May 8 - Program - John Rakowski, General Geology of the Pikes Peak Batholith
John Rakowski will give a presentation about the general geology of the Pikes Peak Batholith along with suggestions on prospecting and collecting methodology. There will be examples at the meeting of the rock types discussed as well as hints on identification of minerals. Even experienced collectors can mix up identifications of topaz, quartz and fluorite.
John is a retired exploration geologist and a hobbyist mineral collector with more than 50 years experience in the Pikes Peak region.
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April 10, 2017, Program - Update on Cripple Creek and the Cripple Creek/Victor Mine
Join Steven Veatch for a unique look at the application of science and technology at the Cripple Creek Mining District. The Cripple Creek gold deposits occur within a seven square mile (18 sq. km), 30 million-year-old, volcanic-intrusive complex. It is vital for the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company to use the latest technology and best science in their exploration efforts to discover new gold reserves. Techniques include aerial photography, remote sensing technologies, collection and analysis of surface rock and soil samples, geophysical survey techniques, and initial exploration drilling. Advanced mining, milling, and reclamation techniques will be covered in an entertaining and image-rich presentation. This is the one presentation you do not want to miss.
Steven Wade Veatch is well known to Colorado geologists and nature enthusiasts for his articles, papers, workshops, and classes on Earth science. Veatch, an award-winning writer on science, nature, and history, is the author of over 100 articles. He has contributed chapters to 3 scholarly books: Field Trips in the Southern Rocky Mountains, USA, Field Guide 5; The Paleontology of the Upper Eocene Florissant Formation,Colorado; and The World’s Greatest Gold Camp: An Introduction to the History of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District.
His family came to Cripple Creek in the 1890s from England and worked in the district’s mines for over 40 years. The other side of the family established a ranch in the wilderness near Boulder in 1865. They later moved to the Caribou mining camp. His great-grandfather, who was 14 years old, attended Caribou’s first school session in 1872.
Coffee and punch provided --- please feel free to bring snacks to share.
Also, please consider donating geology related items for our Silent Auction. Funds designated for our scholarship program.
CCGC is a 501c3, monetary donations are tax-deductable.
Join Steven Veatch for a unique look at the application of science and technology at the Cripple Creek Mining District. The Cripple Creek gold deposits occur within a seven square mile (18 sq. km), 30 million-year-old, volcanic-intrusive complex. It is vital for the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company to use the latest technology and best science in their exploration efforts to discover new gold reserves. Techniques include aerial photography, remote sensing technologies, collection and analysis of surface rock and soil samples, geophysical survey techniques, and initial exploration drilling. Advanced mining, milling, and reclamation techniques will be covered in an entertaining and image-rich presentation. This is the one presentation you do not want to miss.
Steven Wade Veatch is well known to Colorado geologists and nature enthusiasts for his articles, papers, workshops, and classes on Earth science. Veatch, an award-winning writer on science, nature, and history, is the author of over 100 articles. He has contributed chapters to 3 scholarly books: Field Trips in the Southern Rocky Mountains, USA, Field Guide 5; The Paleontology of the Upper Eocene Florissant Formation,Colorado; and The World’s Greatest Gold Camp: An Introduction to the History of the Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District.
His family came to Cripple Creek in the 1890s from England and worked in the district’s mines for over 40 years. The other side of the family established a ranch in the wilderness near Boulder in 1865. They later moved to the Caribou mining camp. His great-grandfather, who was 14 years old, attended Caribou’s first school session in 1872.
Coffee and punch provided --- please feel free to bring snacks to share.
Also, please consider donating geology related items for our Silent Auction. Funds designated for our scholarship program.
CCGC is a 501c3, monetary donations are tax-deductable.
Recent Programs
March 13 Program - Gold Prospectors Club of Colorado (GCOC) – Ben Higely spoke on the Gold Prospectors Club of Colorado (GCOC) and about finding gold around Colorado, identifying clues and locations. He will also talked about gold panning.
February 13 Program - Dennis Gertenbach spoke on Ammonites and Their Cousins -- Predators of the Cretaceous - Ammonites became the dominant invertebrate predators in the Jurassic and Cretaceous (200-66 million years ago). In the Western Interior Seaway that covered part or all of Colorado during this time, ammonites reached their peak size and diversity. But, where did these creatures come from and why did they suddenly disappear at the end of the Cretaceous? Dennis will give an overview of the evolution of ammonoids (ammonites and their close relatives) and nautiluses. Their diversity and value as bio-stratigraphic markers will be discussed, along with current thoughts about why ammonites died at the end of the Cretaceous, and an overview of some ammonite localities in Colorado.
