Characterization of epithermal quartz veins from the volcanic area of Cabode Gata (Almeria Province, southeastern Spain) by low-temperature thermoluminescence; relation with petrographic textures and fluid inclusions

In the area of Cabo de Gata, the quartz samples show a wide variety of petr ographic textures, and therefore, a highly complex history of veins. which requires several methods and techniques. In the present paper, the authors propose thermoluminescence (TL) as an interesting method for characterizing the different steps involved in the crystallization of quartz veins. coupl ed with the microscopic observation and fluid inclusion studies. Two differ ent TL techniques will be presented: auto-photographs of TL emissions which represent an original approach in investigating relationships with petrogr aphic textures, and quartz glow curves, which make possible the attribution of low-temperature TL emission to structural defects produced during quart z growth. ((C) Academic des sciences / Elsevier, Paris.).