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Metallogeny of the Vancouver-Hope area, British Columbia

University of British Columbia

The study area is characterized by complex terrane encompassing the junction of three major tectonic belts: the Coast Plutonic Belt, the Intermontane Belt, and the Cascade Belt. Examination of the detailed tectonic framework was facilitated by the construction of a time-space plot which illustrates the salient features of the six small-scale tectonic belts within the area. Subsequent examination of metal deposits was facilitated by the MINDEP inventory file which supplied location and reference information. Detailed descriptive information on metal deposits was categorized and tabulated with respect to metals, deposit type, host rock formation and host rock type. This data was then integrated into the tectonic framework to outline a metallogenic model for the area. A simplistic model for the evolution of the major features in the area involves eugeosynclinal and trench-like deposition from Upper Paleozoic until Jurassic-Cretaceous time when the developing Coast volcanic and plutonic arc collided with the established Intermontane arc on the east. Arc volcanism in the Coast Plutonic Belt produced the initial volcanogenic metal sulfide accumulations in the area which subsequently were remobilized into adjacent areas during collision. The axis of collision contains a major magmatic sulfide deposit which probably formed at this time as a result of collision. Significant mineralization is found also west of the collision axis near the deep-seated Hozameen fault along which gold-rich fluids have formed veins near serpentine bodies. Similarly, a large disseminated gold deposit occurs in slate adjacent to the Hozameen fault in the area of major vein mineralization. Subduction responsible for the Tertiary episode of plutonism and volcanism centered in the Cascade Belt also produced small skarn, vein and porphyry deposits during a subsequent episode of remobilization mineralization.

Text

2010-02-26

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/21003

Geological Sciences

University of British Columbia

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