Cave Peak’s Enigmatic Molybdenite
Molybdenite spherules are a habit of molybdenite unique to the Cave Peak Porphyry-Mo deposit in Culberson County, Texas. The spherules often vary in appearence, with some taking on a more radial appearing growth while others may appear zoned, still others appear to have bladed molybdenite growing off of a central spherule. Oftentimes the spherules will appear damaged or cracked. The origin of these enigmatic spherules is unknown. Using LA-ICP-MS, this project will investigate the formation, origin, timing, and mineralizing relationships of Cave Peak’s unique spherical molybdenite through trace element analysis.
Two side by side spherules from Cave Peak