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DESCRIBING ALTERED VOlCANIC ROCKS

A. Bubble-wa shards
Delicate bubble-wall and platy shards (S) have been preserved wichin a carbonate
nodule in the proximal, carbonate zone beneath the Hrcules VHMS deposic. The
carbonate nodule comprises quartz + calcite + chlorite-altered pumice breccia. Plae
polarised light.
Sample MR96-57, Cambrian Hrcules Pumice Formation, Central Volcante Complex,
Mount Read Volcantes, Hrcules footwall, western Tasmania.
B. Pumice shards
Delicate tube pumice clasts (/J) have beeen preserved in intensely quartz + chlorite (
muscovite)-altered pumice bteccia from the footwall to the Gossan Hill VHMS deposit.
The tube vesicles have been coated in thin films of chlorite and filled with quartz, and
vesicle walls have been altered to quartz. Plae polarised light. Sample 138752,
Arcbaean Golden Grove Formation, Gossan Hill footwall, Western Australia.
C. Shards

This quartz nodule (Q) from the footwall, quartz + chlorite ( muscovite) zone contains
delicate shard textures. Plae polarised light.
Sample 138795, Arcbaean Golden Grove Formation, Gossan Hill footwall, Western
Australia.
-GSE 2.6 | Photographs of intensely altered pumice breccias with delicate
primary textures.
RBK 2.5 | Pairs of hand-specimen and thin-section photographs of
increasing intensity of alteration in rhyolitic feldspar-phyric pumice
breccia in the Hrcules -c-Them Central Volcanic Complex, western
Tasmania. (A) Hand-specimen and (B) thin-section photographs of subtle,
domainal, albite + sericite- and - cniorite-altered pumice breccia (sample
MR96-63) showing excellent preservaron of volcanic textures. Plagioclase
crystals are partly replaced by albite. ie-ricJ domains, tube vesicles and
clast margins are lined with sericite and albite + quartz altered. In contrast,
pumice clasts and shards in the chlorite-rich --s ="= pervasively sericite chlorite alteres. The Al s 40 and CCPI 26. C) Hand-soeemen and D) thinsection photographs of weak. domainal, albite + fe- and sericite + chloritealtered pumice breccia (sample MR96-54). Volcanic textures are well
preserved in the albite-rich domains and poorly preserved in the s--*
domains. Plagioclase crystals (P) are sericite albite opaques altered
and have albite overgrowths or nodules (a/6), which locally preserve
delicate textures. Elsewhere vesicles are coated in sericite and filled with
albite. Pumice walls are albite + quartz altered and sericite chlorite +
hematite fiamme > are abundant. The Al = 58 and CCPI = 37. (E) Handspecimen and (F) thin-section photographs of modrate, pervasive, albite
+ sericite-altered pumice t ;a-ole MR96-48) with partly preserved pumice
textures and plagioclase crystals. Sericite fiamme (F) and sericite +
hematite stylolites are abundant. 3J6S or overgrowths of albite oceur
around calcite and albite + hematite-altered plagioclase crystals (P). The
Al = 70 and CCPI = 38. (G) Hand-specimen and (H)
- - T . :-pr Dtographs of strong, pervasive, quartz + sericite + pynte-altered
pumice breccia (sample MR9&-50), Priman/ volcanic textures are faint, with
sparse srcte-afiered pumice clasts or fiamme (F). Plagioclase crystals (P)
are polycrystalline-quartz pyrite altered. The Al = 98 and CCPI = 64. (I)
Hand-specimen and
- -scor photographs of intense, schistose, quartz + serice + pyrite-altered
pumice breccia sampie UR96-4B). No rellct plagiociase or volcanic textures are
^ =:-- - seor.cn: in nar.d specimen irregular lenses o sericite resembie
fiamme (F). This alteration facles is pervasive and strongly foliated. The Al = 99
and
: - = 30.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 39
A. Spherulites and obsidian in rhyolite
Pink, isolated spherLilitcs and densely microspherulicic flow bands are enclosed in
black obsidian in this flow-bandcd rhyolite. Spherulites are radiating aggregates or
bundles of acicular and fibrous crystals. They vary in shape from spherical to bow-tie
shaped sheafs and axiolitic bundles, and are commonly composed of feldspar or
intergrowths of alkali feldspar, plagioclase, cristobalite or tridymke and clinopyroxene
(Lofgren, 1971b). Spherulites are typically the product of high-temperature (above the
glass-transition temperature) devitrification of silicic glass (Lofgren, 1971a). Sample

NG4, recent Ngongotaha lava dome, Hendersons quarry, Rotorua, New Zealand.
B. Lithophysae in rhyolite
This red albite + quartz + hemarite-altered, flow-banded quartz + plagioclase-phyric
rhyolite contains abundarte spherulites and lithophysae. The lithophysae are filled with
layered quartz.
Sample from the Lower Devenan Snowy River Volcantes, Flukes Knob rea, Victoria.
C. Variles in basalt
Dark spots in this basalt outcrop are variles: radial or
sheaf-like aggregates of plagioclase and pyroxene, olivine
or iron oxides, and are similar to spherulites, but only
oceur in mane facies (cf. Fowler et al., 1987; Williams
etal., 1982).
Shirakawa quarry, Miocene Green Tuff Belt, Odate,
Japan.
D. Micropoikilitic texture in thin section
Thegroundmass of this rhyolite is densely micropoikilitic; comprising patches of
optically continuous quartz, which endose variably orienced laths of sericitised albite.
Poikilitic and micropoikilitic texture (snowflake texture) comprise an optically
continuous crystal enclosing numerous randomly oriented inclusions of a different
composition (Anderson, 1969). The boundaries between rhe micropoikilitic quartz
domains in this sample are hghlighted by corteen rrations of sericite. Cross polarised
light.
Sample 133921, Cambrian Mount Black Formation, Central Volcante Complex, Mount
Read Volcantes, Mount Black, western Tasmania.
FIGURE 3.1 | Examples of high-temperature devitrification textures.

40 I CHAPTER3

A. Altered macroperlite
Relict macroperlitic factures in this coherent dacite are enhanced by dark grey sericite +
chlorite-altered zones along and adjacent to che perlitic fractures. The arcuate shape of
the fractures is preserved in some reas. The perlite cores are pink albite + quartz +
sericite altered. Cambrian Mount Black Formation, Central Vokanics Complex, Mount
Read Volcantes, Fieman Road, western Tasmania.
B. Relict perlite in thin section
The formerly glassy groundmass of this rhyolite preserves perlitic fractures. Perlitic
fractures are a netvvork of fine typically concentric, arcuate fractures that endose glassy
or originally glassy cores. Here, the perlitic fractures are filled with dark, mixed-layer
smectite/chlorite and the groundmass adjacent to the fractures is clinoptilolite altered.
The perlitic cores are partly glassy and partly smectite altered. Plae polarised light.
Sample J6-737 m, Miocene Nishikurosawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green Tuff
Belt, Odate, Japan.
C. Banded perlite
This finely flow-banded, plagioclase-phyric rhyolite contains an intersecting fracture
netvvork of sub-parallel long fractures linked by short cross fractures (banded perlite)
superimposed on the flow-banded texture. Sample KB257, Siluro-Devonian rhyolite,
Ural Volcanics, Ural Ridges rea, New South Wales.
D. Banded perlite in thin section
In thin section, concentrations of sericite hematite mark the relict perlitic fractures.
The pal flow bands comprise a fine-grained mosaic of feldspar + quartz, whereas the
darker bands consist of sericite + feldspar + quartz + chlorite. Disseminated fine-grained
hematite occurs throughout the groundmass. Plae polarised light.
Sample KB257, Siluro-Devonian rhyolite, Ural Volcanics, Ural Ridges rea, New South
Wales.
FIGURE 3.2 | Examplesof perlite.
Twotexturaltypesofselectivealterationoccur:disseminated alteracin (or selectivepervasive alteration), which refers to the replacement of selective pre-existing phases
throughout the host rock; and domainal alteration, which refers to the alteration of
parches, pods, or groups of clasts within the host rock (Fig. 3.3F, G and H). In addition,
selective alteration may result in concentrically zoned alteration facies within clasts or
alteration halos around clasts (Fig. 3.31, J, Kand L). Selective alteration can result in a
parchy or mortled appearance (e.g. Alien, 1988).
Common microscopic selective replacement textures are pseudomorphs, partial
pseudomorphs (cleavage and rim texture, core and zonal texture, core and rim texture
and skeletal texture), overgrowths on pre-existing components, and spheroids or nodules
(Fig. 3.4B to L: Dimroth and Lichtblau, 1979; Craig and Vaughan, 1981; Ineson, 1989).
Carbonate and zeolite nodules are common in submarine volcaniclastic facies and can
have a wide variety of grainsizes from 0.2 to greater than 20 mm (Fig. 3.41 to L:
Franklin et al, 1975; Lees, 1987; Khin Zaw and Large, 1992; Hill and Orth, 1994; Alien,
1997).
Vein halo
Vein-halo alteration involves the replacement of either the whole rock (pervasive
alteration: Fig. 3.3E) or specific pre-existing phases (selective alteration) in restricted
reas, such as the halos around veins, intrusin contacts, or at stracigraphic contacts.
Alteration progresses in fronts, moving out from fractures or contacts into the adjacent
wall rock. Vein-halo alteration has also been termed infiltration metasomatism, veinveinlec, reaction rim, vein-wall-rock, vein-envelope, veinlet-controlled and fracture-

controlled alteration (e.g. Titley etal., 1978;Titley, 1982; Thompson andThompson,

1996; Doyle, 2001).
Infill textures
Infill or open space-filling textures result from the precipitacin of new mineral phases
from solution into open spaces or cavities such as pore spaces, vesicles, inter-clast
space, vugs and fractures (Taylor, 1992). Infill textures are characterised by welldeveloped crysral faces, zoned crystals and mineral banding (Craig and Vaughan, 1981).
Silicate, carbonates, oxides, sulfates and sulfides all oceur as void fill in altered volcanic
rocks.
Infill results from the precipitation of minerals from solution. The first mineral to be
deposited forms a crust on the cavity walls and grows inwards, generally with the
development of inward facing crystal faces. Common infill textures include incomplete
infill, massive infill, and layered or banded infill (Fig. 3-6: Taylor, 1992). These
cexcures can include fibrous, prismatic, spherulitic or equant crystal shapes and exist on
a range of scales from micrometres to metres (Dimroth and Lichtblau, 1979; Taylor,
1992).
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND Z0NAT10N PATTERNS | 41
Incomplete infill
Incomplete or partial infilling of veins and cavities or dissolution of void fill can leave
an open vug in the centre (e.g. Fig.3.5A). In many cases, the resulting infill texture
contains well-formed crystals that project into chis vug.
Massive infill
Massive infill cexcures result from the continuous deposition of a mineral or aggregate
of minerals until the cavity is filled (e.g. Fig. 3.5B). Massive infill commonly contains
well-formed crystals, especially quartz, feldspar, fluorite, cassiterite, galena, sphalerite
and chalcopyrite crystals. Massive, microcrystalline forms also exisr (Taylor, 1992).
Layered infill
Layered or banded infill textures result from the deposition of a succession of minerals
inwards from the cavity or fracture wall (Bateman, 1951). Layered infill textures do not
generally contain well-formed crystals, such as comb texture (e.g. Fig. 3.5H), but vary
from thin layers of individual minerals to crustiform bands or colloform textures.
Dissolution textures
Dissolution textures are common in alrered volcanic rocks (Alien, 1990; Alien and Cas,
1990; Marsaglia and Tazaki, 1992; Gifkins and Alien, 2001). They form from the
corrosin or leaching of pre-existing phases (either glass or mineral phases), wich or
without minor replacement by new mineral phases (Fisher and Schmincke, 1984). For
example, leaching of rhyolitic glass is commonly accompanied by crystallisation of
muscovite or clay minerals that absorb leached ions from solution (Karkhanis et al.,
1980).
Dissolution textures include corrosin vugs or dissolution pits, stylolites and solution
seams (e.g. Fig. 3.6: Pettijohn, 1957).
Corrosin vugs
Dissolution or corrosin of volcanic glass or pre-existing minerals can crate open
cavities or oversized pores (Fig. 3.6A to F) in which infill can oceur synchronous with
dissolution or after dissolution (Hay, 1963; Sheppard et al., 1988). In some cases
pseudomorphs of minerals or originally glassy particles, such as glass shards, form by
dissolution and precipicacion (Riech, 1979; Sheppard et al., 1988). Riech (1979)
recognised infill textured zeolites and calcite within clinopyroxenes, and proposed that
clinopyroxenes were corroded during diagenesis, creating an open void that was
subsequently filled with zeolites and calcite. Similarly, Hay (1963) recognised partial to

complete dissolution of glass shards followed by the precipitation of authigenic

minerals, especially zeolites, in the new cavities as well as in original pore space.
42 I CHAPTER3

A- Pervasively altered rhyolite

Intense, pervasive, fine-grained K-feldspar + quartz alteration has completely
replaced the groundmass and plagioclase phenocrysts in chis rhyolite. Sample 143286,
Central Volcante Complex, Mount Read Volcantes, Mount Darwin, western Tasmania.
B. Selectively altered phenocrysts
Sericite has selectively altered the coarse prismatic feldspar phenocrysts (F) in this
latite. The pal green-grey, fine-grained groundmass is moderately and pervasively
phengite + chlorite + ankerite altered, and the amygdales are quartz filled.
Sample 144369, Ordovician Lake CowalVolcanics, Junee-NarKomine Volcante Belt,
Endeavour 42 prospect, New South Wales.
C. Selectively altered pumice clasts
Large pumice clasts (P) in this sample of crystal- and pumice-rich volcanicla.stic
breccia have been selectively altered to orange albite + quartz, whereas the finer grained
matrix has been altered to green sericite + chlorite + albite. The domainal alteration style
enhances its clastic appearance.
Sample 31993, Cambrian Mount Julia Member, Tyndall Group, Mount Read Volcantes,
Comstock, western Tasmania.
D. Selectively altered matrix
In this andesitic volcaniclastic breccia, the matrix is moderately and selectively epidotc
altered. In contrast, tbe plagioclase-phyric clasts (C) are weakly chlorite + sericite
altered.
Sample 144805, Ordovician Mingelo Volcantes, Junee-Narromine Volcanic Belt, Peak
Hill, New South Wales.
FIGURE 3.3 | Examplesof replacementtexturesinhandspecimen.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 43
. Vein halo
:::r altere'
d zones are restricted to 5 mm halos or
pyrite vcinlets
r^es adiacent to quartz + accinolitc __= reidspar porphyritic dacite. r-r TH386 271-i
m, Cambro-Ordovician Trooper rormation, Seventy Mile Range Group, Mount '-ivSubprovince, Thalang
E 3nded, domainal alteraton facies
Ase and disconcinuous pink and green bands in this _--.-e crystai-rich volcaniclastic
sandsrone are defined i:~iains of albite + quartz chloricc, and chlorite -serate +
magnetite alteraton facies, respectively. The yA are not obviously consistent with
grainsize or : -,ent \'ariations; they altrnate on a 21 0 cm scale, in _:erally extensive
(1020 m) and are commonly, but
: iively, bedding parallel. --.:. 131982, Caminan Mount Julia Member, Tyndall - -.-.
Mount Read Volcantes, Lyell Comstock, western
G. Patchy, domainal alteraton facies
Tzs domainal, green epidote + quartz and grey albite - -iartz + hematite alteraton
facies are distributed in
- _: _...: parches with diffuse margins in this cohcrcni r .oclase-phyric dacite. .- ::'U
MI42, Cambrian Mount Black Formation, '-al Volcante Complex, Mount Read
Volcanics, Tidlah, v-1-' Tasmania.
H. Domainal alteraton facies in pseudobreccia
Domainal red albire + quartz and dark green epidote + sricite + albite alteration facies in
this sample of macro-rerte gives it a pseudo-polymictic and -clastic texture. However,

the red apparent clasts have diffuse margins and identical phenocryst populations to the
apparent atrix.
Sample 47550, Cambrian Mount Black Formation, Central Volcanics Complex, Mount
Read Volcanics, Pieman Road, western Tasmania.

iGURE 3.3 | Examples of replacement textores in hand specimen, cont.

