Shock Induced Gold Redistribution in Quartz‐Pyrite Mixture

Au redistribution induced by 13.5 GPa shock was studied in cylindrical geometry of explosive loading of porous mixture of quartz and pyrite with Au+radionuclide 195Au. Part of Au was evaporated and precipitated on the surfaces of minerals. Maximal concentration was detected in siliceous melt in the bottom of the capsule that can be explained by “snowplow” motion (or jetting) of gold vapor in front of Mach shock. In direction perpendicular to axis the distribution of Au had a “wavy” character probably due to preferential diffusion of Au vapor along shear bands. Evaporation of Au can only be explained by highly nonequilibrium energy release in porous mixtures. These data may be useful in understanding of the mechanism of anomalous concentration of Au and other elements in the impact structures in nature.