Ebook Geology Of The Crater Of Diamonds State Park And Vicinity, Pike County, Arkansas
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is remarkable in several ways. First, it is the only place in the world where anyone may pay a small entrance fee, look for diamonds, and keep what you find! It fascinates geologists because the site presents a window into the geologic past and the earth’s mantle, a rare thing indeed. The park and surrounding area has a rich verbal and written history…history of the settlement of the region, of the discovery of diamonds, of the many attempts at commercial and tourist development based on the presence of that gemstone, and history of preservation and continued development since it became a state park and, as such, public property.
This publication is written to accompany the geologic poster by the Arkansas Geological Survey entitled “Geology of the Crater of Diamonds State Park and Vicinity, Pike County, Arkansas.” The reader can learn a lot of geology and geologic history pertaining to the sedimentary and igneous rocks of the area, and specifically of the Park, from the poster and even more by reading the contained information.
The geologic story is a fascinating one, not just for geologists, but for anyone wishing to learn why the diamonds are present, their age, and the past environment that existed when the diamondiferous igneous rocks were explosively emplaced. Key questions to be answered also include what is so unusual about these rocks, why do they weather so rapidly, how old are the rocks and the diamonds, along with many other questions. The authors hope you enjoy your travels through geologic time as we will be your guides.
After the geology and mineralogy sections and before the reading list are frequently asked questions. It is hoped the answers to these questions will assist the visitor in better understanding the geology of the Park.
CONTENTS
Introduction
Geology
Prairie Creek Diatreme Rock Types
Mineralogy of Diamonds
Typical shapes of Arkansas diamonds
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Definition of Rock Types
Formation Processes
Search Efforts
Economic Concerns
Mineral Identifications
Misconceptions
References and Reading List
Alphabetical Listing of Minerals reported from the Prairie Creek Diatreme and their Geologic
- Associations
Figures
- Figure 1. General location of the Crater of Diamonds State Park within Arkansas
Figure 2 General stratigraphy of the local rock units
Figure 3 Map and cross-section of Prairie Creek
Figure 4. Magmatic lamproite boulders on crest of Middle Hill
Figure 5. Lamproite lapilli tuff exposed on West Hill
Figure 6. Altered lamproite breccia tuff
Figure 7. Outcrop of silica-cemented sandstone-dominated maar epiclastics
Figure 8. Diamond dissolution evolution
Download
PDF Ebook Geology Of The Crater Of Diamonds State Park And Vicinity, Pike County, Arkansas
Posted in :
