CATHODOLUMINESCENT MICROSTRATIGRAPHY IN GANGUE DOLOMITE, THE MASCOT JEFFERSON CITY DISTRICT, TENNESSEE

Cathodoluminescent growth zones were observed in gangue dolomite associated with sphalerite mineralization in the Mascot-Jefferson City district. A total of six major zones were recognized which luminesce from very bright to very dark red. A nearly perfect microstratigraphic correlation of the gangue dolomite cathodoluminescent zones throughout the district was observed. A single period of sphalerite mineralization occurred during the development of three consecutive zones throughout the district. Three Qther districts were studied and all exhibited, to some degree, cathodoluminescent zona-tions. The cathodoluminescent microstratigraphy reveals that both the sphalerite and gangue dolomite were time correlative through the Mascot-Jefferson City and possibly the Copper Ridge districts. Preliminary studies suggest that cathodoluminescent petrography has possible exploration applications in East Tennessee and other Mississippi Valley-type deposits. It may be possible to differentiate between brecciated and dolomitized areas adjacent to an orebody and similar breccias which are not mineralized. © 1979 Society of Economic Geologists, Inc.