Mineral Evolution Database
Created and maintained by the Mineral Evolution Project in partnership with RRUFF and mindat.
Mineral locality data provided by mindat.org



The Mineral Evolution database is currently under development.

The goal of this page is to present localities at which the mineral is found, and estimates of the oldest possible geologic age of the minerals at these localities.


Locality Name:
La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, Switzerland

Oldest recorded age at locality: 298.9
Youngest recorded age at locality: 0

mindat Locality ID: 23617
mindat URL: http://www.mindat.org/loc-23617.html

Tectonic Settings:

Total number of sublocalities beneath "La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, Switzerland": 0
Total number of bottom-level sublocalities: 0

Latitude: 46°7'11"N
Longitude: 7°0'5"E
Decimal Degree (lat, lon): 46.119722222222,7.0013888888889
AThis mineral is Anthropogenic.
GThis mineral is directly dated.
BThis mineral is reported as having this age.
YThis mineral is using an age reported as an element mineralization period.
OThis mineral is using an age calculated from all data at the locality.
RThe age displayed for this mineral originates from a different, non-child locality.
PThe age displayed for this mineral is the range of ages for this mineral at all of this locality's children.
This mineral's age has not yet been recorded.

This Mineral list contains entries from this locality, including sub-localities. Minerals in bold are reported by mindat.org as occurring directly at this locality, and do not occur at any children (sublocalities) of this locality.

Elements at this locality, including sub-localities: Ag Al As Ba Bi C Ca Ce Cu F Fe H K Mg Na Nd O P Pb S Se Si Ti U V W Zn 

Elements from minerals reported directly at this locality: Ag Al As Ba Bi C Ca Ce Cu F Fe H K Mg Na Nd O P Pb S Se Si Ti U V W Zn 

Structural Groups for minerals in this locality: 
AluniteAragoniteArsenicArsenopyriteAutuniteBaryteBismutiteBrochantiteCalciteChalcopyrite
ChloriteClayCompreignaciteCopperCoquimbiteCorundumDevillineDiasporeFluoriteFritzscheite
GuilleminiteGypsumHalotrichiteJohanniteKobelliteKtenasiteLepidocrociteLillianiteMalachiteMarcasite
Meta-autuniteMicaMixiteNickelineNoneNot in a structural groupPhosphuranylitePyriteQuartzRocksalt
RutileRömeriteScheeliteSchoepiteSmectite-vermiculiteSphaleriteStibniteSulphurTetradymiteVoltaite
WölsendorfiteZippeiteZircon

