Tullimonstrum

Mazon Creek fossil beds

The Mazon Creek fossils are conservation lagerstätten found near Morris, in Grundy County, Illinois. The fossils are found in ironstone concretions, formed approximately 300 mya in the mid-Pennsylvanian Epoch of the Carboniferous Period. These concretions frequently preserve both hard and soft tissues of animal and plant materials, as well as many soft-bodied organisms that do not normally fossilize. The quality, quantity and diversity of fossils in the area, known since the mid-nineteenth century, make the Mazon Creek lagerstätten important to paleontologists, in attempting to reconstruct the paleoecology of the sites. The locality was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1997.

Geology

mazonshale

The Mazon Creek fossils are found in the Upper Carboniferous Francis Creek Shale; the type locality is the Mazon River (or Mazon Creek), a tributary of the Illinois River near Morris, Grundy County, Illinois. The 25 to 30 meters of shale were formed approximately 300 mya, during the Pennsylvanian period. The fossiliferous concretions are usually found within the thickest deposits of Francis Creek. The concretions occur in localized deposits within the silty to sandy mudstones, in the lower four metres of the formation. The paleoecosystem is believed to be a large river delta system, deposited by at least one major river system flowing from the northeast. The sediments are believed to derive from the Appalachian orogeny events. The delta had a tropical climate, a result of the area being within 10° north latitude of the equator during the Pennsylvanian.

The remains of plants and animals were rapidly buried by the sediment deposited in the deltaic system. Bacterial decomposition of the remains produced carbon dioxide that combined with dissolved iron from the groundwater. This process formed siderite in the sediments surrounding the remains, forming detailed casts of their structure. Lithification of the sediments formed protective nodules of ironstone around the now fossilized remains.

Rhizodus scale

The fossiliferous concretions are found in the Mazon River area of Grundy, Will, Kankakee, and Livingston counties. Additional fossils are found in LaSalle County, Illinois; between the Vermilion River and Marseilles, Illinois. The ironstone concretions are recovered from exposures along streams, roadcuts and in active or abandoned coal mine areas.

The site’s importance was realized in the mid-nineteenth century: “the nodules of Mazon Creek, where fragments of plants, even of the softest texture, have been preserved in their integrity”.

Flora

The Mazon Creek flora comprises over 400 species from at least 130 genera. However, the true number of species is difficult to determine. Paleobotanists name separate plant structures with different names by convention, inflating the number of fossil plant taxa. Paleobotanists are currently determining which taxa are valid.

Mazon Creek flora includes: lycopsids, related to modern club moss, with arborescent forms named Lepidophloios, Sigillaria and Lepidodendron, and herbaceous forms called Lycopodites and Cormophyton; sphenopsids like Calamites a tree-like horsetail relative, with common foliage names of Annularia and Asterophyllites, and a vine-like form called Sphenophyllum; Pteridophyta as marattialean tree ferns and Filicales and Zygopteridales understory ferns, with common foliage names of Pecopteris, Acitheca and Lobatopteris; pteridosperms, also known as seed ferns, an extinct group of plants that grew both as trees and smaller shrubs, with features like pinnated leafs similar to true ferns, but reproduced by seeds instead of spores; they had common foliage names Mariopteris, Alethopteris, Odontopteris, Neuropteris, Laveineopteris and Macroneuropteris; extinct Gymnosperm Cordaites, believed to be closely related to and sharing many features with modern conifers.

Fauna

The Mazon Creek fauna has over 320 species of animals that have been identified. The fauna is divided into two components: the marine Essex fauna and the land and freshwater Braidwood fauna, that were washed into the deltaic sediments. The Essex fauna includes jellyfish, sea worms, snails, saltwater clams, shrimp, sea scorpions, cephalopods and fish. The Braidwood fauna includes insects, millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, spiders, other arachnids, amphibians, freshwater fish, freshwater shrimps, freshwater horseshoe crabs and ostracods. The oldest known beetle has been described from the Braidwood fauna.

The most famous faunal member is Illinois’ state fossil Tullimonstrum, known popularly as the Tully Monster.

