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ABSTRACT
Porphyry Cu Mo Au and some epithermal Au deposits are formed from hydrothermal
fluids exsolved from cooling, water-rich, calc-alkaline magmas emplaced in volcanoplutonic
arcs above subduction zones. These magmas originate by partial melting of the metasomatized
asthenospheric mantle wedge. However, there is increasing evidence for the existence of a suite
of porphyry Cu-Au and epithermal Au deposits related to magmas generated after subduc-
tion beneath the arc has ceased. Associated magmas tend to be mildly alkaline, relatively sul-
fur poor, and emplaced as isolated complexes rather than in voluminous volcanoplutonic arcs.
They are likely formed by remelting of previously subduction-modified arc lithosphere, trig-
gered by postsubduction lithospheric thickening, lithospheric extension, or mantle lithosphere
delamination. Metasomatized mantle lithosphere or hydrous lower crustal cumulates residual
from first-stage arc magmatism contain small amounts of chalcophile and siderophile element
rich sulfides, and constitute a fertile source for hydrous, Au-rich, but relatively sulfur-poor
magmas during later remelting. The recognition that porphyry Cu-Au and related epithermal
Au systems can also form in postsubduction and collisional tectonic settings expands the range
of geological environments and geographical terranes that are prospective for such deposits.
INTRODUCTION Richards, 2005); and the high water content (Hildreth and Moorbath, 1988). In a process
Porphyry Cu Mo Au and related epithermal results in saturation of the magma in an aque- described by Hildreth and Moorbath (1988) as
Au deposits are intrusion centered, and are formed ous fluid phase upon ascent into the upper crust, melting, assimilation, storage, and homogeni-
at 4 and 1 km depth, respectively, by fluids into which these metals will efficiently partition zation (MASH), heat released from this mafic
exsolved from magmas emplaced at ~510 km (Candela and Holland, 1984). magma input causes partial melting of crustal
depth in the upper crust (Sillitoe and Heden- Although magmas with these characteristics rocks. Mixing and differentiation of these
quist, 2003). The majority of known deposits are most commonly form directly in response to melts forms hybrid, intermediate-composition,
genetically related to intermediate to felsic calc- inputs from the subduction zone, it is also pos- calc-alkaline magmas, with low enough den-
alkaline magmas in volcanoplutonic arcs above sible to extract compositionally and isotopically sity that they can ascend into the upper crust.
active subduction zones (Fig. 1A). They are thus similar magmas from upper plate lithosphere that The cumulate residues from this process can be
directly linked to the petrogenesis of arc mag- has been modified by prior subduction processes, seen in exhumed lower crustalupper mantle
mas, and derive their fundamental characteristics but with melting caused by later postsubduction arc sections such as Talkeetna (Alaska; DeBari
(e.g., relatively high oxidation state and enrich- events (e.g., Johnson et al., 1978; Harris et al., and Coleman, 1989) and Kohistan (Pakistan;
ments in alkalies, S, Cl, H2O, and some metals) 1986). Recently, a number of porphyry Cu-Au Jagoutz et al., 2007). These cumulates contain
from subduction processes. Arc magmas are and epithermal Au deposits have been described large amounts of amphibole along with olivine,
predominantly formed by partial melting of the in association with such magmas, with ages and pyroxene, and plagioclase, and garnet in thicker
metasomatized wedge of asthenospheric mantle from locations that are incompatible with a rela- arc sections. Davidson et al. (2007) proposed
between the downgoing oceanic and overriding tionship to contemporaneous subduction, but that these amphibole-rich cumulates act like a
oceanic or continental plates (Ringwood, 1977). consistent with postsubduction or collisional tec- sponge, storing as much as 20% of the water in
These basaltic magmas evolve and interact with tonic settings. It is proposed that these deposits the original arc magma flux.
the upper plate lithosphere as they ascend to were formed from hydrous magmas derived Magmas processed through these lower
form hybrid andesitic magmas characterized by partial remelting of the metasomatized crustal MASH zones commonly display rela-
by relatively high oxidation states (typically ~2 lithospheric roots and hydrous cumulate zones tively high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios due to the
log f O2 units higher than the fayalite-magnetite- of former arc systems, in response to a variety of suppression of early plagioclase crystallization
quartz buffer) and high water contents (4 wt% mechanisms such as lithospheric thickening and and the preferential partitioning of Y and middle
H2O) (as reviewed in Richards, 2003). These thermal rebound, subcontinental lithospheric and heavy rare earth elements into amphibole
two characteristics are critical to the forma- mantle (SCLM) delamination, or lithospheric and garnet (Green and Pearson, 1985).
tion of magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits extension (Figs. 1B1D).
(Candela, 1992): the high oxidation state sup- POSTSUBDUCTION TECTONICS
presses the formation of significant amounts of ARC MAGMATISM AND AND MAGMATISM
magmatic sulfide phases, which would strip the CRUSTAL STRUCTURE Magma generation beneath an arc may cease
magma of chalcophile and siderophile metals In mature island arcs or continental arcs, for several reasons, including migration of the
(e.g., Fe, Cu, Au, Mo; Hamlyn et al., 1985; primitive basaltic magmas ascending from locus of melting due to changes in the angle
the mantle wedge typically stall at the base of of subduction (e.g., North and South Ameri-
*E-mail: Jeremy.Richards@ualberta.ca. the upper plate crust due to density contrasts can Cordillera; Kay et al., 2005), subduction
2009 The Geological Society of America. For permission to copy, contact Copyright Permissions, GSA, or editing@geosociety.org.