44 I CHAPTER3

I. Zonation within clasts

The andesite and basalt clasts in this polymictic volcanic breccia are concentrically
zoned, with sericite + quartr + calcite-akered rims, and chlorite-altered cores. Some of
the larger clasts have an additional quarcz + sericite + chlorite-altered core zone. The
matrix has been moderacely and pervasively quartz + sericite + calte chlorite altered.
Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcanics, Mount Charter Group, western volcano-sedimentary
sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, Hellyer, western Tasmania.
J. Zonation within clasts
Clasts in chis basaltic pebble conglomrate display heterogenous alteration facies, and
some clasts are internaUy zoned. The bsale clast (B) has a fine-grained, pal green
sericite-rich rim, and darker sericite + chlorite-altered core.
Sample 134632, Cambrian Red Lead Formation correlate, Dundas, Kapi Creek,
western Tasmania.
K. Zonation within pillows
This metamorphosed, amphibolice-grade lava-pillow has a typical triangular, draped
shape and is concentrically zoned. The central red zone is coarse-grained, scapolite-poor
and albite + hematite + sericite epidote altered. The average grainsize decreases, and
scapolite grainsize and abundance increases, in consecutive zones towards the rim.
Biotite + calcite + hornblende + microcline + scapolite + epidoce + quartz compuse the
incer-pillow matrix.
Proterozoic Corella Formation, Mary Kathleen Group, Malbon River, northuiest
Queensland.
L. Altered halos around clasts
Orange albite + quartz alteration facies is distributed in a halo around a massive, albitealtered dacite clast (C) in chis crystal- and lichic-rich volcaniclastic sandscone. The
more pervasive green-grey domain is sericite + chlorite + quartz + albite altered.
Sample 132090, Cambrian Mount Julia Member, Tyndall Group, Mount Read Volcanics,
Anthony Road, western Tasmania.
FIGURE 3.3 | Examples of replacement texturas in hand specimen, cont.
A. Microcrystalline texture in thin section
The groundmass of chis rhyolite is a microcrystalline mosaic of quartz + feldspar +
sericite. Quartz phenocrysts (Q) have been recrystllised. Microcrystalline texture
(aphanicic) is a fine-grained granular ccxture where the individual cryscals can be
distinguished in thin section. In contrast, cryptocrystalline texture (phaneritic) is where
che cryscals are too minute to be distinguished even with che aid of a microscope
(Wiliiams ct al., 1982). Cross polarised light.
Sample 133318, Cambro-Ordovician Mount Windsor Formation, Seventy Mile Range
Group, Thalanga, Queensland.
B. Pseudomorphs in thin section
The plagioclase phenocrysts in this sericite + quartz + tourmaline-altered andesite were
pseudomorphed by tourmaline, and subsequently almost completely replaced by bluegreen chlorite. Pseudomorphs are cryscals or aggregaces of crystals thac preserve the
shape of a pre-existing mineral or particle (e.g. glass shard or pumice clast) (Spry,
1976). Plae polarised light. Sample 145199, Ordovician Forest Reefi Volcantes,
Molong Volcante Belt, Black Rock, New South Wales.
C. Pseudomorphs in thin section
This thin section of plagioclase + quartz + pyroxenc-phyric rhyolite shows an illite
pseudomorph afcer pyroxene. Plagioclase phenocrysts have been altered to K-feldspar
and the groundmass comprises a fine-grained mosaic of K-feldspar + quartz + chlorite +
smectite. Cross polarised light.

Sample KB495, Siluro-Devonian Coan rhyolite, Mount Hope Volcantes, Coan Gonn
Peak, New South Wales.
D. Cleavage and rim texture in thin section
The plagioclase crystals in this basalt have been selectively altered by sericite along
cleavage planes. Cleavage and rim textures oceur by selective alteration of mineral grain
boundaries and cleavages. It is common in plagioclase, in which montmorillonite,
sericite or calcice form along the cleavage planes (Sales and Meyer, 1948). Plae
polarised lighe.
Sample SVD87a-104.9 m from the Camban Sterling Valley Volcanics, Mount Read
Volcanics, Sterling Valley, western Tasmania.
FIGURE 3.4 I Examples of replacement texturas in altered volcanic rocks.
46 I CHAPTER3
Wi,
-' ;"; "' **" :s;- ."-_ ';%?44r-^',
s^&tfW1*?* .;;, '

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V".

. V.
W*2
**>
V. . ':.
m
P;*#
'tMS

E. Core and zonal texture in thin section

Zones within plagioclase phenocrysts in chis subtly, .smectite t calcice-altered diorite
have been selectively alcered to sericite. These incomplete pseudomorphs, tenned core
and zonal texture, are particularly common in zoned feldspar, amphibole and mica
crystals where the cores, or one or more zones in zoned minerals, are altered (Barker,
1990). In plagioclase crystals, like tliose pictured here, the calcic zones are typically
altered to calcite or sericite (Sales and Meyer, 1948). Plae polarised light.
Sample 152958, Pliocene-Pleistocene Luise Volcano, Lihir Island, New Ireland
Province, Ladolam epithermal Au mine, Papua New Guinea.
F. Core and zonal texture in thin section
In this example of core and zonal texture, the core zones of plagioclase phenocrysts
have been altered to sericite. The groundmass of this plagioclase + clinopyroxene-phyric
basalt was subtly and pervasively smectite + calcite-altered. Plae polarised light.
Sample 152830, Pliocene-Pleistocene Luise Volcano, Libir Island, New Ireland
Province, Ladolam epithermal Au mine. Papua Neto Guinea.
G. Overgrowth texture in thin section
A discontinulas K-feldspar overgrowth endoses a hematite-altered plagioclase
phenocryst {P) in this strongly and pervasively albite + quartz + sericite-altered pumice

breccia. K-feldspar nucleated on the plagioclase phenocryst, spread outwards filling

vesicles, and replaced vesicle walls in the pumice clasts. Overgrowth textures are
mineral rims that may be composed of one or more crystals of similar or different
minerals. Cross polarised light.
Sample 133814 from the Cambrian Hrcules Pumice Formation, Central Volcanic
Complex, Mount Read Volcantes, Hrcules footwall, western Tasmania.
H. Altered nodules in pumice breccia
Blue-green celadonite nodules have overprinted pumice clasts in this polymictic
volcanic breccia. These nodules are composed of fine-grained aggregates of celadonite
opal CT quartz, preserve uncompacted tube and round vesicle pumice textures, and are
surrounded by pervasive smectite + mordenite + calcite alteracin facies. Sample FK2,
Miocene Byobu-iwa Member, Tokiwa Formation, South Fossa Magna, Green TuffBelt,
Fujikawa River, japan.
FIGURE 3.4 | Examples of replacement textures in altered volcanic rocks, cont.
I. Carbonate spheroids
Large dolomice spheroids are encloscd in the strongly chlorite + quarcz + dolomitealtered matrix ot chis formerly plagioclase-phyric andesite. Nodules and spheroids are
spherical domains of alteration, which may comprise radiating aggregates of fibrous
crystals, fine internally concentric struccures, or mosaics of anhedral grains, with
orwithout cores (Alien, 1997; HU and Orcli, 1995).
Sample 35756, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcantes, Mount Charter Group, western
volcano-sedimentary sequences, Mount Read Volcantes, Hellyerfootwall, western
Tasmania.
J. Carbonate spheroids in thin section
in thin section, the dolomice spheroids display concentric zones and a coarse, radiating,
fibrous cexture. This compositional zonacion in the spheroids probably indicaces
mltiple stages of carbonate alteration (cf. Hill and Orth, 1995)- Plae polarised light.
Sample 135756, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcanics, Mount Charter Group, western
volcano-sedimentary sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, Hellyer footwall, western
Tasmania.
K. Carbonate spheroids
Carbonate spheroids are concentrated in individual beds in this strongly chlorite +
carbonate + pyrite-alcered laminaced volcaniclastic sandstone. The larger spheroids,
which are up to 2 mm in diameter, have coalesced. Sample 138601, Archaean Mb5
Golden Grove Formation, Luke Creek Group, Murchison Volcanics, Golden Grove,
Western Australia.
L. Carbonate spheroids n thin section
Thin section examinarion shows these carbonate spheroids are supported in a fincgrained quartz + sericicc + carbonate matrix. Plae polarised light. Sample 138601,
Archaean Mb5 Golden Grove Formation, Luke Creek Group, Murchison Volcanics,
Golden Grove, Western Australia.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS |

FIGURE 3.4 I Examples of replacemenl textures in altered volcante rocks, cont.

48 I CHAPTER3

A. Incomplete infill in fractures

Incomplete filling of fractures in this altered diorite Jefe sub-planar vugs. The pyrite fill
has botryoidal surfaces, representing rounded shapes of either spherulitic radiating
aggregates of fibrous crystals or fine-concentric intemal structures (cf. Jensen and
Bateman, 1981). This massive plagioclase-phyrc diorite has been pervasively Kfeldspar + pyrite (>quartz + illite) altered, and dissolution of primary mafic minerals
produced a fine, spongy, porous texture.
Sample 152959, Pliocene-Pleistocene Luise Vokano, Lihir Island, New Ireland
Province, Ladolam epithermal Au mine. Papua New Guinea.
B. Massive infill
Pal green epidote altered halos surround massive chlorice-fiUed amygdales {A) in
this basalt sample. Sample 144753, Ordovician, Junee-Narromine Volcanic Belt,
Boundary Prospect, Lake Cowal, New South Wales.
C. Layered infill stringer vein
This banded vein consists of successive layers, from the vein wall to centre, of quartz,
quartz and intergrown chalcopyrite and pyrite, and dolomite. A chin dolomite vein has
overprinted the stringer vein at an oblique angle. These veins are hosted in strongly and
pervasively sericite + chlorite + albite + pyrite-altered andesite. Cambrian Que-Hellyer
Volcanics, westem vokano-sedimenta/y sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, Hellyer
footwall, western Tasmania.
D. Layered infill in amygdales
Amygdales {A) in this bsale clast, from a basalt-rnudstone peperite, contain concentric
layers of quartz and calcite, which have grown inwards from the vesicle walls. The
basalt groundmass has been pervasively sericite + chlorite + calcite altered. The clast
grainsize decreases towards the clase rim, co the left of the field of view in this
photograph.
Sample 76836, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcanics, western volcano-sedimentary
sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, Hellyer, western Tasmania.
FIGURE 3.5 | Examples of infill textures in altered volcanic rocks.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 49
E. Layered i nfil 1 textiire in vesicles
Vesicles (V) in this plagioclase-phyric pumice clast have been filled with roughly
concencric layers of tan-coloured mordenite, dark smectite and clear clinoptilolite. The
zeolites occur in clusters or aggregates of fine, radiating fibres. The originally glassy
vesicle walls {W) have been replaced by mordenite + K-feldspar smectite. Plae
polarised light.
Sample OH8-387 m, Miocene Onnagawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt,
Odate, Japan.
F. Layered infll textiire in amygdales
Amygdales in this subdy altered perlitic rhyolite have
been filled with bands of fine-grained montmorillonite
and unknown radiating fibrous minerals. Pal polarised
light.
Simple J6-737 m, Miocene Nishikurosawa Formation,
-
:, Basin, Green TuffBelt, Odate, Japan.
G. Layered infill in amygdales
The amygdales in this palagonite-altered trachytic basalt i^r: from a crystal- and lithicrich pumice breccia are ELJSC with layers of montmorillonite and fibrous zeolites. Z'as.t
polarised light.
-.; OH8-387 '., Miocene Onnagawa Formation, Hkuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt,

Odate, Japan.
H. Comb texture
Tr.is example of comb texture shows layers of prominent sr=rry quartz + amethyst
carbonate crystals projecting a-.vards from the vein or cavit)' wall. Simple T5,
Cretaceous, andesite, Fresnillo epithermal trict, Mxico.

=iGURE3.5 | Examples of infill textures in altered volcanic rocks, cont.

50 I CHAPTER3

A. Dissolution vugs
This hand specimen of polymictic breccia has a spongy or vuggy porous texcure due co
che dissolution of primary mafic igneous minerals and glass. It has been incensely and
pervasively adulara + Hite + pyrite altered with illite replacing plagioclase crystals,
secondary K-feldspar in che altered matrix, and disseminated pyrite. Sampk 52726,
Pliocene-Pleistocene Luise Volcano, Lihir hland, New Ireland Province, Ladolam
epithermal Au mine. Papua New Guinea.
B. Dissolution vugs in thin section
In thin section, irregularly shaped, empry, corrosin or dissolution vugs (V) are
conspicuous in che matrix and clases. Some vugs cut across clase margis. Plae
polarised light.
Sample 152726, Pliocene-Pleistocene Luise Volcano, Lihir Island, New Ireland
Province, Ladolam epithermal Au mine. Papua New Guinea.
C. Filled dissolution vug in thin section
Corrosin vugs, created by the dissolution of volcanic glass or pre-exiscing minerals, are
commonly filled by subsequent mineral precipitacin from solution. Successive layers
of montmorillonitc and zeolite have filled an irregular vug (V) in chis thin section. The
vug oceurs in the matrix and in a basalt clast, crossing the clasc-matrix contacc. Plae
polarised lighe. i Sample OH8-3S7 m, Miocene Onnagawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin,
Green TuffBelt, Odate, Japan.
D. Vuggy quartz
The prominent features n this quartz-rich sample are the corrosin vugs, which were
generated by che dissolution of pumice clases and cryscals from this pumice and lichic
tuff.
Miocene rhyodatic pumice and lithic tuff, Pierina Au-Ag deposit, Per.
FIGURE 3.6 | Examples of dissolution texturas in altered volcanic rocks.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 51
E. Kaolinite + dickite-altered andesite
Large (up to 4 mm), blocky feldspar phenociysts have
been kaolinite altered in chis sample of massive, cohercnt
andesite.
Miocene andesitic lava, Pierina Au-Ag deposit, Per.
F. Vuggy quartz
In this sample of vuggy quartz, vvhich is equivalen: to rhe previous lcaolinite + dickitealtered andesite, the feldspar phenocrysts have been dissolved resulting n blocky vugs.
The groundmass is composed dominandy o f quartz. Miocene andesitic lava, Pierina
Au-Ag deposit, Per.
G. Stylolite in thin section
Scylolites (5;) in this rhyoliric pumice breccia have conccntrated fine-grained opaques
and sericite chlorite. The stylolites define che compaction foliation and are crenulated
by che dominant regional cleavage (S) defined by alignment of sericite n che subdy
albite + quartz + sericite-altered matrix.
Sample 147422, Cambrian Kershaiv Pumice Formation, Central Volcanics Complex,
Mount Read Volcanics, Rosebery, western Tasmania.
E. Solucin seams in thin section
These analcime-filled solution seams occur in a smectite-lich fiamme, extending from
the fiamme cerminations into the shard- and crystal-rich matrix of a cryscal-rich pumice
breccia. They are incerpreted to have formed by dissolution and precipitation under the
influence of lithostatic load during diagenesis. Plae polarised lighe. Sample FK7,

Miocene Wadaira Tuff Member, Tokiwa Formation, South Fossa Magna, Creen TuffBelt,
Wadaira, Japan.