The Tullimonster is placed in its own phylum and is unique to the period. Johnson and Richardson (1956) describe the Tullimonster as being a marine, carnivorous, worm-like creature closely associated with the jellyfish and having a soft body with no internal skeleton. It is hypothesized that storms blew seawater and sea organisms further inland than they would naturally occur, thus the Tullimonster and other marine organisms were introduced inland where they were buried and fossilized. This allowed researchers today to study these organisms that would normally not be preserved. Evidence of marine forms of life is also suggested by the fossilized clam trails and burrow mottles. Other marine animals that can only be found in the fossil record from Mazon Creek are hagfish and lampreys.

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Garnet Mine

The hardest garnet in the world is only found on Gore Mountain, making the garnet extremely rare. The Barton garnet has an unusual and beautiful ruby red color that flashes in the sun. In 1969, the Governor of New York, Nelson Rockefeller, made the Barton garnet the New York State Gem Stone.

Garnet Prices

They also offer an online coupon that you can print off.  Click the image for the actual coupon to print.

RockHound Coupon

1. One of the World’s largest garnet deposits
2. Largest garnet crystals in the world
3. Source for the New York State Gemstone & the January birthstone… Garnet
4. Oldest family owned and operated mine in the United States
5. ANYONE can find a gem quality garnet without using tools
6. Located in the scenic Adirondack Mountains, 2400 feet above sea level
7. Fantastic panoramic views over the Adirondack Park
8. Easy access… drive right into the old mine site
9. Catering to the bus tour companies for over 30 years
10. Garnet mine tour business started in 1933
11. Gore Mountain garnet deposit is recognized as a world famous geology site
12. Mine site is flat, making it good for walking and for wheelchair accessibility

gore_mountain_garnet

Geocaching is fun, educational and can be enjoyed by the whole family!  What is geocaching you say???

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache.

How do you pronounce Geocaching?

You pronounce it Geo-cashing, like cashing a check.

What is the meaning of the word Geocaching?

The word Geocaching refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of hiding a cache. A cache in computer terms is information usually stored in memory to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions.

Only three rules:

1. If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value.

2. Write about your find in the cache logbook.

3. Log your experience at www.geocaching.com

FAQ’s: http://www.geocaching.com/faq/

There are finds all around the world that have rockhounding treasures just waiting to be found.  You can search the caches by “keywords”.  I have listed a couple below BUT there are many more out there.  If you make your own rockhound cache please send me an email so I can post for everyone.

Click here for list of mineral caches (below are a couple in detail)

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?key=minerals&submit4=Go

Rocks/Minerals at Black Star Canyon

Black Star Canyon

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy was established in 2005. It is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization, created to help care for the 50,000 acres of permanently protected wildlands and parks on the historic Irvine Ranch. The organization works with its partners to enhance the public’s appreciation, understanding and connection to the land, while helping other land owners and managers with all aspects of stewardship. The Conservancy contributes its resources, expertise and energy to achieve the best possible balance of preservation and public participation.Nearly 40,000 acres of the 50,000 acres indicated above of open space on the historic Irvine Ranch have been designated a Natural Landmark by both the State of California and the U.S. Department of Interior. This honor recognizes the exceptional value of these lands to California and the entire nation.

Beautiful geological formations – including “the Sinks”, “Dripping Springs” and the rock formations located at Black Star Canyon – plus a rich diversity of flora and fauna make the The Irvine Ranch a favorite among hikers, mountain bikers and naturalists.

This cache is placed with the permission from and in cooperation with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Access is limited; reservations for docent-led outings are required due to the area’s sensitive habitat. Pre-registration is required for all programs. No walk-up registration is allowed, no exceptions. Registration for weekday programs closes at 4 p.m. on the day prior to the event and registration for weekend programs closes at 4 p.m. on the Friday prior to the event. A calendar of scheduled hikes can be found at www.irvineranchwildlands.org/activities/index.asp. Additionally, they can be reached at (714) 508-4757 to coordinate small or large group hikes for these Earthcaches and other hikes within the Conservancy boundaries.

Santiago Canyon embodies the romance and lore of Orange County’s colorful history: The canyon’s past is punctuated by coal-mining operations, grizzly bear hunts, manhunts and homesteaders. The canyon was a major thoroughfare for early settlers who settled in its scenic side canyons-Baker, Black Star, Silverado and Modjeska. Traces of Orange County’s earliest residents were discovered at Black Star Canyon. Arrowheads and rocks pockmarked with grinder holes (signs that the Indians ground acorns to produce an edible gruel) have been found on the plateau high above the canyon, where a large Indian village once existed. Black Star Canyon got its name in the 1870’s, when Black Star Mining Company began mining for coal that recently had been discovered there. The mining operation was short-lived, though, because the quality of the coal was so poor.

