Magmatic evolution of the Kolumbo submarine volcano and its implication to seafloor massive sulfide formation

• DOI: 10.1007/s00126-024-01262-7
• Publication Date: 2024-04-05T01:20:27Z
• Authors: Simon Hector; Clifford G. C. Pa...; Aratz Beranoaguirre; Pierre Lanari; Stephanos Kilias; Paraskevi Nomikou; Alexandre Peillod; Elisabeth Eiche; Jochen Kolb
• Keywords: Seafloor Spreading; Submarine volcano; Mineral resource classification

Abstract Seafloor massive sulfides form in various marine hydrothermal settings, particularly within volcanic arcs, where magmatic fluids may contribute to the metal budget of system. In this study, we focus on Kolumbo volcano, a submarine edifice central Hellenic Volcanic Arc hosting an active Diffuse sulfate-sulfide chimneys Zn-Pb sulfide mineralization with elevated As, Ag, Au, Hg, Sb, and Tl contents. These elements have similar behavior during degassing are common arc-related systems. Trace-element data igneous magnetite, combined whole rock geochemistry numerical modelling, highlights chalcophile siderophile differentiation. We report that, despite early saturation, element contents magma do not decrease until water saturation has occurred. The conservation differentiation suggests that most fractionate. By contrast, upon degassing, Cu, Sn, Pb, Zn become depleted magma, likely partitioning into volatile phase, either from melt or oxidation by volatiles. After residual incorporated magnetite. magnetite enables identifying discrimination between pre- post-degassing Our study how contributes magmatic-hydrothermal systems seafloor shows is powerful tool for tracking metal-mobilizing processes