FIGURE 3.6 | Examples of dissolution texturas in altered volcanic rocks, cont.

52 | CHAPTER3
Vuggy silica (quartz) alteracin facics is characterised by fine-grained, microcryscalline
quartz and abundant open vugs or pores, which may be partly infilled (e.g. Fig. 3.6D, E
and F). It is common in high-sulfidation epithennal systems and resulcs from the
extensive leaching of all phases, excepr Si02 and TiO from volcanic roces by hot acid
solutions (Whire and Hedenquist, 1990).
Stylolites
Srylolites are common in altered volcaniclastic rocks (Alien, 1990; Alien and Cas, 1990;
Marsaglia and Tazaki, 1992; Gifkins and Alien, 2001). They are surfaces of dissolution
associated with strain (pressure solution). They are roughly planar surfaces that exhibit
mutual column and socket inter-digitation and may branch. Stylolites result from
mechanical compaction and removal of elements by diffusion and precipitacin (Merino
et al., 1983). They indcate volume loss and may form parallel or sub-parallel to bedding
during burial, or at high angles to bedding during folding. Stylolites often contain a
residue of insoluble material and minerals precipitated from solucin. Rccrystallisation,
dissolution, grain growtb, grain orientation, pressure twinning, fracturing and residual
accumularion of minerals along stylolites are common (Amstutz and Park, 1967).
Irregular, anastomosing, bedding-parallel scylolices have been recognised in originally
glassy volcanic facies, especially pumice breccias, in the Ylount Read Vblcanics
(Alien, 1990; Alien and Cas, 1990; Gifkins and Alien, 2001). These are seams that
concencrace fine-grained opaques and sericite at the margins of originally glassy clases,
along tube vesicle walls in pumice clasts and in tbe matrix (Fig. 3.6D: Gifkins, 2001),
These srylolites are interpreted as diagenetic compaction and dissolution fabrics that
formed by the dissolucion of soluble componenes, parcicularly glass, and by che
precipitation of clays and Fe-oxides as a result of pressure during burial (Alien, 1990;
Alien and Cas, 1990; Gifkins, 2001).
Solution seams
Solution seams are non-sutured, discontinuous mineral-filled seams that may form
during diagenesis as a result of stress-related dissolution of soluble components and reprecipitation (Merino et al, 1983). Analcime-filled solution seams in pumice-rich rocks
from the Green Tuff Belt (Japan) are anastomosing and roughly parallel co bedding.
They oceur in the fine-grained matrix and within fiamme and pardy compacted pumice
clasts (Fig. 3.6E: Gifkins et al., in press).
Static recrystallisation textures
Recrystallisacion is the transformacin of a mineral or glass to a new grainsize,
morphology or orientation of the same mineral species or minerals of the same
composition (i.e. neomorphism, Folk, 1965)- Pre-existing minerals recrystallise to a new
grainsize in an attempt to assume a more stable form by minimising the ratio of che
surface rea to the volume during changed physical conditions (Yardley, 1989).
Recrystallisation textures are produced by changes in the size, shape and arrangement of
minerals in a rock. With increasing temperature, recrystallisation generally involves the
change from fine to coarse grainsize (aggrading), except for static recrystallisation to
hornfels and dynamic recrystallisation where large, strained grains are replaced by a
mosaic of tiny, unstrained crysrals (Folk, 1965). Minerals may be directed or randomly
orientated (non-directed: Spry, 1976). Directed textures oceur where recryscallisation is
accompanied by stress (dynamic recrystallisation). Non-directed textures oceur where
the pressure is equal in all directions (static recrystallisation).
Common macroscopic and microscopic recrystallisation textures include mineral
overgrowths, porphyroblasts, poikoblasts, and homfelsic, granoblastic, granophyric and

decussate textures (Fig. 3.7).

Dynamic recrystallisation textures
Directed fabrics or textures are common to regional metamorphic rocks where
recrystallisacion is accompanied by stress (dynamic recrystallisation). These textures
include subgrains .(granoblastic, porphyroblastic and poikiioblastic textures), foliations,
layering and lineations.
In common usage the term foliation is non-genetic and describes any planar, spaced or
pervasive fabric in the rock. Foliations may form during diagenesis, metamorphism or
tectonic deformation. Planar foliations are due to the preferred orientation of minerals,
particularly micas, aligned perpendicular to the mximum compression direction
(Yardley, 1989). Planar foliations are subdivided on the basis of grainsize and overall
appearance of the altered rock. These include slaty cleavage, schistosity and gnessic
layers.
In fault zones or zones of intense duccile shear, two characteristic textures oceur:
cataclastic and mylonitic textures. Cataclase refers to a fine-grained fault gouge breccia
with an unfoliared matrix (Sibson, 1977). Ideally, cataclasis is mechanical ftagmentation
without recrystallisacion, however this rarely oceurs in nature (cf. Sibson, 1977).
Mylonite is a term used fot strongly foliated fine-grained rocks in which the grainsize
has been reduced by recrystallisation (Bell and Etheridge, 1973).
Deformation textures
Deformation textures are stress activated and develop in response to overburden
pressures or regional tectonic stress. Because volcanic deposirs typically have high
inidal porosities they are easily modified by mechanical compaction during burial,
tectonic deformarion or, in the case of pyroclastic deposits, welding (Peterson, 1979;
Alien, 1988; Branney and Sparks, 1990). Textural modification associated with
compaction is essentially a result of increased pressure causing the re-arrangement and
deformation of grains and reduction of intergranular pore space (Deelman, 1975).
Deformation textures result from the rotation, brittle fracturing, flattening and distortion
of exiscing grains or fabrics, especially clasrs that were previously altered to soft
minerals (McBride, 1978; Galloway, 1979; Craig and Vaughan, 1981; Branney and
Sparks, 1990).
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 53
A. Porphyroblasts
The large, strongly altered, cordierite porphyroblasts give this rhyolite a distinctive
coarsely sport}' texture. This rexture inspired the rerms dalmatianite, which was applied
by early workers in the Noranda Camp, and the spotted facies, which was applied by
Riverin and Hodgson (1980), for the cordierite-altered Amulet rhyolite and Millenbach
andesite. The porphyroblasts are enclosed in a groundmass of chloritised biotite +
sericite + quartz. Porphyroblasts are metamorphic crystals that are surrounded by a
much finer grained matrix of other minerals (Spry, 1976). These large minerals have
formed at the expense of the matrix and are the metamorphic equivalent of phenocrysts.
Archaean Amulet Rhyolite Formation, Noranda, Abitibi greenstone belt, Amulet UpperA
deposit, Canad.
B. Porphyroblasts in gneiss
This biotite + garnet gneiss is characterised by spotty 5 mm diameter garnet
porphyroblasts in a mdium- to fine-grained quartz + feldspar + biotite groundmass. The
garnet porphyroblasts commonly have a biotite rim. A gneiss is a rock with coarsely
differentiated layering defined by the segregation of minerals of different composition
(rypically dark and light minerals) in mdium- to coarse-grained, granular rocks.
Layering forms parallel to the tectonic foliation and in this case deviates around the

garnet porphyroblasts. The precursor is interpreted to have been a felsic volcaniclastic

rock. Sarnple 154061, Proterozoic Potos gneiss, Harp prospect, Broken Hill Block,
New South Wales.
C. Porphyroblasts in thin section
This sample of garnet hornfels, from the contact zone berween rhyolite and a diorite
intrusin, contains cuhedral garnet porphyroblasts in the biotite + muscovite * quartz
groundmass. Porphyroblasts, like these, with well-developed crystal shapes are
idioblastic or euhedral, whereas those with poorly developed crystal shape are
xenoblastic or anhedral (Yardley, 1989). Plae polarised Light.
Sample 140868, Cambro-Ordovician Mount Windsor Formation, east Thalanga, Mount
Charter, Queensland.
D. Poikiloblast in thin section
This thin section of amphibolite displays an amphibole roikiloblast with quartz and
biotite inclusin trails. Toikiloblasts are porphyroblasts that contain numerous -.;lusions
that may or may not show a preferred :;ntation (Barker, 1990). Poikiloblastic texture is
malogous to poikilitic or micropoikilitic texture. Usually ths inclusions are minerals that
also occur in the matrix Virdley, 1989). In this sample, the biotite inclusin riiis display
snowball rotation indicating s}'ntectonic Sfowxh of the amphibole. Plae polarised light.
pie 3215, Proterozoic Corella Formation, Mary - leen Group, Malbon River,
northwest Qtieensland.

flU
:..\S;...;

=CRE 3.7 | Examples of static recrystallisation textures in altered volcanic

rocks.
54 | CHAPTER3
Common deformacin textures include intergranular cexcures and fabrics such as
foliarions, lineations, and augen-srruccure, and intragranular textures such as strained,
bent, kinked, flattened, twinned and broken grains (crystals or clasts), as well as
irregular grain contacts (e.g. Fig. 3.8A, B and C: Dcelman, 1976; Spry, 1976).
Deformation can modify pre-existing textures such as volcanic, hydration and
devitrification textures (e.g. Fig. 3.8D to H). Fiamme and eucaxicic deformation textures
are unique to volcanic facies (e.g. Fig. 3.9: Ross and Smith, 1960; Alien and Cas, 1990;
McPhie et al., 1993; Gifkins et al., in press). Fiamme and eutaxitic textures are
characteristic of, but are not rcstricted to, welded ignimbrites (e.g. Fig. 3.9A and B: Ross
and Smith, 1960; Smith, 1960), welded pyroclascic fall deposits (e.g. Sparks and
Wright, 1979), welded autobreccia (e.g. Sparks et al., 1993) and pyroclastic deposits that
have undergone secondary welding as a result of contact with hot lava or ntrusions (e.g.
Ross and Smith, 1960; Christiansen and Lipman, 1966; Schmincke, 1967; McPhie and
Hunns, 1995). Similar fiamme and eutaxitic texture also occur in non-welded altered
pumice-rich rocks (e.g. Fig. 3.9C and D: Fiske, 1969; Alien, 1988; Branney and Sparks,
1990; Gifkins et al., in press) and felsic lavas (e.g. Pichler, 1981; Alien, 1988).
The terms fiamme and eutaxitic texture are used herein to describe the rock texture and
not to imply any particular origin. Fiamme are flame-like, glassy or devitrified lenses,
which define a pre-tectonic foliacin (cf. McPhie et al., 1993). Fiamme may have a wide
variety of sizes (0.5 mm to 1 m), lengch to height ratios (up to 40:1), shapes (e.g. flamelike, bow ci, irregular branching and blocky) and incernal textures (aphyric,
porphyricic, vesicular or stylolitic) (Gifkins et al., in press). Eutaxitic texture is the pre-

tectonic foliation defined by the parallel alignment of fiamme (cf. Fritsch and Reiss,
1868; Ross and Smith, 1960; Smith, 1960). Eutaxitic texture typically impares a blotchy
or streaky appearance to the rock duc to che colour contrast between the darker fiamme
and paler matrix (e.g. Fig. 3.9A and C).
3.2 | PSEUDOTEXTURES
The incomplece descruccion of primary cexcures and che combined effeces of a number
of differenc overprinting alteration scyles (polyphase alceracion) can result in significant
textural modification and che developmenc of false textures or pseudotextures (De
Rosen-Spence et al., 1980; Alien, 1988; McPhie et al., 1993). Pseudotextures are
alteration textures that modify or obscure primary volcanic textures and often lead to
incorrect interpretation of the primary volcanic facies. Alien (1988) described examples
of altered silicic lavas and autobreccias from Benambra, New South Wales, chat have
the remarkably deceptive appearance of welded and non-welded pyroclastic facies and
chinly bedded tuffaceous rocks.
Pseudotextures can be subdivided into pseudoclastic textures (pseudobreccia,
pseudogranular, false thin-bedded volcaniclastic) or false pyroclastic textures (false
shards, false pyroclastic or eutaxitic: Fig. 3.10). However, strong pervasive alteration
can also produce false massive textures that resemble either massive volcaniclascic or
coherent facies (Alien, 1988; McPhie et al., 1993; Doyle and Huston, 1999;
Doyle, 2001). Polyphase and patchy alteration of monomictic volcaniclastic facies can
also result in false clast-supported and false polvmictic cextures.
Pseudoclastic textures
The mosr common pseudoclastic textures are pseudobreccia and false pyroclastic texture
(also referred to as false eutaxitic texture). Other pseudoclastic textures include false
thin-bedded volcaniclastic and pseudogranular textures.
Pseudobreccias have the appearance of breccias, but form as a result of alteration of
coherent facies (Carozzi, 1960; Alien, 1988). In outcrop they resemble coarse-grained,
monomictic or polvmictic, clast- to matrix-supported breccias comprising angular to
sub-rounded clasts in a fine-grained matrix (Fig. 3.10A, BandC).
False pyroclastic textures occur in both coherent facies and in situ hyaloclastite. In
ouccrop and hand specimen they may have a eutaxitic texture and contain abundant
fiamme (e.g. Fig. 3.10D). In thin section they appear to contain splintery and arcuate
fragments, which may closcly resemble pyroclastic glass shards (false shards: Fig.
3.10E).
Both pseudobreccia and false pyroclastic texture develop as a result of two-phase
alteration of fractured (perlicic or quench fractured) coherent or autoclastic facies and
domain-controlled alteration of nodular devitrification cexcures in coherent facies (e.g.
Fig. 3.11: Alien, 1988).
Necworks of intersecting quench and/or perlitic fractures may control polyphase
alteration in the fractured glassy parts of coherent lavas and ntrusions because they are
permeable pathways for fluid flow. Initially glass immediately adjacent to the perlitic
fractures is altered, then, as the fractures are filled, replacement fronts migrate away
from che perlicic fractures towards the core. This may eicher obscure che concinuicy of
che perlitic fractures or, if alteration is incomplete, enhance che perlitic fraecures. False
shard cexcures develop eicher due co che preservacin of less altered, relatively
siliceous slivers becween two or more fractures, or as alcered segments of the fractures
themselves (e.g. Fig. 3.10E: Alien, 1988). The shape of false shards is a funecion of che
shape of che fracture network. For example, cuspare false shards are produced from
classical perlite, whereas those resembling flattened or welded shards result from
banded perlite (e.g. Fig. 3.2D). False clasts develop where altered perlitic glass is pardy

