Characteristics and mode of palagonite - A review

The characteristics on which identification of palagonite is based, are reviewed. The varying chemistry, as well as the large number of minerals identified, suggest that palagonite covers the products of a continuous, time/temperature dependent and frequently over-lapping series of interlocking processes. Micromorphological features, detailed analyses of natural products, as well as experimental studies suggest that palagonite formation entails the complete dissolution of volcanic glass along interfaces, accompanied by the precipitation of authigenic minerals principally smectite and zeolites, with hydrotalcite as a short-lived interim mineral. The rate of palagonite formation is strongly temperature related.Singer Arieh, Banin Amos. Characteristics and mode of palagonite - A review. In: Proceedings of the 9th international Clay Conference, Strasbourg, 1989. Vol IV : Clays in sediments. Diagenesis and hydrothermalism. Strasbourg : Institut de Géologie – Université Louis-Pasteur, 1990. pp. 173-181. (Sciences Géologiques. Mémoire, 88