10 Interesting facts about

Geodes
0 earth, Geochemistry, Geology, Mineralogy, minning 1:55 PM
image: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/JhKvzDyvrtw/VsrlNFg87jI/AAAAAAAAH30/P3xO2CDputg/s400/Thunder
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Thunder egg is a nodule-like rock, similar to a filled

geode, that is formed within volcanic ash layers.
credit: Bill The Eggman
Geodes are geological secondary structures which occur in certain
sedimentary and volcanic rocks. They are themselves of
sedimentary origin formed by chemical precipitation.

image: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/D31nCQh1Jgw/VsmjdT5DstI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/Vpz-DW0MKsw/s400/Inside%2Band
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Inside and outside views of the geode

Geodes differ from vugs in that the former were formed as early,
rounded, structures within the surrounding rock and are often
removed intact, whereas vugs are irregularly shaped pockets,
voids or cavities within a formation, often along a vein or in
breccia. Geodes also differ from "nodules" in that a nodule is a
mass of mineral matter that has accreted around the nodule
nucleus.

image: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y68ahI1JSk/VsmiHMemheI/AAAAAAAAH3I/r7wq4XnM6P8/s400/Thunder%2Begg
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Thunder egg agate geode. from New Mexico. by Bill The Eggman

Geodes can form in any cavity, but the term is usually reserved
for more or less rounded formations in igneous and sedimentary
rocks. They can form in gas bubbles in igneous rocks, such as
vesicles in basaltic lavas; or, as in the American Midwest, in
rounded cavities in sedimentary formations. After rock around the
cavity hardens, dissolved silicates and/or carbonates are
deposited on the inside surface. Over time, this slow feed of
mineral constituents from groundwater or hydrothermal solutions
allows crystals to form inside the hollow chamber.

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Large Vugs of amethyst crystals were everywhere inside the mine

AMETHYST MINING. IN BRAZIL
photo: lifeofsaturdays.com
Geode banding and coloration is the result of variable
impurities. Iron oxides will impart rust hues to siliceous
solutions. Most geodes contain clear quartz crystals, while
others have purple amethyst crystals. Still others can have
agate, chalcedony, or jasper banding or crystals such as calcite,
dolomite, celestite, etc.

Geodes and geode slices are sometimes dyed with artificial

colors. Samples of geodes with unusual colors or highly unlikely
formations have usually been synthetically altered.

image: https://4.bp.blogspot.com/i43WEVvrOwQ/VsmfRYVywpI/AAAAAAAAH24/0Yw40RYLXEE/s640/Massive
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Massive Amethyst Geode From Uruguay

Geodes commonly have a chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz)

shell lined internally by various minerals, often as crystals,
particularly calcite, pyrite, kaolinite, sphalerite, millerite,
barite, celestite, dolomite, limonite, smithsonite, opal,
chalcedony and macrocrystalline quartz, which is by far the most
common and abundant mineral found in geodes.
Geodes are common in some formations in the United States (mainly

in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, western Illinois, Kentucky, and

Utah). They also are common in Brazil, Uruguay, Namibia, and
Mexico.

image: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSeg8bJs2g/Vsmi0UGNZZI/AAAAAAAAH3Q/OiT0PF9L_Gk/s400/Amethyst
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Amethyst Geode inside Limestone rocks!

Geodes are found mostly in basaltic lavas and limestones.
The world's largest known crystal cave or vug is Crystal Cave, a
celestine geode 35 feet (10.7 m) in diameter at its widest point,
located near the village of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, on South Bass
Island in Lake Erie.

image: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/VSw9I7LLIik/VsmkEP7G2NI/AAAAAAAAH3g/lwk4ddQ09gA/s400/Empress%2Bof
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Empress of Uruguay
The largest amethyst geode in the world is The Empress of
Uruguay Over three meters tall (thats eleven feet) and weighing
two and a half tonnes. It is located here in Atherton, North
Queensland, Australia.
Read more at http://www.geologyin.com/2016/02/10-interestingfacts-about-geodes.html#VfUVBIAUsoy6GCzs.99