Analog experimental investigation of the formation of magmatic sulfide deposits

摘要

Magmatic ore deposits result from transport and settling of dense sulfide liquid droplets in mafic magma. To better understand these processes, we carried out analog experiments using dense silicon oil droplets suspended in a viscous aqueous polymer solution. The results of the experiments indicate that sulfide droplets can be carried in suspension by magma flowing at typical velocities. Due ot the large surface tension of the sulfide droplets, coalescence does not occur during transport. Transport cases when upward magma velocity decreases because of conduit enlargement or change from vertical to horizontal flow. Post-deposition coalescence of droplets is controlled by the magma viscosity and the presence of crystals.