Skip to main content
Log in

The Global Factors of Lead–Zinc Ore Formation

  • Published:
Moscow University Geology Bulletin Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The tectonic evolution of the Earth is the leading factor that accounts for the uneven distribution of lead and zinc reserves through geologic time. The cyclic changes in lead–zinc ore formation productivity reflected the periodic amalgamation of most continental crustal blocks and supercontinent formation, stabilization, and eventual breakup. Many features of the age spectra of lead and zinc reserves are caused by the gradual growth of the continental crust as a result of the accretion of island arcs to the cratonic nuclei, the widening extent of the ensialic environments of ore formation, and the increasing role of the continental crust in magma generation processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Barley, M.E. and Groves, D.I., Supercontinental cycles and the distribution of metal deposits through time, Geology, 1992, no. 20, pp. 291–302.

  2. Bozhko, N.A., On two types of supercontinental cyclicity, Moscow Univ. Geol. Bull., 2011, vol. 66, no. 5, pp. 313–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bradley, D.C., Passive margins through earth history, Earth-Sci. Rev., 2008, vol. 91, pp. 1–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Cawood, P.A., Kroner, A., and Pisarevsky, S., Precambrian plate tectonics: criteria and evidence, GSA Today, 2006, vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 4–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Condie, K.C., Episodic continental growth and supercontinents: a mantle avalanche connection? Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 1998, vol. 163, pp. 97–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Davidson, A., Late Paleoproterozoic to mid-Neoproterozoic history of northern Laurentia: An overview of central Rodinia, Precambrian Res., 2008, vol. 160, pp. 5–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Dergachev, A.L., Eremin, N.I., and Sergeeva, N.E., Different-scale tendencies of the evolution of the composition of volcanogenic pyrite deposit ore, Moscow Univ. Geol. Bull., 2013, no. 5, pp. 31–40.

  8. Dergachev, A.L., Dergachev, A.A., and Eremin, N.I., Epochs of zinc–lead ore formation in the geological history of the Earth, Moscow Univ. Geol. Bull., 2015, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 240–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Eremin, N.I., Dergachev, A.L., Pozdnyakova, N.V., and Sergeeva, N.E., Epochs of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide ore formation in the Earth’s history, Geol. Ore Deposits, 2002, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 259–275.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Evans, D.A.D., Reconstructing pre-Pangean supercontinents, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 2013, vol. 125, pp. 1735–1751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Li, Z.X., Bogdanova, S.V., Collins, A.S., Davidson, A., et al., Assembly, configuration, and break-up history of Rodinia: a synthesis, Precambrian Res., 2008, vol. 160, pp. 179–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Meyer, C., Ore metals through geologic history, Science, 1985, vol. 227, pp. 1421–1428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Meyer, C., Ore deposits as guides to geologic history of the Earth, Ann.Rev. Earth Sci., 1988, vol. 16, pp. 147–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. L. Dergachev.

Additional information

Translated by E. Murashova

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dergachev, A.L. The Global Factors of Lead–Zinc Ore Formation. Moscow Univ. Geol. Bull. 74, 433–440 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0145875219050041

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0145875219050041

Keywords:

Navigation