99 IMA Minerals at location:
Anatase  (*)Anglesite  (*)Antlerite  (*)Arsenopyrite  (*)Arsenuranospathite  (*)
Baryte  (*)Bassetite  (*)Becquerelite  (*)Beudantite  (*)Billietite  (*)
Bismuth  (*)Bismuthinite  (*)Bismutite  (*)Brochantite  (*)Calcite  (*)
Cerussite  (*)Chalcopyrite  (*)Chamosite  (*)Clinochlore  (*)Coconinoite  (*)
Coffinite  (*)Compreignacite  (*)Copper  (*)Coquimbite  (*)Cuprite  (*)
Dewindtite  (*)Djurleite  (*)Fluorite  (*)Fourmarierite  (*)Françoisite-(Ce)  (*)
Françoisite-(Nd)  (*)Galena  (*)Goethite  (*)Gypsum  (*)Halotrichite  (*)
Hematite  (*)Nováčekite-I  (*)Jáchymovite  (*)Jarosite  (*)Johannite  (*)
Kasolite  (*)Ktenasite  (*)Laitakarite  (*)Langite  (*)Lepidocrocite  (*)
Lillianite  (*)Magnesiozippeite  (*)Malachite  (*)Marcasite  (*)Marécottite  (*)
Marthozite  (*)Masuyite  (*)Meta-autunite  (*)Metakahlerite  (*)Metanováčekite  (*)
Metatorbernite  (*)Metatyuyamunite  (*)Metazeunerite  (*)Mixite  (*)Muscovite  (*)
Natrozippeite  (*)Uranophane-β  (*)Phosphuranylite  (*)Plumbojarosite  (*)Pseudojohannite  (*)
Pyrite  (*)Pyrrhotite  (*)Quartz  (*)Rabejacite  (*)Römerite  (*)
Rosickýite  (*)Rutherfordine  (*)Rutile  (*)Scheelite  (*)Schoepite  (*)
Schröckingerite  (*)Selenium  (*)Siderite  (*)Sillénite  (*)Sklodowskite  (*)
Sphalerite  (*)Studtite  (*)Tyuyamunite  (*)Uraninite  (*)Uranophane-α  (*)
Uranopilite  (*)Uranospathite  (*)Uranospinite  (*)Vandendriesscheite  (*)Vermiculite  (*)
Vochtenite  (*)Voltaite  (*)Walpurgite  (*)Weibullite  (*)Wittite  (*)
Wölsendorfite  (*)Yingjiangite  (*)Zeunerite  (*)Zippeite  (*)
Mineral nameStructural GroupsIMA FormulaMax Age (Ma)Min Age (Ma)# of Sublocalities containing mineralLOCALITY IDs, not mindat ids# of localities containing mineral
Anatase  (*)Not in a structural groupTiO2351502162
Anglesite  (*)BarytePb(SO4)298.9002734
Antlerite  (*)Not in a structural groupCu2+3(SO4)(OH)4298.900246
Arsenopyrite  (*)ArsenopyriteFeAsS351509052
Arsenuranospathite  (*)NoneAl(UO2)2(AsO4)2F·20H2O0.140.14014
Baryte  (*)BaryteBa(SO4)298.90011547
Bassetite  (*)NoneFe2+(UO2)2(PO4)2(H2O)100.140.14051
Becquerelite  (*)NoneCa(UO2)6O4(OH)6·8H2O0.140.14092
Beudantite  (*)AlunitePbFe3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)60.140.140413
Billietite  (*)NoneBa(UO2)6O4(OH)6·8H2O0.140.14038
Bismuth  (*)ArsenicBi298.9001966
Bismuthinite  (*)StibniteBi2S3298.9001935
Bismutite  (*)BismutiteBi2O2(CO3)298.900716
Brochantite  (*)BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6298.9001633
Calcite  (*)CalciteCa(CO3)298.90027770
Cerussite  (*)AragonitePb(CO3)298.9004979
Chalcopyrite  (*)ChalcopyriteCuFeS224615027198
Chamosite  (*)Chlorite Clay(Fe2+,Mg,Al,Fe3+)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH,O)835150577
Clinochlore  (*)Chlorite ClayMg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8351501756
Coconinoite  (*)NoneFe3+2Al2(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2·20H2O0.140.1409
Coffinite  (*)ZirconU(SiO4)·nH2O35150566
Compreignacite  (*)CompreignaciteK2(UO2)6O4(OH)6·7H2O0.140.14027
Copper  (*)CopperCu298.9003846
Coquimbite  (*)CoquimbiteAlFe3(SO4)6(H2O)12·6H2O298.900136
Cuprite  (*)Not in a structural groupCu2O298.9002970
Dewindtite  (*)PhosphuranyliteH2Pb3(UO2)6O4(PO4)4·12H2O0.140.14082
Djurleite  (*)NoneCu31S16298.900300
Fluorite  (*)FluoriteCaF2298.9009617
Fourmarierite  (*)SchoepitePb1-xO3-2x(UO2)4(OH)4+2x·4H2O0.140.14061
Françoisite-(Ce)  (*)NoneCe(UO2)3O(OH)(PO4)2·6H2O0.140.1402
Françoisite-(Nd)  (*)NoneNd(UO2)3O(OH)(PO4)2·6H2O0.140.1405
Galena  (*)RocksaltPbS24615024243
Goethite  (*)DiasporeFeO(OH)298.9007437
Gypsum  (*)GypsumCa(SO4)·2H2O298.9006890
Halotrichite  (*)HalotrichiteFe2+Al2(SO4)4·22H2O298.900409
Hematite  (*)CorundumFe2O3298.90014640
Nováčekite-I  (*)NoneMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2·12H2O0.140.14055
Jáchymovite  (*)None(UO2)8(SO4)(OH)14·13H2O0003
