Origin and scale selection in nodular chert structures

Establish the genesis of nodular chert structures and derive a theoretical framework that predicts chert nodule sizes and characteristic spacing in host rocks.

Background

Nodular cherts occur as discrete silica-rich masses within carbonate hosts and show striking spatial organization. While hydrothermal and diagenetic origins have both been proposed, there is no consensus on the mechanism that produces the nodular structure and its spatial regularity.

The review directly states that the origin of nodular chert structures is unknown, and emphasizes that no existing theoretical framework predicts the nodules’ characteristic size or spacing.