Where is Basalt with Zeolite found?
Basalt with Zeolite Group Minerals
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Open the appBasalt with Zeolite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Basalt with Zeolite
Deccan Traps, India
World-renowned for diverse and well-crystallized zeolites (e.g., stilbite, heulandite, apophyllite, cavansite) found in amygdaloidal basalt flows.
Patterson, New Jersey, USA
Classic locality for zeolites (e.g., analcime, natrolite, stilbite) in Triassic-Jurassic basalt flows of the Newark Basin.
Iceland
Numerous localities with various zeolites (e.g., stilbite, heulandite, chabazite, scolecite) in Tertiary and Quaternary basaltic lavas.
Faroe Islands
Known for excellent specimens of zeolites, particularly stilbite and heulandite, in Tertiary flood basalts.
Nova Scotia, Canada
Bay of Fundy region, famous for zeolites (e.g., analcime, chabazite, stilbite, natrolite) in Triassic basalt flows.
Victoria, Australia
Tertiary basalt flows contain various zeolites, including chabazite and phillipsite.
Collecting tips
- Look for Vesicular Basalt. Zeolites typically form in the gas bubbles (vesicles) of basalt. Look for basaltic outcrops with a porous or 'bubbly' texture.
- Examine Road Cuts and Quarries. Fresh exposures often reveal zeolite-filled amygdules or veins that might be obscured by weathering on surface outcrops.
- Check for Hydrothermal Alteration. Areas with evidence of past hydrothermal activity (e.g., discolored rock, other secondary mineral growth) are good indicators.
- Use a Hand Lens. Many zeolite crystals are small and require magnification to appreciate their form and identify specific species.
- Consult Geological Maps. Identify areas with known basaltic lava flows, especially those described as amygdaloidal or vesicular.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Dark gray to black basalt matrix with lighter (white, colorless, pale) zeolite infillings.
- Luster:
- Dull to earthy for basalt; vitreous to pearly for zeolites.
- Streak:
- White to grayish-white for zeolites (if powdered); basalt typically has a grayish-black streak.
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