overprinced by a subsequent alteration phase, thereby preserving isolared relices of the

earlier phase. Aiternatively, the earlier phase may be incomplete, leaving isolated
kernels of glass that are subsequendy alcered co a different mineral assemblage.
Pseudobreccia may also result from domainal or selective alteration of nodular
devitrification textures: spherulites and lithophysae (e.g. Fig. 3.10F and G). Spherulites
and lithophysae are typically recrystallised to quarrzo-feldspathic compositions, whereas
the interstitial originally glassy domains are altered to phyllosilicate-rich assemblages
(Alien, 1988). Consequently, the originally glassy and crystalline domains differ in
alteration mineralogy and colour, and the spherulites appear as rounded siliceous clasts
in a fine-grained phyllosilicate-rich matrix.
Pseudogranular or sandy textures resemble well-sorced sandscones. These result from
the recrystallisation of densely
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS | 55
A. Augen schist
This sample of quarrz-augen schisr comprises large lenticular quarrz-rich domains (Q)
encloscd in a strongly foliated, sericite + quartz chlorite-akered mairix. Augen texture
is common in deformed, strongly porphyritic coherent and crystal-bearing volcaniclastic
rocks. This augen schist ptobably resulted from che superposition of a strong regional
cleavage on an altered pumice breccia. The cleavage anastomoses around comperent
silicified pumice clasts.
Sample 040617, Cambrian western volcano-sedimentary sequences, Mount Read
Volcantes, Rosebery hanging watt, ivestern Tasmania.
B. Broken crystals in andesite
This deformed andesite contains broken plagioclase phenocrysts in a strongly foliated,
sericite + chlorite + magnetite epidote-altered groundmass. Broken or fractured grains
may rcsulc from mechanical pressure during tecconic deformation (McBride,
1978).Typically, feldspar crystals have been fractured along their cleavage planes,
whereas quartz crystals have developed conchoidal fractures (Taylor, 1950; Sippel,
1968). Cross polarised lighe.
Sample 144387, Ordovician Lake Cowal Volcanic Complex, Junee-Narromine Volcanic
Belt, Lake Cowal, Gateway Prospect, New South Wales.
C. Deformed grains
In this amphiboite grade volcaniclastic siltstone, the quartz grains are deformed
polycrystalline grains wirh undulse extinction, and elongated paraJlel to the regional
cleavage. Cross polarised lighi. Sample GA9, Early Proterozoic Supra crustal
succession, Bergslagen rnining district, Garpenberg, Sweden.
D. Deformed clasts and pillows
Pillow fragments and clasts in- this basaltic hyaloclastite were deformed and stretched
parallel to the regional foliacin. The clase shapes are irregular and difficult to recognise
as pillow or hyaloclastite fragments. Despite this, many clasts preserve an infernal
zonation. Amphiboite, Proterozoic Corella Formation, Mary Kathleen Group, Malbon
River, northwest Queensland.
,:- 7p*s-" ,'r7 ";:
ik
:>
" i
"
::;
-;;:

w? Q
'

FIGURE 3.8 | Exampies of deformation textures, deformed clasts and preexisting textures in altered volcanic rocks.
56 I CHAPTER3

*&

/
E. Deformed clasts
Lens-shaped siliceous clasts (Q in this volcaniclastic breccia have been rotated and

stretched into che strong tectonic cleavage. The fine-grained matrix has been foated
and chlorite + sericke + quartz altered. Sample 133520, Cambro-Ordovician Trooper
Creek Forrnation, Seventy Mile Range Group, Mount Windsor Subprovince, central
Thalanga, Queensland.
F. Folded pumice clast
This sample of rhyolite-, pumice- and crystal-rich breccia contains a folded tube pumice
clasr with an axial planar cleavage (S) defined by aligned sericite. The pumice clast has
been albite + quartz + sericite altered. Plae polarised light.
Sample KB304B, Siluro-Devonian Ural Volcanics, Ural Ridges rea, New South Wales.
G. Deformed relict perlite
Relict perlitic fractures in this jigsavv-fic andesitic breccia are elongate and flattened,
especially adjacent to competent phenocrysts. The groundmass has been sericite +
chlorite + calcite + albite altered and the perlitic fractures chlorite filled. Plae polarised
light. Sample 76902, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcanics, western volcano-sedimentary
sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, Hellyer, western Tasmania.
H. Deformed grains
In this sample of volcaniclastic sandstone, strongly deformed fcldspar grains and clasts
have been rotated parallel to the strong cleavage. Plae polarised light. Sample 133520,
Cambro-Ordovician Trooper Creek Forrnation, Seventy Mile Range Group, Mount
Windsor Subprovince, central Thalanga, Queensland.

FIGURE 3.8 | Examples of deformation (extures, deformed clasts and preexisting textures in altered volcanic rocks, cont.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 57
- ?-ne and eutaxitic texture in welded
._- -_.;-- -.- pbsidian lenses or fiamme (F) arealigned _--.:.. :: subaerial welded
rhyolitic ignimbrite. Bcaiirae are commonly incerpreted as flatcened pumice __-:
7 : iime in chis sample are interpreted to result : I-TIC deformacin, flatcening and
sintering :.;: r hot glassy pumice clases dnring welding Sehh. 1960). The beddingparallel alignment of tcaai, iiongare fiamme and glass shards defines the _._:.. [excure.
Sample OW7, Pleistocene Owaboroa ignimbrite, Wbittanga Group, Coromandel
Volcante Zone, Owharoa Falls, New Zealand.
B. Fiamme in thin section
In chin seccin, che brmer pumice clases, fiamme (F), lack uncompacted vesicles, have
feachery terminations and are enclosed in domains of cuspate and platy shards (5), and
quarrz, feldspar and biocite crystal fragmenes. Alchough some shards have preserved
bubble-wall shapes, ochers were plastically deformed and compacted, especially
adjacent to crysrals. Plae polarised light. Sample OW1I, Pleistocene Owahoroa
ignimbrite, Whitianga Group, Coromandel Volcante Zone, Owharoa Falls, New
Zealand.
.,.. m#
"
*
'""
W'
-

'.' ' "*Mm.

..- ..**? '

-- -i**' i
1
C. Fiamme and eutaxitic texture in non-welded pumice breccia
Dark, plagioclase-phyric, wispy, chlorite-rich fiamme are enclosed in pal domains of
quartz + chlorite + pyrite-alcered pumice clasts, shards and crystal fragmenes in chis
non-welded rhyolitic pumice breccia. The bedding-parallel alignment offiamme defines
the eutaxitic texture. Alteration and compaction of pumice clasts during diagenesis
formed these apparenc welding cextures. Sample 133809, Cambrian Hrcules Pumice
Formation, Central Volcanic Complex, Mount Read Volcanics, Hrcules fbotwall,
westem Tasmania.
D. Fiamme in thin section
In thin section, the chlorite fiamme (F) have feathery terminations and lack internal
cextures ocher chan sparse plagioclase phenocryscs and hematite-rich stylolites. The
pal quartz + chlorite + pyrite-altered domains contain uncompacted tube pumice clasts
(P). Plagioclase crystals are dusted with hematite and sericite. Plae polarised light.
Sample 133811, Cambrian Hrcules Pumice Formation, Central Volcanic Complex,
Mount Read Volcanics, Hrcules footwall, westem Tasmania.

FIGURE 3.9 | Examples offiamme and eutaxitic texture.

A. Pseudobreccia in perlitic rhyolite
Sericitc + chlorite-akcred perlitic fractures and pink albite-altered perlitic cores result in
the pseudoclastic texture in this plagioclase-phyric coherent rhyolite. Sample BBP248504.7 m from the Cambrian Central Volcante Complex, Mount Read Volcantes, Boco,
uiestern Tasmania.
B. Pseudobreccia in macroperlitic dacite
Polyphase alteration of macroperlite in this plagioclase-phyric dacite has resulted in
darle chlorite + epidote-rich domains along and adjacent to the perlitic fractures. This
overprinted and cnclosed earlier, pal grey albite + sericite-altered perlitic cores. The
chlorite + epidote-rich domains resemble the matrix in a matrix-supported breccia.
Locally. the arcuate perlitic fractures are well defined.
Cambrian Sterling Valley Volcantes, Mount Read Volcanics, Sterling Saddle, ivestern
Tasmania.
C. False clasts
In this coherent andesite, plagiockse phenocrysts have been extensively replaced by
epidote, pyroxenes by chlorite and the groundmass domains by green epidote + chlorite
and orange albite. The domainal distribution of the alteration facies gives the andesite a
patchy pseudoclastic texture. The false clases have both sharp and diffuse margins,
which are transgressed locally by altered plagiockse phenocrysts.
Sample 145147, Ordovician ForestReefs Volcanics, Molong Volcanic Beh, Cooramilla,
New Soutb Wales.
D. False pyroclastic texture
The most conspictious feature of this sample is the vvispy dark green chlorite-rich
lenses that resemble fiamme. However, these lenses are aligned in the tectonic cleavage
and oceur in an evenly porphyritic rhyolite. The lenses are interpreced to result from
domainal chlorite and scricite + quartz + biotite alteration of the groundmass in a
coherent quartz + plagioclase-phyric rhyolite. Sample 140727, Cambro-Ordovician
Mount Windsor Formation, MountWindsor Subprovince, centralThalanga, Queensland.
E. False shards in thin section
Polyphase chlorite + biotite and K-feldspar alteration of perlitic fractures, and their
subsequent deformation have resulted in irregular arcuate and platy shapes, which
resemble shards (arrows) in this quartz + plagiockse + pyroxene-phyric coherent
rhyolite. Plae polarised light.
Sample KB499, Siluro-Devonian Coan rhyolite, Mount Hope Volcanics, Mount Hope
rea, New Soutb Wales.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 59
F. Pseudoclastic texture in devitrified rhyolite
This rhyolite conrainssilicified nodules thatare composed of coalesccd spherulites in a
fine-grained sericire-altered groundmass. These nodular devicrification ccxturcs give a
clastic appearance to the hand specimen and outcrop. Late Devonian Bunga Beds, Boyd
Volcante Complex, Bengunnu Point, New South Wales.
G. False clasts in thin section
The clastic texture in this rhyolite comes from the uneven distribution of strongly
chlorite + hematite-altered spherulites in a strongly foliated, chlorite + sericite + feldspar
+ hematite-altered groundmass. The foliation has wrapped around the altered
spherulites, which have preserved fibrous textures and quartz cores. Plae polarised
light.

Sarnple KB536D, Siluro-Deponan MountHope Volcanics, Boolahbone tank, Mount

Hope rea, New South Wales.
H. Pseudogranular texture
This altcrcd dacite has a fine granular texture in hand >pecimen and rescmbles massive
sandstone. However, in thin section it has a densely microspherulitic groundmass in
which the recrystallised quartz + albitc spherulites are separared by cuspate sericite-rich
domains. The fine-grained, densely packed spherulites give the hand specimen its sandy
texture.
Sample MR25, Cambrian Kershaw Pumice Formation, Central Volcanics Complex,
Mount Read Volcanics, Mount Read summit, western Tasmania.

A iris
I. Pseudogranular texture in thin section
Recrystallised micropoikiliric textures in the groundmass of this aphyric rhyolite
rcsemble sand-si?.ed, rounded grains in a well-sorted quartzo-feldspathic sandstone. The
margins of the micropoikilitic domains are marked by concentrations of sericite, which
enhance the granular texture. Plae polarised light.
Sample 147448, Cambrian Kershaw Pumice Formation, Central Volcanics Complex,
Mount Read Volcanics, Rosebery, western Tasmania.

1 mm

IGURE 3.10 | Examples of pseudotexlures in altered volcante rocks, cont.

60 | CHAPTER3
^-...-.,,,-..,,.. -y.-;-yy^
1 cm

J. False thin-bedded volcaniclastic texture

Fiow banding in chis microspherulicic plagioclase-phyric dacice is defined by
alcernacing pal albice + quarcz and darker albice + sericite + quarcz layers. The planar,
repecicive, chin fiow banding resembles chin bedding in clascic facies such as
cuffaceous silcscones. Sample 76772, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcantes, western
volcano-sedimentary sequences, Mount Read Volcantes, Hellyer, western Tasmania.
K. False thin-bedded volcaniclastic texture in thin section
In thin section, chis finely flow-banded rhyolite resembles a chin-bedded volcaniclascic
facies wich fraecured plagioclase cryscals. However, axiolicic and bow-cie shaped
spherulicic texcures are locally preserved in che groundmass. Cross polarised lighe.
Sample KB132A, Siluro-Devonian Ural Volcanics, Ural Ridges rea, New South Wales.
L. False volcaniclastic texture in thin section

Fraecured and broken plagioclase cryscals, and re-cryscallised spherulices in che

groundmass of chis flow-banded rhyolice concribuce co ics pseudoclastic cexcure.
Cross polarised lighe.
Sample 133837 Cambrian Mount Black Formation, Central Volcante Complex, Mount
Read Volcanics, Mount Read summit, western Tasmania.
M. False polymictic, matrix-supported texture
The dark chlorite-rimmed clases in chis plagioclase-phyric basalcic breccia appear co be
supporced in a composicionally differenc, pal calcite + chlorice-altered macrix.
However, che rnatrix comprises jigsaw-fic, blocky and splintery clasts of perlicic bsale
thac are idencical co che darker clases. The chloricc-rimmed clases appear subrounded,
because chlorice alceracion of the clast margins and adjacenc macrix has obscured the
blocky and splineery shapes.
Sample 76833, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcanics, western volcano-sedimentary
sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, Hellyer, western Tasmania.
FIGURE 3.10 | Examples of pseudotextures in altered volcanic rocks, cont.
COMMON ALTERATION TEXTURES AND ZONATION PATTERNS I 61
N. False polymictic texture
Overprinting domainal albite + hematice and epidote alteration facies in this plagioclase
+ hornblende-phyric dacite gives the sample a heterogenous appearance. The
abundanceof pink, albitised plagioclase phenocrysts in the red and green domains is
equivalent, although they appear more abundant in the epidote-altered domains due to
the colour contrast between the phenocrysts and epidote-altered groundmass. Colour
difFerenccs between the two alteration facies and more prominent phenocr)'sts in the
epidote-altered domains obscure the massive, coherent texture and uniform composicin
of this sample. Sample 147557, Cambrian Mount Black Formation, Central Volcante
Complex, Mount Read Volcantes, Fieman Road, western Tasmania.
O. False matrix-supported texture
Clasts in this monomiede dacite breccia display igsaw-fic cexcure. However, feldspar +
quarez + sericite alteration facies has replaced the groundmass adjacent ro the quench
fractures becween clasts, enhancing the matrix, and imparting an apparent matrixsupported texture. The feldspar + quartz + sericite-alcered matrix has been more
resistant to weathering than che sericite + chlorite-alcered clases and forms ridges on the
outerop. The larger clases are perlicic, plagioclase + homblende porphyritic with planar
and curviplanar margins typical of clasts produced by quench fragmentacin.
Cambrian, Mount Black Formation, Central Volcanic Complex, Mount ReadVolcanics,
Tullah lakeside, western Tasmania.
P. False matrix-supported texture
In this in situ andesitic hyaloclastite, blocky chlorite-altered plagioclase + pyroxenephyric clasts appear to be supported in a pyrite + quartz + sericite-rich macrix. However,
thin section inspection reveis relict clasts wich jigsaw-fit textures preserved in che false
matrix domains.
Sample 144710, Ordovician Lake Cowal Volcanics, Junee-Narromine Volcanic Belt,
Boundary Prospect, New South Wales.
Q. False coherent texture
This albite + quartz + sericite- and chlorite + epidote-lcered pumice and rhyolite
breccia resembles a coherent, :e!dspar porphyritic facies. The albite-altered
plagioclase ;rystals, pseudophenocryscs, are evenly distributed in i fine-grained, sericiterich false groundmass. On the
rt side of che photograph, pervasive, massive albite + ruara alteracin facies obscures

che plagioclase crystals

n 3. pseudo-aphyric texture. Sample 147402, Cambrian Kersbaw Pumice Formation,
-nitral Volcanic Complex, MountRead Volcanics, Rosebery, atern

- 3 JRE 3.10 | Examples of pseudotextures n aliered volcanic rocks, cont.

