bluetiful pit EarthCache
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Go 32 miles east of Reno and take the first exit in Fernley. Follow signs to Yerington, go south for 45 miles. When entering Yerington turn right at the sign for Weed Heights,go up the hill until you come to the top, turn left go .3 miles to overview.
Yerington began its existence as a small trading post and whiskey store called Pizen Switch. In the 1860's minerals were needed to pay for the War and veins of gold, silver and copper were found in the Singatse Range. During this time early geologist would perform a taste test to find the minerals they were looking for. If the mineral stuck to their tongues it was a mineral, if it did not it was turquoise. Turquoise is mixed in with the minerals in the Singatse Range. Mines in this area were a type of skarn, in which hot fluids from granitic type rock change limestones into ore. In the Yerington area, skarns are found with garnet and epidote. Copper is found in the mineral chalcopyrite. The granitic-type rock in the Singatse Range contains scattered pods, veins, and grains of chrysocolla, a blue copper silicate mineral, along with green malachite, purple cuprite and brassy chalcopyrite. The Anaconda Mining Co. drilled the copper in the early 1950's under a government contract. After World War II and then the Korean War copper was needed for pennies and wires in technology. Anaconda Mine Company supported about 300 families and produced over 800,000,000 pounds of copper during 1952-1978. The Yerington mining pit is now filling up with water. Bright turquoise-colored water began seeping into the great pit, slowly rising to provide a home for bass and some trout. Another mining compay took over the tailings in the mid 1980's and took out an additional 12,000,000 pounds of copper. The surrounding tailings have been changing color over the years from a pale yellow to a bright orange. As of today, the mine is closed but the Singatse Range still has many veins with minerals in them for ameteur prospectors to dig for precious minerals. Look around and notice the colors and formation of the mountain range with the tailings. When looking to the east the pit has a certain color that outlines the area. Looking to the west the Singatse Range has some physical outcrops that help show previous mining exploration. Questions; What colors do you notice in the surrounding areas (north, south, east and west) and why are they those colors?
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