Jarosite  (*)AluniteKFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6298.9002228
Johannite  (*)JohanniteCu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2·8H2O00069
Kasolite  (*)NonePb(UO2)(SiO4)·H2O0.140.140198
Ktenasite  (*)Ktenasite DevillineZnCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·6H2O298.90075
Laitakarite  (*)TetradymiteBi4(Se,S)3246232030
Langite  (*)NoneCu4(SO4)(OH)6·2H2O298.900593
Lepidocrocite  (*)LepidocrociteFe3+O(OH)298.900581
Lillianite  (*)LillianitePb3-2xAgxBi2+xS635150128
Magnesiozippeite  (*)ZippeiteMg(UO2)2(SO4)O2·3.5H2O00014
Malachite  (*)MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2298.90012537
Marcasite  (*)MarcasiteFeS2298.9005674
Marécottite  (*)NoneMg3O6(UO2)8(SO4)4(OH)2·28H2O00010
Marthozite  (*)GuilleminiteCu2+(UO2)3(Se4+O3)2O2·8H2O0.140.1402
Masuyite  (*)NonePb(UO2)3O3(OH)2·3H2O0.140.14023
Meta-autunite  (*)Meta-autuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2·6H2O0.140.140388
Metakahlerite  (*)NoneFe2+(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O0.140.14018
Metanováčekite  (*)NoneMg(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O0.140.14026
Metatorbernite  (*)NoneCu(UO2)2(PO4)2·8H2O0.140.140443
Metatyuyamunite  (*)FritzscheiteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2·3H2O0.140.140129
Metazeunerite  (*)NoneCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·8H2O0.140.140182
Mixite  (*)MixiteCu6Bi(AsO4)3(OH)6·3H2O0.140.140168
Muscovite  (*)Mica ClayKAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH)2298.90017380
Natrozippeite  (*)ZippeiteNa5(UO2)8(SO4)4O5(OH)3·12H2O00041
Uranophane-β  (*)NoneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·5H2O0.140.140144
Phosphuranylite  (*)PhosphuranyliteKCa(H3O)3(UO2)7(PO4)4O4·8H2O0.140.140182
Plumbojarosite  (*)AlunitePb0.5Fe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6298.900477
Pseudojohannite  (*)NoneCu3(OH)2[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2]·12H2O00010
Pyrite  (*)PyriteFeS2298.9201.3039462
Pyrrhotite  (*)NickelineFe7S8298.9009056
Quartz  (*)QuartzSiO2298.90061156
Rabejacite  (*)NoneCa2[(UO2)4O4(SO4)2](H2O)800011
Römerite  (*)RömeriteFe2+Fe3+2(SO4)4·14H2O298.900115
Rosickýite  (*)NoneS298.90022
Rutherfordine  (*)None(UO2)(CO3)0.140.14058
Rutile  (*)RutileTiO2298.9005614
Scheelite  (*)ScheeliteCa(WO4)298.9004894
Schoepite  (*)Schoepite(UO2)4O(OH)6(H2O)600094
Schröckingerite  (*)NoneNaCa3(UO2)(SO4)(CO3)3F·10H2O000128
Selenium  (*)SulphurSe0.140.140143
Siderite  (*)CalciteFe(CO3)24623206417
Sillénite  (*)NoneBi12SiO20298.90026
Sklodowskite  (*)NoneMg(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·6H2O0.140.14056
Sphalerite  (*)SphaleriteZnS246232021482
Studtite  (*)None(UO2)(O2)(H2O)2·2H2O0.140.14025
Tyuyamunite  (*)NoneCa(UO2)2(VO4)2·5-8H2O0.140.140628
Uraninite  (*)FluoriteUO2298.9201.302718
Uranophane-α  (*)NoneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2·5H2O0.140.140890
Uranopilite  (*)None(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6·14H2O00094
Uranospathite  (*)None(Al,   )(UO2)2F(PO4)2·20H2O0.140.14020
Uranospinite  (*)NoneCa(UO2)2(AsO4)2·10H2O0.140.14051
Vandendriesscheite  (*)NonePb1.6(UO2)10O6(OH)11·11H2O0.140.14052
Vermiculite  (*)Clay Smectite-vermiculiteMg0.7(Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)8O20(OH)4·8H2O298.900652
Vochtenite  (*)NoneFe2+Fe3+(UO2)4(PO4)4(OH)·12-13H2O0.140.1405
Voltaite  (*)VoltaiteK2Fe2+5Fe3+3Al(SO4)12·18H2O298.900111
Walpurgite  (*)NoneBi4O4(UO2)(AsO4)2·2H2O0.140.14038
Weibullite  (*)KobelliteAg0.33Pb5.33Bi8.33(S,Se)183515010
Wittite  (*)NonePb8Bi10(S,Se)233515015
Wölsendorfite  (*)WölsendorfitePb7(UO2)14O19(OH)4·12H2O0.140.14043
Yingjiangite  (*)PhosphuranyliteK2Ca(UO2)7(PO4)4(OH)6·6H2O0.140.1409
Zeunerite  (*)AutuniteCu(UO2)2(AsO4)2·12H2O0.140.140185
Zippeite  (*)ZippeiteK2[(UO2)4(SO4)2O2(OH)2](H2O)4000175


