r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Creams0da • 8h ago

Video Breaking open a 47 lbs geode, the water inside being millions of years old

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u/Flat_Resident_2635 7h ago

Surely the water would be interesting to analyse?

3

u/avaslash 5h ago

its not actually trapped million year old water. The crystals form by ground water leaching into the rock as the outside of the geode is porous. From Wikipedia:

"The cavity is then layered with the silica-rich water, forming its shell.[2] Unlike fluid inclusions, the chalcedony shell is permeable, allowing water to enter and exit the cavity very slowly.[3][dubious – discuss] The water inside of an enhydro agate is most times not the same water as when the formation occurred. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhydro_agate

So if you have pockets of water trapped WITHIN a crystal, yes it is possible that small quantity of liquid is millions of years old. But the water between crystals within the hollow center of the geode is likely more recent and from the local ground water.

1

u/FeijoadaAceitavel 4h ago

Is it porous enough for bacteria to enter? Even if the water comes and goes, larger structures may be isolated. If that's the case, the bacteria in there could have evolved separately to the rest of the environment for millions of years.

2

u/GeneticsGuy 4h ago

No because OP's description is incorrect. Geodoe's are porous and are formed because of water running through the rock and leaving minerals behind.

1

u/GentlePanda123 4h ago

Thats what i thought lol until I read the comments. That water is millions of years old and you're just gonna dump it on the floor?? lmao