A geological map of Baguio district is essential for prospecting for gold. Several bends in the American River are not pictured on this map. The map makers did not intend to illustrate the river itself, but rather noted the distances between the mines. The distance from the lower mines, known as Mormon Island, to the upper mines, referred to as Marshall’s Gold Discovery, was not accurately portrayed on the map.
Geologic map of Baguio district
A probabilistic approach to mineral potential mapping was used for the Baguio district in the Philippines. Using Bayes’ rule, a geological map is converted into a binary predictor pattern containing mineral occurrence points. Then, contrast is calculated to assess the spatial correlation between binary patterns and occurrence points. This method was used to analyze multiclass proximity maps and subsequently, convert them into binary predictor patterns.
The rock formations of the Baguio district are typical of an island arc and subduction-related marginal basin. Early Miocene data is consistent with the reversal of the arc’s polarity from east to west. The crustal thickness of the area is about 30 km, and evidence of ore-forming processes like subduction-related multiple arc magmatism and ophiolite accretion are apparent.
The diorite outcrops are characterized by their massive structure. The outcrops are light gray to gray in color, dominated by quartz and biotite. These formations are part of the Central Cordillera Diorite Complex Formation. The Central Cordillera Diorite Complex is the most prevalent rock type in the district. However, some regions are inaccessible due to the lack of infrastructure.
The northern part of the city is located in the Sison Quadrangle, which is made up of different municipalities from the provinces of Benguet, La Union, and Pangasian. The southern part is bounded by San Manuel and San Nicolas, both of Pangasinan Province. The northern part of the city is a small town. Foreigners are interested in purchasing real estate property in Baguio.
Geological map of Baguio district
The area’s geological features are highly diverse. Several volcanic formations, such as the Baguio caldera and the Cagayan Valley, have survived here. The volcanic rocks, which include the Pugo Formation, are composed of andesitic and basaltic rocks that were intruded by the calc-alkaline Central Cordillera Diorite Complex. The area’s rock strata also include the Mamparang Formation, which is overlain by the late Oligocene Caraballo Formation. The area is also home to a number of intrusive intrusives, including the Didipio Igneous Complex, Palali batholith, and Dinkidi Cu-Au porphyry Deposit.
The most prolific gold deposits are associated with epithermal systems. Epithermal gold deposits are confined to a north-trending zone, and are comprised of quartz veins, which are fracture-controlled and associated with stockworks. The majority of productive veins trend northeasterly with a few easterly veins. The Agno Batholith and the Zigzag Formation are the main hosts of auriferous veins. Earlier, Wolfe (1988) suggested that these plutons might also contain gold and other precious metals.
The region is a rich source of minerals, including 35 million ounces of gold and 2.7 million metric tons of copper. Baguio district rocks are composed of a variety of magmatic formations, including calc-alkaline, shoshonitic basalt, and dacites. The Baguio district is an epithermal copper and gold miner’s paradise. In the past, this area was a major coal-mining region.
The Baguio Mineral District is characterized by rock formations that were exposed as part of an island arc setting. Early Miocene data showed arc polarity reversal from east to west. Despite the lack of a single compelling trigger, eastward subduction has continued since the late Oligocene. In addition, the presence of 20 Ma adakitic magmas in the region may be an indication of the flattening of the downgoing slab, which resulted in a hiatus in magmatism and termination of back-arc rifting.