In this paper, we show that supercritical fluids have a greater significance in the generation of pegmatites, and for ore-forming processes related to granites than is usually assumed. We show that the supercritical melt or fluid is a silicate phase in which volatiles; principally H₂O are completely miscible in all proportions at magmatic temperatures and pressures. This phase evolves from felsic melts and changes into hydrothermal fluids, and its unique properties are particularly important in sequestering and concentrating low abundance elements, such as metals. In our past research, we have focused on processes observed at upper crustal levels, however extensive work by us and other researchers have demonstrated that supercritical melt/fluids should be abundant in melting zones at deep-crustal levels too. We propose that these fluids may provide a connecting link between lower and upper crustal magmas, and a highly efficient transport mechanism for usually melt incompatible elements. In this paper, we explore the unique features of this fluid which allow the partitioning of various elements and compounds, potentially up to extreme levels, and may explain various features both of mineralization and the magmas that produced them.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	granites, pegmatites, supercritical state, extreme element enrichment
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Geology
Research Field:	Ore Deposit Petrology
Objective Division:	Mineral Resources (excl. Energy Resources)
Objective Group:	Mineral Exploration
Objective Field:	Mineral Exploration not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Davidson, P (Dr Paul Davidson)
ID Code:	132152
Year Published:	2019
Web of Science® Times Cited:	1
Deposited By:	CODES ARC
Deposited On:	2019-04-24
Last Modified:	2019-05-06
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