GEOLOGY AND ORIGIN OF THE ALBITE DEPOSITE OF THE ÇİNE SUBMASSIF, SOUTHERN MENDERES MASSIF (SW-TURKEY)

Abstract

Around 250 albite occurrences are recorded in the Cine Submassif that represents the southern part of the Menderes Massif, from where annually 1.7 million tons of Na-feldspar is produced. The study area is covered by the widespread exposures of the Pan-African Precambrian core-complex of the southern Menderes Massif. The albite deposits are mainly within the meta-pegmatites, located along NNW-SSE trending tectonic zones. In this study, the effects of the Alpine metamorphic and metasomatic events on the albitization process are discussed, and the importance of the younger intrusives within the Cine Submassif are emphasized. Moreover, the geometry, dimensions and petrologic properties of the albite deposits are explained and the quality of the various market products is documented.