Idaho!
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Updated 7 days ago
Found in Idaho!
Idaho's geological profile is complex and diverse, reflecting a long and varied geological history:
Geological History:
Precambrian Era: Some of Idaho's oldest rocks date back over 2.5 billion years, with significant formations in the Idaho Panhandle, consisting of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Paleozoic and Mesozoic Eras: Idaho was largely covered by shallow seas, leading to the deposition of sedimentary rocks and the formation of marine fossils. Tectonic events like the Antler and Sevier orogenies contributed to mountain building.
Cenozoic Era: This period saw significant volcanic activity, particularly in the formation of the Snake River Plain. Volcanic eruptions, including those from the Yellowstone hotspot, have played a major role in shaping Idaho's landscape.
Geological Features:
Mountain Ranges: Idaho is home to several mountain ranges, like the Sawtooth, Bitterroot, and Owyhee Mountains, which are the result of tectonic activity and erosion.
Snake River Plain: A unique feature formed by volcanism, it stretches across southern Idaho and is part of the track of the Yellowstone hotspot.
Basins and Ranges: In southern Idaho, the landscape shows the influence of the Basin and Range Province, characterized by north-south trending mountain ranges and valleys.
Faults: Young faults are present, contributing to the seismic activity in the region.
Geological Resources:
Minerals: Idaho is rich in minerals, including silver, lead, zinc, copper, gold, and gemstones like star garnet, opal, and jasper. The Silver City Mining District is famous for minerals like orpiment and realgar.
Fossils: The Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is known for its rich deposits of Miocene fossils, including the famous Hagerman horse.
Geothermal: There are geothermal wells and thermal springs, reflecting the region's volcanic past.
Oil and Gas: While not as extensive as in other states, there are some oil and gas explorations.
Geological Survey and Mapping:
Idaho Geological Survey: Since 1919, this organization has been pivotal in studying and reporting on Idaho's geology. They offer interactive maps, geological publications, and data on water, minerals, and energy resources.
Educational Resources: The "Digital Geology of Idaho" provides educational modules, maps, and visualizations to teach about Idaho's geology, including fly-through visualizations of river basins with geology "draped" over the topography.
Modern Geology:
Current Research: Continuous research into Idaho's geology contributes to understanding seismic risks, resource potential, and environmental management.
Rockhounding: Idaho's diverse geology makes it a popular destination for rockhounds searching for crystals, gemstones, and minerals.
Idaho's geological profile not only tells a story of earth's dynamic history but also influences its current landscape, natural resources, and even its economic activities. For detailed study or practical applications, resources from the Idaho Geological Survey are invaluable.
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Agate Cut!
RyanzRocksBased on the image provided, the rock appears to be a type of agate, specifically a moss agate. Moss agate is characterized by its green inclusions that resemble moss, although in this specimen, the inclusions are more brown and yellowish. These inclusions are typically composed of minerals like iron or manganese oxides. The rock also shows some banding and crystalline structures, which are typical features of agates. Moss agates are often found in volcanic rock and are prized for their unique patterns and colors.45 views -
Brecciated Jasper w/Chalcedony!
RyanzRocksBased on the image provided, the rock appears to be a type of jasper, specifically a brecciated jasper. Jasper is known for its rich, earthy colors and often contains patterns or inclusions. Brecciated jasper is characterized by its fragmented appearance, where pieces of jasper are cemented together with silica or other minerals, creating a mosaic-like pattern. This specimen shows a mix of red, brown, and some lighter inclusions, which is typical of jasper. Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony and is commonly found in various colors due to impurities like iron.50 views 1 comment -
Petrified Bark Cut!
RyanzRocksBased on the image, the petrified wood appears to have a vibrant mix of colors, predominantly orange, brown, and white. This type of coloration is often associated with petrified wood from certain regions known for their unique mineralization processes. Here are a few possibilities: Arizona Petrified Wood: Known for its vibrant colors, especially reds, oranges, and yellows, due to the presence of iron oxides. Oregon Petrified Wood: Also known for its colorful specimens, often with similar orange and brown hues, due to the mineral content in the region. Washington Petrified Wood: Can have a similar color palette, though often with more varied patterns due to the geological history.40 views -
Grey dendrites!
RyanzRocksThis petrified wood shows a mix of brown, orange, and some white crystalline inclusions. The patterns and colors suggest it might be from a region known for such mineralization. Here are a few possibilities: Arizona Petrified Wood: This type often features vibrant colors with intricate patterns due to iron oxides and other minerals. Oregon Petrified Wood: Known for its colorful specimens with similar patterns, often due to the presence of silica and other minerals. Washington Petrified Wood: This can also display similar characteristics, with unique patterns due to the geological processes in the area. The white crystalline inclusions could be quartz or calcite, which are common in petrified wood.49 views -
Cuttin' the Basalt Ball!