GEOLOGY,
Geology, March
March 2009
2009; v. 37; no. 3; p. 247250; doi: 10.1130/G25451A.1; 2 figures. 247
Figure 1. A: Porphyry Cu
generation as a product of
normal arc magmatism;
continental arc is shown,
but similar processes can
occur in mature island
arcs. MASHmelting, as-
similation, storage, and
homogenization. SCLM
s ub co n tinental litho-
spheric mantle. BD:
Remelting of subduction-
metasomatized SCLM or
lower crustal hydrous
cumulate zones (black
layer) leading to poten-
tial porphyry Cu-Au and
epithermal Au deposit
formation. B: Collisional
lithospheric thickening.
C: Postcollisional litho-
spheric mantle delamina-
tion. D: Postsubduction
lithospheric extension.
High Sr/Y and La/Yb mag-
mas may be generated in
all cases by residual or
fractionating hornblende
(garnet, titanite) in the
lower crust.
reversal or jumping (e.g., southwest Pacific; crustal radiogenic isotopic signatures (Harris mafic alkalic intrusive complexes (Richards,
Gill and Whelan, 1989; Solomon, 1990), or et al., 1986; Davies and von Blankenburg, 1995). Examples include the Porgera and
collision that terminates subduction (e.g., 1995). The presence of amphibole and/or garnet Ladolam (Papua New Guinea; Richards et al.,
Papua New Guinea and southwest Asia; Pearce in the lower crustal former arc source rocks may 1990; Mller et al., 2002), Emperor (Fiji; Eaton
et al., 1990; Richards et al., 1990; Cloos et al., accentuate the high Sr/Y and La/Yb signa- and Setterfield, 1993), and Cripple Creek (Colo-
2005). Such processes are common and occur tures of these magmas, leading to their (mis-) rado; Kelley and Ludington, 2002) gold deposits.
on relatively short time scales (~1 m.y.), with identification as adakites in some cases. However, All of these systems formed in extensional or
essentially instantaneous cessation of arc vol- the lack of active subduction and their crustal iso- transtensional structural settings after subduc-
canism (Gill and Whelan, 1989). Depending topic compositions preclude a slab-melting origin tion either ceased (Lihir, Porgera) or migrated
on the cause, the former arc may undergo stress (Hou et al., 2004; Wang et al., 2005). away (Emperor, Cripple Creek).
states ranging from tension (rifting) to com- In both cases (extension or contraction), the
pression (collision). Both states may lead to source region is previously subduction-modified Contractional Environments and Porphyry
a brief resurgence in magmatism (Davies and lithosphere asthenosphere, and the postsub- Cu-Au and Epithermal Au Deposits
von Blankenburg, 1995; Paquette et al., 2003). duction magmas therefore share many of the Gold-rich porphyry and epithermal Au
In the case of postsubduction arc extension, geochemical and isotopic characteristics of deposits associated with high-K calc-alkaline to
decompression melting may occur in upwelling the preceding arc magmatism. However, because shoshonitic magmas have recently been reported
subduction-metasomatized asthenosphere and/or of the transience of these events (compared with from arc collisional environments (including
attenuated lithosphere, leading to the genera- steady-state subduction), the magmas will be collision with continents, microcontinent frag-
tion of mafic alkaline (shoshonitic or hawaiitic) formed in relatively small volumes and at rela- ments, or mature island arcs). Examples include:
magmas (Fig. 1D; Luhr, 1997; Paquette et al., tively low degrees of partial melting (Davies the Eocene pler epithermal Au deposit in east-
2003). Translithospheric extensional structures and von Blankenburg, 1995; Jiang et al., 2006). ern central Turkey, which postdates Cretaceous
provide channelways for rapid ascent of mantle- Thus, postsubduction magmatism tends to be Paleocene Neo-Tethyan collision (Keskin et al.,
derived magmas to upper crustal levels, with spatially isolated, and mildly (high-K Na calc- 2008); the late Miocene Sari Gunay epithermal
little crustal interaction (Richards et al., 1990). alkaline) to strongly alkaline in character. Au deposit in northwest Iran, which postdates
In contrast, postsubduction arc contraction Paleogeneearly Neogene Neo-Tethyan col-
caused by collision may lead to crustal thicken- POSTSUBDUCTION MAGMATIC- lision (Richards et al., 2006); Neogene por-
ing and delamination of the SCLM, with partial HYDROTHERMAL ORE DEPOSITS phyry Cu-Au deposits in the southwest Pacific,
melting occurring in depressed lower crustal Extensional or Transtensional Environments which followed collision or subduction reversal
rocks as isotherms rebound or hot asthenospheric and Alkalic-Type Epithermal Au Deposits (Solomon, 1990); and mid-Miocene porphyry
melts invade (Figs. 1B and 1C). The resulting The most characteristic mineralization style Cu-Au deposits in Tibet, which postdate Late
magmas are more felsic, commonly with calc- in extensional postsubduction environments Cretaceous collision between India and Asia
alkaline to mildly alkaline character, and have is alkalic-type epithermal Au, associated with (Hou et al., 2005).