Stable isotope and lead isotope study of the Cortez, Nevada, gold deposit and surrounding area
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Abstract
Isotope studies of sulfur, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and lead were carried out to clarify the age and origin of the Cortex gold deposit and the surrounding mineralized area. The hydrogen isotope data indicate that meteoric water was the dominant component of the ore-forming fluids at Cortez. The hydrogen isotope data support geologic evidence for a Tertiary age for the deposit. The oxidation of the ore probably occurred during the deposition of postore calcite and was caused by waters whose oxygen isotopic composition was distinctly different from that of the ore fluids. The carbon isotope data suggest that the only carbon present in the ore fluids was derived from solution of the host rock. The lead and sulfur data are consistent with a possible sedimentary derivation for the gold in the ore. Lead and sulfur isotope distributions indicate that much of the galena mineralization in the area occurred during the Jurassic.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Stable isotope and lead isotope study of the Cortez, Nevada, gold deposit and surrounding area |
| Series title | Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 1974 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 13 |
| Last page | 23 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| Other Geospatial | Cortez Gold Deposit |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |