3D geostatistical modeling of metal contents and lithofacies for mineralization mechanism determination of a seafloor hydrothermal deposit in the middle Okinawa Trough, Izena Hole

Seafloor hydrothermal deposits in the Okinawa Trough have been regarded as a modern analog of kuroko-type volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits on land. VMS deposit is one of the primary producers of base metals (e.g. Cu, Pb, Zn) and precious metals (e.g. Au, Ag). However, owing to difficulties in accessing subseafloor samples/data without costly drilling operations, the spatial distribution of metal contents below the seafloor remains poorly constrained. We apply a combination of four spatial modeling methods: (1) principal component analysis; (2) k-means clustering; and (3, 4) conditional geostatistical simulations of turning bands and pluriGaussian. These modeling methods are based on the whole-rock geochemical data using inductively coupled plasma-quadruple mass spectrometry, together with lithologic log data obtained from onboard visual core descriptions, and X-ray diffraction analyses from the middle Okinawa Trough, Izena Hole, during the cruise CK1605 (Expedition 909) in 2016 by D/V Chikyu. The primary goal is to construct plausible 3D models for the contents of base metals and silver as well as lithotypes. The constructed models successfully map the configuration and zonation of subseafloor metal deposits with hydrothermal flow paths, which sheds light on hydrothermal circulation systems and metal accumulation mechanisms. This approach is shown to be effective for geologic and mineralization modeling and exploration of (sub)seafloor hydrothermal deposits.

Automated summary

The study utilized various spatial modeling methods to investigate metal deposits beneath the seafloor in the Okinawa Trough, successfully mapping their configuration and zoning, shedding light on hydrothermal circulation systems and metal accumulation mechanisms.