Abstract.
Statistical analysis of the vein thickness distributions of veins in the Cambrian Hellyer volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposit, Australia, indicates that the vein thickness data conform to power-law distributions characterised by fractal dimensions D. The most intensely mineralised vein type is characterised by a low fractal dimension, whereas weakly mineralised or barren vein types have elevated D-values. The observed differences in the fractal dimensions suggest that the study of vein thickness distributions may provide a tool in exploration. It is also shown that the field observations can be explained by a model linking the fractal dimensions of the vein thickness distributions with the mechanisms responsible for the formation and evolution of the vein systems.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Monecke, T., Gemmell, J.B. & Monecke, J. Fractal distributions of veins in drill core from the Hellyer VHMS deposit, Australia: constraints on the origin and evolution of the mineralising system. Min Dep 36, 406–415 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001260100161
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001260100161