Mechanisms of High-Purity Quartzite Formation at the Bural-Sardyk Deposit (Russia)

Abstract

Abstract —The paper discusses the mechanisms of formation of high-purity quartzites from the Bural-Sardyk deposit. Based on a stadial analysis of the sedimentary-metamorphic sequence, we interpret the succession of postsedimentary transformations of high-silica rocks. Comprehensive studies using geological and geochemical methods and isotope research data reveal the role of tectonics, magmatism, metamorphism (regional and contact), and dynamic metamorphism in the formation of high-purity quartzites. Two main varieties of tectonites have been identified and described: stress-metamorphic tectonites and cataclasites. The paper presents a new geological map of the Bural-Sardyk deposit on a 1:10,000 scale.