Celestine-bearing geodes from Wayne and Emery counties, southeastern Utah: Genesis and mineralogy

Rocks & Minerals
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Abstract

Geodes containing celestine with associated quartz, calcite, chlorite, and other minerals occur in the Jurassic Curtis Formation of Emery and Wayne counties off the east and south flanks of the San Rafael Swell in southeastern Utah. The two areas discussed in this article produce geodes to 25 cm wide containing bladed to tabular celestine crystals that are as much as 4.5 cm in length. An evaporative littoral system resulting in the formation of anhydrite nodules is proposed as the initial environment for this deposit. Subsequent silicification of the nodules and, in some cases, the formation of hollow spaces within the silicified nodules, provided a geode structure for the eventual crystallization of celestine and associated minerals.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Celestine-bearing geodes from Wayne and Emery counties, southeastern Utah: Genesis and mineralogy
Series title Rocks & Minerals
DOI 10.1080/00357529.2015.1034489
Volume 90
Issue 4
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Contributing office(s) National Research Program - Central Branch
Description 24 p.
First page 314
Last page 337
Country United States
State Utah
County Emery County, Wayne County
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