Proceedings of plumes, plates and mineralisation symposium: an introduction

Abstract

The papers in this special issue consider possible South African plume-related deposits, such as the Ventersdorp and Karoo volcanic rocks, and the Bushveld and Uitkomst Complexes. These magnetic provinces are described and interpreted in the context of plume-theory. Mechanisms of magma formation are identified and plume positions and distances to their surface expression considered. Mantle plumes are considered as a heat and fluid source for the Witwatersrand gold deposits.