This cache is designed for kids, but can be enjoyed by all cachers.

Color can be used to help determine specific minerals in a rock. While this has been determined to be one of the least effective methods in identifying rock/mineral content, it does provide a starting place when including or eliminating mineral content from rock formations. The below are some examples of mineral and rock colors and related minerals/rocks:

Light Grey or Tan–Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. Sand and the sandstone it creates can be an color (the sandstone would be reflective of the color of the base sand in its formation. Since sandstone beds often form highly visible cliffs and other topographic features, certain colors of sandstone have been strongly identified with certain regions. Colors will usually be light grey or tan. Sandstone has been a main building material dating back into most of history.

Red – Iron Oxide: When air touches iron materials over a long period of time the process will “rust” (oxidize) the iron minerals in the sediment to give a reddish color to the rocks. Based upon the type of base rock, and the amount of iron materials in the formation, the color of red will vary from very dark as seen below, to lighter pinks. Iron Oxide has historically been used as the basis for several paint colors including Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Chestnut, Sienna, Venetian Red and Mummy Brown.

Dark Grey – Siltstone: Silt is a size term used for material that is smaller than sand but larger than clay. Siltstone is defined as having twice as much silt as clay.

Blue – Azurite: Azurite is a soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits.

Yellow – Sulfur: Sulfur in its native form is a yellow crystal. Common uses are primarily found in fertilizers, matches, insecticides and fungicides.

Green – Epidote: The color is green, grey, brown or nearly black, but usually a characteristic shade of yellowish-green or pistachio-green.

Metallic Gold – Pyrite: Its metallic luster and pale-to-normal gold-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool’s gold, but ironically enough, small quantities of actual gold can sometimes be found in pyrite. This is primarily sold in retail shops as it appears to be gold, but also had been used in old-time radios.

Metallic Grey – Mica: Mica is a flaky grey mineral that provides for a metallic look when seen with several layers together. Mica is used in stoves and lanterns as it is somewhat clear, but is heat resistant. Mica can also be found in paint, wallpaper, roof paper, cosmetics and insulators, as well as other common applications.
In order to log this cache, from the coordinates, you will need to identify three rock/mineral types provided above. Please face west and look both at the formations at approximately 315 degrees and then at approximately 225 degrees.

1. At 315 degrees, you should see two different and distinct colors in the rock formations. Email me (logs that provide the answer will be deleted) both colors, and based upon the above what type of rock or mineral content you think both individually contain.
2. At 225 degrees, about 1/3 up from the bottom of the formation, there is a different color of rocks compared to the rock and/or mineral identified in #1 above. Email me (logs that provide the answer will be deleted) what color this formation is, and based upon the above what type of rock you think it is.
3. Based upon the colors discovered, email me (logs that provide the answer will be deleted) which mineral do you see the most of.
4. Also, post a picture with you, your group and your GPS from the coordinates with the formation in background.

(actual webpage of this info- click here-)

#2

Mining, minerals, & marshes in the Duddon Estuary

quartz vein

The Duddon Estuary is a landscape shaped by geological forces, glaciers, then finally, man, here at Hodbarrow you will see evidence of both, rock formations dating back millions of years and a 19th century unusual lagoon formed for heamatite iron mining.

With the Lakeland fells behind, the Duddon estuary presents an ever changing view, the bedrock was laid odwn millions of years ago, when the Holcene glaciers retreated, melting 10,000 years ago, they left behind thick layers of sediment, powerful ocean tides have then sculpted a scene of mudflats,dunes, water and salt marshes which run right along the coast towards Broughton in Furness, the salt marsh landscape is thought to look as it would have 10,000 years ago.

limestone pavement

At the coordinates given for the cache, you will find your self on a small remote beach looking out into the bay, the rock that you will be standing on and that is all around you is Carboniferous limestone, but what is that exactly ?

Carboniferous limestone is a sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate. It is usually light-grey in colour, and is hard, gripy when dry but slippery when wet. It was formed in warm, shallow tropical seas teeming with life. The rock is made up of the shells and hard parts of millions of sea creatures, encased in carbonate mud. Fossil corals, brachiopods and crinoids are very much in evidence as components of Carboniferous limestone.

