Feb 10, 2017
Lévyne-Ca, Erionite-Ca
Ca3(Si12Al6)O36 · 18H2O, Ca5(Si26Al10O72) · 30H2O
Locality:
Milwaukie, Clackamas Co., Oregon, USA
Field of View: 3.9 mm
“Lévyne crystals with a coating of erionite. The lévyne has grown around pocket clay. “
Doug Merson photo and collection.
Levyne is an uncommon zeolite, but all occurrences are in cavities of basalt.
Erionite in Cavities of altered basalt There are many occurrences of erionite zeolite in cavities of basaltic lavas. Common associated minerals are clinoptilolite, phillipsite, chabazite, and mordenite. Some occurrences show pervasive rock alteration, suggesting hydrothermal alteration, while others have limited alteration, consistent with diagenetic reaction with groundwater (Tschernich, 1992).
