal ore deposits
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
The Back Forty Zn-Au deposit is the eastern-most Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposit in the Penokean Volcanic Belt (PVB). It is the only VMS deposit found in Michigan, and is located along the east side of the Menominee River in Menominee County (45°26'57.5"N, 87°49'43.2"W). The Back Forty is the most zinc-enriched, copper depleted deposit among the major VMS deposits within the PVB that include Flambeau, Crandon, Bend, and Lynne. This work constitutes the first sulfur isotope study on the Back Forty VMS deposit.
The Back Forty is characterized by massive, semi-massive, disseminated and stringer sulfide mineralization hosted within felsic-dominated volcanic rocks, consistent with the bimodal-felsic, or Kuroko-type, VMS model. The host rocks include coarse-ash and fine-ash crystal tuffs, as well as lapilli lithic tuffs. δ34S values obtained from pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and bornite range from 0.76 to 5.06‰-VCDT, with an average value of 3.07 ± 1.08‰ (1σ). These values are similar to the other major deposits of the PVB and are consistent to a mantle origin with minor intermixing with surficial sulfur-rich sediments. The sulfur in the ore-forming system is interpreted to have been derived by hydrothermal leaching of seafloor volcanic rocks.
Recommended Citation
Boxleiter, Anthony Robert, "Geochemical and Petrological Characterization of the Back Forty Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit" (2015). Masters Theses. 654.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/654