Project: Hydrothermal Economic Resources in Magmatic Environments (HERMES)

The comprehension of transfer mechanisms of fluids from source to sink is fundamental for the reconstruction of heat and matter exchange at the lithospheric scale. However, the general understanding of the relations between tectonic, magmatic and hydrothermal processes in a well constrained temporal context in subduction regions remains unclear. Porphyry-epithermal deposits can form as a result of these processes and they are an important global resource for several metals (e.g. Cu, Mo, Au, Ag).

To develop a coherent model for the formation of porphyry-epithermal deposits, the HERMES project will investigate the temporal relation between the local and regional stress regime, the magmatic intrusions and the hydrothermal mineralization in northeastern Greece (Western Thrace, Samothraki). Trace elements together with stable and radiogenic isotopes of sulphides and silicates as well as whole-rock geochemical data will fingerprint the sources of magmas, fluids and metals. Various processes and parameters will be investigated (e.g. fractional crystallization, assimilation, magma fertility, metal and volatile contents, fluid release) to determine the magmatic evolution and the ore-forming potential of these magmas. High-precision age dating will provide the temporal constraints between tectonic, magmatic and hydrothermal events.