This limestone area of the beach that leads into the sea has charachteristics of a limestone pavement hoever is has been eroded by the sea and now has many unusual shapes which now form rock pools whereas more inland these ‘grikes’ more than likely would house a habitat of their own, which encourages the growth of shade-loving ferns and other fauna.

Interestingly the limestone here also contains quartz, it can be seen as veins running through the rock and also clusters of it protruding through the limestone on various parts of the beach, Quartz is an essential constituent of granite and other felsic igneous rocks. It is very common in sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and shale and is also present in variable amounts as an accessory mineral in most carbonate rocks. Quartz wasn’t the only thing to have been discovered in Hodbarrow though… in the 18th century high grade Haematite ores with an iron content on 40% – 62% were discovered and that led to Hodbarrow going from a quiet area to a mining giant

The Hodbarrow Iron mine
The Hodbarrow mine evolved to become one the most productive and important haematite mines in the world, iron ore mining began in 1880 and with it came the start of an epic battle with the sea, after 2 unsucessful attempts to sheild the mines from the sea by using barriers a huge engineering project was started to build what is now known as the ‘Hobarrow outer wall’ this wall creating the ‘lagoon’ you see here today cost £600,000, took five years to build and when it was finished in 1905 it was considered to be a work of unusual and exceptional kind.
The mines closed in 1968 but the barrier still stands as a poignant reminder of the industrial past, the are has now been reclaimed by nature and is now a reserve for wildlife including the increasingly rare Natterjack toad

You will have to visit three locations to complete the tasks, all showing you different things relating to this cache, the locations are close together and you can pick up some traditional caches en route

To claim this Earthcache please complete the following tasks:

1. At the given coordinates for the cache take a photo of you or your GPS on the Limestone beach.

2. At the same place identify and take a photo of an example of quartz coming through the limestone, please describe the colour of the quartz you discover

3. At 54.11.571 003.15.382 you will see an information board, what is being tipped at Millom in the picture on the left ?

4.At 54.11.417 003.16.039 you will be stood on the sea barrier by the large lighthouse, there is an information board, what happened in 1924?

Please post your photo’s in your log and email the answers to me directly, any logs without this information may be deleted

Have fun exploring this fantastic area

actual website location- click here-

Fire Agate- Black Hills

Black Hills rockhound area is located on the north side of Arizona route 191, between Safford and Clifton, about 18 miles north of Safford. This page is provided to recreationists interested in rockhounding to use as a guide in preparing for your adventure. You will find information to help identify local materials and tips to keep your visit safe, productive and enjoyable.

General information and tips

The road beyond the registry station is not regularly maintained, and use by passenger car or travel trailer is not recommended.  Water is not available!  Livestock and wildlife water has been developed at several locations, but human consumption is not advisable.

Rockhounds, both as individuals and collectively as members of clubs, pride themselves on their good manners in the field. They know that maintaining their good reputation is important in order to keep the welcome mat out at many popular “digs.”  Demonstrate individual and club pride by complying with the rules and practicing  good rockhound ethics.

Fire Agate

Agate, probably the most common and valuable gemstone, is a variety of silica formed by volcanic activity.  A multitude of shapes and colors are caused by mineral impurities in the silica.  It is these impurities which make the fire agate distinctive.  fire agate is considered a gemstone because of the play of the colors beneath its surface that is formed much as a pearl is formed in an oyster.  Volcanic water seeps into cracks and crevices below the earth’s surface. The impact of the water drops separate some minerals from the water; the mineral stays and the agate grows. Fire agates are said to offer all the fiery color of gem opals, are less costly, are superior in hardness, and will not fade.

Be careful with fire!

Although lighting causes many fires on public land, often the most disastrous and damaging fires to resources and property are those caused by careless persons.  Rangelands can be destroyed by thoughtlessness or indifference on the part of anyone – hunter, camper, local resident or traveler.  It’s up to all of us to protect our lands from fire. So, please crush out your smokes and drown your campfires.

Hazards

Rockhounding, like most other outdoor activities, is not without certain hazards.

Rattlesnakes may be found in certain areas during the warm months. Watch out for them in rock slides and around damp areas, under old buildings and ledges. Prompt medical attention is always advisable if bitten.

Rockhounds may unknowingly create hazards through careless digging. Deep or steep sided pits or trenches should be filled in upon completion of digging, as they pose a hazard to both man and beast.