November 14 - Program - Rich Fretterd, "The Prospectors" - Rich Fretterd and Jean Cowman from "The Prospector's Show." gave a wonderful presentation on discovering and prospecting topaz and smoky quartz on Pikes Peak.
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October 10 Program - Building a Western Interior Seaway Fossil Collection
Presentation by Dan Grenard with assistance from Lisa Studts, Melissa Smeins, and Cindy Smith
We are in the process of building a collection of Western Interior Seaway fossils for our community. These fossils will include primarily cephalopods and bivalves (clams) that will be primarily utilized in an exhibit that goes on display in June of 2017. Some fossils will be utilized for other public displays and educational programs for our local students and interested adults.
In addition to addressing why and how we are building a great local fossil collection, we will provide some framework on the exhibits connection to local projects our local geology story.
The fossils that will go on display will not be there just for show, they will be there to help tell specific stories about our piece of the geologic story.
A complimentary touch screen computer program will enable us to link specific fossils to better understanding the seaway in which they lived.
In order to build this collection we will utilize a combination of field collections, donations, and existing Royal Gorge Regional Museum fossils.
We first identify specifically what fossils we want and introduce two ways to do this: 1) collecting the fossils in the field and 2) receiving donations. We will also discuss utilization of photography for both field work and how we are going to use it to help develop the accompanying touch screen computer program.
Collecting in the field
●Utilization of Google earth, national geologic data base, county assessor records, and other readily available online information to guide us to the right places to look.
●Standard collection and recordation procedures and some “good neighbor” policies.
●Collection requirements on:
○ private land
○state land
○USFS national grasslands lands
○Public lands (BLM).
Fossil Donations - We want to have a great exhibit for our community and in order to accomplish this empower local citizens to donate fossils to the collection. Fossils sitting on the shelf can become fossils with names, age dates, and other information. They can then be displayed publicly for everyone to see or used in an educational program. We have already obtained donations of some key fossils from amateur paleontologists and want to build on this momentum. We also have specimens at the museum that have been donated and we are working to get them organized and identified.
Photography - Photography is used as part of field collecting and in some cases where fossils cannot be collected with damaging them it is being used for this exhibit as part of the touch screen computer program. We will be developing 3D photography of outstanding specimens from private collections and also obtaining high grade historic USGS specimen photographs.
June 13 Program - Jim Puckette, Director, Oklahoma State University Geology Camp.
Jim is Associate Professor in the Boone Pickens School of Geology at Oklahoma State University where he specializes in physical stratigraphy and petroleum geology. Prior to joining the faculty in 2000, Jim was an exploration geologist working mostly in the southern Midcontinent. He is presently involved in studies of conventional and unconventional reservoirs including the Hunton Group, Woodford Shale, Mississippian carbonates and Pennsylvanian sandstones and carbonates. In addition to his collegiate instruction and research, Jim is active in outreach to school and youth groups. Jim thrives on field work and is the Director of the OSU Les Huston Field Camp near Cañon City, Colorado.
Program Summary:
Title: Rocks of the Pennsylvanian Orogeny: Fountain Formation, Colorado, Granite Wash and Collings Ranch Conglomerate, Oklahoma
The Pennsylvanian Orogeny produced coarse-grained detrital sediments typical of erosion of steep terrain. In Colorado, erosion produced the boulders, gravel, sand and finer sediments that became the Fountain Formation. In Oklahoma, erosion of the Wichita Mountains produced coarse grained sediments that became the Post Oak Conglomerate, and the “Granite Wash.” In southern Oklahoma and the Anadarko Basin, some of these rocks are important oil and gas reservoirs. Midcontinent Pennsylvanian oil and gas reservoirs in western Oklahoma, western Kansas, Texas Panhandle and eastern Colorado could have been sourced by the Ancestral Rocky Mountains.
Erosion of the Arbuckle Mountains produced sediments that became the Collings Ranch Conglomerate, which is composed almost entirely of clasts of the Arbuckle Group carbonates (oligomictic). In contrast, the “Granite Wash” and Fountain Formation in most areas are composed of clasts of almost all older rocks found in the area (polymictic). However, in certain areas, such as on South Twin Peak, the Fountain Formation contains beds that are composed only of weathered Fremont Dolomite.
Jim is Associate Professor in the Boone Pickens School of Geology at Oklahoma State University where he specializes in physical stratigraphy and petroleum geology. Prior to joining the faculty in 2000, Jim was an exploration geologist working mostly in the southern Midcontinent. He is presently involved in studies of conventional and unconventional reservoirs including the Hunton Group, Woodford Shale, Mississippian carbonates and Pennsylvanian sandstones and carbonates. In addition to his collegiate instruction and research, Jim is active in outreach to school and youth groups. Jim thrives on field work and is the Director of the OSU Les Huston Field Camp near Cañon City, Colorado.
