|
What are Thundereggs? The crystallographers report that geodes (as many thundereggs are) can aid breaking addictions. From my own experience i can confirm that this is true. The things themselves are so darned addictive that no other addiction stands a chance! Put simply, thundereggs (or lithophysae) are a structure, not a mineral. They are a nodule that forms in rhyolitic larva flows, the centre of which splits to form a cavity. This then fills with a agate or crystal (or both or opal or jasper etc). The result is a rock that, when cut in half, reveals a self-contained centre of sometimes magical beauty, surrounded by a rock matrix. Thundereggs are more specific than the general term 'geode' or 'agate' in that they have a specific geological structure of what looks like torn rock. They look less like a bubble or something produced through weathering or erosion, and more like an actual split in the stone, which some believe occurs as the rock cools. The resulting filling is as varied as agate can be, and this variation can be highly location specific. Every bed (thunderegg site) has it's own characteristics - its own flavour, like some unique variety of wine. Thundereggs from just a few miles away can be almost unrecognizable. That is part of their charm and what makes them so highly collectable. Sit a french Esterel next to an American Friend Ranch egg, next to a Buchanan Ranch egg next to a vivid agate from St Egidien and you might well wonder how these things can be related at all. But the similarities are there in the shapes and structures - the sense of torn rock and the seeming 'energy' in their history, which is far more than in a sedate classic geode or agate window ornament. The name Thunderegg comes from american indian legends, but the appearance of these things - the way they seem filled with the frozen energy of torn and stretched rock (far more so than a sedate classic agate) and the layering of colors inside them . . . they really seem to merit their name. Sometimes they look almost organic or as though made of gel or water. Some even seem to have swirling stormclouds frozen inside. Or jagged crystalline lightning. This site seeks in a limited way to classify them according to location and there are some really unusual specimens included here (which i am lucky to have tracked down) - including such rarities as Baby Doe, Yellow Jacket and Stein's Pillar. And a whole collection of the quite rare and beautiful French Esterels. There are newer discoveries, such as the 'Killer Green' and 'T&T' eggs - and older, now unavailable ones like Fred's Bed and the Black Rock Desert. Of course it is very far from being even close to complete and the information provided is only as good as what I have - sometimes very sketchy. Of course - i would always welcome further info, so don't hesitate to contact me or sign my guestbook! And even more, i would welcome more Thunderegg pics! I am told of thundereggs from Africa, other places in Europe, Alaska and South America, but I have yet to see examples. They all have to be here though - and that is partly up to you. So please . . . |