S'EAFLOOR-AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION I 99
typically sharp (Peacock, 1926; Lofgren, 1971a; Fisher and Schmincke, 1984).
Paiagonite
Paiagonite is a dull, resinous, yellow-orange co brown wax-like subsrance formed from
hydrous altered sideromelane (basaltic) glass (Fig. 5.1). It is a mineraloid mixture of
relict hydraced glass, nonrronice, montmorillonite and other sheet silicates (Hay and
lijima, 1968b; Honnorez, 1969; Jakobsson and Moore, 1986). Eggleton and Kcller
(1982) described paiagonite as a transitional alteration phase between volcanic
glass and smectite; however, the end product may not always be smectite.
There are two main varieties; gel-palagonite and fibro-palagonite (Peacock, 1926). Gelpalagonite is isotropic, dark brown and commonly banded, forming directly adjacent to
unaltercd glass (Peacock, 1926; Zhou and Fyfe, 1989). Fibro-palagonite is orangeyellow, transparent and birefringent (Zhou and Fyfe, 1989).
Paiagonite is widespread in submarine basaltic facies and common around the edges of
glassy grains in basaltic cufFs, in pillow rinds, along fractures in glass, and in originally
glassy vesicle walls (Moore, 1966; Baragar et al., 1977; Friedman and Long, 1984).
Partly altered basaltic pillows typically
A. Gel-palagonite in pillow basalt
The sideromelane groundmass of chis plagioclase + augite-phyric basalt is altered to
yellow-brown paiagonite adjacent to the vesicle (V). The gel-palagonite exhibits
banding parallel to the vesicle wall and perpendicular contraction cracks. Plae
polarised light. Sample 153254, Miocene Waitakere Group, Muriwai, Nortbland regin,
New ZeaLtnd.
B. Palagonite-altered basalt clast rind
The basalt clast in this polymictic conglomrate has a thin palagonicised rind. The
plagioclase-phyric clast is concentrically zoned with an unaltered sideromelane core (C),
yellow-brown gel-palagonite altered zone (P) and a brown fibro-palagonite rim (i?). The
conglomrate matrix includes palagonitised basaltic shards and crystal fragments. Plae
polarised light.
Sample 131562, Tertiary Macqiiarie Plains volcanics, Btislyy Park, Tasmania.
C. Banded paiagonite
The palagonite-altered rind on this basalt clase displays fine conccncric banding. Plae
polarised light. Sample 131562, Tertiary Macquarie Plains volcanics, Bushy Park,
Tasmania.
FIGURE 5.1 | Photomicrographs of paiagonite.

100 ym
._____\ iiH
100 I CHAPTER5
have glassy cores successively surrounded by concentric zones of gel-palagonite and
fibro-palagonite ( smectite), which are enhanced by bands of fine Fe- and Ti-oxides
(Fig. 5-2: Dimroth and Lichtblau, 1979; Zhou and Fyfe, 1989),
Palagonites have variable compositions with 10-20 wt% H,0 (Brey and Schmincke,
1980; Eggleton and Keller, 1982; Pichler et al., 1999). Compared with sideromelane,
Fe2* is oxidised, K20, FeO, Ti02 and Cl may be locally gained, and Na20, A1203, SiO,

and CaO lost (Baragar et al., 1977, 1979; Jakobsson and Moore, 1986; Zhou and Fyfe,
1989). However, whole-rock compositions are not significantly changed, except for H20.
Palagonitisation is typically accompanied by the growth of authigenic minerals in open
pore spaces (Fig. 5.2) and these commonly account for the elements lost from the glass
(e.g. Baragar et al., 1979; Jakobsson and Moore, 1986).
Gnesis of palagonite
Zhou and Fyfe (1989) and others have proposed a rwo-stage solution-precipitation
mechanism for palagonitisation of sideromelane based on physical characteristics,
chemical changes and the presence of etch or dissolution pits at alteration fronts. The
first stage is Ti constant: glass is dissolved and gel-palagonite formed. There is a
dramatic reduction in the glass volume due to the loss of greater than 60% of the SiO,,
Al2Qj, MgO, CaO and Na20. The second stage is volume constant: gel-palagonite is
replaced by fibro-palagonite, and zeolites begin to fill adjacent fractures and vesicles.
CaO and Na20 are lost, and K20 and SiO,, A1,03 and MgO are gained from solution.
Titanium and Fe3' are localised into nearby fracture-filling clay and oxide minerals.
The rate of palagonitisation is tempera ture dependent and doubles with every 12C
increase in temperature (Jakobsson and Moore, 1986). Palagonitisation proceeds rapidiy
at temperatures above 50C and up to 150C (Jakobsson, 1972, 1978). Jakobsson and
Moore (1986) noted that palagonitisation of glass varied from less than 40% at 60C,
through 90% at 100C and was complete at temperatures above 120C. They also found
that both gel- and fibro-palagonite occurred below 87C, but only fibro-palagonite
occurred above this tempetature.
The thickness of palagonite rinds is time and temperature dependent. Palagonite rinds in
pillow basalts systematically
increase in thickness with time and doubles for every 8C temperature increase (Moore,
1966; Jakobsson and Moore, 1986).
Perlite
Perlite is a textural term referring to networks of fine fractures or cracks that range from
concentric arcuate fractures enclosing cores of glass (classical perlite; e.g. Fig. 5-3A and
B) to long sub-parallel fractures linked by short cross fractures (banded or ladder perlite)
(Fig. 3.2C and D: Ross'and Smith, 1955; Friedman et al., 1966; Alien, 1988). Perlitic
fractures are a common feature of glassy rock fragments, felsic lavas and synvolcanic
sills, and also occur in the glassy rinds of mafic to intermedate lavas.
Felsic perlites typically contain 26.5 wt% H20 compared with non-hydrated obsidian,
which contains a few tenths of one percent (Ross and Smith, 1955; Noh and Boles,
1989). In addition to gains in H20, perlites typically gain K,0, and lose NajO and to a
lesser degree CaO and S02 (Lipman et al., 1969; Fisher and Schmincke, 1984; Noh and
Boles, 1989). Iron is oxidised, volatile components Cl, and F2 may be lost, and SO18
isotope vales modified by interaction with external fluids (Lipman, 1965; Jezek and
Noble, 1978; Cerling et al., 1985). These compositional changes are most intense along
the perlitic fractures (Jezek and Noble, 1978; Fisher and Schmincke, 1984).
Gnesis of perlite
A debate contines over the origin of perlite and the importance of hydration (Ross and
Smith, 1955; Ftiedman and Smith, 1958; Friedman et al., 1966) versus cooling
contraction (Marshall, 1961; Yamagishi and Goto, 1992). The formation of perlite is
favoured by hydration of rapidiy cooled glass (i.e. glass with a high degree of under
cooling) either during cooling or later at low temperatures (Friedman etal., 1966; Noh
and Boles, 1989; Drysdale, 1991). However, it is also possible that perlitic fractures
form in response to strain inherited from rapid cooling contraction, during the
conversin of melts to glass, and associated volume changes (Ross and Smith, 1955;

Friedman et al., 1966; Davis and McPhie, 1996).

Fresh glass
Chabazile
["SI Hydrated and oxidised glass
[WRF] ph||DSta L^3 with oerlitic fractures
slle
-^ I ""'"P
I Clay-altered glass | Gel-palagonite
Fibro-palagonite Pore space
FIGURE. 5.2 | Sequence of palagonite alteration and zeolite cementation
stages in phonolitic glass fragments (afler Brey and Schmincke, 1980, in Fisher
and Schmincke. 1984). (A) Glassy shards, perhaps with montmorillonite rim
cements. (B) Hydration and development of perlitic fractures accompanied by
partial dissolution and alteration of glass shards to gel-palagonite. (C) Complete
dissolution and alteration of hydrated glass shards to gel-palagonite,
accompanied by the precipitation of zeolites on to glass surfaces. (D) Alteration
of gel-palagonite to fibro-palagonite and precipitation of zeolites into open
spaces.
A, Perlite in thin section
roundmass of chis quartz latite exhibits dassical perlicic fractures comprising
intersecting ao overlapping arcuarc cracks. The perlitic fractures sedase cores of
unaltered and locally oxidised glass. Arenare glassy false shard textures occur where
perlitic - ;r_re intersea (arrow), Amygdales have bccn filied whh zeolires. Plae
polarised light. SampU ET7-4, Werelcisend Formation, Pilchard Gorge, Eiendeka,
Namibia.
B. Perlite in partly altered rhyolite
Well-developed perlitic fractures are abundan: in chis parth- glassy rhyolite. The perlitic
fractures llave been iined wirh fine-grained, dark green to brown smectites, enhancing
the fracture pattern. Perlite cores have been partly altered to smectites and zeotes.
Amygdales have been filied with crisrobalite. Plae polarised light. Sample 147582,
Miocene Nishkurosawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt, Ocate, Japan.
C. Relict perlite and amygdales in altered rhyolite
In this diagenetically altered rhyolite, relict perlitic fractures are conspicuous where
glass adjacent to the fractures has been altered to dark green mixed layer smectitechlorite. Elsewhere in the pervasively zeolite altered domains the perlitic fractures have
been obscured. The amygdales have been filied with layers of cristobalitc and fibrous
chlorite. Plae polarised light. Sample J6-735 m, Miocene Nishikurosaiva Formation,
Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt, Ocate, Japan.
D. Relict perlite in altered basalt
In this hydrothermally altered jigsaw-fit basalcic breccia, perlitic fractures are only
weakly discernable due to mltiple overprinting alteration facies. The pervasive sericite
+ quartz + pyrite and nodular carbonate alteration facies obscure the perlitic fracture
pattern. Plae polarised light.

Sample 76833, Cambrian Que-Hellyer Volcanics, western volcanoseclimentary

sequences, Mount Read Volcanics, western Tasmania.
FIGURE 5.3 | Photomicrographsoffresh and altered perlite.
SEAFLOOR- AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION |

102 | CHAPTER5
Alteration of perlite
Perlite commonly undergoes subsequenc alteration to diagenetic mineral assemblages
that include smectite, Fe-oxides, zeolites, K-rich gel-like glass, low-cristobalite, Kfeldspar, chlorite, sericite and carbonate (Noh and Boles, 1989). Alteration begins by
dissolution of hydrated glass and crystallisation ol smectite, carbonate or Fe-oxides
alone perlitic fractures (e.g. Noh and Boles, 1989). This commonly accentuates the
fracture pattern (e.g. Fig. 538). As alteration progresses, glass dissolution with continued
precipitation advances inwards and the perlitic fractures become diffuse and indistinct
(e.g. Fig. 5.3C, D and Alien, 1988). Dissolution of remaining giassy cores is succeeded
by formacin of zeolites, such as clinoptilolice or mordenitc, or gel-like glass, which are
ultimately replaced by K-feldspar (e.g. Noh and Boles, 1989).
5.3 | DIAGENESIS (GLASS TO ZEOLITE FACIES)
Diagenesis cncompasses the low-remperature and low-pressure alteration processes that
occur during progressive burial of sediments and rocks. It can be defined as the
processes (excluding weachering) that change their character and composicin, between
the moment of deposicin, and che onset of mecamorphism (Larsen and Chilingar,
1979).
Submarine diagenesis involves low-cemperature processes, ranging from bottom water
temperacures up to crystallisation of unequivocally metamorphic minerals such as
laumontite, wairakice, chlorite and pumpellyite (Winkler, 1979; Bohlke et al., 1980). It
is impossible to define a unique pressure and remperature range that would characterise
the transicin between diagenesis and metamorphism, because of che greatly contrasting
degrees of mineral stability that characterise different rock types and the wide range of
conditions under which the common diagenetic minerals crystallise. Generally,
diagenesis in submarine settings oceurs at pressures of 0.1 to 10 MPa (1 bar to 1 kbar)
and temperatures ranging from 0 co 250C (Ale and Honnorez, 1984; Morrow and
Mcllreath, 1990; Alt, 1995b). Temperatures and pore water salinities increase, and
seawater-rock ratios decrease with burial depth (Hanor, 1979; Alt-Epping and Smith,
1997).
Submarine diagenesis encompasses compaction, dissolution and leaching of
components, precipitation of new minerals, and recrystallisation in response to changes
in pressure, temperature and chemical conditions in the subseafloor. New minerals
directly replace glass, form mineral overgrowths, fill primary and secondary pore
spaces, and form cements, all of which dramatically reduce the porosity and
permeability and promote lithification.
With increasing diagenesis, porosity and permeability typically decrease. However,
reversis in chis trend can occur during fraecuring or if a major componenr of che rock
becomes under saturaced and secondary porosity is formed by dissolution. This can
occur where deeply buried sediments are infiltrated by fresh or brackish ground water,
or can be due to the relase of water of crystallisation from clay minerals (Morrow and
Mcllreath, 1990).
The process of dissolution involves corrosin or leaching of pre-existing phases (either
glass or mineral phases), with or wichouc minor replacement by new minerals (Morrow
and Mcllreath, 1990). It is a complex process involving many distinct reaction steps and
pathways. It can modify glass and most primary igneous minerals. Dissolution may
ultimatelv lead co che formation of secondary porosicy (e.g. dissolution vugs),
replacement of glass and minerals, and developmenc of solucin seams or stylolites
(Amsrutz and Park, 1967; Marsaglia and Tazaki, 1992).