Program Summary:
Title: Rocks of the Pennsylvanian Orogeny: Fountain Formation, Colorado, Granite Wash and Collings Ranch Conglomerate, Oklahoma
The Pennsylvanian Orogeny produced coarse-grained detrital sediments typical of erosion of steep terrain. In Colorado, erosion produced the boulders, gravel, sand and finer sediments that became the Fountain Formation. In Oklahoma, erosion of the Wichita Mountains produced coarse grained sediments that became the Post Oak Conglomerate, and the “Granite Wash.” In southern Oklahoma and the Anadarko Basin, some of these rocks are important oil and gas reservoirs. Midcontinent Pennsylvanian oil and gas reservoirs in western Oklahoma, western Kansas, Texas Panhandle and eastern Colorado could have been sourced by the Ancestral Rocky Mountains.
Erosion of the Arbuckle Mountains produced sediments that became the Collings Ranch Conglomerate, which is composed almost entirely of clasts of the Arbuckle Group carbonates (oligomictic). In contrast, the “Granite Wash” and Fountain Formation in most areas are composed of clasts of almost all older rocks found in the area (polymictic). However, in certain areas, such as on South Twin Peak, the Fountain Formation contains beds that are composed only of weathered Fremont Dolomite.
May 9 Program - Keith Krugh - Keith Krugh spoke about the mechanisms of mountain building, also known as orogenesis, and then specifically the geologic “problem” of the location of the Rocky Mountains and the current thoughts as to how and why the Laramide Orogeny (Rocky Mountain formation) took place.
Keith is currently the plant manager for the Lafarge Holcim cement plant near Florence, CO. He holds a B.S. in Geology from Beloit College in Beloit, WI and an M.S. in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Wyoming, where he worked for several years as a research associate and as an instructor in geologic field methods. He continues to be fascinated with all things geological, although his main focus in both undergraduate and graduate studies was in the area of metamorphic petrology, structural geology, and U-Pb geochronology, where he combined these disciplines to reconstruct the tectonic uplift history of Proterozoic continental collisions in the Western U.S.
Keith is currently the plant manager for the Lafarge Holcim cement plant near Florence, CO. He holds a B.S. in Geology from Beloit College in Beloit, WI and an M.S. in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Wyoming, where he worked for several years as a research associate and as an instructor in geologic field methods. He continues to be fascinated with all things geological, although his main focus in both undergraduate and graduate studies was in the area of metamorphic petrology, structural geology, and U-Pb geochronology, where he combined these disciplines to reconstruct the tectonic uplift history of Proterozoic continental collisions in the Western U.S.
April 11 Program - The Dinosaur Experience - Zach Reynolds - The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience will give kids of all ages the opportunity to experience science-focused interactive displays, full-scale dinosaur fossil casts, hands-on exhibits with real dinosaur fossils, skinned animatronic dinosaur exhibits, guided tours, and—for added family fun, value and lasting memories—a multi-story ropes course.
Zach Reynolds, President, presented a short history of how the museum and park went from dream to reality, an insider’s look at current progress and a preview of what’s to come as the opening date in May approaches.
Zach Reynolds, President, presented a short history of how the museum and park went from dream to reality, an insider’s look at current progress and a preview of what’s to come as the opening date in May approaches.
March 14 Program - Slabs to Cabs - Board members Harold Taylor and Ray Garber demonstrated two methods of polishing rocks. Ray described an inexpensive method for polishing flat surfaces, such as a slab, using common materials you might have laying around the house, and Harold explained go the steps of creating a cabochon using grinding and polishing wheels.
February 20 Class - Basic Stratigraphy including Fremont County - Steve Wolfe, presenter. Location: Bell Tower in Florence, CO. If you've ever driven past Skyline Drive near Cañon City, through Temple Canyon or the Royal Gorge area and wondered how and why the earth was formed there, this class is for you. Class Description: Stratigraphy, the branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata; especially the distribution, environment of deposition, correlation and age of sedimentary rock, provides the basis for historical geology and is essential for both structural and exploration geologists. This basic workshop explored the geologic history of Colorado, with emphasis on the local geology of Fremont County and the Arkansas Embayment, through the stratigraphic column that makes our area one of the most studied in the world. Attendees received a Fremont County Geologic Time Scale to work with and for reference. Upon completion, participants had a better understanding of the exposed strata and how it relates to the geologic time scale and past geologic history, including the formation of natural resources, structural features, and fossil occurrences.
