A group of white, very sharp acicular Mesolite crystals forming a radiating aggregate on a cavity lined with small Chabazite-Ca crystals. Particularly noteworthy is the absence of damage, reflecting both careful extraction and the excellent subsequent preservation work. The specimen was found by M. Wood in May 2009 and belonged to the Harry Critchley collection.
Geologically, Moonen Bay forms part of the Palaeogene basaltic lava flows of the Isle of Skye, belonging to the North Atlantic Igneous Province. The circulation of low-temperature hydrothermal fluids through cavities and fractures in the basalts favoured the crystallization of zeolites, including Mesolite, together with Chabazite-Ca and other mineral species.
Moonen Bay, Duirinish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Highlands Scotland / United Kingdom (05/2009)
Specimen size: 8.4 × 6.1 × 2.5 cm = 3.31” × 2.40” × 0.98”
|
