INVESTIGATING THE STRUCTURE OF AGATES AS AN EARLY UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT AT DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Our goal was to analyze a fluid filled agate and note the structures that may be found when one is cut open. Using an electric saw to nick the surface and then a chisel to open and capture some of the fluid. What we found was an interesting needle-like structure within the agate that we wanted to analyze further. Using an electron microscope, to get close images of the structure that were not only beautiful but showed unique features along with an x-ray spectrum to determine the chemical makeup of the agate. Also observed inside were needle like structure that made of Manganese Oxide. These results can tell us the story of the agate and how it formed.