Mineralization processes at Escanaba Trough

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Abstract

Escanaba Trough off northern California is the southernmost and only sediment covered segment of the Gorda Ridge. Hydrothermal mineralization was first discovered in Escanaba Trough in 1985, and subsequent investigations included the delineation of the NESCA (northern Escanaba) and SESCA (southern Escanaba) sections of Escanaba Trough, as well as drilling by Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 169 in 1996. Preliminary research conducted in the 1980s distinguished two classes of sulfide mineral assemblages within the Escanaba Trough: one dominated by pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS) and one containing ‘mixed sulfides’ including chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and sphalerite (ZnS). In 2022, we conducted a research expedition to the Escanaba Trough to more thoroughly characterize mineralization processes and consider preservation of precipitated minerals throughout hydrothermally active and inactive sections of Escanaba Trough, with the specific objective of characterizing the host minerals, and processes of enrichment for specific elements which are currently listed as critical elements and can also be toxic under certain conditions (Sb, As, Ba, Co, Ga, Ge, Te). The following will include initial results from that work.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Mineralization processes at Escanaba Trough
Volume 2
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 3 p.
First page 737
Last page 739
Conference Title 18th SGA Biennial Meeting
Conference Location Golden, CO
Conference Date August 3-7, 2025
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Escanaba Trough
Additional publication details