Abstract

ERMILI, Ricardo Alejandro  and  MARTINEZ, Amancay Nancy. Truncated controversy: ore deposits by Erwin Kittl. Rev. Asoc. Geol. Argent. [online]. 2011, vol.68, n.3, pp.346-356. ISSN 0004-4822.

Based on the analysis of different documentary sources, a controversy is evoked over genetic modeling of mineral deposits in relation to what Dr. Erwin Kittl explained in his posthumous book of 1972, Yacimientos minerales y su formacin. This author disbelieved in the genetic link of various ore deposits to some magma, as proposed by Paul Niggli and other well known geologists in Western europe. Kittl's model to the formation of metal deposits can be summarized in the following steps: i) release of elements, ii) collection and concentration of elements, iii) mobilization of preconcentrates or beds, and iv) transport and storage. In order of understand the limited impact of that work, the subject of investigation is examined according to two points of view: epistemology and science's history, in accordance with Juan Samaja and Martin Rudwick respectively. In the first perspective, the case is characterized as belonging to the phase of systematic presentation in the process of scientific research, and we examine some issues that could affect the acceptance of the theory of Kittl by the geological community. In the second perspective, the case is registered in the frame of the slow transition between prominent magmatic conceptions and others which opened a path to sedimentary metallic ore deposit genesis. Finally some reasons are given to recognize Erwin Kittl as a forerunner in the formation of reservoir modeling as he proposed a matrix from where several present models, such as sedex deposits, can be derived.

Keywords : History of geology; Geologic controversy; Ore deposit modeling; Epistemology.

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