POTASSIUM FELDSPAR Environment: Intrusion-rolated KAISig0; Alteration: Potassic; K-Feldspathatization; Feniization i303, Characteristics Potassium feldspar (K-feldsper) occurs in pervasive, selectively pervasive and veinlt-controlled alteration styles, a well a in alteration envelopes which may coalesce around veins. Hand Specimen: K-feldspar may be white, pink, re oF tan. The colour is usually due tothe presence of iron in the cnjstalstucture, or to finely disseminated solid inclusions of iron oxide, When hydrothermal K-fldspar is fne- _grained, identification and estimation of its abundance ve aided by staining with codium cobaltintite ‘Thin Section: Secondary K-feldspar grains range from submicrometre to several centimetres in size. The most common habit is as massive, intergrown, equant grains. Aeration may he totally pervasive, but is more ‘commonly manifested as selective replacement of preexisting feldspar, or as fill in dilatant veins, K-feldspar ‘commonly contains abundant tid inclusions with rectangular forms. ‘The typically cloudy, turbid appearance of lnydrothermal K-feldspac commonly distinguishes i from igneous K-feldspar. Related Minerals Associated: biotite, bornite, chalcopyrite, ‘Accessory: albite, anhydrite, pyrite, rule, sercte magnetite, molybdenit,quart2 jon ‘K-feldspar is a major alteration phase in many ore-deposit types, but itis most common and most abundantly developed in porphyry base and precious metal deposits. K-feldspar alteration usually forms early in the hydrothermal history of @ mineral deposit, and may ether precede or form in company with min-stage alteration ‘and mineraliation. In porphyry deposits, K-feldspar tends to be developed beter in felsic than in mafic host rocks. In high-temperature alteration, K-feldspar is usualy orhoclase, whereas at lower temperatures microctine ‘may form. Early hydrothermal K-feldspar is very suscepsble (0 replacement by seriiie alteration, and evidence for its former presence may be locally obliterated. References Beane, RE. and Tiley, SR, 1981, Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization: Porphycy copper deposits, Part Tl; Society of Beonamic Geologists, 75th Anniversary Volume, p. 235-269, Leitch, C.HLB., 1981, Secondary alkali feldspars in porphyry systems: CIM Bulletin, v.74, p. 83-88, ‘Meyer, C. and Hemley, J... 1967, Wall rock alteration, in Bates, HLL. ed, Geochemistry of Hycothermal Ore Deposits: Holt, Richart, and Winston (New York), p. 166-235, Discu Figures ‘38 HS. Unsiained (op) and stained (bottom) samples of pervasively K-fldspar altered Pothook dioite phase ofthe Iron Mask tutholt, British Columbia, FOV = 13 em, 33.2 TS (XPL), Secondary K-feldspar rims igneous plagioclase phenocrysts. The K-feldspar is accompanied by secondary biotite, and the cores of the plagioclase were subsequently altered to seciite, Dos Pobres porphyry Cu deposit, Arizona, FOV = 3 mm 383. TS (PPL). Brown turbid area in the lower part of the photo illustrates a sharply bounded, strongly pervasive K: feléspar akeration front, Beyond the front, orginal plagioclase phenocrysts are affected by brown, selectively pervasive K-fldspar alteration, wheress clear, igneous groundmass orthacase is unaffected by hydrothermal fluids. Copper Mountsin porphyry district, British Columbia, FOV = 3 mm, 384 TS (XPL}, Same view as Figure 33.3. Note the characteristic patchy appearance of K-felespar altered plagioclase phenoerysts, POV =3 mn, d by: Jamies R. Lang, MDRU, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia 78 Atlas of Alteration