Aguiliri is a lava dome complex in the Andes. It lies near Jama at the Chile-Argentina border in the Jujuy Province.[1] It is part of the Argentine Puna and the Jama stratovolcano lies 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west.[2]
Geology
editThe complex is constructed in the sides of a tectonic horst and includes andesitic structures (Cerro Chingolo) and porphyric dacitic ones like Aguiliri.[3]: 5 The centre consists of three dacitic lava domes and a dacitic stock intruded in Tertiary sediments and basement. The complex's composition is dacitic and biotites in the complex are K-Ar dated 12.7 mya ago, of Middle Miocene age.[1] The complex was originally a cryptodome complex that was exposed by erosion.[4]: 258
Plagioclase phenocrysts are contained in the dacite, as well as more derived allanite, biotite, plagioclase, quartz and other minerals. Inclusions of apatite, monazite and zircon are also contained in allanite.[5] Uranium minerals are found associated with iron and manganese oxide, marcasite and pyrite.[3]: 5
The local geology consists of Ordovician marine sediments with local pre-Ordovician outcrops. During the Oligocene-Miocene, the Pehuenche orogeny caused widespread sedimentation in the region, forming the Log Log Formation. Large scale andesitic, dacitic and rhyolitic activity commenced during the Miocene Quechua orogeny, forming the Aguiliri centre.[3]: 3–4
Uranium deposits
editThe uranium mineral autunite is found in the country rock surrounding the dome.[6] This mineral was probably formed by volatile activity acting on the dacites.[2] Meta-autunite, meta-orbernite and sabugalite are also found.[3]: 5 The complex was drilled 225 metres (738 ft).[7]: 84
References
edit- ^ a b Caffe, P. J. (2002). "Petrogenesis of Early Neogene Magmatism in the Northern Puna; Implications for Magma Genesis and Crustal Processes in the Central Andean Plateau". Journal of Petrology. 43 (5): 907–942. doi:10.1093/petrology/43.5.907. ISSN 1460-2415.
- ^ a b "Uranium deposits in volcanic rocks" (PDF). Proceedings of a technical committee meeting El Paso, Texas. International Atomic Energy Agency. October 1985. p. 309. ISBN 92-0-041085-5. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Centro de Informacion Tecnologica (January–December 1989). Informacion Tecnologica (in Spanish). Centro de Informacion Tecnologica. ISSN 0716-8756.
- ^ Universidad del Norte (Chile). Departamento de Geociencias (1985). Actas: Area 3. Geología economia y metalogenesis. Area 5. Hidrogeologia, geología aplicada y geomorfologia (in Spanish). El Departamento.
- ^ "CLASIFICACIÓN DE STRUNZ Y NICKEL (2001)" (PDF). CLASE 9: SILICATOS (in Spanish).
- ^ Leroy, Jacques L.; George-Aniel, Brigitte (1992). "Volcanism and uranium mineralizations: the concept of source rock and concentration mechanism". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 50 (3): 247–272. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(92)90096-V. ISSN 0377-0273.
- ^ Uranium Resources, Production, and Demand: A Joint Report. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 1986.
 | This article about mining is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This volcanology article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |