Paragenesis is a
petrology concept meaning an
equilibrium sequence of mineral phases.
It is used in studies of
igneous rock and
metamorphic rock genesis and importantly in studies of the
hydrothermal deposition of
ore minerals and the rock alteration (vein
metasomatism) associated with ore mineral deposits. The concept and application of paragenesis, from the Greek for
born beside, was first applied by August Breithaupt in 1849 in his work
Die Paragenesis der Mineralien.
The paragenetic sequence in mineral formation is an important concept in deciphering the detailed geologic history of ore deposits and metamorphic events. The sequence is worked out through detailed microscopic studies in polished ore mineral section, petrologic thin section and Fluid inclusions studies as well as macroscopic field relations.
External links
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Guilbert, John M. and Charles F. Park (1986) The Geology of Ore Deposits, pp. 210–217, Freeman, .
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