volcanic complex directly south volcanic chain group seven million years old main summit volcano lava dome called variously reported metres metres high affected reports indicate active volcano known containing lava flows enigmatic origin total lava flows formation uncertain nature addition lava flow structures containing iron ore found complex formed chamber volume cubic kilometres iron rich native formed processes acting regular rock debate discovery iron deposits mined similar deposits volcanic iron ore exist australia chile iran geography sector directly south volcanic chain sits atop sandstone basement lifted age later occurred buried major volcanic cross area volcano north metres high basement diameter kilometres crater diameter kilometre city located kilometres west close towns international road connecting argentina chile runs close number tourist sites found desert adjacent dry climate makes area suitable astronomy facilities geology volcanic complex formed seven minor lava complex started activity formed ash formed diameter kilometres contains central lava dome formed million years ago finally probably pleistocene iron rich named sur iron structures date era volcanic complex located altitude metres covers surface area kilometres main summit altitude metres maximum height metres reported lava dome height metres surrounding terrain dome dimensions kilometre higher eastern metre western summit include northwestern cone height metres surroundings crater metres wide cone composition volcano heavily eroded core lava exposed diameter kilometres activity probably coincided activity evidenced area ages estimated potassium dating rocks age northern volcanic complex oldest obtained date dating resulted ages dome beneath lava volcano younger dates date later alteration included alteration glacial erosion left rocks deposits minor alteration occurred contact sites iron containing rocks alteration described lower portions volcanic pile probably occurred gases escaping found west generated surface exposure dating indicated ages ice affected neighbouring reports exist continuing activity hot springs deposition clay minerals iron rich deposits flank volcano deposits found altitudes metres volcano mainly known flows deposits lie flat lava flows composition named deposits consist deposits lava flows structures erupted parasitic classified like present mineral abundant iron rich zones formed bodies exists massive crystals iron containing rocks include lava flows ash ore lava flows unique world formed active individual deposits deposits largest probably separated neighbouring erosion metres thick covers surface area metres erupted southern eastern end forms table shaped body spur shape structure layers found basal ore form lava contain ore sur similar morphology dimensions metres mined lava flow upper parts volcano metres probably lava dome metres metres long metres wide metres appear metres long metres wide likely vein generally shows signs formation magnetic layer rock spreads north volcano large body modelled beneath structure appearance primarily lava surface features found including features found implying cooled quickly place world found sweden large tubes coated inside formed lava escaping gas layers containing erupted metre separates rocks host rocks lava flows metres thick metres metres respectively like deposits fragile traces sur contain age million years found ore track dating contain veins likely generated activity origin temperatures estimated erupted rocks cover wide range exceeding rocks enigmatic origin presence lava bombs lava supporting origin theory viewpoints consider texture chemical composition rocks evidence rocks formed role post fluid phase crystals suggested probably influence indicated analysis minor primary data indicate formation accompanied segregation generated lava dome iron rich generated lava flows release volatile substances probably bordering forming phase melt containing favourable context associated compression chamber presence faults helped eruption formation probably occurred chamber cooling formed process probably directed water rich phases segregation occurred shallow depth high volatile content lowered melting point facilitated eruption overcoming density based constraints eruption iron rich suggestions iron rich sediments generated iron rich appear ultimate origin iron metal containing sediment human history exploitation iron deposits found mining removed million tons 1970s 1990s leaving open pit exposing metres rock mineral reserves mined estimated deposit contains billion tons ore consisting iron geological interest kinds mineral deposits enhanced frequent association minerals noted olympic dam australia ore deposits kilometres south kilometres south southwest comparable deposits sweden resemble ones terms content content low deposits volcanic iron ore chilean iron belt deposit mexico district iran field sweden chilean iron belt example surface volcanic iron ore ore commonly assumed deposits main rocks volcano contain containing iron iron containing rocks important component rock falls class volcanic rocks contain lesser measure abundant iron minerals found erupted probably gas rich melting points lost eruption high amounts indicate contamination effects atmospheric water influence data alteration central lava dome iron bearing deposits generated copper minerals forms veins inside rock prominent formed found vast regions volcano altered temperatures giving rock clear appearance minor deposits found form conserve red coloured alteration occur adjacent iron deposits probably iron input environment vegetation area primarily low short tailed found classical cold mountain climate line dry summer precipitation hyper arid climate nearby weather station metres altitude showed average temperature strong short term majority precipitation falls southern hemisphere summer winter snowfall recorded air humidity recorded
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