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Article
Geologica Carpathica, 2025, vol. 76, no. in press
Evolution of the Štiavnica Stratovolcano revisited: SHRIMP U–Th–Pb zircon dating of subvolcanic intrusions, caldera fill and B. Hodruša precious/base metal deposit (including Re/Os and K/Ar data)
Abstract
A general timing of the Štiavnica Stratovolcano edifice evolution based on structural relationships, biostratigraphic data and previous dating by K/Ar and Rb/Sr methods could not resolve more exactly the critical interval of the subvolcanic intrusive complexes emplacement, a caldera subsidence and evolution of related mineralizations. To fill the gap we have carried out 20 precise SHRIMP U–Th–Pb zircon datings of relevant intrusive and volcanic rocks as well as K/Ar dating of illite and adularia and Re/Os dating of gold and sulfides from a related epithermal mineralization. Their high precision allowed to recognize a succession of subvolcanic intrusions concluded by the caldera collapse and to establish age of the B. Hodruša precious/base metal epithermal mineralization. Based on new interpreted age intervals for individual stages and sub-stages in a complex evolution of the Štiavnica Stratovolcano edifice we update the scheme of its evolution as follows: (1) construction of an extensive and complex andesite stratovolcanic edifice during the interval 15.0–13.6 Ma, including emplacement of a diorite intrusion around 14.8 Ma and emplacement of a diorite porphyry stock at Beluj 14.5 Ma; (2) emplacement of subvolcanic intrusive rocks including: emplacement of rare quartz-diorite porphyry sills pre-dating the B. Hodruša epithermal mineralization around 13.6 Ma; emplacement of the granodiorite bell-jar pluton around 13.44 Ma; granodiorite pluton resurgent uplift, sector collapse and related evolution of the B. Hodruša epithermal mineralization in the interval of ca. 13.44–13.31 Ma; emplacement of quartz-diorite sills in the shear zone that post-date the epithermal mineralization around 13.31 Ma; emplacement of other quartz-diorite porphyry sills and ring dikes during the interval of ca. 13.3–13.0 Ma; emplacement of granodiorite porphyry stocks and dike clusters around 12.9 Ma; (3) subsidence of the caldera and its filling by evolved andesites around 12.9 Ma; (4) renewed activity of less evolved and mixed type andesites during the interval of ca. 12.8–12.3 Ma; (5) uplift of the resurgent horst in the central part of the caldera accompanied by rhyolite volcanic/intrusive activity between 12.3 and 11.4 Ma.
Keywords:
Štiavnica Stratovolcano edifice, structure, evolution, U–Th–Pb zircon dating
Pages:
1 - 24
Published online:
30 June 2025