Despite changes in mineral assemblage, many pre-exiscing cexcures (primary volcanic,

high-cemperacure devitrification and hydracion textures) are preserved and sometimes
enhanced during diagenesis. Figure 5.4 shows some examples of textures in unaltered
volcanic rocks, and their diagenetically altered and in some cases metamorphosed
equivalents.
Submarine diagenesis may involve mltiple stages or episodes of diagenesis (Bohlke ec
al., 1980; Morrow and Mcllreach, 1990). Diagenesis of mosc ancient sedimencary
successions involved repeaced exposure co diagenetic realms as they underwenc cycles
of subsidence and uplift. Generally, however, the imprint of the first stages of diagenesis
is preserved because of che large inicial porosity reduccin and lichificacion (Morrow
and Mcllreath, 1990).
Diagenetic minerals
There are chree main cypes of minerals typical of seafloor weachering and diagenesis in
volcanic successions: layered silicates, zeolices and carbonates. Figure 5.5 provides
escimaces of their formation temperatures.
Layered silicates
The layered silicates include clay minerals, mixed-layered minerals, micas, chlorite and
prehnite. The common clay minerals in volcanic facies can be divided in to two groups:
(1) smectites (e.g. montmorillonite, noncronireandsaponice), and (2) illitc group clay
minerals (e.g. celadonite, glauconice and illice).
Smeccices are swelling clay minerals chat readily exchange Ca and Na cations. They
typically resulc from the alceracion of volcanic grains under alkaline condirions where
Mg and Ca ions are available (Deer ec al., 1966). Smectites form rims on glass surfaces,
replace boch felsic and mafic glass, and pseudomorph glass shards and olivine crystals
(Sheppard and Gude, 1968; Schmincke and von Rad, 1976; Viereck et al., 1982).
Smectites initially forms blebs and web-like arrays on glass surfaces, and become better
crystallised as diagenesis proceeds (Hein and Scholl, 1978). The cerm bentonite refers
ro felsic cuff that is composed of almost pur smectite (Gary et al., 1974).
In concrasc, che illice group are K- and Al-rich minerals chac typically form in neucral
co alkaline conditions from the breakdown of feldspars and micas (Deer et al., 1966).
They typically occur as vesicle fill and pseudomorphs of felsic glass shards and pumice
(Schmincke and von Rad, 1976; Iijima, 1978). Celadonite and glauconite are less
common than ilute.
SEAFLOOR- AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION I 103
A. Flow banding
This devitrified flow-banded plagioclase-phyric rhyolite contains alternating darle and
light flow bands. The dark bands are dominantly obsidian, whereas the pal bands
contain fine spherulites and lithophysae. Sample NG1, <140 ka Ngongotaha lava dome,
Hendersons quarry, Retoma, New Zealand.
B. This diagenetically altered and mecamorphosed flow-banded plagioclase-phyric
rhyolite contains alternating orange albite + quartz and grey sericite-rich bands. In chin
seccin, the orange bands contain relict spherulites, whereas the grey bands are
microcrystalline. Sample 147481, Cambrian Central Volcanic Complex, Mount Read
Volcantes, Mount Block, western Tasmania.
C. Spherulites
In chin section, frcsh spherulites consist of radial crystal fibres; cypically feldspar
incergrown with criscobalite, tridymite or clinopyroxene. Many of these spherulites
endose plagioclase phenocrysts and are separated by small cuspare lenses of dark brown
obsidian. Plae polarised light.
Sample NG4, <I 40 ka Ngongotaha lava dome, Hendersons quarry, Rotorua, New

Zealand.
D. Recrystallised spherulites in chis greenschist facies rhyolite are composed of albite,
quartz and sericice. Fine sericice crails preserve a radial pattern within the spherulites.
The boundaries between the spherulites are marked by concentracions of sericice. Plae
polarised ght.
Sample 147528, Cambrian Central Volcanic Complex, Mount Read Volcanics, Mount
Black, ivestern Tasmania.
E. Tube pumice clasts
This unaltered, semi-consolidated, dacitic pumice breccia contains glassy tube pumice
clases and plagioclase crystals in a matrix of fine glass shards. The pumice clase
pictured here displays a fine fibrous texture, which may be preserved during subsequenc
alccracion. Plae polarised lighr.
Sample from the -1 Ma tmchydacitic pumice breccias, Efat Pumice Formation,
Vanuatu.

FIGURE 5.4 | Photographs of unateced and diagenetically altered volcanic

textures.
104 I CHAPTER5

F. Pumice clasts in chis diagenetically-altered and metamorphosed rhyolitic pumice

breccia preserve che fine tube vesicle structure. Thc originally glassy vesicle walls have
been altered to albite + quartz + hematite, the vesicles have been lincd with sericite and
filled with albite. Plagioclase crystals in this sample have been completely replaced by
albite and hematite. Plae polarised light. Sample 133815, Cambrian Hrcules Pumice
Formation, Central Volcanic Complex, Mount Read Volcantes, Hrcules footwall,
luestern Tasmania.
G. Many tube pumice clasts locally preserve round vesicles adjacent to phenocrysts. In
this diagenetically altered pumice breccia, round and tube vesicles adjacent to a cluster
of plagioclase phenocrysts have been filled with mordenite. As a result, the vesicles
have retained their shapes during burial compaction. Plae polarised light.
Sample OH8-369 m, Miocene Onnagawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt,
Odate, Japan.
H. Similarly, this pumice breccia, which has been diagenetically altered and
metamorphosed to greenschist facies, contains round and tube vesicles adjacent to
hematite-altered plagioclase phenocrysts. The vesicles (V) have beeen filled with sericite
and albite. Plae polarised light.
Sample 147499, Cambrian Kershaw Pumice Formation, Central Volcanic . Complex,
Mount Read Volcantes, east Hrcules, western Tasmania.
I. Palagonitised rinds on clasts
The rim of this basalt clast has been altered to orange-brown palagonire. Palagonite
has also formed rims around the vesicles in the clast. Plae polarised light. Sample
131562, Tertiary Macquarie Plains volcanics, Bushy Park, Tasmania.
J. The sericite + albite + hematite-altered rim (/?) on this basalt clast may be the
metamorphosed equivalent of a palagonite-altered rind. Plae polarised light. Sample
147572, Cambrian Sterling Valley Volcanics, Central Volcanic Complex, Mount Read
Volcanics, Sterling Valley, luestern Tasmania.
FIGURE 5.4 | Photographs of unaltered and diagenetically altered volcanic
textures, cont.

O
100
200
300
Temperature (C)
FIGURE 5.5 | Temperature estimates for the growth of common diagenetic and
burial metamorphic minerals, and palagonite (data from Thompson, 1971; Seki,
1972; Merino, 1975; Grapes, 1976; Kastnerand Gieskes, 1976; Seyfried and
Bischoff, 1979; Bohlke et al., 1980; Munha et al., 1980; Boles, 1982; Viereck et
al., 1982; Jakobsson and Moore, 1986; Bish and Aronson, 1993; Ogihara, 1996;
Ylagan et al., 1996; Bodn and Cooke, 1998).
Zeolites
Zeolites are hydrous Al-silicates containing Na and Ca (Table 5.1). The most common
zeolites in marine setcings are clinoptilolite, mordenite, phillipsice and analcime
(Marsaglia and Tzala, 1992). A variery of fibro-radiaced and bladed zeolites fill pore
spaces, cement volcaniclastic particles and replace glass in altered volcanic facies
(Miyashiro and Shido, 1970; Schmincke and von Rad, 1976). Most zeolites preciptate
in open space on to smectite or chlorite films or occur as ovcrgrowths on detrital grains
such as plagioclase crystal fragments (e.g. Schmincke and von Rad, 1976). Others
crystallise directly from glass via dissolution reactions with smectite (e.g. Noh and
Boles, 1989) and may pseudomorph glass shards (e.g. Walton, 1975).
SEAFLOOR-AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION | 105 Carbonates

Diagenetic carbonates are dominantly calcite and dolomite. They typically fill originally
open spaces such as vesicles, occur as cements in volcaniclastic facies (e.g. Hay, 1977),
as spheroids or nodules, and as euhedral crystals replacing palagonite (e.g. Dimroth and
Lichtblau, 1979), rock fragments, olivine and plagioclase crystals.
Other diagenetic minerals
Other diagenetic minerals include silica phases (e.g. low-cristobalite, opal CT, chert and
quartz), Fe-oxides (e.g. hematite),Ti-rich minerals (e.g. leucoxene), anhydrite, pyrite,
epidote and feldspars (albite and K-feldspar). These mainly replace glass, primar)'
crystal phases and earlier alteration minerals. Silica phases and feldspars also occur as
overgrowths on primary plagioclase and quartz crystals (e.g. Noh and Boles, 1989;
Tsolis-Katagas and Katagas, 1989).
Diagenetic zones
Diagenetic mineral assemblages commonly show a thick vertical zonation (e.g. Fig. 5-6
and Section 5.5). Diagenetic zones have been described by a number of authors in
modern and ancient submarine felsic to intermediare volcanic successions (e.g. Iijima,
1974; Walton, 1975; Iijima, 1978; Ratterman and Surdam, 1981; Sheppard et al., 1988;
Williams et al, 1989; Utada, 1991; Passaglia et al., 1995; Ogihara, 1996). Sequences of
diagenetic zones are between 500 m and 6 km thick, with individual altered zones
varying from a few metres to severa] kilometres in thickness. This vertical zonation
corresponds to progressive mineral reactions that occur in response to changes in pore
water chemistry and temperature with depth of burial, and is very similar to burial
metamorphism (Coombs, 1954). Some altered zones may be absent or combined.
Diagenetic zones in felsic volcanic successions
Diagenetic zones in felsic volcanic successions can be grouped into four main zones
(Table 5.2): (I) partially altered zones, (II) alkali-rich zeolite zones, (III) late-stage
zeolite + calcite zones, and (IV) albite zones. At depth Zone IV may pass in to a prehnite
+ pumpellyite zone, which represents the transition to greenschist facies metamorphic
zones (Iijima, 1974, 1978; Utada, 1991).
Partially altered zones are characterised by silica and clay minerals, they lack zeolites,
contain unaltered and partly altered glass, and unaltered primary minerals such as
plagioclase (Iijima, 1974, 1978). Alteration mineral assemblages are dominated by
smectites (commonly montmorillonite) + low-cristobalite or opal-CT (Iijima, 1974,
1978; Walton, 1975; Sheppard et al., 1988; Passaglia et al., 1995). Primary pore spaces,
such as vesicles, have typically been partially filled with low-cristobalite, glassy clasts
have been coated in thin films of smectite, and some originally glassy shards and
pumicc clasts altered to smectite. Coherent facies were relatively unaltered.
SEAFLOOR- AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION I 111
A. Clay rim cement in pumice breccia
Smectite films on all glass and crystal surfaccs record
the initial stage of diagenesis in this parcially alcered
rhyolitic pumice breccia. Green-brown smectite has
coated bubble-wall shards, plagioclase and quartz crystal
fragments, and lined vesicles. Some originally glassy
shards have been completely replaced by smectite;
however, larger clasts are still glassy (G).
Sample J6-295 m, Miocene Onnagawa Formacin,
Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt, Odale, Japan.
B. Clay-lined vesicles
Round and elongate vesicles (V) in this pumice clast are coated in irregular, fine-

grained, pal brown smectite films. Small vesicles have been completely filled wih
smectite, larger vesicles are unfilled, and the originally glassy vesiele walls have been
altered to mordenite. Sample FK5B, Miocene Tokiwa Formacin, South Fossa Magna,
Green TuffBelt, Odawara, Japan.
C. Pore-filling cements
SE?
In this pumice breccia sample, calcice cement binds che ,:>
unaltered glassy and partly calcite-altered tube pumice fttll
clasts. Plae polarised light.
"'$
Sample Y2A, Quatemary Ya/i pumice breccia. Ya/i Island, mm^mM?'.i-*A
eastern Aegean, Greece.
^^S^P^^^^^
1
I

mm. i
WSM
D. In ctossed nicols, the glassy pumice clasts are isotropic and the calcite cement,
calcite-filled tube vesicles, and altered shards and pumice clasts are evident.

FIGURE 5.9 | Examples of textures that record the different steps n the
evolution of pumice clasts during diagenesis.
112 I CHAPTER5

E. Zeolite-filled vesicles in pumice

The smeccice-lined vesicles (V) in chis pumice ciase have been infiUed with layered
fibrous zeolires: mordenite and clinoptilolice. Original!}' glassy shards have been
alcered to smectite and vesicle walls to mordenite + smeccitc. Fine-grained nodulcs of
analcime overprinted the mordenite and smectite altered cube pumice clast (P).
Plagioclase and quartz crystals are unaltered. Sample OH8-537 m, Miocene Onnagawa
Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBdt, Odate, Japan.
F. Clay-altered pumice clast
Other pumice clases may be completcly alcered to clay minerals, like this dark green
uncompacted smectite-alcercd pumice. Shards and fine-grained clases in the matrix have
been altered to smectites (montmorillonite and saponice) + mordenite.
Sample OH8-387 m, Miocene Onnagawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt,
Odate, Japan.
G. Clay-altered and compacted pumice
During burial, lithostacic pressure may lead to the flattening of soft clay-alcercd pumice
clases. The mixed layet smectiee-chlorice fiamme (F) in chis pumice and lichic breccia
roughly define a bedding-parallel compaccion fabric. The fiamme have a fibrous
interna! texcure, wispy cerminacions and flame-like shapes. Some fiamme are also
plagioclase porphyritic. They are interpreted to be diagenetically altered and compaceed
pumice clasts.
Sample 147583, Miocene Nisbikurosawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TuffBelt,
Odate, Japan.
H. Dissolution fabrics in pumice breccia
The dissolution of glass commonly accompanies compaction during diagenesis.
Solucin seams and scylolices, like che one pictured here, are interpreted to record the
dissolution of soluble componenes. This stylolite is an anascomosing sutured scruceure
that concentraces clay minerals and oxides. Sample FK7, Miocene Wadaira Tuff
Member, Tokiiva Formation, South Fossa Magna, Green TuffBelt, Wadaira, Japan.
FIGURE 5.9 | Examples of textures that record the difieren! steps in the
evolution of pumice clasts during diagenesis, cont.

A. Fibrous zeolites in vesicles

Vesicles adjacent to this plagioclase crystal in a pumice clast have been lined with
smectite and filled with fibrous radiating mordenice. Plae polarised light.
Sample 147580, Miocene Onnagawa Formation, Hokuroku Basin, Green TujfBelt,
Odate, Japan.

C. Fibrous feldspar in vesicles

The vesicles (V) in this altered pumice clase are faintly visible in plae polarised light
because they are lined with sericite. Sample 133815, Cambrian Hrcules Pumice
Formation, Central Volcante Complex, Mount Read Volcantes, Hrcules footwall,
western Tasmania.

