Gossan

Gossan is intensely oxidized, weathered or decomposed rock, usually the upper and exposed part of an ore deposit or mineral vein. In the classic gossan or iron cap all that remains is iron oxides and quartz often in the form of boxworks, quartz lined cavities retaining the shape of the dissolved ore minerals. In other cases quartz and iron oxides, limonite, goethite, and jarosite, exist as pseudomorphs replacing the pyrite and primary ore minerals. Frequently gossan appears as a red stain against the background rock and soil due to the abundance of oxidized iron and the gossan may be a topographic positive area due to the abundance of erosion resistant quartz and iron oxides.

In the 19th and 20th centuries gossans were important guides to buried ore deposits used by prospectors in their quest for metal ores. An experienced prospector could read the clues in the structure of the gossans to determine the type of mineralization likely to be found below the iron cap.

References

• Guilbert, John M. and Charles F. Park, Jr (1986) The Geology of Ore Deposits, W. H. Freeman, pp 799-830, ISBN 0-7167-1456-6

This article about a specific mineral or mineraloid is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Economic geology Mineralogy Mineral stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат? Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge MP2 Look at other dictionaries: Gossan — Gos san, n. (Geol.) Decomposed rock, usually reddish or ferruginous (owing to oxidized pyrites), forming the upper part of a metallic vein. Called also {iron hat}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English gossan — [gäs′ən, gäz′ən] n. [Cornish gossen < gos, blood < Old Cornish guit] Mining rusty iron deposits often occurring where the upper part of a vein has been weathered and oxidized …   English World dictionary Gossan — This rare and interesting name is of medieval English origin and is a variant spelling of Gosson, an assimilated form of Godson, and derived form the Old English pre 7th Century godsuna , godson. In the York miracle plays Gud sonne , meaning good …   Surnames reference Gossan Gbéké — Gossan Kwa Gbeke Gossan Kwa Gbeke était un chef baoulé en Côte d Ivoire au XIXe siècle. Connu dans sa région pour son charisme, son autorité et sa grande sagesse, il règna sur la ville de Gbekekro à qui il donna son nom. Issu de la tribu des… …   Wikipédia en Français Gossan Kwa Gbeke — était un chef baoulé en Côte d Ivoire au XIXe siècle. Connu dans sa région pour son charisme, son autorité et sa grande sagesse, il règna sur la ville de Gbekekro à qui il donna son nom. Issu de la tribu des Assabous (groupe Akan), il suivit la… …   Wikipédia en Français gossan — noun Etymology: Cornish gossen, from gōs blood Date: 1776 decomposed rock or vein material of reddish or rusty color that results from oxidized pyrites …   New Collegiate Dictionary gossan — /gos euhn, goz /, n. a rust colored deposit of mineral matter at the outcrop of a vein or orebody containing iron bearing materials. Also called iron hat. [1770 80; orig. dial. (Cornwall) < Cornish, deriv. of gos blood; akin to Welsh gwaed] * * * …   Universalium gossan — [ gɒz(ə)n] noun Geology & Mining an iron containing secondary deposit of oxides, typically yellowish or reddish, occurring above an ore deposit. Origin C18: prob. of Cornish origin …   English new terms dictionary gossan — gos·san …   English syllables gossan — gos•san [[t]ˈgɒs ən, ˈgɒz [/t]] n. gel mir a rust colored, oxidized deposit along an exposed iron bearing vein • Etymology: 1770–80; orig. dial. (Cornwall) < Cornish, der. of gōs blood; akin to Welsh gwaed …   From formal English to slang 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”