Millennial pulses of ore formation and an extra-high Tibetan Plateau

Abstract Quantifying the rhythms and rates of magmatic-hydrothermal systems is critical for a better understanding their controls on ore formation dynamics magmatic reservoirs that feed them. We reconstructed evolution ore-forming fluids using hydrothermal quartz from 17.4 Ma Zhibula skarn, Tibet. Ion probe analysis reveals sharp dramatic changes in ?18O values between 5‰ ?9.3‰, with fluid varying 2.8‰ ?18.2‰, which are best explained by transient meteoric water incursion into system dominated fluids. Two pulses event inferred, operated at millennium scale (760?1510 yr) as constrained aluminum diffusion chronometer. Our results indicate likely unsaturated most lifetime (>105?106 yr), episodic exsolutions (~103 being driven magma replenishment or crystallization-induced saturation. With focused efficient metal deposition, multiple metalliferous favor giant deposits high grade. Meteoric (?25.4 ± 2.3‰) derived further suggest paleo-elevation 5.9 0.3 km; this early Miocene surface uplift plausibly was due to break-off oceanic slab attached Indian Plate. research highlights ubiquitous orogenic belts can also quantify paleo-elevations, has significant tectonic implications.