RyanzRocksBasalt is a common extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of a planet or moon. Here are some key characteristics and facts about basalt: Composition: It is primarily composed of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals, with possible minor amounts of olivine and amphibole. It has a silica content typically between 45% and 52%. Texture: Basalt generally has a fine-grained texture due to rapid cooling, which prevents large crystals from forming. However, it can also have larger crystals (phenocrysts) if some minerals crystallized before the lava reached the surface. Color: It ranges in color from dark gray to black, often with shades of green or brown due to the presence of different minerals. Formation: Basalt forms from the eruption of lava at volcanoes, often found at mid-ocean ridges, hotspots, and in flood basalt provinces. It's one of the most common rock types on Earth, covering much of the ocean floor. Uses: Due to its durability and abundance, basalt is used in construction for road base, concrete aggregate, and as dimension stone. It's also used in the manufacture of rock wool, a type of insulation. Geological Significance: Basalt is significant in understanding the Earth's crust, as it constitutes much of the oceanic crust. It's also found on other planetary bodies like the Moon, Mars, and some asteroids, providing insights into planetary geology.42 views -
Black plume!
RyanzRocksBased on the appearance of the rock in the image, it looks like a type of agate, specifically a Moss Agate or Fortification Agate. Here's why: Coloration: The rock has a mix of translucent to semi-translucent areas with inclusions of various colors, including brown, black, and some hints of yellow and green. This is typical of agates which often have colorful inclusions due to the presence of different minerals. Patterns: The patterns in the rock, including the banding and the moss-like inclusions, are characteristic of moss agate. Moss agate is known for its green, brown, or black inclusions that resemble moss or foliage within the stone. Translucency: The rock has a somewhat translucent quality, especially around the edges, which is common in agates due to their silica composition. Agates are formed from silica-rich water depositing layers in cavities within volcanic rocks or other types of rock formations. The specific patterns and colors depend on the minerals present in the water during the formation process.37 views -
Jumpin' Jasper!
RyanzRocksBased on the image, the rock appears to be a type of jasper. Here are some reasons why: Coloration: Jasper often displays a variety of colors, including reds, yellows, browns, and greens, which match the hues seen in your rock. The presence of these colors suggests the inclusion of iron oxides or other minerals. Texture and Pattern: Jasper typically has a smooth, somewhat waxy luster when polished and can show banding or mottled patterns, which is evident in your specimen. The patterns in your rock look somewhat like flow patterns or layers, which is common in jasper due to its formation process. Composition: Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually containing significant amounts of iron, which contributes to its color. The rock in the image has the appearance of being dense and fine-grained, typical of jasper. Jasper is often used in jewelry, carvings, and as a decorative stone due to its hardness and attractive patterns.35 views -
Hot mess!
RyanzRocksBased on the appearance of the rock in the image, it looks like a type of geode or vesicular basalt. Here's why: Vesicular Basalt: The rock has a rough, porous texture with numerous cavities, which is characteristic of vesicular basalt. This type of basalt forms when lava with dissolved gases cools quickly at the surface, trapping gas bubbles as vesicles. The brown and yellowish coloration could be due to oxidation of iron within the rock. Geode: Alternatively, it could be a grouping of crushed geodes, which are a hollow, vaguely spherical rock, often lined with crystals inside. The outer surface of your rock looks somewhat rough and earthy, which is typical for the interior of a geode before it's been cut or broken open to reveal the crystals inside.23 views -
Agate Cut!
RyanzRocksThis rock appears to be a type of agate, specifically a banded agate or onyx. Here's why: Coloration and Banding: The rock shows distinct bands of color, which is characteristic of agate. The bands can be seen in various shades of white, brown, and hints of orange or yellow, which is typical for agates due to the layering of different minerals during its formation. Translucency: Agates are known for their translucency, especially when polished or cut like in your image. The rock has a semi-translucent quality, particularly in the white and lighter areas. Patterns: The patterns in the rock, including the banding and some moss-like or dendritic inclusions, are common in agates. These patterns form due to the slow deposition of silica in cavities within volcanic rocks or other types of rock formations.29 views 1 comment -
Chalcedony glow!
RyanzRocksThis rock appears to be a type of agate, specifically a form known as Banded Agate or Fortification Agate. Here are some key characteristics that led to this identification: Banded Structure: The rock shows clear banding, which is characteristic of agates formed in cavities where silica-rich solutions deposit in layers over time. Translucency: Parts of the rock are translucent, which is typical for agate due to its chalcedony composition. Color Variations: The presence of various shades like white, brown, and hints of yellow or orange indicates different mineral inclusions or variations in the silica deposition process. Patterns: The patterns resemble a fortification or landscape, which is common in fortification agates where the bands follow the outline of the cavity in which they formed. Agates are a variety of chalcedony, which is a cryptocrystalline form of silica, and they often contain colorful bands or layers due to changes in the composition of the depositing fluids or the presence of different minerals. This particular specimen seems to have been polished or naturally smoothed, enhancing its translucency and the visibility of its internal structures. If you're interested in further identification or more detailed information, I could suggest searching for similar examples or consulting with a mineralogist or gemologist.27 views
