Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico
The present study aimed to investigate the genesis and characteristics of some of the world-famous agate deposits in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico (Rancho Coyamito, Ojo Laguna, Moctezuma, Huevos del Diablo, Agua Nueva). Geochemical and textural studies of host rocks showed that all the studied depo...
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/5/687 |
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| author | Maximilian Mrozik Jens Götze Yuanming Pan Robert Möckel |
| author_facet | Maximilian Mrozik Jens Götze Yuanming Pan Robert Möckel |
| author_sort | Maximilian Mrozik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present study aimed to investigate the genesis and characteristics of some of the world-famous agate deposits in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico (Rancho Coyamito, Ojo Laguna, Moctezuma, Huevos del Diablo, Agua Nueva). Geochemical and textural studies of host rocks showed that all the studied deposits are related to the same rock type within the geological unit of Rancho el Agate andesite, a quartz-free latite that shows clear indications of magma mixing. As a result of their large-scale distribution and various differentiation processes, as well as transport separation, different textures and local chemical differences between rocks of different localities can be observed. These differences have also influenced the properties of SiO<sub>2</sub> mineralization in the rocks. The mixing of near-surface fluids from rock alterations with magmatic hydrothermal solutions led to the accumulation of various elements in the SiO<sub>2</sub> matrix of the agates, which were, on the one hand, mobilized during secondary rock alteration (Fe, U, Ca, K, Al, Si) and, on the other hand, transported with magmatic fluids (Zn, Sb, Si, Zr, Cr). Different generations of chalcedony indicate a multi-stage formation as well as multiple cycles of filling the cavities with fluids. The hydrothermal fluids are presumably related to the residual solutions of a rhyolitic volcanism, which followed the latitic extrusions in the area and probably caused the formation of polymetallic ore deposits in the Chihuahua area. The enrichment of highly immobile elements indicates the involvement of volatile fluids in the agate formation. The vivid colors of the agates are almost exclusively due to various mineral inclusions, which consist mainly of iron compounds. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:27:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2e8fb42cd19d4935bfc40d546d10804e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:27:10Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
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| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-2e8fb42cd19d4935bfc40d546d10804e2023-11-18T02:37:08ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-05-0113568710.3390/min13050687Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern MexicoMaximilian Mrozik0Jens Götze1Yuanming Pan2Robert Möckel3Institute of Mineralogy, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Brennhausgasse 14, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyInstitute of Mineralogy, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Brennhausgasse 14, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyDepartment of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, CanadaHelmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyThe present study aimed to investigate the genesis and characteristics of some of the world-famous agate deposits in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico (Rancho Coyamito, Ojo Laguna, Moctezuma, Huevos del Diablo, Agua Nueva). Geochemical and textural studies of host rocks showed that all the studied deposits are related to the same rock type within the geological unit of Rancho el Agate andesite, a quartz-free latite that shows clear indications of magma mixing. As a result of their large-scale distribution and various differentiation processes, as well as transport separation, different textures and local chemical differences between rocks of different localities can be observed. These differences have also influenced the properties of SiO<sub>2</sub> mineralization in the rocks. The mixing of near-surface fluids from rock alterations with magmatic hydrothermal solutions led to the accumulation of various elements in the SiO<sub>2</sub> matrix of the agates, which were, on the one hand, mobilized during secondary rock alteration (Fe, U, Ca, K, Al, Si) and, on the other hand, transported with magmatic fluids (Zn, Sb, Si, Zr, Cr). Different generations of chalcedony indicate a multi-stage formation as well as multiple cycles of filling the cavities with fluids. The hydrothermal fluids are presumably related to the residual solutions of a rhyolitic volcanism, which followed the latitic extrusions in the area and probably caused the formation of polymetallic ore deposits in the Chihuahua area. The enrichment of highly immobile elements indicates the involvement of volatile fluids in the agate formation. The vivid colors of the agates are almost exclusively due to various mineral inclusions, which consist mainly of iron compounds.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/5/687agatechalcedonytrace elementsEPR spectroscopysilica mineralsagate colors |
| spellingShingle | Maximilian Mrozik Jens Götze Yuanming Pan Robert Möckel Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico Minerals agate chalcedony trace elements EPR spectroscopy silica minerals agate colors |
| title | Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico |
| title_full | Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico |
| title_short | Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of Agates from Chihuahua, Northern Mexico |
| title_sort | mineralogy geochemistry and genesis of agates from chihuahua northern mexico |
| topic | agate chalcedony trace elements EPR spectroscopy silica minerals agate colors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/5/687 |
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