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If the basalt flow contains air bubbles and pockets and there is a spring that contains silica then the silica can deposit into the air bubbles (the air bubbles are known as Amygdaloidal basalt or vesicles) If the silica deposits slowly and the conditions are correct then precious opal can form. Two examples of this would be in California at the Nowak and the Barnett mines.

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10y ago
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4mo ago

When a basalt flow comes in contact with silica-rich waters, the silica dissolves and gets carried into pore spaces within the basalt. Over time, the silica is deposited as opal in these pore spaces, forming opal-filled cavities within the basalt flow.

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Q: How can a basalt flow cause opal to form?
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What is the form of Opal?

Opal has no definitive form. The word used to describe opal is "amorphous" which means: lacking definite form - having no specific shape.


Is opal similar to peridot?

No. Opal is an amorphous hydrated form of silica.


What is the chemical name for opal?

Opal is composed primarily of silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2) with varying amounts of water trapped within its structure.


Is an opal a rock?

No, it's actually a form of silica.


What happens if you melt opal?

Melting opal can cause the gemstone to lose its color iridescence due to the high temperatures involved. The internal structure of opal can also be altered, impacting its overall appearance and value. It is generally not recommended to heat or melt opal.


Where are opals made?

Australian Opal are dug and cut both on the opal fields and in the city's. they are found in New South Wales (NSW) - The Home of Black Opal New South Wales produces most of the Opal of Australia. Lightning Ridge opal is the darkest and most valuable form of opal. White Cliffs, produces white or crystal opal in the form of 'seam White Cliffs is also noted for the production of 'opal pineapples' Queensland produces boulder opal, these occur in deposits in weathered sedimentary Cretaceous rocks in the west of the state Quilpie, Queensland the largest producer of boulder opal in the world Winton, Queensland Opalton, Queensland Yowah, Queensland home of the opal refered to as Yowah Nut, South Australia - The White Opal Fields South Australia has 4 working opal fields, Andamooka, Coober Pedy, Lambina and Mintabie. South Australia produces the largest amount of opal and this is known as milky opal. Coober Pedy produces most the world's white opal. Andamooka, South Australia Mintabie, South Australia Lambina, South Australia


What cause opal to be sad as she eats the littmus Lozenge?

Because it reminds her of her mom.


Are there different kinds of opal?

Yes, there are different types of opal, including precious opal which displays flashes of iridescent color, common opal which lacks play-of-color, fire opal which displays vibrant orange, red, or yellow hues, and black opal which has a dark body tone with bright play-of-color. Each type has unique characteristics and qualities.


How many types of opals are there?

There are 5 basic types of opal. These types are Peruvian Opal, Fire Opal, Girasol Opal, Common opal and Precious Opal.


Is opal an intrusive or extrusive mineral?

Opal is not considered a rock but actually a mineraloid gel. It is deposited at relatively low temperatures. One of the characteristics if igneous rocks, sometimes called fire rocks, is that they are formed at high temperatures. Whether an igneous rock forms below ground, or on or near the surface, it's all about heat forming the rock. Opal cannot take its form under that kind of heat.


How the mineral opal form?

Opal forms when silica-rich water seeps into cracks and cavities in rocks, then evaporates and leaves behind solid silica deposits. Over time, these deposits can stack up and form opal, with the play-of-color effect being created by the interaction of light with the silica spheres within the stone.


Are opals made from volcanoes?

Opals are not made from volcanoes. Opals are formed from a combination of silica-rich water and heat over long periods of time. They are typically found in the cracks and cavities of sedimentary rocks, not in volcanic environments.