Mysterious geodes delight and arouse amazement. New findings by researchers

They arouse admiration and amazement, and at the same time are very mysterious – that’s how you can describe them unusual-sized amethyst geodeswhich were found in Uruguay.

New geological research shed light on the mystery of the formation of Uruguayan amethyst geodes, which until now was a great unknown.

Amethyst is a variety of quartz, and geodes are empty spaces in rock “decorated” with minerals insidee.g. quartz crystals, including amethyst. Uruguay is known for finding there wonderful giant amethyst geodes with an unusually intense purple color.

Uruguay’s deposits have been recognized one of the 100 most important geological heritage sites in the worldwhich emphasizes their scientific and natural value. Although formations of this type have been delighting scientists, enthusiasts and lovers of the beauty of nature for years, it was not entirely known how they were created.

A research team led by the Georg Augustus University of Göttingen has now investigated amethyst geodes from Uruguay that were found in cooled lava flows from the original breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana.

Scientists conducted extensive geological surveys at more than 30 active mines, analyzing minerals, geode water and groundwater. They used advanced techniques such as microthermometry, nucleation and isotope geochemistry. The team thus provided new insight into how these valuable geodes were formed.

Scientists have discovered that the magnificently sized amethyst geodes were formed at unexpectedly low crystallization temperatures – as low as a surprising 15-60°C.

– Precision and accuracy of new research techniques allowed us to confidently estimate the temperature and composition of the mineralizing components, said Fiorella Arduin Rode, lead author and PhD student at the Geology Center of the University of Göttingen. – Our findings support the hypothesis that amethysts crystallized at low temperatures and that fluids similar to groundwater were involved.

The expert noted that solving this mystery of the formation of huge geodes is crucial for improving their exploitation techniques, which currently do not allow for quick and trouble-free extraction of geodes.

Research describing a new model for the formation of unusual geodes was published in “Mineral Deposits“.

Source: geekweek.interia.pl

Issue: *
Your Name: *
Your Email: *

Details: *