Volcanichosted

Volcanichosted is an adjective used in geology to describe phenomena, deposits, or processes that are hosted within volcanic environments or closely associated with volcanic activity. A widely used sense is as a shorthand for volcanic-hosted, particularly in discussions of ore deposits and hydrothermal systems tied to volcanic centers.

In ore geology, volcanichosted deposits are those formed by hydrothermal fluids circulating through volcanic rocks, often in volcanic arcs or seafloor vent settings. The term overlaps with the more formal category of volcanogenic or volcanic-hosted deposits, including the class known as volcanogenic massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits, which develop at or beneath volcanic vents and along margins of ore-bearing volcano-sedimentary sequences.

Characteristics commonly associated with volcanichosted systems include sulfide mineralization (such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite), high-temperature hydrothermal alteration minerals, and textures indicating rapid mineral precipitation from vent fluids. Exploration and valuation often focus on proximity to volcanic centers, alteration halos, and structural controls that channel fluids.

Notable discussions of volcanichosted deposits appear in economic geology as part of VHMS and related models. The term is sometimes used informally to distinguish volcanic-hosted settings from sedimentary-hosted or intrusion-hosted ore systems.

See also: volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits, VHMS, ore deposit geology, hydrothermal ore systems, volcanic arcs.