Bikpela: A Large Siliceous Chimney from the PACMANUS Hydrothermal Field, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

摘要

The 2.7 m Bikpela chimney differs from sulfide-rich chimneys at PACMANUS, eastern Manus basin, by virtue of high silica content, a stromatolite-like layered structure, and the presence of a large internal collapse cavity. Its interior is dominated by 5- to 10-mm-thick primary laminae of opal-A-dominated fronds clouded by submicroscopic sphalerite inclusions, set between thin subhorizontal growth borders. Larger sphalerites with sulfosalt-galena intergrowths at frond ends project into discoid cavities under the growth borders. A steeper, second-order lamination reflects arrested expansion of the 50-cm-high internal collapse cavity. Underlying the cavity floor an axial breccia pipe contains distorted fragments of laminated interior modified by dissolution and then redeposition of opal and further growth of pyrite and sphalerite. Beneath a thin Mn oxide crust, a hard outer sphalerite-barite carapace similar to 5 cm thick and devoid of opal is banded parallel to the chimney exterior.