Mercury as an Indicator of Modern Ore-Forming Gas-Hydrothermal Systems, Kamchatka

New data are discussed on the distribution of mercury in the host volcanosedimentary and igneous rocks, hydrothermal-metasomatic rocks, and all types of modern newly formed materials (hydrothermal clays, argillized soil-pyroclastic beds, siliceous and limonite-hematite covers, bottom sediments, salt 'sweat-outs' of various compositions, etc.) typical of the supergene zone of geothermal deposits. By the example of the Nizhne-Koshelevskii (vapor-dominated) and Pauzhetka (water-type) geothermal deposits and thermal fields of the Koshelevskii volcanic massif and Kambal'nyi volcanic range (southern Kamchatka), the role of mercury was illustrated as an indicator element of the temperature, phase state, and dynamics of hydrothermal systems; intensity of rock argillization; and relative age (maturity) of geothermal deposits and thermal anomalies.