What is a thunderegg rock?

Thunder eggs are spherical objects which form in some types of silica-rich volcanic rocks (e.g. rhyolites). As the volcanic lava cooled, trapped steam and other gases formed an expanding bubble.

What is a thunderegg agate?

Thundereggs are agate-filled nodules found in various parts of the Western United States. They range in size from 1/4 inch to as large as 5 feet in diameter. Generally, they are about the size of oranges. All are similar on the exterior, but no two are alike in pattern, design or color on the inside.

How can you spot a thunderegg?

Though thundereggs appear lke rocks, they can be easily identified by the abnormally round and bumpy brown-gray surface. Usually, thundereggs lie relatively close to the Earth's surface, embedded in the clay of the tuff, where they were formed.

What is the difference between a geode and a thunderegg?

Thunder eggs, which are technically known as lithophysae are typically found with solid or near-solid cores of chalcedony or agate, whereas geodes are relatively hollow inside with thinner layers of quartz crystals.

How old are Oregon thundereggs?

Thundereggs are found in the rhyolite lava flows which spread over Oregon an estimated 60 million years ago during the Eocene Age. Geologists believe the round-shaped thundereggs were formed in gas pockets (bubbles) within the lava, which served as molds.

What is the Difference Between a Geode, Thunderegg, & Nodule?

How can you tell if a rock is a geode?

Tell-Tale Signs of a Geode

1. Geodes are usually spherical, but they always have a bumpy surface.
2. Geodes will sometimes have loose material inside, which can be heard when shaking the rock. ...
3. Geodes are usually lighter than their size would indicate since the interior doesn't contain any material.

What's the difference between geode and agate?

What is this? In a lot of ways, agates have inclusions, while geodes are inclusions in the host rock. It's an important distinction to make. But the biggest difference is the fact that geodes are a specific form of mineral, while agates are a specific type of mineral.

Where can I find thundereggs in NSW?

Well-known localities for Australian thunder eggs are Mt Hay, Eumundi, Agate Creek and Mt Tamborine, in Queensland, and Boggabri, Barrington Tops and Murwillumbah in New South Wales.

Where can I find thundereggs in Victoria?

Thunder Egg from Avon River, Wellington Shire, Victoria, Australia.

Where can I find thundereggs in Utah?

When it comes to finding wonderstones in Utah, your best bet is at the Vernon Hills, in Tooele County, or at the Wonderstone Quarry. Surprisingly, one of the best places to find thundereggs in Utah is at the Dugway Geode Beds. Meteorites were found in Utah on a couple of occasions. However, they are quite rare.

How are Thundereggs created?

Formation. Thundereggs are found in flows of rhyolite lava. They form in the lava from the action of water percolating through the porous rock carrying silica in solution. The deposits lined and filled the cavity, first with a darker matrix material, then an inner core of agate or chalcedony.

Can you find gems in creeks?

The best areas to look for gemstones in a creek is where the water is shallowest and at bends in the channel. Search the rest of the creek, too, because gemstones can really be found anywhere! One can find quartz crystal, chert, agate, amethyst, jasper, petrified wood, and garnets in creeks.

Where can I dig for crystals in NSW?

Glen Innes, New South Wales

On the northern border of New South Wales, in the hills of the Great Dividing Range, lies one of Australia's most renowned fossicking sites. Glen Innes and surrounds is the most prolific sapphire region in New South Wales and one of the world's richest mineral diversity belts.

Where do you find geodes?

Geodes are found throughout the world, but the most concentrated areas are located in the deserts. Volcanic ash beds, or regions containing limestone, are common geode locations. There are many easily accessible geode collecting sites in the western United States, including in California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada.

How do you break a geode?

What is this? A very simple way to crack a geode is simply to place the geode inside of a sock or fabric bag to contain the soon to be broken pieces. With the geode in a bag, gently striking the geode with a rock-hammer, sledgehammer, or even a harder rock should facture the geode just enough to crack it open.

Are geodes worth money?

Geodes are highly valued for their content and appearance. The most valuable geodes are those that contain perfectly formed flawless crystals of amethyst, celestine, calcite, or other rare minerals. Geodes are worth from $2-5 for common specimens and up to several thousand for exceptional several meters.

How do you find a geode in your yard?

Look and see if your rock may be hollow, either by picking up another rock and comparing the weights, or by gently shaking your rock to see if anything (such as crystals) rattles around. Geodes tend to be lighter than most other rocks because their center is sometimes hollow.

Are geodes rare?

Prevalence. Geodes may be found all over, but they tend to be most prevalent in desert regions. Anywhere volcanic ash is a part of the landscape and places containing large amounts of limestone are ideal places to hunt for geodes.

Are there diamonds in Oregon?

Because of their rarity and uniqueness to Oregon, sunstones were named the state's gemstone in 1987. They're literally diamonds in the rough because they're found in a region about 25 miles north of Plush, a Lake County ranching community.

Where can you find amethyst in Oregon?

Amethyst. The Shellrock Mountain and Western Vein in the Bohemia Mining District is known to have Amethyst deposits. The Bohemia area is best known for gold mining, but other minerals can also be found in this area.

What is the rarest rock in Michigan?

Chlorastrolite, a variety of the mineral pumpellyite, is pretty much exclusively found along the Keweenaw Peninsula and throughout the Isle Royale archipelago -- Michigan's most remote national park. Its occurrence in that region is what gives this mineral its arguably prettier common name: Isle Royale Greenstone.

Can diamonds be found in Michigan?

Jack Van Alstine, geologist at the Michigan State Department of Natural Resources at Marquette, said diamonds have been found in northern Michigan and Wisconsin within the last 100+ years. Where to search for diamonds? Near Dowagiac in Cass County. Diamonds that floated down on glaciers have been found in the area.