Propylitic Alteration

A term borrowed from studies of hydrothermal ore deposits that refers to an assemblage of secondary hydrothermal minerals which forms in igneous rocks. This assemblage is made up of chlorite, illite, feldspar (both Na and K-rich varieties), epidote, calcite and pyrite, imparting a dark green tint to the appearance of altered rocks. It is commonly developed in volcanic-plutonic sequences that host high-temperature geothermal reservoirs.

Latest News

Word of the Week – Gneiss

Word of the Week – Gneiss

Gneiss Metamorphic rock that forms under intense pressure and high temperature and that is made of quartz, feldspar, amphibole and mica. Gneiss represents the highest grade of metamorphic...

read more
Word of the Week – Granite

Word of the Week – Granite

Granite Light colored, coarse grained, intrusive rock with a felsic (silica-rich) composition that is mostly made of quartz, sodium and potassium-bearing feldspar, and plagioclase. Minor...

read more

Utah FORGE

Advancing innovative technologies to unlock Earth’s limitless geothermal energy.