Pre- and post-eruptive geochemical and isotopic fingerprints of rhyolites parental to volcano-sedimentary lithium brine and clay resources in the western USA & central Andes
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Abstract
Lithium is a high-demand, critical element used not only in lightweight rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, but also in nuclear applications and industries producing ceramics, aluminum, and medical products. It is extracted primarily from pegmatites and volcano-sedimentary brines and clays in arid, closed lacustrine or caldera basins. Lithium brines of the central Andean salars in the AltiplanoPuna Plateau contain around ~70% of the world’s lithium resources. In contrast, Clayton Valley, Nevada is the only current producer of lithium brines in the United States and accounts for ~6% of current global lithium production. Clayton Valley hosts a newly defined Li-clay resource where locally exposed rhyolite tuffs have been proposed as a lithium source. Identifying magma evolution processes and determining the importance of syn- and post-eruptive processes on the source, mobility, and distribution of lithium is an ongoing area of research. These two regions illustrate distinctive magmatic-tectonic regimes for volcano-sedimentary lithium enrichment and therefore represent ideal regions to explore the key geological processes critical to the enrichment of lithium resources.
Suggested Citation
Mercer, C.N., Khoury, R., Roberge, J., Myers, M., 2025, Pre- and post-eruptive geochemical and isotopic fingerprints of rhyolites parental to volcano-sedimentary lithium brine and clay resources in the western USA & central Andes, 18th SGA Biennial Meeting, v. 3, Golden, CO, August 3-7, 2025, p. 920-923.
Study Area
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Pre- and post-eruptive geochemical and isotopic fingerprints of rhyolites parental to volcano-sedimentary lithium brine and clay resources in the western USA & central Andes |
| Volume | 3 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits |
| Contributing office(s) | Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| First page | 920 |
| Last page | 923 |
| Conference Title | 18th SGA Biennial Meeting |
| Conference Location | Golden, CO |
| Conference Date | August 3-7, 2025 |
| Country | Argentina, United States |
| Other Geospatial | Clayton Valley, Puna Plateau |