Metallogenesis and Tectonics of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and ...

for lode and placer deposits, and geologically mapped and assessed for mineral resource potential at various scales. These
activities have resulted in abundant new information on lode and placer deposits, geology, and patterns of mineral resources. In
addition over the last three decades, various tectonic analyses have interpreted the region as being composed of numerous faultbounded
assemblages of rocks defined as tectono-stratigraphic terranes (Jones and others, 1987; Monger and Berg, 1984, 1987;
Zonenshain and others, 1990; Silberling and others, 1992; Nokleberg and others, 1994c, 1997~; 2000; Parfenov. 1995a; Monger
and Nokleberg, 1996).
This report defines, describes, synthesizes, and interprets the major metallogenic belts and contained significant lode
mineral deposits according to tectonic origins. This paper contains five types of information and interpretation: (1) an introduction
and discussion of terms, methods, and concepts applied to the metallogenesis and tectonics of the region; (2) descriptions and
interpretations of metallogenic belts and their notable or significant lode deposits; (3) description of the host rocks for the major
metallogenic belts; (4) interpretation of the tectonic origin of metallogenic belts and host rocks; and (5) a model for the
Phanerozoic metallogenic and tectonic evolution of the region. The method of metallogenic analysis utilized in this study is
modeled after that employed for a metallogenic and tectonic analysis of porphyry copper and molybdenum (gold, silver), and
granitoid-hosted gold deposits of Alaska (Nokleberg and others, 1995). Related recently-published articles are: (1) a dynamic
computer model, which illustrates the metallogenesis and tectonics of the Circurn-North Pacific (Scotese and others, 2001); and an
article interpreting the Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the Circum-North Pacific by Nokleberg and others (2000).
Associated Project
This study is the concluding part of a project on the significant mineral deposits, metallogenesis, and tectonics of the
Russian Far East, Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera. The project provides critical information on bedrock geology and
geophysics, tectonics, major metalliferous mineral resources, metallogenic patterns, and crustal origin and evolution of
mineralizing systems of the region. The major scientific goals and benefits of the project are to: (1) provide a comprehensive
international data base for the mineral resources of the region in English; (2) provide major new interpretations of the origin and
crustal evolution of mineralizing systems and their host rocks, thereby enabling enhanced, broad-scale tectonic reconstructions
and interpretations; and (3) promote trade, scientific, and technical exchanges between North America and the Russian Far East.
The project provides sound scientific data and interpretations for commercial firms, governmental agencies, universities, and
individuals which are deveIoping new ventures and studies In the project area, and also for land-use planning studies which deal
with mineral-resource potential issues. Vast potential for known and undiscovered mineral deposits exists in the western part of
the study area; however, prior to this study, little information ex~sted In English in the West.
Major companion studies already published are: (1) a compilation and analysis of the regional metallogenesis of the
Circum-North Pacific (Nokleberg and others, 1993); (2) a tectono-stratigraphic terrane map of the Circum-North Pacific at a scale
of 1 :5,000,000, including a detailed explanation of map units and stratigraphic columns (Nokleberg and others, 1994~; digital
version in Grenninger and others, 1999); (3) a summary terrane map of the Circum-North Pacific at a scale 1 : 10,000,000
(Nokleberg and others, 1997~); (4) detailed tables of mineral deposits and placer districts for the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the
Canadian Cordillera in paper format (Nokleberg and others, 1996) and in CD-ROM format (Nokleberg and others, 1997a); (5) a
GIs compilation of the summary terrane map, mineral deposit maps, and metallogenic belt maps of the Russian Far East, Alaska,
and the Canadian Cordillera (Nokleberg and others, 1998); (6) a study of the Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the Circum-North
Pacific (Nokleberg and others, 2000); and (7) a dynamic computer model for the metallogenesis and tectonics of the Circum-North
Pacific (Scotese and others, 2001). These articles, tables, and maps contain the full suite of mineral deposit data, mineral deposit
location maps, metallogenic belt maps, and tectonic interpretations which are utilized in this study.
A complete listing of the project goals, and methods are available on the Internettweb at http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/
wr/projects/majdeps.html. Major recent articles for the project (Nokleberg and others, 1993, 1994a, 1996, 1997a, b, c, 1998,2000)
are available on the 1nternetIWeb at http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/. Th~s project was started at the invitation of the Soviet Academy of
Sciences to the U.S. Geological Survey in 1988. Subsequently, several organizations and many individuals volunteered to work on
various aspects of the project which has produced a large variety of articles and maps. Other organizations participating in the
project include the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Ministry of Natural Resources (former Ministry of Geology and
ROSKOMNEDRA), Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey
of Japan, Exxon Exploration Company, University of Alaska, and Michigan State University.
This project represents a major joint attempt of a large group of geologists from Russia, Alaska, and the Canadian
Cordillera to compile, synthesize, interpret, and publish major studies on the mineral resources, metallogenesis, and tectonics of
this vast and geologically complicated region of the earth. The project includes a number of geologists who have each gathered
field data and observations in their respective parts of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and Canadian Cordillera over many years and
who have come together as a large international team to compile and synthesis a vast amount of data for a large region of the
earth. Other recent metallogenic synthesis of parts of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera include those by
Dawson and others (l991), Sidorov and Eremin (1994), Goncharov (l995a, b), Goryachev (1995,2003), Nekrasov (1995),
Parfenov (1995d), Popeko (1995), Ratkin (1995), Ratkin and Khanchuk (1995), NoWeberg and others (1984, 1987, 1988,1993,
1994a, b, 1995a, 1996, 1997a, b), Sidorov and Eremin ( 1995), Goldfarb (1 997), Goldfarb and others (1 997, 1998,2000). and
Young and others (I 997). A volume containing papers on the geology and mineral deposits of the Russian Far East was edited by
Bundtzen and others (1995). A volume containing papers on the stratiform ore deposits in northeastern Asia was edited Goryachev