Presenter Steve Wolfe graduated from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA with a BS in Geology and a Masters of Basic Science from UCCS – Thesis: The Natural History (Geology and Ecology) of Fremont County. He worked for Rampart Exploration/Cyprus Mines in Canon City Colorado, Uranium exploration. As well, he explored industrial minerals for Cyprus Mines and Anaconda Minerals. His experience as an educator, coach and administrator in the Fremont County schools makes him an interesting teacher and presenter. Since his retirement Steve has been involved with CCGC, Fremont County Stones and Bones and other local entities.
Presenter Steve Wolfe graduated from Allegheny College, Meadville, PA with a BS in Geology and a Masters of Basic Science from UCCS – Thesis: The Natural History (Geology and Ecology) of Fremont County. He worked for Rampart Exploration/Cyprus Mines in Canon City Colorado, Uranium exploration. As well, he explored industrial minerals for Cyprus Mines and Anaconda Minerals. His experience as an educator, coach and administrator in the Fremont County schools makes him an interesting teacher and presenter. Since his retirement Steve has been involved with CCGC, Fremont County Stones and Bones and other local entities.
February 8 Program - Professor Frederick Kessler - CCGC founder, teacher and historian - Dan Grenard, presenter. Dan will present a powerpoint presentation on the life of Frederick (Prof) Kessler. He will include some recently found photos of the excavation in progress in 1937 when Prof. Kessler and the students discovered a Stegosaurus that would later become the Colorado State Fossil. In fact, a fossil named after Kessler, the Probillingsites kessleri has been recently rediscovered.
Dan began his career in 1979 as an engineering geologist with the Bureau of Reclamation in Vernal, Utah. He transferred to the Bureau of Land Management as a geologist, and then transferred to Cañon City in 1985.
Dan worked in abandoned mines major environmental clean up projects and numerous safety closures until his retirement in 2009. He currently works with Fremont Stones 'n Bones on fossil educational projects and also continues research work on the Marsh Felch Dinosaur Quarry and the story of Marshall and Amanda Felch.
Dan began his career in 1979 as an engineering geologist with the Bureau of Reclamation in Vernal, Utah. He transferred to the Bureau of Land Management as a geologist, and then transferred to Cañon City in 1985.
Dan worked in abandoned mines major environmental clean up projects and numerous safety closures until his retirement in 2009. He currently works with Fremont Stones 'n Bones on fossil educational projects and also continues research work on the Marsh Felch Dinosaur Quarry and the story of Marshall and Amanda Felch.
January 23 Class - Basic Fossil ID Boot Camp Class
This was a excellent class that filled up and had a large waiting list of members wanting to attend. CCGC hopes to offer this class again later in the year. Description of class: "Gain an understanding of rocks that were once creatures that lived millions of years ago in a hands-on "camp". Discover the joy of learning the stories of these ancient animals by studying their anatomy, when they lived, what they may have looked like, how they got around, and other fascinating details about such fossils as ammonites, baculites, gastropods (snails), crinoids, coral, dinosaur bone, and shark teeth. Each person will be guided through a fossil kit by knowledgeable enthusiasts who have studied paleontology. This is a beginning level class for anyone age 12 and above.
This class was developed and is presented by Fremont County Stones 'n Bones, a group of fossil nerds who get together to learn about paleontology and bring that knowledge and passion to the larger Fremont County community.
Many are retired classroom teachers, administrators or professors; WIPS (Western Interior Paleontological Society) members; volunteers with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Colorado School of Mines; Cañon City Geology Club members, as well as members of many other surrounding geology clubs; and one is a retired BLM geologist.
Presenters will include some of the following people: Christina Taylor, Dr. Harold Taylor, Dan Grenard, Dr. Millie Wintz, Melissa Smeins, Mary Chamberlain, Loretta Bailey, Diana Biggs, and Cindy Smith.
This was a excellent class that filled up and had a large waiting list of members wanting to attend. CCGC hopes to offer this class again later in the year. Description of class: "Gain an understanding of rocks that were once creatures that lived millions of years ago in a hands-on "camp". Discover the joy of learning the stories of these ancient animals by studying their anatomy, when they lived, what they may have looked like, how they got around, and other fascinating details about such fossils as ammonites, baculites, gastropods (snails), crinoids, coral, dinosaur bone, and shark teeth. Each person will be guided through a fossil kit by knowledgeable enthusiasts who have studied paleontology. This is a beginning level class for anyone age 12 and above.
This class was developed and is presented by Fremont County Stones 'n Bones, a group of fossil nerds who get together to learn about paleontology and bring that knowledge and passion to the larger Fremont County community.
Many are retired classroom teachers, administrators or professors; WIPS (Western Interior Paleontological Society) members; volunteers with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Colorado School of Mines; Cañon City Geology Club members, as well as members of many other surrounding geology clubs; and one is a retired BLM geologist.