E. Fibrous feldspar in perlite cores

In plae polarised light, perlitic fractures are conspicuous in the groundmass of this
altered plagioclase-phyric rhyolice. Sample 147541, Cambrian Kershaw Pumice
Formation, Central Volcante Complex, Mount Read Volcanics, Murcbison Higbway,
western Tasmania.
FIGURE 5.10 | Photomicrographs of relict fibrous texturas in vesicles and
origina
SEAFLOOR-ANOBURIAL-RELftTEDALTERATION | 113

B. In crossed nicols, radial extinction patterns accentuate the fibrous nature of the
vesicle-filling zeolites.

F. In crossed nicols, overlapping arcuace perlitic fractures are defined by concentrations

of sericite and radial fibrous textures are preserved in the extinction pattern of the albite
+ quarrz + sericite-altered perlite cores (C).
domains in diagenetically altered facies.
>
122 | CHAPTER5
Subtle, patchy mordenite + smectite-chlorite alteration facies
Sample No. J6-294
Alteration
subtle, patchy mordenite +
facies
smectitechlorite
Alteration
clinoptilolite + mordenite
zone
zone
Location
Yoneshiro River
Formation
Onnagawa Formation
Succession Green Tuff Belt
Volcanic
pumice breccia
facies

Relict
minerals
Relict
texturas

plagioclase + quartz
tube pumice clasts, bubblewall shards,
crystal fragments, nonvesicular volcanic
clasts
rhyolite

Primary
composition
Lithofacies graded bed
Interpretatio syneruptive, mass-flow
n
emplaced pumice
breccia
Alteration
partly glassy, mordenite +
minerals
saponite +
montmorillonite + smectitechlorite +
K-feldspar + pyrite
Alteration
saponite films in vesicles,
texturas
mordenite
saponite filled vesicles and
pora space,
smectite-chlorite fiamme,
disseminated
pyrite
Distribution patchy
Preservation excelleni
Alteration
subtle
intensity
Timing
early

;]ZCIBII
-'*
j Zcne II 5] SBTOB chfile ?or>e
shard-rh rnudslcnc W~\ PolyniitcCuinceGrecoa -2and lamnate)
sitisione ^T^I InternedaM crysa'-ritri purnioc ilili^ ssndsOTe and shaiiMcti
SillSIOiM ^"jPufnce bisccia. sondsfdM 1'and 5h(d-rLh sesione
B Pumice and litle &'ecc>3. and siiar d-rtCC sillsiow HCcherenl and aulobiecciaied f hyoe QAnfle&e 3ti feasait intrusin;
Ccheien! basaJt aM bss&lc bomb breeda ElmerMddsd ralymtfic conglomeris
and sandKone
HK1

Weak, pervasive mordenite + smectite alteration facies

SEAFLOOR-ANDBURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION | 123
HK2
Sample No. OH8-369
Alteration
weak, pervasive mordenite +
facies
smectite
Alteration
clinoptilolite + mordenite
zone
zone
Location
Odate city
Formation
Onnagawa Formation
Succession Green Tuff Belt
Volcanic
pumice + lithic breccia
facies
Relict
plagioclase + quartz
minerals
Relict
tube pumice clasts, bubbletextures
wall shards,

crystal fragments, nonvesicular volcanic

clasts
rhyolite

Primary
composition
Lithofacies graded bed
Interpretatio syneruptive, mass-flow
n
emplaced pumice
breccia
Alteration
mordenite + smectiteminerals
chlorite + K-feldspar
+ calcite + pyrite +
glauconite
Alteration
smectite films in vesicles,
textures
mordenite
smectite filled vesicles and
pore space,
mordenite-altered glass
shards and
vesicle walls, smectitechlorite fiamme,
disseminated pyrite,
microcrystalline lithic
clasts
Distribution pervasive
Preservation excellent
Alteration
weak
intensity
Timing
early
Alteration
diagenetic
style

'.v.y.j I":&e52d rcarins and

Rvl IntefbMdeS aysial-nch puovce t-l-iJsan3slowand;r-rd-r :.h jiltsri:
Pumise an lithi: rreria.
anfl snatfMCi sftstoie ~~1 CtWerere and atfo-J bfeccstsa ydile
Andesle and basan
Coieren tiasalt and basaltic ccmb trece 3 Qlnietbedde pciymlic conglomrale
and sa^iof e

124 I CHAPTER5
Subtle, pervasive smectite-chlorite + mordenite + analcime alteration facies
HK3
Sample No. OH8-511
Alteration
subtle, pervasive smectitefacies
chlorite + mordenite +
analcime
Alteration
analcime zone
zone
Location
Odate city
Formation
Onnagawa Formation
Succession Green Tuff Belt
Volcanic
pumice breccia
facies
Relict
plagioclase + quartz
minerais
Relict
tube pumice clasts, crystal
texturas
fragments
Primary
rhyolite

composition
Lithofacies
Interpretatio
n
Alteration
minerais
Alteration
textures
Distribution

massive
syneruptive, mass-flow
emplaced pumice breccia
smectite-chlorite +
mordenite + analcime +
sericite + pyrite
analcime solution seams,
smectite-chlorite
fiamme, mordenite filled
vesicles, analcime
replacing mordenite +
smectite-altered
pumice clasts
pervasive
Preservation good
Alteration
subtle
intensity
Timing
early
Alteration
diagenetic
style
..".OH-8 -

7me i
njzorell
'**-*
I Zore III ^H| Ssrile * chirote zcne
___Mudstcm
p^j Inlefbsddea marine and
mFoljniclic cornee txcCGS lid famnaiefl siltslons prn Inierbsddea erystal-nci
parios fc--J sarcstore and sratd-rch sillstone ^1 Pumice breccia, sairfstwe
''and shard-rich sitlstone
SPunvce and ;hc bieccB, and shard-rich Sltsicne Ccherem arel autc-

bteccated ryolite Andrse anO basa! Inltu&cns Cq Cohetea; basad and

bndSC j bomb breccia QlnioibeddM pSynWc corifllomeaie atxj $aris:or.e

Zix^ , 3? jE88S WJti %

S^^
flSi'-V-'' 'J*

7
i^T
O,."' '
|
0
-iji
*
|
A;
^ $
i?
" ^ ft
f
'
x.>

--'
;v
H
'IS
BWMBIiPfSfflMl^i!^Hi,'c"''l>- " -'''* 'JtJ^

SEAFLOOR-AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION | 125

Weak, pervasive analcime + mordenite alteration facies
HK4
Sampie No. OH8-537
Alteration
weak, pervasive analcime +
facies
mordenite
Alteration
analcime zone
zone
Location
Odate city

Formation
Succession
Volcanic
facies
Relict
minerals
Relict
texturas
Primary
composition
Lithofacies
Interpretatio
n
Alteration
minerals

Onnagawa Formation
Green Tuff Belt
pumice breccia
plagioclase

tube pumice clasts. bubblewall shards,

crystal fragments
rhyolite
graded bed
syneruptive, mass-flow
emplaced pumice breccia
analcime + mordenite +
clinoptilolite + smectitechlorite + pyrite + sericite
Alteration
mordenite and clinoptilolite
textures
filled vesicles, mordenite
Distribution and analcime altered vesicle
walls, analcime overgrowths
on plagioclase crystal
fragments pervasive
Preservation modrate
Alteration
weak
intensity
Timing
early
Alteration
diagenetic
style

v ": iniefteddfid
ui shard-nch mutis (ene
HPolymiCipuRicO Cieeoa and lamnales sltslons [vTl Interteddeci crvsiaWiti pontee
L--:JS3f"1^i-~ ?.n -y-ii- ci' ulti-torr
s
Pumice bfeccia, santislore and snatt-riti slsone
H Conten sndauo-biecciaied rttyoe aAndesB ard N&3H nlrusons
Cciief ent bsse; ana bisaiiu Cono breecia ntnlerbsddK cclvncllc conglomrale
ar-3 sarWslore

126 | CHAPTER5
Strong, pervasive quartz + sericite alteration facies
HK5
Sample No. OH8-794
Alteration
strong, pervasive quartz +
facies
sericite
Alteration
sericite + chlorite zone
zone
Location
Odate city
Formation
Nishikurosawa Formation
Succession GreenTuffBelt
Volcanic
pumice + lithic breccia
facies
Relict
plagioclase
minerals
Relict
volcanic clasts

texturas
Primary
composition
Lithofacies
Interpretatio
n
Alteration
minerals
Alteration
textures
Distribution

rhyolite

graded bed
syneruptive, mass-flow
emplaced pumice breccia
quartz + K-feldspar + sericite
+ chlorite+
pyrite
pseudomorphs after
plagioclase crystals
and clasts in pervasive
crystalline matrix,
quartz-filled dissolution vugs
pervasive
Preservaron poor
Alteration
strong
intensity
Tming
early
Alteration
hydrothermal
style

SlnlerbsJdeO roanw wd shard-f icn mudsone SPotwrtCflc nne brecha ai

latrJnated stltslcne rr^l IntebeSded cryslal-ch pumee el^j sandslone ar<3
shart-rinh Sislone zn Pumice Crecoa. sanflslone ' -' - s".l irard-'cr siteior?
QCcheren: ana Rtt-Hrec&'ated rhyclllc Andesle anif bass; tMOorte
Coterew Gasall and basaillc bcnfc bfeceia r-5-1 IntfbMded poiymictic bi__1
ccng&iwrala and saniislcne

t~_
setjc'iW;
- _.:;
-pseadbTiorph
w
- /;^
.y.*:-;.."?

Modrate, pervasive sericite + chlorite alteration facies

SEAFLOOR-AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION | 127
HK6
5a~: r :
HO20-485
- -":''.' 'a: es modrate, pervasive sericite
+ chlorite
AteraSscfi
sericite + chlorite zone
zone
-::;=::near Fukazawa deposit
r-.-_-.-_
Nishikurosawa Formation
._::ess:"
GreenTuffBelt
: _- : :s:es pumice + lithic breccia
-= r. ~ lerals nil
-T - ;ect.res clasts?
r
Tra7
rhyolite
composition
- ': ;: es
graded bed
;-'".aior
syneruptive, mass-flow
emplaced pumice

- er
:------erais
- =-=::'extures

breccia
chlorite + sericite + pyrite +
montmorillonite
dissolution vugs after
crystals, sericite +
chlorite fiamme,
disseminated pyrite
pervasive
poor
modrate

I -V-.-ion
:
T-r s.on
- -a-a:r
ntensity
~~ ".
early
- :e-a: :r syle hydrothermal

. HO-20

H Mudstcne
\:-:::.\ l-.^-toizc nvarine ar,3 t^x shat d-lcn muslons
EPoiymiOic punce breca 3hdlsn.ir-a._d sflls'.fcie ;;; r-eiic-lMdcrysulriehpumice t----' swdstooe ano shard-rici sltstone p$ iPumfte bteccla. sa-dstwe
1
-----'an shs'd-rih sV:stcne
B Pumice ano lilh>; Br &cda, an-j sfiaic-f i tf sistcne [Tjl Conemni and suio---'
biscciaiM fftycjtte
Qlnteriedd-d wlyrnciic co^gtomBra'.e &id sa"ds:one

SEAFLOOR- AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION I 133

r - = = s a bite - quartz + chlorite alteration facies
CVC1
suijle. pervasive albite + quartz + chlorite
: --.r:Mount Black Mount Black Formation Central Volcanic Complex massive,
plagioclase-phyric rhyolite plagioclase - - - .-iporphyritic, micropoikilitic
- - :-::;-:- "volite
- 3: - \
massive
coherent facies
albite + quartz + sericite + chlorite +
hematite
albite + quartz sericite chlorite
pseudomorphs of plagioclase,
micropoikilitic albite + quartz, interstitial
chlorite, disseminated hematite
pervasive
excellent
subtle
pre-S2
diagenetic
- ->:
itensity
style

Mr.
t-,
A
13392.V. /'
*

=>v.

::. frailea-.! n&fsd popfcyv

m Owen Conglwncrate
- = Eastem quartz-piyrc SMU&ICS
wiiifeSprFormaSof
.--r.Tii.-iir-iGnw
Kersna Pur.co FCOUBICI
Fcfmaltoi

/
:.
:. ;
y,.
FT Stertag VS?ey Volcanes
f7
Quartz f fel&aar';
AHste zcne
Epdote zona HydrKfceimsl afleraiionzones

Geochemi
stry
Si02
74.58
Ti02 0.27
Al203 13.8
5
Fe20 2.08
0.01
3
MnO
MgO 0.38
CaO 0.13
Na20 3.54

K?0 4.34 Cu

Al

PA 0.03 Pb
s
<0.0 Zn
1
Tota 100.3 Th
l
2
Zr

3
17

CCPI 22
Ti/Zr 5.98

Rb
Sr
Ba

17
41

136
96
988

Nb
Y

22
270

56

Hand specimen photograph

Photomicrograph (ppl)
Ti02-Zr immobile element plol

sp
Cot
e
cl
ele
TO
O

c
80
o
Q.
1
60-Q
50
o

antena
Ooiorfcte
iiemoie chlcfi!
1
1
1 _i
i
i

1
i

1
1
i

i
i

i
L

lAndesite i
I
-basalt i I i
l
i
I
i
l
i
- -Daclto I i
l
T-* 147556 -i i
r~i
i
i
.....!WS5? i
i
-J..
i

1 *1
30-

'47552
- v*7*17
+ '
,7410
Li !
^fcrt

-1-----t-------iserete i
i -l.-ilpheraie
)
33921

Rhyolite, i
'

i
i
1
1
10i
l
0 i
1
1
1
1
1
1
i
m
J *
||.....KfeWspar .
^"1 i
i
I
O 10 20 30 40 50 60
ndex)

70

80

90-100 Al (Ishlkawa Alteration

134 | CHAPTER5
Weak, pervasive albite + quartz + sericite alteration facies
CVC2
Sample no. 147407
Alteration
weak, pervasive albite +
facies
quartz + sericite
Alteration
albite zone
zone
Location
120R-438.5m
Formation
Kershaw Pumice Formation
Succession Central Volcanic Complex
Volcanic
jigsaw fit, monomictic,
facies Relict plagioclase-phyric
minerals
rhyolite breccia
plagioclase
Relict
porphyritic, perlitic
textures
fractures, jigsaw fit clasts
Primary
rhyolite
composition
Lithofacies massive
Interpretatio in situ hyaloclastite
n
Alteration
albite + quartz + sericite >
minerals
chlorite + pyrite > calcite
Alteration
albite calcite
textures
pseudomorphs of
Distribution plagioclase, microcrystalline
groundmass, calcite veins,
chlorite filled perlitic

fractures pep;asive

Preservation
Alteration
intensity
Timing
Alteration
style

modrate
weak
pre-S2
diagenetic

ME

"-d-IC" '/-"'y--'/y " * >** '(

VAJte Spw Formaran and Gurdas Gmup
CemralVok^nitCcmpfex l.'"i.*.*| Kets'naw Purice
i i ^ ' j Pormaon ~"ISlerhnsValley , * Volcantes ^*\ Quartz * fetsper. I
Wtyc rhysffla
AStleont
Geochemi K?0 1.82 Cu 2
Al
26
stry
Si02
74.01
Ti02
P2O5 0.03 Pb
4
CCP 29
0.23 Al203 S
0.01 Zn 19
I
5.31
12.21
Ti/Zr
Fe203
Tota 100.6 Th 12
2.17 MnO l
1
Zr
258
0.09
MgO
Rb 76
Nb 16
0.49
CaO
Sr 113 Y
36

