Mookaite deposits, Mooka Creek, Mooka Station, Carnarvon Shire, Western Australia, Australiai
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Mookaite deposits | Group of Deposits |
| Mooka Creek | Creek |
| Mooka Station | - not defined - |
| Carnarvon Shire | Shire |
| Western Australia | State |
| Australia | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
24° 53' 33'' South , 114° 57' 18'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Group of Deposits
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Gascoyne Junction | 147 (2013) | 31.0km |
Mindat Locality ID:
291538
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:291538:1
GUID (UUID V4):
c382e516-c438-4b1e-bcc9-37517fb0a8de
"Mookaite" only known source is Mooka Creek, on the western side of the Kennedy Ranges, 180 kilometres east from Carnarvon. Mookaite is not a recognised species, but a locally coined name used to describe the material. A useful and succinct explanation of this can be found by typing mookaite into the mineral search field on Mindat.
Mookaite has been quarried from the area since the mid 1960's by local specimen miners. As of 2013, three specimen miners hold leases over most of the area. The area mined is restricted to a small zone along Mooka Creek, east of the Mardathuna Track.
Microscopic examination shows Mookaite consists of the remains of tiny creatures known as radiolaria, that have an unusual skeletal structure of opaline silica. Billions of these were deposited as sediment in the ancient sea-beds of shallow seas. When the seas retreated, these sediments were cemented into solid rock by the silica.
It is found in the Windalia Radiolarite, a uniform white weathering rock, with poor blocky bedding. While the radiolarite is widespread, mookaite is only found in a restricted area where the effect of surface or near surface silicification have resulted in the development of cherts and porcellanites. Iron oxide rich groundwater activity has caused the colour mottling and varicolouring of the cherts.
Mookaite is mainly composed of cryptocrystalline silica, with radiolarian microfaunal structures, the colour caused by varying concentrations of hematite/goethite granules.
It is found in a range of bright colours including reds, white, tans, purples and pinks. It is a popular slabbing material, and is commonly available in Western Australia, and sold around the world. The Carnarvon Tourist Bureau states the deposits are off-limits to fossickers, as they are leased by specimen miners.
'Brecciated mookaite' is found in the same deposits but at greater depth.
These are also often slabbed, and show fragmented mookaite, with areas of clear translucent opal between the fragments.
Rock Types Recorded
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Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Australia
- Western Australia
- Southern Carnarvon BasinBasin
- Gascoyne Sub-basinBasin
- Warakurna Large Igneous ProvinceGeologic Province
- West Australian ElementCraton
- Southern Carnarvon BasinBasin
Australian PlateTectonic Plate
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References