Presenters will include some of the following people: Christina Taylor, Dr. Harold Taylor, Dan Grenard, Dr. Millie Wintz, Melissa Smeins, Mary Chamberlain, Loretta Bailey, Diana Biggs, and Cindy Smith.
January 11 Program - Carly Thorson presents: Indian Springs Ranch Fossil Beds - Carly was born and raised in Canon. Her dad discovered the fossil beds in sixties. Dr. Fischer received a Ford foundation grant and studied in field for five seasons. He truly was a pioneer in trace fossils, no one really knew much about them. The Indian Springs Ranch Fossil Beds were dedicated as a National Natural Landmark in 1979 and in 1980 Colorado Natural Area, historical site, and an archeological site. In 2014, the fossil floor was restudied by Dr Spencer Lucas of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He plans to publish a paper on this exciting site in the near future. The fossil beds have a true interaction of species, making this area globally significant.
Indian Springs Trace Fossil Natural Area is a 40-acre privately owned site in Fremont County, Colorado, considered the best trace fossil locality in North America for illustrating the markings and movements of ancient Ordovician animal life. A CCGC field trip is being planned to this site.
Indian Springs Trace Fossil Natural Area is a 40-acre privately owned site in Fremont County, Colorado, considered the best trace fossil locality in North America for illustrating the markings and movements of ancient Ordovician animal life. A CCGC field trip is being planned to this site.
November 9 – Program - Harold Taylor, CCGC Board Member - Program: A Trip to the Burgess Shale
Charles Walcott is known locally for his discovery of an ancient fossil fish just west of Canon City, a fossil which held the record as the oldest vertebrate until only recently. He is also known for the 1909 discovery of the Burgess Shale in Canada, well documented in the book by Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life (1989). The fossils from the Burgess Shale are still considered the most important record of life in the Cambrian period, and date to approximately 510 million years old.
Inspired by Gould's book, Harold and Christina Taylor made the 3,500 mile pilgrimage to Yoho National Park to visit the area of Walcott's great discovery. Needless to say, all of the fossils have been removed from Walcott's original quarry, but an outcrop on the other side of the valley still holds fossils that can be seen today, mostly trilobites, but an occasional oddity as seen in the original quarry.
The trip also included stops at The Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, the Royal Tyrrell Museum near Calgary, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Glacier National Park, and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Thermopolis. Each of these locations had fossils that were absolutely amazing, from stromatolites to Burgess Shale fossils to trilobites to crinoids to (of course) dinosaurs. Truly a dream trip for fossil lovers. Additional info: Home - The Burgess Shale
Charles Walcott is known locally for his discovery of an ancient fossil fish just west of Canon City, a fossil which held the record as the oldest vertebrate until only recently. He is also known for the 1909 discovery of the Burgess Shale in Canada, well documented in the book by Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life (1989). The fossils from the Burgess Shale are still considered the most important record of life in the Cambrian period, and date to approximately 510 million years old.
Inspired by Gould's book, Harold and Christina Taylor made the 3,500 mile pilgrimage to Yoho National Park to visit the area of Walcott's great discovery. Needless to say, all of the fossils have been removed from Walcott's original quarry, but an outcrop on the other side of the valley still holds fossils that can be seen today, mostly trilobites, but an occasional oddity as seen in the original quarry.
The trip also included stops at The Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, the Royal Tyrrell Museum near Calgary, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Glacier National Park, and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Thermopolis. Each of these locations had fossils that were absolutely amazing, from stromatolites to Burgess Shale fossils to trilobites to crinoids to (of course) dinosaurs. Truly a dream trip for fossil lovers. Additional info: Home - The Burgess Shale
November 7 & 8 – Class - Basic Wirewrap for the Rockhounder Class - taught by Judy Paulsen – Saturday, 11/7, 11am-3pm OR Sunday, 11/8, 12-4pm. Cost: $30 per class per person. There is a limit of 8 per class. Description: "Basic Wirewrap for the Rockhounder" We will discuss the characteristics of wire, learn two techniques to wirewrapping cabachons, crystals and irregular stones. Our objective will be to wirewrap one cabachon and one crystal or irregular stone by the end of class. You need to supply your own crystal, or irregular stone and cabochon. We possibly will have a few cabs for sale. This class will be held at the Florence Bell Tower classroom.
October 12 - Dr. Pete Modreski, USGS - Carbonatites and their minerals in Colorado--including the New Hope amethyst claim Program. Dr. Peter J. Modreski has been a geochemist since 1979 with the U.S. Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colorado. He has a B.A. (chemistry) from Rutgers College and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Penn State (geochemistry). His research interests include mineralogy, gemstones, fluorescence, Colorado geology, ore deposits, pegmatites, meteorites and impacts, alkaline igneous rocks, kimberlites, and volcanology, and he is the USGS geological resource specialist for abrasives, gemstones, quartz, beryllium, cesium, and rubidium. He is presently responsible for public and educational outreach for the USGS. Pete was a co-author of Minerals of Colorado (1997) and he is a Consulting Editor of Rocks and Minerals magazine and a Department Associate with the Earth Sciences Department, Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Pete is a member of several Colorado gem and mineral clubs, as well as the Friends of the CSM Geology Museum, the Colorado Chapter of Friends of Mineralogy, Denver Region Exploration Geologists’ Society, Geological Society of America, Mineralogical Society of America, and Mineralogical Association of Canada. He was a 2014 inductee into the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame.October 12 - Pete Modreski, USGS - Carbonatites and their minerals in Colorado--including the New Hope amethyst claim".
The article mentioned by Pete describing the dike(s) that occur on the claim: "ALKALIC ROCKS AND CARBONATITES OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER CANYON, FREMONT COUNTY, COLORADO. 3. THE AMETHYST CARBONATITES, by E. Wm. Heinrich and Joel R. Shapiro, published in The American Mineralogist, volume 51, July, 1966, pp. 1088-1106. This article is available and downloadable free online from the Mineralogical Society of America website, at, http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM51/AM51_1088.pdf
Another USGS publication of interest: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1049f/report.pdf
Geology and Resources of Thorium and Association Elements in the Wet Mountains area, Fremont and Custer Counties, Colorado, by Theodore J. Armbrustmacher. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1049-F, 42 p.
In this publication, just one section on p. F10 gives a short description of the Amethyst Carbonatites, and pp. F10-F14 describe the other carbonatite occurrences in the Wet Mountains, though some of the other pages are about them, too.
The article mentioned by Pete describing the dike(s) that occur on the claim: "ALKALIC ROCKS AND CARBONATITES OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER CANYON, FREMONT COUNTY, COLORADO. 3. THE AMETHYST CARBONATITES, by E. Wm. Heinrich and Joel R. Shapiro, published in The American Mineralogist, volume 51, July, 1966, pp. 1088-1106. This article is available and downloadable free online from the Mineralogical Society of America website, at, http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM51/AM51_1088.pdf
Another USGS publication of interest: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1049f/report.pdf
Geology and Resources of Thorium and Association Elements in the Wet Mountains area, Fremont and Custer Counties, Colorado, by Theodore J. Armbrustmacher. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1049-F, 42 p.
In this publication, just one section on p. F10 gives a short description of the Amethyst Carbonatites, and pp. F10-F14 describe the other carbonatite occurrences in the Wet Mountains, though some of the other pages are about them, too.
June 8 - Dr. Amy Luther - LSU Summer Geology Field Camp - Amy is an assistant professor at Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge), and summer geology field camp director. She explained that LSU geology students come to the summer field camp located on Hwy. 115 to study the Fountain Formation figures that are prominent in Cañon City geology. It was named in 1894 by geologist W.C. Cross for exposures along Fountain Creek in El Paso County. Familiar maroon and rust-brown exposures include Red Canyon, Garden of the Gods, the Boulder Flatirons, and Red Rocks Park. Primarily a sandstone conglomerate, the Fountain was formed by the erosion of the Ancestral Rocky Mountains 290-296 million years ago during the Pennsylvanian Period. Dr. Luther discussed the event that created the ancestral Rocky Mountains, their relationship to the Fountain Formation, and the modern Rocky Mountains.
Since 1928 LSU has held summer field geology classes in a rustic camp facility near Colorado Springs, giving students the opportunity to explore the complex natural structures and mechanisms which form the blueprint for planet Earth.
Amy received her MS in Structural Geology from the University of New Mexico and her PhD from New Mexico Tech.
Since 1928 LSU has held summer field geology classes in a rustic camp facility near Colorado Springs, giving students the opportunity to explore the complex natural structures and mechanisms which form the blueprint for planet Earth.
Amy received her MS in Structural Geology from the University of New Mexico and her PhD from New Mexico Tech.
May 11 - THE WILD BUNCH: Doing Science with the Wolves of Yellowstone
Dr. Sue Ware, Research Associate, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Sue Ware presented a fantastic program on her research projects with the Yellowstone and Rancho La Brea wolves. She explained how pathology shapes behavior, evolution, and biomass balance. Sue is a Research Associate at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Earth Science and Zoology, as well as a Research Associate at the George C. Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Currently, she conducts medical examinations and collects morpho-metric data on wolf remains as part of the Wolf Recovery Program in Yellowstone. She is halfway through a ten year study of the comparison between the pathologies found in modern gray wolves and their fossil counterparts.
Working with the Yellowstone wolves has provided a lens through which to view fossil dire wolves from Rancho La Brea and canids from other fossil localities. Knowing how injury, disease, and trauma have impacted the modern gray wolves provides data for understanding how fossil canids survived, evolved, and became extinct. Pathology is a component in understanding extinction and the antiquity of disease. Carnivores are dependent on herbivores and herbivores are dependent on plant life - all of these factors contribute to the cycle of life and death among animals.
Currently, she conducts medical examinations and collects morpho-metric data on wolf remains as part of the Wolf Recovery Program in Yellowstone. She is halfway through a ten year study of the comparison between the pathologies found in modern gray wolves and their fossil counterparts.
Working with the Yellowstone wolves has provided a lens through which to view fossil dire wolves from Rancho La Brea and canids from other fossil localities. Knowing how injury, disease, and trauma have impacted the modern gray wolves provides data for understanding how fossil canids survived, evolved, and became extinct. Pathology is a component in understanding extinction and the antiquity of disease. Carnivores are dependent on herbivores and herbivores are dependent on plant life - all of these factors contribute to the cycle of life and death among animals.
Lou Taylor, speaker, standing next to amphicoelias fragillimus vertebra replica.
April 13 - Lou Taylor - Amphicoelias fragillimus
A 9' partial vertebra from quite possibly the largest animal to ever live on earth was excavated in Garden Park in 1877 by Oramel Lucas. Could an animal 190' long and weighing 135 tons have existed? The amphicoelias fragillimus replica was delivered to the meeting by Cindy Smith. Members and guest at the meeting were amazed and after the meeting had their picture taken with it.
Was it for real? The evidence indicates that this dinosaur really did exist.
Dr. Lou Taylor, a vertebrate paleontologist and Research Associate at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, presented the evidence. The dinosaur vertebra was found just north of Cañon City by Oramel Lucas in 1877 and given the name Amphicoelias. The fragile and fragmented vertebra was shipped back East to Professor Edward Cope in Philadelphia, who documented the discovery with a scientific paper which included a detailed sketch and dimensions.
Although the specimen no longer exists, the documentation that was published at the time of its discovery, and the reliability of the individuals involved in the discovery provide sound evidence that this creature, probably measuring 190 feet from head to tail, really did walk the earth.
A 9' partial vertebra from quite possibly the largest animal to ever live on earth was excavated in Garden Park in 1877 by Oramel Lucas. Could an animal 190' long and weighing 135 tons have existed? The amphicoelias fragillimus replica was delivered to the meeting by Cindy Smith. Members and guest at the meeting were amazed and after the meeting had their picture taken with it.
Was it for real? The evidence indicates that this dinosaur really did exist.
Dr. Lou Taylor, a vertebrate paleontologist and Research Associate at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, presented the evidence. The dinosaur vertebra was found just north of Cañon City by Oramel Lucas in 1877 and given the name Amphicoelias. The fragile and fragmented vertebra was shipped back East to Professor Edward Cope in Philadelphia, who documented the discovery with a scientific paper which included a detailed sketch and dimensions.
Although the specimen no longer exists, the documentation that was published at the time of its discovery, and the reliability of the individuals involved in the discovery provide sound evidence that this creature, probably measuring 190 feet from head to tail, really did walk the earth.
March 9, 2015 - Loretta Bailey and Dan Grenard - Local Fremont County Quarries
Loretta Bailey portraying her father "Shorty".
Dan Grenard and Loretta Bailey
Dan Grenard
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A guide to our famous former quarries, including the Mica Lode, and some that continue to operate today, with some specimen minerals for show.
Fremont County has an interesting history surrounding its stone quarries. Probably the first major quarry began with the construction of Territorial prison. and it grew from there. Today, stone quarries are a part of who we are as a community . Dan and Loretta will display several Fremont County locations of historic and modern quarries in relation to the geology using Google Earth, the national geologic data base, as well as free site data such as those from the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety. This introduction utilizes material available to all of us. Using free data like this allows us to look at our county in new and interesting ways. The Mica Loda, Dolomite, Conglomerate and Travertine quarries will be discussed. Loretta was born, raised and schooled indoors and outdoors in Cañon City. Her father was a very skilled hard rock miner and her mother an amateur rock collector. She and her siblings had free rein to play and explore most of South Cañon; their favorite stop was Eagle Wing, where Loretta earned her self-taught lessons in geology and paleontology. Today she hangs out with geologists, paleontologists, geology club members and Fremont Stones 'n Bones. She remembers what her father taught her until the end of his life. Dan began his career in 1979 as an engineering geologist with the Bureau of Reclamation in Vernal, Utah. He transferred to the Bureau of Land Management as a geologist, and then transferred to Cañon City in 1985. Dan worked in abandoned mines major environmental clean up projects and numerous safety closures until his retirement in 2009. He currently works with Fremont Stones 'n Bones on fossil educational projects and also continues research work on the Marsh Felch Dinosaur Quarry and the story of Marshall and Amanda Felch. |
Lula Moody, CCGC Historian - gives a History Moment on the Molly Kathleen Mine. She created a poster board with old and recent pictures of the mine, and explained the history of Molly Kathleen.
