Llanite
Llanite is a hypabyssally intruded rhyolite with phenocrysts of microcline and euhedral quartz. The quartz crystals are blue hexagonal bipyramids. The unusual blue coloration of the quartz is thought to be due to ilmenite inclusions.[1] It is named after Llano County, Texas, the only place where it is found (according to locals; however, geologists have identified other locations where this rock may be found, according to Robert Reed.[2] A dike of llanite crops out on Texas State Highway 16 about 9 miles north of the town of Llano.[3]
Llanite is very strong, with a crushing strength of 37,800 lb/in2 or 26,577,180 kg/m2.[4]
Modal mineralogy of llanite mode:[5]
- quartz - 34.6%
- microcline - 27.8%
- plagioclase - 27.9%
- biotite - 8.6%
- fluorite - 1.1%
- apatite - 0.14%
- magnetite - trace
- ilmenite - trace
- zircon - trace
A large piece of polished llanite can be seen at the Badu House, a historic bed and breakfast in Llano, Texas.
References
- ^ Zolensky, M.E., Sylvester, P.J., and Paces, J.B. (1988) Origin and significance of blue coloration in quartz from Llano rhyolite (llanite), north-central Llano County, Texas. Am. Min. v. 73, p. 313-323.
- ^ Reed, R. nd, Llanite in Africa.Llanite, Rob's Granite Page, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.
- ^ Roadside Geology of Texas, 1991, by Darwin Spearing
- ^ Barnes, Virgil E. (1988) Geological Society of America Centennial Field Guide-- South-Central Section, p. 361-368.
- ^ Iddings, J. P. (1904) Quartz-feldspar-porphyry (graphiphyroliparosealaskose) from Llano, Texas. Journal of Geology, 12, p. 225-231.
External Links
Heinrich, P. V., 2014, Llanite and the Blue Quartz of Texas. The Backbender's Gazette. vol. XLV, no. 5, pp. 5-12. (Houston Gem and Mineral Society, Houston, Texas).
 | This article related to petrology is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |