Abstract
X-ray diffraction, differential thermal, chemical analysis and cation exchange data indicate a progressive genesis upon hydrothermal alteration of rhyolitic materials in an extensive fault zone. Kaolinite, a Ca-Mg beidellite, mixed-layer beidellite-hydrous mica and beidellite-vermiculite clay minerals, quartz, cristobalite and feldspar commonly occur in the deposit.
Detailed studies show that the sequence of the 2:1 clay mineral alteration is beidellite-hydrous mica mixed-layer → beidellite-vermiculite mixed-layer → beidellite. This mineralogical change parallels a progressive decrease in the layer charge and amount of fixed K+ present and an increase in exchangeable Ca+ and Mg+ respectively.
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Heystek, H. Hydrothermal Rhyolitic Alteration in the Castle Mountains, California. Clays Clay Miner. 11, 158–168 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1962.0110114
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1962.0110114