Locality Notes from all Ages at Locality:
Age IDLocality Notes
Giersdorf_00000541Hydrothermal breccia veins found in the contact between the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and the Vallorcine Granide near the village of Les Marécottes
Giersdorf_00000542Hydrothermal breccia veins found in the contact between the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and the Vallorcine Granide near the village of Les Marécottes
Giersdorf_00000543Hydrothermal breccia veins found in the contact between the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and the Vallorcine Granide near the village of Les Marécottes
Giersdorf_00000544Hydrothermal breccia veins found in the contact between the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and the Vallorcine Granide near the village of Les Marécottes
Giersdorf_00000546Hydrothermal breccia veins found in the contact between the Aiguilles Rouges Massif and the Vallorcine Granide near the village of Les Marécottes


5 Ages assigned to this locality:

Excel IDMax Age (Ma)Min Age (Ma)Age as listed in referenceDating MethodAge InterpretPrioritized?Sample SourceSample NumRun NumAge from other LocalityDated MineralMinerals explicitely stated as having this ageAge applies to these ElementsMinDat Locality IDDated Locality (Max Age)Location as listed in referenceReferenceReference DOIReference IDAge Notes
Giersdorf_00000541246232239±7Pb-PbAge given for the secondary mineralization event of the La Creusazlaitakarite   LaitakariteChalcopyrite, Galena, Laitakarite, Siderite, Sphalerite 23617La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, SwitzerlandLa Creusaz U ProspectMeisser et al. (2010)10.2138/am.2010.3413AM95_1527age of secondary mineralization
Giersdorf_00000542351535-15 alpine metamorphismwittite, weibullite, albite, clinochlore, chamosit   Albite, Anatase, Arsenopyrite, Chalcopyrite, Chamosite, Clinochlore, Coffinite, Galena, Lillianite, Titanite, Weibullite, Wittite 23617La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, SwitzerlandLa Creusaz U ProspectMeisser et al. (2010)10.2138/am.2010.3413AM95_1527Mobilization event in the Tertiary Alpine Metamorphic event
Giersdorf_000005430.140.140.14U-ThAge of diversification of uranium minerals, specifically françoisite-(Ce) crystallized during this time.francoisite-(ce)   Francoisite-(Ce)Francoisite-(Ce)U, P, Se, As23617La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, SwitzerlandLa Creusaz U ProspectMeisser et al. (2010)10.2138/am.2010.3413AM95_1527Age of ice-sheet melting event which caused rapid weathering, rapid decompression, uplift, and erosion. Oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite produced an acid that interacted with the uraninite and led to the formation of a complex assemblage of Uranyl-bearing minerals.
Giersdorf_00000544298.9201.3Permo-triassic Age of precipitation of uraninite and pyrite in breccia veinsuraninite, pyrite   Pyrite, Uraninite 23617La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, SwitzerlandLa Creusaz U ProspectMeisser et al. (2010)10.2138/am.2010.3413AM95_1527Suspected Permo-Triassic mineralization event
Giersdorf_00000546000 Minerals formed after acidification brought on by oxidation of the sulfides following exploration    Jachymovite, Johannite, Magnesiozippeite, Marecottite, Rabejacite, Schoepite, Schrockingerite, Natrozippeite, Uranopilite, Zippeite, Pseudojohannite 23617La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, SwitzerlandLa Creusaz U ProspectMeisser et al. (2010)10.2138/am.2010.3413AM95_1527Since the end of the underground exploration in 1981, exposed veins and stockpiled U ore have been subjected to acid mine drainage water and atmospheric oxygen in the abandoned galleries. Oxidation of the sulfides (mainly pyrite and chalcopyrite) in the presence of strong bacterial activity resulted in the production of acid (pH ~ 3.1), sulfate-rich waters. These waters reacted with uraninite, clinochlore, illite, calcite, and siderite to form a rich assemblage of neoformed uranyl minerals, including the new minerals marécottite Mg3(UO2)8(SO4)4O6(OH)2·28H2O (Brugger et al. 2003a) and pseudojohannite Cu5(UO2)6(SO4)3(OH)16·14H2O (Brugger et al. 2006b), as well as jáchymovite (UO2)(SO4)(OH)14·13H2O, johannite Cu(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2·8H2O, magnesiozippeite Mg(UO2)2(SO4)O2·3.5H2O, natrozippeite Na(UO2)2(SO4) O(OH)·2H2O, rabejacite Ca(UO2)4(SO4)2(OH)6·6H2O, schoepite (UO2)8O2(OH)12·12H2O, schröckingerite NaCa3(UO2) (CO3)3(SO4)F·10H2O, uranopilite (UO2)6(SO4)(OH)10·12H2O, zippeite K(UO2)2(SO4)O(OH)·2H2O, and an unnamed Al-equivalent of coconinoite Al4(UO2)2(PO4)4(SO4)(OH)2·20H2O.

SampleSource LocalityReference URL
R070057La Creusa U Prospect (La Creusaz U Prospect), Les Marécottes, Le Trient Valley, Valais, Switzerlandhttps://rruff.info/R070057

All locality data graciously provided by mindat.org

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