Geochemistry and thermometry of magnetite veins and replacements in iron ore deposits from the Iron Springs district, SW Utah, USA: Relation to magmatic and hydrothermal processes

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Abstract

Ore-genesis, texture, chemical compositions, and thermometry of magnetite were used to better evaluate the origins of iron ore deposits across the Iron Spring district, Utah. Trace element compositions, determined by LA-ICP-MS, were used to calculate temperatures based on XMg numbers and characterize the trace element signatures of magmatic and hydrothermal magnetite. Magnetite occurs as coarser crystalline grains within veins, breccias, and cavities along with finer crystalline replacements. Magnetite is most commonly intergrown with apatite, phlogopite, and carbonate in veins, breccias, and cavities where apatite occurs separately from the other gangue minerals. The results using empirical trace element discrimination diagrams generally suggest that the magnetite is overall of hydrothermal origin regardless of textural variations or field relationships. The XMg numbers of the magnetite in the magnetite-apatite ores, however, are suggestive of high temperature magmatic conditions; whereas those of vein, breccia, and replacement occurrences containing other gangue minerals are suggestive of lower temperature hydrothermal processes.

Suggested Citation

Meighan, C.J., Taylor, R.D., Hofstra, A.H., Thompson, J.M., 2025, Geochemistry and thermometry of magnetite veins and replacements in iron ore deposits from the Iron Springs district, SW Utah, USA: Relation to magmatic and hydrothermal processes, 18th SGA Biennial Meeting, v. 3, Golden, CO, August 3-7, 2025, p. 1043-1046.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Geochemistry and thermometry of magnetite veins and replacements in iron ore deposits from the Iron Springs district, SW Utah, USA: Relation to magmatic and hydrothermal processes
Volume 3
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA)
Contributing office(s) Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 1043
Last page 1046
Conference Title 18th SGA Biennial Meeting
Conference Location Golden, CO
Conference Date August 3-7, 2025
Country United States
State Utah
Other Geospatial Iron Springs district
Additional publication details