Jenkins, AP and Torvela, T orcid.org/0000-0003-1539-8755
(2020)
Basin analysis using seismic interpretation as tools to examine the extent of a basin ore 'play'.
Ore Geology Reviews, 125.
103698.
ISSN 0169-1368
Abstract
Stratiform and stratabound base metal ores typically form in sedimentary basins during the overall rifting process with mineralising fluids transported along the growing normal faults. Understanding the detailed structural evolution, i.e. the timing, the growth and the extent of the faults, and the distribution and thickness of the syn-faulting sedimentary packages, is critical for focusing exploration efforts. In this paper, we describe how seismic interpretation and basin analysis techniques can help to do this. We assess the potential for Pb-Zn mineralisation within the Northumberland Trough, northern England, in the context of the wider Early Carboniferous basin evolution and the associated base metal ores. Through structural interpretation of seismic reflection data, we consider the detailed evolution of the fault geometries and sedimentation in time and space, to show the extent and distribution of the Early Carboniferous faulting and growth packages at depth in the study area. We conclude that basin evolution and structural framework in northern England is very similar to that associated with the significant Pb-Zn mineralisation in Ireland. We suggest a refined model for the Carboniferous evolution of this part of the basin. The study demonstrates how the techniques of basin analysis can be a used in ore exploration to establish whether the basic structural and sedimentary framework exists to enable mineralisation. In addition to assessing the general potential of base metal mineralisation, a more precise identification of potentially suitable areas for further investigation can be made. The seismic data and basin analysis approach used in this paper and exemplified through the Northumberland case should be directly applicable to any basin ore 'play' associated with rifting and/or sedimentation. The added, significant advantage of this method is the ability to assess the 3D fault geometries, including fault linkage and growth in space and time, and the associated sedimentation - an unachievable outcome if relying solely on other geophysical and geological data traditionally used in regional ore exploration.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of an article published in Ore Geology Reviews. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Pb-Zn; seismic reflection data; basin ores; basin analysis; normal faults; fault timing |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) > Institute for Applied Geosciences (IAG) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 05 Aug 2020 10:26 |
Last Modified: | 24 Feb 2025 10:35 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103698 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:164000 |