agates in ignimbrites form during alteration processes at elevated temperatures (> 150 °C).
specific formation processes result in high concentrations of Ge (> 90 ppm), B (46 ppm) and U (> 18 ppm) in the agates.
normalized REE distribution patterns of the agates show strong negative Eu-anomalies, enriched HREE as well as tetrad effects.
the microstructure of agates points to crystallization via an amorphous silica precursor under non-equilibrium conditions