2.41 Na20 Ba
4.07

513

Hand specimen photograph

Photomicrograph (xn)
TiOj-Zr immobile elemsnl plot

calcita 100
I 70
-----pyrito, m&gnelile ar3 sKlsrite---------------
gnvertte
dtfc-nile
uemofce chlorite
1--- ----------- -------------- -------------------- 1
1 ------1
---- I
1 i
i
1
_____I- i

___ _a_J_1
_
1
-i
L
i.jj
Andesitobasalt 1
l
1i
7
1 ' i
- - i .....i
i
. .14756?
147 \j
4
1475=2
! *' -741|
i
^ ,j3g ,
Ut Rhyotite,
o
M

i
i
i
i

J . _>_
_Ui
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
l
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
l _i
|------|
_l
l
l
seridiei
.i__
i_(chng
fle)
"L !
Ll
l
1
i
l
11
1
11
i KlfrCapar

Zr (ppm)
O 10 30 30 40 50 60 70 80 .90 100 Al (Ishikawa Alleralion
ndex)
SEAFLOOR- AND BURIAL-RELATED ALTERATION I 135
domainal albite + quartz + sericite with sericite + hematite chlorite
facies
CVC3
arse-c
147410
"K.-e-=
modrate, domainal albite +
quartz +
sericite
~~-~i
albite zone
'
120R-524.5 m
- _
Kershaw Pumice Formation
~ ~r- : I " Central Volcanic Complex
-13" : =:.T= graded, plagioclase-phyric

; r - -"; =
-? r r :_-es

pumice breccia
plagioclase
tube pumice clasts, fiamme,
plagioclase
crystal fragments, blocky
rhyolite clasts
rhyolite

-=- ::_::s;tion
_- rfirtl
normaily graded
- r ;"T ; :_
syn-eruptive, mass-flowemplaced pumice
breccia
- f- :-------- albite + quartz + sericite +
5r3!S
chlorite +
hematite + calcite
- 7": :_ :':.- sericite fiamme, hematite
es
stylolites, albite
veins, recrystallised albite +
quartz +
sericite pumice clasts and
matrix, albite +
sericite + calcite altered
plagioclase
_
" : ; _" :'
domainal
=;
35srv3ton poor
- T :modrate
ntensity
_
- -;
pre-S2
MsaSon
diageneiic
style

;:: oanHandraBded
pciyry

;;;; Owen CaigOme'ate

;;
L Easlern quarz-phyrc S&quence
=

':' '.'rute Scur Formaban

:'
:'
:'
:
CaOlVdCfcC*.
Kersr^v Ptrnce Fconatico
^f Mounl Blick
^r Fiynidfo"
^~
Sterlng Vatey Vccancs
Quaitt * falflspaf
;
Albezoie
i =p"do!e zona
h Hydrolhsinal alienen zorms
Geochemi
stry
Si02
76.08
Ti02 0.19
Al203 10.6
6
Fe20 1.67
0.09
3
MnO
MgO 0.47
CaO 2.39
Na20 4.71

K20 0.88 Cu

Al

PA
S

4
27

CCPI 26
T/Zr 5.43

0.03 Pb
0.01 Zn

Tota 99.9 Th
l
3
Zr

10
210

Rb
Sr
Ba

13
37

34
144
280

Nb
Y

16

Hand specimen photograph

Photomicrograph (xn)
TiO-Zr mmobile elemenl plol

^----------------- sr -----pyiw.magiwiite le --
antfii
cal .n*iu
moi
cie ootontoe
e
chlo
rl
100 1
lili _ _l__ _:. I
i-*
J. w_l__l _ I I
90
_
c J
- '
80
L

<J
0 1
lAndesfte
II
I
1
-basatt i
70
1
1
1
11
II
----- Dacilo
~~
|
1---60- r i 1 *
1---S
1
,
1
50 ---- W7556
1
CD 1
'147SS7
1
9 ----- 1
I
-- 1
|
*L seri
40 1--- 147552 _ cite

---- I
147 5174e7i
30 4
-----O
1------1 E
1
1
20
f
O
TU ;
Rhyolite

I
1
1
101
0 1
l
1
1
I
l
l JW
.....

() _
(phe
ngie
)1
11

1 Klel(l
Sp3
r

100
Zr (ppm)
0 10 20 30
ndex)
Si

200
40 50 60

70 80

90-100 Al (Ishikawa Alteration

136 | CHAPTER5
Weak, pervasive sericite alteration facies
CVC4
Sample no. 147552
Alteration
weak, pervasive sericite
facies
Alteration
albite zone
zone
Location
Pieman Road
Formation
Kershaw Pumice Formation
Succession Central Volcanic Complex
Volcanic
massive, plagioclase-phyrc
facies
pumice breccia
Relict
plagioclase
minerals
Relict
tube pumice clasts, bubble
textures
wall shards,
plagioclase crystal
fragments, fiamme
Primary
rhyolite
composition
Lithofacies
normally graded
Interpretaron syn-eruptive, mass-flowemplaced pumice breccia
Alteration
sericite + albite + calcite +
minerals
chiorite +
hematite

Alteration
textures

sericite fiamme, hematite

stylolites,
disseminated calcite
rhombs, albite +
sericite altered pumice
clasts and shards
Distribution pervasive
Preservation good
Alteration
weak
ntensity
Timing
pre-S2
Alteration
diagenetic
style
(Kphyry
Ottert Conglomrate
Eastar n ciisrtz-phyti: _ ssqusnce 7 Wnite Sput FoKnabon i a ns Dundas Gnxip

Geochemi
stry Si02
70.91' Ti02
0.31
Al203 14.0
8
Fe203 2.78
MnO 0.07

K20 3.16 Cu
p2o5 0.07 Pb

42

Al
48 36
CCPI

48

Tl/Zr 7.41

0.01 Zn

Total 99.7 Th
5
Zr

MgO 0.77 Rb
CaO 1.66 Sr
Na20 2.68 Ba

124
87
786

Nb
Y

251
13
28

Hand specimen
i
rN ro m O O O
L N N
III
oq
Ti03-Zr immobiie
element plot
0.
7
0. i
i
i /i
6
i
i
7
0. Andesite5 basalt
0.
Dacit 1475
4
e
52
.
0.

3
0. */- /
\'

2
0. //
Rhyoli
1
te
0 // i
!
------ pyrile. magnetita and =lce.*.ie
%t
ar^eritc
floto'ilte
L'-mctce entorile
100 1--- ------------ _! ------.
----- -------__ -----90 - ----- 1
-----i

----- 1
1
11
c
----- ____1__
80 1
__J_____ L_J_
___ 1 _ i
1__ 1

___ -

Andesitebasalt i

i
i
i
1
i
i
" "1 i
" " . .. .
1
...
I
Oacite i
i ~ ~l " ,
* ,147556

ii 1 ,

60
1
5
O
q>
40
1
1
30 ----- ^147407
O 1- - 4 - - 1-----

i
iii
i
55
2
\2\

D_ i
20 aIG
- ce

10
0

Rhyolite

'
_J_
1
ii

-'

100
Zr (ppm)
0 10 20
ndex)

i
1
---|--1
------1----1
-1----S6n
cit3
<f(pne
ngfl
e)
1
11
mL
m

1
200

30

40

50

60

70

80

90 100 Al (Ishikawa Alteration

-. = Dte + quartz + chiorite alteration facies

SEAFLOOR-ANDBURIAL-RELATEDALTERATION | 137
CVC5
---. :\: \
3BS3E "1
W435
jffiTHi ces s.b!!e. pervasive albite +
quartz + chiorite
HOT2TO afctezone
MBD4-18.4 m
Mount Black Formation
- '^~ Z '
'Central Volcanic Complex
ncaHc'sces massive. plagioclase +
hornblende-phyric dacite
plagioclase, hornblende

.-.- -:
--'r.;:
msET
-aprate

:'
=>

S3B0n
- = :- -:es-\
Tmre
*=-::- sr. e

::: Granw
&ncjie
ateJ
COfph
yry
i Owefi
B CCflg
Cmera
le
i^ Easte

porphyritic,
glomeroporphyritic clusters,
micropoikilitic
dacite
massive
coherent facies
albite + quartz + chiorite +
epidote
albite + quartz
micropoikilitic groundmass
with nterstital chiorite +
epidote, albite
pseudomorphs of
plagioclase, epidote +
chiorite altered hornblende
pervasive
excellent
subtle
pre-S2
diagenetic

m&jart
zplyric
s&juen
ce
VVr-.
Spijr
Fcftn
*cn
end
Curda
s
Grauo

....
..
'

Formal
fcn
Mouftl
&3ck
Fwmat
wi
SKflin
gVafey
Volcan
es
GUST
*
edsp
arphffjc
fhyojie
ill

_
Geochemi
stry
Si02
67.53
Ti02
0.52
Al203
14.51
Fe203
4.37 MnO
0.06
MgO
1.3
CaO

K20 3.95 Cu

Al

P205 0.13 Pb

51

CCP 41
I
Ti/Zr 14.48

0.01 Zn

Total 99.5 Th
1
Zr

15
216

Rb

102

Nb

12

Sr

242

34

47

2.38 Na20 Ba
3.56

958

-=- specimen photograph

Photomicrograph (ppl) TiO;-Zr immobile element plot

100
Zr (ppm)
O 10 20
ndex)

200
30

40 50 60

70 80

90 100 Al (Ishikawa Alteration

138 | CHAPTER5
Modrate, domainal chiorite + epidote alteration facies
CVC6
Sample no. 147557
Alteration
modrate, domainal chiorite
facies
+ epidote
Alteration
epidote zone
zone

Location
Formation
Succession
Volcanic
facies Relict
minerals

Pieman Road
Mount Black Formation
Central Volcanic Complex
jigsaw fit, monomictic
plagioclase + hornblendephyric dacite breccia
plagioclase, homblende
Relict
giomeroporphyritic, perlitic
textures
fractures,
Primary
jigsaw-fit clasts
composicin dacite
Lithofacies massive
Interpretatio in siiu hyaloclastite
n
Alteration
albite + quartz + chiorite +
minerals
epidote
Alteration
microcrystalline
textures
groundmass with domainal
albite + quartz and chiorite
+ epidote facies,
plagioclase phenocrysts
albite or chiorite epidote
altered, hornblende altered
to chiorite + epidote
Distribution domainal
Preservation good
Alteration
weak
intensity
Timing
pre-S2
Alteration
diagenetic
style
-------/ ..-,- -A / >...../ : . / v f - - -* ,> -

?/-'.. \kYy^\*:>-}&y\*j

porhyry

Osen Cwigxjinerat
EaStfiGuarC-p'ivri:
.-..','.I WhaeSpurFcmstoi ''.' and EXifrfas Gtcup
Central Volcanic Ccntptex Ker&fiaw Pmlco fcmalw Mwrfi Btack Forniaiion
SiectingValley VolMtics Quartz * fesdspsr-pltyifc myolile
'V,>
EZ>
~1 Hyroinerrral >y &i5faiion renes
Geochem
istry
Si02
K20 2.05 Cu 10
Al
31
67.93
Ti02
PA 0,13 Pb 3
CCP 44
0.59
I
Al203
S
0.01 Zn 28
Ti/Zr 17.68
14.32
Fe203
Tota 99.6 Th 201
4.57 MnO l
5
Zr
0.06
MgO
Rb 41
Nb 12
1.33
CaO
Sr 151 Y
31
2.67 Na20 Ba 826
4.97

Hand specimen photograph

Photomicrograph (ppl)
ES
3
^ II i___
(N IN O O
i/i ioooo
c IJI ffl OJ S 2 u S
og
IN J
Ti03-2r mmobile element plol

100
200
Zr (ppmi
calcile 100
pyrils. (nagnollte ano seiilc-------------
ankciilfi
dolorle
lieriwlile d!lori;e
?0
1
I 60c
o
50 9
40 Z 30 O
E 20 H O
10I___i___L a_J___i
Andeste-basalt lili
.- - r ' ~~ i
,14755?
1475!:
LL
-tiffiSi
I
I
J47552 - ^1474071- - -*------1 1
i; _V _ i -i __13; *1
, Rhyole7
sericile
-ip-^grta;
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80. 90 100 Al (Ishikawa Alteration
ndex)
SYNVOLCANIC INTRUSION-RELATED ALTERATiON I 145
"sldspar. Ac higher temperacures, K in the rock . -.. -i.: ::: Na in seawater, resulring in
che formacin
- : ___: n moderare tcmpenunres (140-300C),
- :: : ::...:;ons beiween modified seawater and the
. _- :
:cession result in Ma-Mg alteration assemblages
-z. e: al.. 1988). Regardless of che rock cype, alteracin
cri. issemblages include Mg-smectite + chiorite + quartz
- airri- and compositional changes are Na20 and MgO
_- _ JiO. Zn and Cu losses (Cibson et al., 2000). The
3_ -:: Mg from seawater lowers che pH of che fluid and

wzrrr evolves from a moderacely alkali, Mg-K-Na-SQcd to a hot acidic Si-Na-Ca-rich hydrothermal fluid
fc-,-sand Seyfried, 1978; Seyfried et al., 1988).
schisr facies felsic and some mafic rocks, the central : is typically silicified, wid
assemblages of quartz.
+ plagioclase or albite (Skirrow and Franklin, 1994; Gibson et al., 2000). In some mafic
rocks, the central zone is sericitic, dominated by sericite + quartz chiorite (Gibson et
al., 2000). Central silicified or sericite zones overprint regional albite zones (Galley,
1993). At Snow Lake the silicified zone is spatially and temporally associated with
VHMS deposits and is zoned laterally from a silica zone to epidote and Fe-Mgmetasomatic zones (amphibolite grade; garnet + chiorite biotite staurolite) (Skirrow
and Franklin, 1994). Silicified zones are typically spatially associated with synvolcanic
intrusions and the intensity and pervasiveness of alteration increases with proximity to
the intrusions (Skirrow and Franklin, 1994; Paradis et al., in press).
Silicified zones commonly contain parches of quartz + feldspar-altered rock, quartzaltered clases in volcaniclastic facies, and quartz veas (e.g. Fig. 6.8A: Gibson et al.,
1983; Skirrow and Franklin, 1994). The parches of quartz + feldspar-altered rock are
restricted to flow-top breccias, and flow. Zintral silicified zone
::r=ce. patchy quartz alterarion in rhis andesite from B QBBOa] silicified zone
resulted in a fine-grained, pal t, which resembles a rhyolite. -_.;T Formaon,
Noranda district, Buttercup Hill,
3. Epidote + quartz zone
7~r.:s approximately one metre-wide patch of epidote - cuartz alteration facies in the
upper Amulet andesite ^15 in irregular shape t)'pical of patchy alteration in the hsssSt
episite + quartz zone. The groundmass has been pervasvely epidote + quartz altered. b
.-.let Formaon, Noranda district, Canad.
C. Epidote + quartz zone
Amygdales in rhis patch of epidote + quartz-altered andesite from the basal epidote +
quartz zone have amoeboid shapes and were lined with Fe-oxides and lled with epidote
+ quartz. Amulet Formaon, Noranda district, Canad.
FIGURE 6.8 | Photographs from deep semi-conformable alteration zones in he
Noranda district. Canad.