Safford Rockhound Map

REVIEWS:

If you’re looking for jewelry-grade fire agate, you’ll probably find very little. However, the agate in the area is beautiful. If you don’t have a rock tumbler, this would be the time to invest in one because the agate is very striking when tumbled.
I see rock-hounders who dig for agate, but there is so much on the surface that you won’t need to do that. As far as I can tell, you don’t find much more with the digging.
If you take the time to go to Black Hills, I strongly recommend also making a trip to Round Mountain, which is east of Duncan (about an hour from the Black Hills area). This place has these great little egg-shaped agates which tumble up beautifully, and often are hollow with crystals inside.
Take PLENTY of water, decent shoes and long pants.

Great Fire Agates found here. Be careful of the rapid changing weather.

Since I travel a lot I and I find myself seeking this kind of knowledge, I thought I would make a new category for rockhounding vacations / travel.  As well if you have a special place you like to stay and rockhound please email me and I will post rockhoundblog@yahoo.com.  Pictures are appreciated as well.

Rockhound Travel

Rockhound State Park and Spring Canyon Recreation Area
Established in 1966, Rockhound State Park consists of the main park and the Spring Canyon Recreation Area. The main park includes a 30-site campground, hiking trails and a visitor center on the west slopes of the Little Florida Mountains. The Spring Canyon Recreation Area is a day-use area located across the valley in the foothills of the Florida Mountains and includes picnic sites and hiking trails.

Take a Hike
The park’s Thunderegg Trail (1.1 miles) and the Jasper Trail (.5 miles) provide access to spectacular wildflower displays in spring, mild autumn weather, and scenic views year-round.  Scattered along the trails and throughout the park are assorted volcanic rocks and silica minerals including quartz, chalcedony, agate, and common opal.

Desert Alive!
Every April, Rockhound State Park hosts Desert Alive!, a springtime celebration of the Chihuahuan Desert and the rocks, plants and animals found here. Join nature walks, take in displays and exhibits and learn all about natural and cultural history of this special place.

Getting There
To get to Rockhound State Park from Deming, take N.M. 11 south for five miles, and then go east on N.M. 141 for about nine miles.

Rockhound State Park lies in the Little Florida Mountains southeast of Deming, New Mexico (Fig. 1). It was established in 1966 as the first park in the United States that allowed collecting of rocks and minerals for personal use. Each visitor is allowed to collect as much as 15 lb of rocks and minerals from the 1,100-acre park; mineral dealers are not allowed to collect for sale. Rockhound State Park actually consists of two separate units, the main park and Spring Canyon Recreation Area (Fig. 1). Spring Canyon lies in the northern Florida Mountains, south of the main park, and is open for day use only from Easter through November.

The main park provides excellent views of the surrounding mountain desert. Basin and Range topography is easily seen in the distance. On a clear day the smokestacks of the Hurley smelter can be seen to the northwest. The Cobre Mountains form the far northern horizon behind the smokestacks. The Burro Mountains lie to the west-northwest; the Victorio Mountains lie to the west-southwest. The Florida Mountains lie directly to the south of the main state park; Florida Gap separates the two ranges. The Cedar Mountains lie to the south-southwest. The dark mountain north of Deming is called Black Mountain. Spring Canyon in the Florida Mountains is a sheltered canyon and offers solitude common to many canyons throughout the desert Southwest.

The Florida and Little Florida Mountains are typical of the mountain desert throughout southern New Mexico and Arizona. Elevations range from 4,400 ft along the foothills, where the state park is located, to 7,448 ft at Florida Peak in the Florida Mountains. Water is scarce and limited to wells and hidden springs, but be careful of thunderstorms and flash floods during the summer months! Despite the dry, seemingly inhospitable environment, life abounds. The area is home to many lizards and snakes, deer, antelope, coyotes, and small mammals such as prairie dogs, rabbits, badgers, and many birds. Mountain lion and desert bighorn sheep may be seen at the higher elevations of the Florida Mountains. A variety of plants thrive in this environment, including yucca, prickly pear cactus, barrel cactus, ocotillo, creosote bush, mesquite, and hackberry; juniper and scrub oak are common in the canyons.

Geology

Paleozoic through lower Tertiary sedimentary rocks overlie a Cambrian granitic to syenitic pluton in the northern Florida Mountains (Clemons and

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