Research Article| July 01, 2015 Giant Kiruna-type deposits form by efficient flotation of magmatic magnetite suspensions Jaayke L. Knipping; Jaayke L. Knipping * 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA *E-mail: jaaykek@umich.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Laura D. Bilenker; Laura D. Bilenker 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Adam C. Simon; Adam C. Simon 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Martin Reich; Martin Reich 2Department of Geology and Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago 8320198, Chile Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Fernando Barra; Fernando Barra 2Department of Geology and Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago 8320198, Chile Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Artur P. Deditius; Artur P. Deditius 3School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Craig Lundstrom; Craig Lundstrom 4Department of Geology, University of Illinois, 605 East Springfield Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ilya Bindeman; Ilya Bindeman 5Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, 1275 E 13th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Rodrigo Munizaga Rodrigo Munizaga 6Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CAP), Brasil N 1050, Vallenar, Región de Atacama 1610000, Chile Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jaayke L. Knipping * 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Laura D. Bilenker 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Adam C. Simon 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1005, USA Martin Reich 2Department of Geology and Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago 8320198, Chile Fernando Barra 2Department of Geology and Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA), Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, Santiago 8320198, Chile Artur P. Deditius 3School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia Craig Lundstrom 4Department of Geology, University of Illinois, 605 East Springfield Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61820, USA Ilya Bindeman 5Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, 1275 E 13th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1272, USA Rodrigo Munizaga 6Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CAP), Brasil N 1050, Vallenar, Región de Atacama 1610000, Chile *E-mail: jaaykek@umich.edu Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 23 Jan 2015 Revision Received: 16 Apr 2015 Accepted: 18 Apr 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2015 Geological Society of America Geology (2015) 43 (7): 591–594. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36650.1 Article history Received: 23 Jan 2015 Revision Received: 16 Apr 2015 Accepted: 18 Apr 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jaayke L. Knipping, Laura D. Bilenker, Adam C. Simon, Martin Reich, Fernando Barra, Artur P. Deditius, Craig Lundstrom, Ilya Bindeman, Rodrigo Munizaga; Giant Kiruna-type deposits form by efficient flotation of magmatic magnetite suspensions. Geology 2015;; 43 (7): 591–594. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G36650.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Kiruna-type iron oxide–apatite (IOA) deposits are an important source of Fe ore, and two radically different processes are being actively investigated for their origin. One hypothesis invokes direct crystallization of immiscible Fe-rich melt that separated from a parent silicate magma, while the other hypothesis invokes deposition of Fe-oxides from hydrothermal fluids of either magmatic or crustal origin. Here, we present a new model based on Fe and O stable isotopes and trace and major element geochemistry data of magnetite from the ∼350 Mt Fe Los Colorados IOA deposit in the Chilean iron belt that merges these divergent processes into a single sequence of events that explains all characteristic features of these curious deposits. We propose that concentration of magnetite takes place by the preferred wetting of magnetite, followed by buoyant segregation of these early-formed magmatic magnetite-bubble pairs, which become a rising magnetite suspension that deposits massive magnetite in regional-scale transcurrent faults. Our data demonstrate an unambiguous magmatic origin, consistent with the namesake IOA analogue in the Kiruna district, Sweden. Further, our model explains the observed coexisting purely magmatic and hydrothermal-magmatic features and allows a genetic connection between Kiruna-type IOA and iron oxide–copper–gold deposits, contributing to a global understanding valuable to exploration efforts. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.