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Recent Advances in the Understanding of Komatiites With Special Reference

to Ore Genesis

Chapter · January 2009

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4976.2720

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3 authors, including:

Kanhaiya Lal Shrivastava Dr. Mamta Chauhan

Jai Narain Vyas University Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (I.S.R.O)
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 Recent Advances in the Understanding of Komatiites
With Special Reference to Ore Genesis
K.L.Shrivastava, Anju Mathur and Mamta Chauhan
Department of Geology, J. N. V University,Jodhpur 342005 INDIA.
Email- klsgeology@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT
In absence of a proper definition of komatiites, it is commonly considered as a high
MgO, ultramafic volcanic rock of early earth history with spinifex texture. Since its
discovery in the year 1960, there is dramatic increase in the quality and quantity of data
related with field relation, petrological, geochemical, tectonic and astrobiological studies
which have generated significant interest in komatiites. The present paper presents a brief
account of recent knowledge contributed immensely to an understanding of petrogenesis
and ore genesis in komatiites. It is generally accepted that there are two types of
petrogenetic models for the formation of komaiites. Plume based models of anhydrous
melting in interplate setting and subduction related hydrous melting in supra subduction
zone setting. In addition a hybrid model, the third one suggests the combination of both
the above tectonic settings. Experimental studies performed in the recent years
demonstrate that various field relations macro- and micro textures, including spinifex
texture, now provide a better explanation for cooling rates in komatiites under various
thermal gradients.
Komatiite magmas are important ore forming processes. Being as high as 1650o C
temperature, they are sulphur saturated, a rare among mafic or ultramafic lava types to
contain chalcophile elements including Fe, Co, Ni, Au, Cu, Ti, Bi and PGEs. As soon as
magma attains the sulphur saturation they form ore deposits. Among PGEs, Ir and Os
form high temperature alloy and behave as compatible elements being retained in
refractory mantle residues. Pt and Pd are incompatible elements partitioned in to
sulphides relative to silicate minerals and melts and their behavior is chalcophilic in
sulphide bearing system. Many Ni-sulphide deposits, Fe-Cu-PGE deposits or Ni-Cu-PGE
deposits are well known globally. Latest, discovery of diamonds in the komatiites has
added a new chapter in the discipline of economic mineralization. Apart from ore
genesis, komatiites have become important to understand early composition and
evolution of the earth and its mantle. Recent studies proposed that a komatiite volcano
could be a possible site for the incorporation of Ni in to biochemical system. This is
considered as a revolutionary idea for the origin of life in astrobiology.

Key words :- Komatiites, Platinum group elements, Ni deposits, Ortho-magmatic deposits,

Diamond.

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