Hydrothermally altered rocks

Hydrothermally altered rocks are rocks that have undergone chemical and mineral changes due to hot, mineral-rich fluids moving through them deep underground. These fluids can dissolve some minerals and deposit others, transforming the original rock’s structure and composition. This process often occurs near volcanic areas or underground geothermal systems. The resulting altered rocks may exhibit different colors, textures, or mineral contents compared to unaltered rock, and they can be important sources of valuable minerals like gold, copper, and other metals. Hydrothermal alteration provides clues about volcanic activity, mineral deposits, and geothermal energy potential.