Natural zeolites filling amygdales and veins in basalts from the British Tertiary Igneous Province on the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Natural zeolites filling amygdales and veins in tertiary basaltic host rocks on the Isle of Skye (NW Scotland) have been studied in some detail by transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The zeolites and associated minerals so identified in order...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Earth sciences research journal 2012-06, Vol.16 (1), p.41-53
Main Authors: Triana R., Juan Manuel, Herrera R., Javier Francisco, Rios R., Carlos Alberto, Castellanos A., Oscar Mauricio, Henao M., Jose Antonio, Williams, Craig D, Roberts, Clive L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Basalt
Carbonates
Diffraction
GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Metamorphism (Geology)
natural zeolite, amygdale, vein, basaltic rock, Isle of Skye
Rocks, Metamorphic
Silica
X-rays
Zeolites
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Summary:Natural zeolites filling amygdales and veins in tertiary basaltic host rocks on the Isle of Skye (NW Scotland) have been studied in some detail by transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The zeolites and associated minerals so identified in order of their relative time of formation from early to late were nontronite, amorphous silica phases, carbonate phases, chabazite, phillipsite, wairakite, thomsonite, analcime, natrolite and stilbite-type minerals. Zeolite formation in the Skye basalts began with low Si/Al ratio Na zeolites and a gradual increase in Ca content and Si/Al ratio, ending up as Ca zeolites. They were probably formed as a consequence of late-stage hydrothermal activity, although, locally, contact metamorphism may control the process of zeolite formation Keywords: natural zeolite, amygdale, vein, basaltic rock, Isle of Skye. Las zeolitas naturales como relleno en amigdalas y venas que ocurren en rocas basalticas Terciarias de la Isla de Skye (NW Escocia) han sido estudiadas en detalle por tecnicas de microscopia de luz transmitida, microscopia electronica de barrido y difraccion de rayos X. Las zeolitas y los minerales asociados identificados, en orden de su tiempo relativo de formacion, son nontronita, fases de silice amorfa, carbonatos, chabazita, filipsita, wairakita, thomsonita, analcima, natrolita y minerales tipo estilbita. La formacion de zeolitas en los basaltos de Skye comenzo con una zeolita rica en Na de baja relacion Si/Al y con el aumento gradual en el contenido de Ca y Si/Al, termino con una zeolita rica en Ca Estas probablemente se formaron como consecuencia de una actividad hidrotermal tardia, aunque localmente un metamorfismo de contacto pudo controlar el proceso de formacion de las zeolitas Palabras claves: zeolita natural, amigdala, vena, roca basaltica, Isla de Skye
ISSN:1794-6190
2339-3459