What are hydrothermal ores?
Hydrothermal ores are concentrations of metallic minerals formed by the deposition of solids from hot underground water. Mineral-rich hot water can be produced by magma (molten rock). In addition, water from the surface can circulate deep underground and become heated by magma or through radioactive decay in rocks. This hot water can dissolve salts (e.g. sodium chloride) and minerals such as metal sulfides and oxides from rocks. Superheated water can also dissolve metals such as gold and silver. This mineral-rich hot water is called a hydrothermal solution. Various physical and chemical processes can cause hydrothermal solutions to deposit their dissolved solids. These processes include changes in acidity, pressure, temperature and reaction with rocks or other. Very high pressures created by hot magma can create cracks in surrounding rocks into which the hydrothermal solutions flow and cool, creating “veins” of concentrated minerals. minerals-n-more.com describes several hydrothermal o
