SMEDG
SYDNEY MINERAL EXPLORATION DISCUSSION GROUP
- PREVIOUS MEETING
DATE: Thursday 8 August 1991 at 5.00 pm
VENUE: 1st Floor, Rugby Club, Crane Place, Sydney
SPEAKER: Tim McConachy - CRA
TOPIC: "Hydrothermal Plumed and Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides"
Results of sampling of hydrothermal plumes along the East Pacific
Rise in water depths of 2500m using the submersible ALVIN indicate
that,in the present environment, plume fallout is likely to produce
so-called volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. In order to achieve
significant concentrations of sulphide, special conditions are required such
as much greater particle mass flux, a slow spreading axis, long-lived hydrothermal
convection and discharge into a structural trap with stagnant bottom waters.
The talk will show how sampling was undertaken with ALVIN and how analysis and
modelling of plume solutions and particles lead to these conclusions.
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