Abstract
The amethyst vein of Maissau, located approx. 60 km north of Vienna, has an extension of approx. 400 meters and a maximum width of two meters. The host rock of the amethyst vein is the Thaya Batholite, which was emplaced during the Cadomian Orogeny, around 550 580 million years ago. The amethyst vein is accompanied by an alteration zone up to several meters in thickness. The vein shows a characteristic mm cm layering, defined by irregular layers of clear quartz, smoky quartz, milky quartz, and amethyst. This layering has been investigated in detail using LA-ICP-MS technique, whereby significant variations in the Fe, Al, and Li concentrations were detected. The different zones are also characterised by the occurrence of distinct types of primary and secondary fluid inclusions. The formation conditions of the Amethyst vein could be determined, on the basis of microthermometrical investigations of the fluid inclusions. The present study shows that the amethyst vein of Maissau is the result of several subsequent fluid pulses. Each fluid pulse is clearly defined by distinct temperature and chemical composition. The amethyst zones were generated from fluid pulses with temperature between 120 °C and 160 °C and are characterised by higher accessory concentrations of Fe, Al, and Li, compared to those forming the clear quartz zones.
Translated title of the contribution | The Origin of the Amethyst vein of Maissau, Austria |
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Original language | German |
Qualification | Dipl.-Ing. |
Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 29 Jun 2007 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Bibliographical note
embargoed until nullKeywords
- Maissau Amethyst