How is iron ore formed
Release time:
2024-09-18
During magma activity, iron ore is separated and concentrated when cooling due to density differences, or chemically reacts with surrounding rocks to form iron ore deposits. This type of deposit is often accompanied by minerals such as magnetite, titanium magnetite, etc.
The formation of iron ore is a complex geological process involving the combined action of multiple natural mechanisms. The following are the main ways and scientific explanations for its
formation:
1. Sedimentary iron ore (band-shaped iron ore layer)
Marine chemical sedimentation
The most important iron deposit on Earth was formed 1.8 billion years ago, when the ocean was rich in dissolved iron but lacked oxygen. When early photosynthetic organisms release oxygen,
iron combines with oxygen to form hematite (Fe₂O₃) or magnetite (Fe₃O₄), and deposits on the seabed to form a "ribbon iron ore layer". These ore layers are striped due to the alternating
deposition of iron ore and silica.
Water flow handling and sedimentation
After the land iron-containing rocks are weathered, the iron element dissolves in water in the form of iron oxide and is transported through rivers to low-lying areas such as lakes or oceans to
precipitate. After long-term accumulation, the mineralized layer is cured through the action of high temperature and high pressure of crust movement.
2. Metamorphic iron ore
The original sedimentary iron ore or iron-containing rocks undergo high temperature and high pressure or hydrothermal action during the movement of the earth's crust, and undergo
metamorphic reactions, causing iron elements to be further enriched to form high-grade iron ore. For example: hematite and magnetite can form purer ore bodies through metamorphism.
3. Magma iron ore
During magma activity, iron ore is separated and concentrated when cooling due to density differences, or chemically reacts with surrounding rocks to form iron ore deposits. This type of
deposit is often accompanied by minerals such as magnetite, titanium magnetite, etc.
Key influencing factors
Bioactivity: The oxygen released by early photosynthetic organisms directly contributed to the deposition of iron oxides.
Crust motion: High temperature and high pressure environment is a key condition for sedimentary ore metamorphosis or magmatic ore formation.
Through the above process, the dispersed iron elements are gradually enriched, and finally form iron ore resources available for mining. 98% of iron ore in modern industry is used in
steelmaking, supporting a wide range of demand from construction to manufacturing.
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