Geology and hidrothermal alteration of El Durazno, Farallón Negro, Catamarca prov.

Abstract

Geology and hidrothermal alteration of El Durazno, Farallón Negro, Catamarca prov.?. El Durazno is an altered zone of about 2 km2, developed inside of the Volcanic Complex of Farallón Negro. Therein volcanic breccias, andesitic dkyes and sills are detectable. These make up the oldest elements with a stock of dacitic-andesitic porphyry intruded in them, as well as the hydrothermal alteration of the different zones. This begins with a silification nucleus, surrounded by a ring of potassic alteration, next an other of sericitic (argillitic) alteration and finally that of propilitic one. Fractures respond to an absolutely later phaenomenon, probably controlled by the jointing. The joints are partially open, partially tied by secondary copper minerals and gypsum.