Uruguay’s Amethyst Geodes: A New Model for Understanding Formation
Amethyst, a violet quartz gemstone, is a valuable resource in Uruguay, where it is found in geodes in cooled lava flows dating back to 134 million years ago. Researchers from the University of Göttingen investigated the formation of these amethyst geodes, discovering that they formed at low temperatures of 15 to 60 °C. This new information has led to a better understanding of how these geodes were created. The study, published in the journal Mineralium Deposita, sheds light on the geological processes that led to the formation of these prized gemstones.
Over the past 150 years, amethyst has been mined in Uruguay’s Los Catalanes District, known for its high-quality gems and giant geodes. Researchers conducted extensive surveys in more than 30 mines to study the formation of these geodes. By analyzing geode minerals, hosted water, and groundwater using advanced techniques, the team discovered that the amethyst geodes formed at low temperatures and had mineralizing fluids with low salinity levels. This new understanding could improve exploration techniques and lead to more sustainable mining practices in the future.
Funding for this research was provided by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) through Research Grants – Doctoral Programmes in Germany.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.