The Lavrion Mines: A Unique Site of Geological and Mineralogical Heritage

The Lavrion area corresponds to the western part of Attic-Cycladic metamorphic belt, in back-arc region active Hellenic subduction zone. Between Eocene and Miocene, rocks (mainly marbles schists) underwent several stages metamorphism deformation due collision collapse Cycladic belt. Exhumation during Miocene was accommodated by movement a large-scale detachment fault system, which also enhanced emplacement magmatic rocks, leading formation famous silver deposits. around mines shows stacking nappes, with ore deposition mainly localized within marbles, at marble-schist contacts, below, within, or above detachment. deposit comprises five genetically-related but different styles mineralization, feature never observed another elsewhere, containing highest number elements any known mining district. local geology, tectonic, activity were fundamental factors determining how when mineralization formed. Other key factors, such as rise fall sea level, resulted from climate change over last million years, major importance for subsequent surface oxidation that created an unmatched diversity secondary minerals. As result, contains 638 minerals is type-locality 23 them, nearly 12% all species. Apart being its exploitation, this district more than other on Earth. unique geological, mineralogical, educational (mining, archaeological, environmental) features suggest it highly suitable be developed future UNESCO Global Geopark.