February 9, 2015 - GEOLOGY OF THE CANON CITY EMBAYMENT & SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
Steve Wolfe explained the geologic history and major happenings that resulted in the outcrops, landforms, and natural resources of Cañon City embayment. Detailed geologic maps, along with 3D relief maps and photographs, helped everyone gain a better sense of the local geology and geography, as well as an update on recent activity in the oil and gas and uranium industries.
Containing the second oldest oil field in the country, one of the earliest coal fields to be developed in the state, a major “Portland type” limestone deposit and a world-class dinosaur find, eastern Fremont County is one of the most diversified geologic localities in America. The embayment is located between the Front Range uplift to the north and Wet Mountain uplift to the south, producing a unique physiography sandwiched between the flat-lying sediments of the plains to the east and the younger volcanic Waugh Mountain complex and sedimentary draped Sangre De Cristo Mtns to the west. Bisected by the Arkansas River which carved the Royal Gorge through 1.7 billion year old rocks, the embayment exposes Paleozoic and Mesozoic sediments and the Dakota Hogback. To the west, the embayment is dominated by the younger Cretaceous sediments of the Chandler Syncline, home to the oil and gas and coal deposits.
Download Steve's Handouts here:
Steve Wolfe explained the geologic history and major happenings that resulted in the outcrops, landforms, and natural resources of Cañon City embayment. Detailed geologic maps, along with 3D relief maps and photographs, helped everyone gain a better sense of the local geology and geography, as well as an update on recent activity in the oil and gas and uranium industries.
Containing the second oldest oil field in the country, one of the earliest coal fields to be developed in the state, a major “Portland type” limestone deposit and a world-class dinosaur find, eastern Fremont County is one of the most diversified geologic localities in America. The embayment is located between the Front Range uplift to the north and Wet Mountain uplift to the south, producing a unique physiography sandwiched between the flat-lying sediments of the plains to the east and the younger volcanic Waugh Mountain complex and sedimentary draped Sangre De Cristo Mtns to the west. Bisected by the Arkansas River which carved the Royal Gorge through 1.7 billion year old rocks, the embayment exposes Paleozoic and Mesozoic sediments and the Dakota Hogback. To the west, the embayment is dominated by the younger Cretaceous sediments of the Chandler Syncline, home to the oil and gas and coal deposits.
Download Steve's Handouts here:
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February 9, 2015
CLAYS: THE HARDWORKING MINERALS presented by David Camerlo. David Camerlo a fourth generation native of Colorado now living in his adobe homestead on Oak Creek, has been a professional potter and ceramic artist for nearly 40 years.
David began his lifelong interest in ceramics in 1959 during a family outing to the Four Corners. Inspired by the black and white Anazazi pottery of Mesa Verde, he began making primitive pit-fired pottery. Always interested in the arts, drawing and graphics during his Cotopaxi school days, he majored in graphic design and painting at University of Southern Colorado-Pueblo, studying under Orlin Helgo, spiritual painter of the plains, and studying ceics under Professor Carl Jensen. In 1973 he built his first kiln and nurtured his ever growing love of high fired ceramics and the complex geology and mineralization of the Colorado front range and the Cañon City embayment. He works mainly in stoneware made exclusively with local Fremont and Custer County clays and minerals, the only potter in Colorado and one of only a few in North America to do so.
Download Dave's Handouts here:
David began his lifelong interest in ceramics in 1959 during a family outing to the Four Corners. Inspired by the black and white Anazazi pottery of Mesa Verde, he began making primitive pit-fired pottery. Always interested in the arts, drawing and graphics during his Cotopaxi school days, he majored in graphic design and painting at University of Southern Colorado-Pueblo, studying under Orlin Helgo, spiritual painter of the plains, and studying ceics under Professor Carl Jensen. In 1973 he built his first kiln and nurtured his ever growing love of high fired ceramics and the complex geology and mineralization of the Colorado front range and the Cañon City embayment. He works mainly in stoneware made exclusively with local Fremont and Custer County clays and minerals, the only potter in Colorado and one of only a few in North America to do so.
Download Dave's Handouts here:
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