24. Supergene Secrets

What are you standing on? There are secrets to be discovered in those grungy red, black and brown rocks! Deconvolution of the weathering process is critical to understanding our Earth and for exploration in both arid and humid environments.

We have two extremely knowledgeable guests, who have spent their careers working in this environment. They talk about the 'messy' rocks and discuss the information hidden in superficial alteration that is important for exploration, landscape evolution and paleo-climate.

William Chavez, Jr., a professor at New Mexico Tech, USA, spoke to us about the arid environment and enrichment of mineralization in the porphyry copper environment. Bill has years of experience, with special interest in what are now arid landscapes and insights into mapping in a variety of landscapes and environments.

The geochronology of weathering processes is key to understanding not only ore deposits, but also paleo-climate and perhaps even processes on Mars. Paulo Vasconcelos, an associate professor at the University of Queensland, Australia, shares his knowledge as a trailblazer in in age-dating oxide minerals with examples from Brazil. We also delved into how to restore the ‘kanga’ over iron ore deposits and why understanding the process of weathering will help restoration of the landscape. Above all else, we need to work to understand weathered rocks, such that all the rest of our interpretations are founded on quality mapping!

Theme music is Confluence by Eastwinds
eastwindsmusic.com

Come join us in Salt Lake City, Utah for SEG 2026, September 30th to October 3rd.

You can expect world-class technical content, including iconic ore deposits and the geological processes of North American Cordillera. The program balances applied case studies, framework geology, and technological innovation. The conference offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of economic geology. See you there.