Stoneham in northeastern Colorado is known throughout the world for its occurrence of stunning blue barite crystals. The barite at Stoneham occurs in a bed rich in montmorillonite clay, derived from alteration of volcanic ash, in the Chadron Formation of the White River Group of Oligocene sedimentary rocks. The barite crystals, as much as 4-6 inches long, crystallized from ground water within open pockets that formed by movement along a northeast-dipping reverse fault that cuts the clay bed. -from Authors
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1990 |
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Title | New explorations at the Stoneham, Colorado, barite locality |
DOI | 10.1080/00357529.1990.11761675 |
Authors | P. J. Modreski, B. Lees, D. Wilson |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Rocks & Minerals |
Index ID | 70015923 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |