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Interpretation of the Conolly contour diagram of fault-related veins

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Abstract

The Conolly diagram is a section or plan on which the distances from the vein to an arbitrary reference plane are contoured. This graphical technique makes it possible to depict the shape of the vein in a form which resembles topographic contour maps. The Conolly diagram can be used to analyse the relation between oreshoot development in fault-related veins, the attitude of the irregular fault plane and slip direction of the fault.

A new graphical discrimination method has been developed by which an apparent-slip direction “b” is determined in the Conolly diagram by comparing the variations in attitude of the vein with the variations in thickness of the corresponding fissure opening. Theoretically, ore shoots in dextral faults are located where the acute angle “α” between the apparent-slip direction “b” and the fault surface is smaller than zero and in sinistral faults where “α” is greater than zero. This method of interpretation is especially useful when analysing obliqueslip fault systems, which are difficult to study because of the complexities of the three-dimensional problem.

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  1. Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, P.O. Box 510153, D-3000, Hannover 51, FRG

    Michael O. Schwartz

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  1. Michael O. Schwartz
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Schwartz, M.O. Interpretation of the Conolly contour diagram of fault-related veins. Mineral. Deposita 21, 1–11 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204355

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204355

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