Opaque minerals in geothermal well no. 7, Krafla, Northern Iceland

Study of the opaque minerals from well No. 7, Krafla, indicates two mineral assemblages: (1) hydrothermally altered igneous minerals and (2) secondary minerals that have precipitated from the geothermal fluid at depths down to 2140 m, and at temperatures up to more than 340°C. Chief amongst the chemically precipitated minerals are pyrite, pyrrhotite and goethite, which is described here for the first time in an Icelandic geothermal drill hole. The geothermal system at Krafla has been periodically disturbed by the influx of volcanic emanations; this article attempts to interpret, by use of thermochemical calculations, the processes affecting the precipitated mineral assemblage.