Cenozoic Magmatic and Metallogenic Evolution of the South Armenian Block, Lesser Caucasus, Central Tethyan belt

This thesis investigates the Cenozoic magmatic and metallogenic evolution of a major tectonic province located in the southernmost Lesser Caucasus, namely the South Armenian block (SAB). This multidisciplinary approach determines the nature and age of the Cenozoic magmatism along the SAB and replace it in a larger geodynamic context along the Turkish-Lesser-Caucasian-Iranian orogenic belt (Chapter1). The epithermal Au-deposits in the SAB have been characterized, with particular emphasis on the Amulsar Au-Ag deposit, allowing us to discuss Au-endowment at the SAB scale in transpressive tectonics (Chapter2). After constraining a temporal model of Au-deposit formation in the SAB, the thesis focuses on reconstructing the source of ore-related magmas, using a whole-rock trace element modelling approach (Chapter3). Finally, the thesis focuses on the Meghradzor epithermal Au-deposit, presents a new set of zircon petrochronological data and addresses questions about the fertility index of these minerals in magmatic and hydrothermal systems and alkaline environments (Chapter4).