Magnetotelluric Imaging of a Carbonatite Terrane in the Southeast Mojave Desert, California and Nevada

  • Peacock J
  • Denton K
  • Ponce D
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Abstract

The southeast Mojave Desert hosts one of the world's largest rare earth element (REE) deposits at Mountain Pass, California. Although surface geology has been studied, a full understanding of the carbonatite and associated intrusive suite complex requires subsurface geophysical characterization. In this study, a combination of geophysical methods, including magnetotelluric (MT), magnetics, and gravity are used to create a two-dimensional (2D) geophysical model to a depth of about 10 km. An electrically conductive body is found 2-3 km below and west of the deposit that is associated with a magnetic high that could be connected to a deeper (10 km) conductive body related to possible intrusions or hydrothermal systems. The carbonatite body coincides with a steep magnetic gradient and a bench or terrace in the gravity data that may reflect relative lower-density intrusive rocks. Although carbonatite rocks are typically magnetic, the carbonatite rocks, associated intrusive suite, and host rocks in this area are essentially non-magnetic. Combined geophysical data indicate that the enriched REE deposit may be related to a regional extensive hydrothermal alteration event.

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APA

Peacock, J. R., Denton, K. M., & Ponce, D. A. (2016). Magnetotelluric Imaging of a Carbonatite Terrane in the Southeast Mojave Desert, California and Nevada. ASEG Extended Abstracts, 2016(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1071/aseg2016ab148

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