Paragenesis
Encyclopedia
Paragenesis is a petrologic
concept meaning an equilibrium assemblage of mineral phases. It is used in studies of igneous
and metamorphic rock
genesis and importantly in studies of the hydrothermal deposition of ore
minerals and the rock alteration (vein
metasomatism
) associated with ore mineral deposits. The concept and application of paragenesis, from the Greek for born beside, was first applied by August Breithaupt
in 1849 in his work Die Paragenesis der Mineralien.
The paragenetic sequence in mineral formation is an important concept in deciphering the detailed geologic history of ore deposits and metamorphic events. The sequence is worked out through detailed microscopic studies in polished ore mineral section, petrologic thin section
and fluid inclusion
studies as well as macroscopic field relations.
Petrology
Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks, and the conditions in which rocks form....
concept meaning an equilibrium assemblage of mineral phases. It is used in studies of igneous
Igneous rock
Igneous rock is one of the three main rock types, the others being sedimentary and metamorphic rock. Igneous rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava...
and metamorphic rock
Metamorphic rock
Metamorphic rock is the transformation of an existing rock type, the protolith, in a process called metamorphism, which means "change in form". The protolith is subjected to heat and pressure causing profound physical and/or chemical change...
genesis and importantly in studies of the hydrothermal deposition of ore
Ore
An ore is a type of rock that contains minerals with important elements including metals. The ores are extracted through mining; these are then refined to extract the valuable element....
minerals and the rock alteration (vein
Vein (geology)
In geology, a vein is a distinct sheetlike body of crystallized minerals within a rock. Veins form when mineral constituents carried by an aqueous solution within the rock mass are deposited through precipitation...
metasomatism
Metasomatism
Metasomatism is the chemical alteration of a rock by hydrothermal and other fluids.Metasomatism can occur via the action of hydrothermal fluids from an igneous or metamorphic source. In the igneous environment, metasomatism creates skarns, greisen, and may affect hornfels in the contact...
) associated with ore mineral deposits. The concept and application of paragenesis, from the Greek for born beside, was first applied by August Breithaupt
August Breithaupt
Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt was a German mineralogist and professor at Freiberg Mining Academy in Freiberg, Saxony.-Biography:...
in 1849 in his work Die Paragenesis der Mineralien.
The paragenetic sequence in mineral formation is an important concept in deciphering the detailed geologic history of ore deposits and metamorphic events. The sequence is worked out through detailed microscopic studies in polished ore mineral section, petrologic thin section
Thin section
In optical mineralogy and petrography, a thin section is a laboratory preparation of a rock, mineral, soil, pottery, bones, or even metal sample for use with a polarizing petrographic microscope, electron microscope and electron microprobe. A thin sliver of rock is cut from the sample with a...
and fluid inclusion
Fluid inclusions
thumb|250px|Trapped in a time capsule the same size as the diameter of a human hair, the ore-forming liquid in this inclusion was so hot and contained so much dissolved solids that when it cooled, crystals of halite, sylvite, gypsum, and hematite formed. As the samples cooled, the fluid shrank more...
studies as well as macroscopic field relations.