E. A. Danilova (IG UB RAS, IGG UB RAS)

COPPER SANDSTONES OF THE SVERDLOVSK CIRCULAR MEGASTRUCTURE

The paper describes the geological structure of the copper sandstone deposits of the Perm, Vyatka-Kama, Bashkir, and Orenburg ore regions in the eastern part of the Russian Platform and the Western Urals. It is noted that copper mineralization within a single area can simultaneously affect sediments formed in marine, lagoonal-marine, and continental conditions. Its local movement upsection is also observed. The rejuvenation of copper sandstones is also recorded regionally in the southwestern direction along the circular blocks of the Sverdlovsk radial-concentric structure with a diameter of more than 2400 km, identified from structural, tectonic, and geomorphological data. Mineralization is heterogeneous both in section and along strike. Copper ores are developed inversely to the rocks gypsification. The highest copper contents are confined to the lower parts of productive horizons. It is concluded that copper sandstone deposits are a possible result of vertical migration of deep hydrothermal solutions along neotectonic faults during the Sverdlovsk megastructure formation in the Alpine phase of tectogenesis. It is recommended to continue research to identify and map its sectorial blocks and study associated mineral deposits.
Keywords: copper ore occurrence, radial-concentric structure, salt tectonics, deep fault, neotectonic fault, oil and gas potential, vertical migration, hydrothermal solution.