IMOGOLITE IN VOLCANIC SOILS OF CHILE

During the course of mineralogical studies of various Chilean andosoils with allophane content it was surprising to find by means of electronic microscopy that a number of clay samples showed a large amount of elongated, thread-like or fibrous particles, together with other spheroidal characteristics of allophane. The fibre-like particles apparently corresponded to the descriptions given by Yoshinaga and Aomine (1962a,b) and Aomine and Miyaushi (1965) for the new mineral called imogolite. It was, therefore, considered interesting to develop a more extensive research in order to verify the existence of imogolite in these soils. This paper will inform about the existence of imogolite in two Chilean andosoils (trumaos), taken from the southern region of the country. The object is to obtain information which might help in the understanding of problems of genesis and the classification of these volcanic ash soils. © 1969.