Specific Formation of Varieties

The formation of specific types of lake superior agates is very interesting. Here, we will discuss how some different varieties of Lake Superior agate formed, according to the single-gel formation theory.

Firstly, the water level agate. The water level agate forms when there are more trace minerals and materials inside the vesicle, and the silica clumps up around the minerals, and the silica are not able to stick to each other, and they fall to the bottom, making parallel layers at the bottom of the vesicle.

Secondly, there is the eye agate. The eye agate formed by silica spreading out and growing from the surface of the vesicle inwards, until the minerals and materials that are not silica literally stop them from growing. Then, another layer starts and the same thing happens again to form a new layer.

Next, there is the moss agate. The moss agate forms when there are random mineral growths inside of the actual agate, making moss-resembling shapes inside of the agate.

After that, there is the sagenitic agate. The sagenitic agate forms when there is a a great amount of the mineral “rutile” is present inside of the agate, which forms needles which either radiate from a single point, or form randomly.

Finally, there is the ruin agate. This agate forms when earthquakes, tremors, or any other event that has the potential to crack an agate takes place, and the agate breaks into pieces. Then, leftover silica fixes the cracks, similar to super glue, and the agate maintains the cracked appearance forever.

These are the ways that some different varieties of Lake Superior agates specifically form.