Perlite Prospect with Apache Tears
A
cache
by GeoedYOUcation
Hidden:
10/2/2008
Size:
 (Not chosen)
Difficulty: 
Terrain: 
(1 is easiest, 5 is hardest)
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Find out the origin of the rounded blebs of translucent volcanic
glass that cover the ground in this area.
This area has been prospected for the industrial commodity perlite,
which here also contains "Apache tears". Perlite is defined as a
hydrated (containing water) volcanic glass with a pearly luster and
concentric "onion-skin" fractures. The "Apache tears" are
unhydrated cores of obsidian (volcanic glass) occurring at the
center of a group of concentric fractures in the perlite. Perlite
often occurs at the chilled margins of rhyolitic (light-colored,
silica-rich) volcanic flows or shallow intrusive rocks, where the
volcanic glass has fractured and allowed meteoric water to enter
the glass structure. The extent of hydration of the glass increases
with temperature; thus the unhydrated "Apache tear" cores represent
the point at which the volcanic rock cooled below the optimum
temperature for hydration to occur.
The light grayish white rock in the cut wall and the "sand"
eroding from it are composed of perlite, which typically contains
2%-6% water. Companies that mine perlite process it by heating the
perlite to high temperatures at which the water in the glass
vaporizes, causing the perlite to "pop" like popcorn. This produces
a product called expanded perlite, with up to 20 times the volume
of the original perlite.
Most expanded perlite is used to make lightweight construction
materials such as concrete and plaster aggregate, acoustical
ceiling tile, and insulation board, but because it is very porous,
it is also used to filter industrial effluent, fruit juices, and
oils. It is used as a soil conditioner to increase drainage and
water retention, and as a filler in paints and an extender in
plastics. The United States is the world's foremost producer of
perlite; most of the mined deposits are located in New Mexico and
other states west of the Rocky Mountains, including Nevada.
According to one legend, the origin of the term "Apache Tears"
for these small obsidian nodules is as follows.
In July 1870, a band of about 75 Apaches responsible for an earlier
raid was surprised by US Calvary troops on a rugged mountain top
overlooking what is now Superior, Arizona. The outnumbered Apache
warriors who escaped the initial volley of gunfire deliberately
jumped off the steep cliff face of the mountain to their deaths.
The bereaved families and friends of the Apache braves later
gathered at the base of the cliffs and mourned for days following
the tragedy. Legend is that their tears turned into stone upon
hitting the ground and the translucent gray to black nodules of
obsidian found nearby are commonly called Apache Tears. The place
in Arizona where this occurred is now known as Apache Leap
Mountain.
TO LOG THIS EARTHCACHE, POST A PHOTO OF THE SITE ON THE CACHE
WEBPAGE AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: WHAT IS THE DIAMETER OF
THE LARGEST APACHE TEAR YOU CAN FIND HERE? IS IT CLOSEST TO:
A) 1 MILLIMETER
B) 5 MILLIMETERS
C) 1 CENTIMETER
D) 3 CENTIMETERS
E) 10 CENTIMETERS
AND WHAT IS THE LONGEST DIMENSION OF THE EXCAVATED AREA AT THE
PROSPECT? IS IT CLOSEST TO:
A) 5 METERS
B) 10 METERS
C) 50 METERS
D) 100 METERS
E) 500 METERS
Additional Hints (
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Logged Visits (
13 total. Visit the Gallery (9 images)
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Warning.
Spoilers may be included in the descriptions or links.
Cache find counts are based on the last time the page generated.
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 November 15 by rock&crystal (8626 found)
One of 9 caches we found this weekend while enjoying the great fall weather in the desert. This was a rockhound's dream and we lingered long than we intended to gather some treasures. Thanks so much for bringing us here, and for the education, R&C
[view this log]
| August 2 by ByeTheWay (3154 found)
After a previous try for this cache and not being able to find the access location, I had another chance to try again today. With help from the owner I revisited a place I had tried a few weeks ago. There were 9 of us for this attempt in 3 - 4x4 vehicles. A few hundred yards past the gate we parked one RV and made the rest of the journey in 2 vehicles. Of course in 4x4s we were able to drive right up to the cache. The 2 and 8 year olds had a blast collecting the tears. It was so hot that the wife almost passed out from the heat. I had plans of collecting my alloted 15 pounds but after 2 pounds the heat forced me to quit. The bead worker in the group did manage to get a good supply and has plans for an Apache Tear necklace. Thanks for the help and the cache.
[view this log]
| June 10 by Xplorur (93 found)
Great spot. Collected a bag of Apache Tears with NESSI.
[view this log]
| November 8, 2008 by jahoadi and john (13331 found)
Found this morning while on my way to the flash mob event. Finally figured out how to get out here. Cool place. E mail on the way and I will post pictures. Thanks for more education and for the tears!
Jahoadi and John
[view this log]
| October 19, 2008 by Alamogul (36753 found)
This was one of my main geocaching targets for my Reno trip this weekend. It was a blast visiting with the group of GBES locals. Thank you very much for showing us this unique spot.
(see pix posted by others)
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Current time: 11/21/2009 8:27:30 PM
Last Updated: 11/17/2009 3:29:20 PM
Rendered: From Database
Coordinates are in the WGS84 datum
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