The Native Americans have long held the Superstition Mountains to be sacred. The Apache Indians tell of the Thunder God who lives within them, and the Pima Indians believe their ancestors are entombed in the mountains waiting for release into the great beyond. The early settlers began calling the mountains the Superstitions after hearing the Indian legends.
The origins of the Superstition Mountains are a fascinating geological tale. As with many mountain ranges, this one’s origin is volcanic and proceeded as follows.
About 40 million years ago, the last layers of ancient sedimentary rock were removed by a period of intense steam erosion. All that remained was a flatland of Precambrian basement rocks.
Some 25 million years ago violent steam blast eruptions alternated with periods of collapse, forming a huge volcanic caldera (crater) filled with rhyolite flows. Frothy volcanic ash deposits spilled out and blanketed the countryside.
Later, renewed magma pressure from beneath pushed the solidified interior of the volcano upward more than 2000 feet in a geological action called “resurgence.” The former caldera was replaced by a resurgence dome.
Erosion has removed the ash material from around the volcano’s core. The cliffs before you are weathered remnants of the resurgent dome. This volcanic rock that forms the Superstition Mountains stands as a reminder of a violent volcanic past.
Besides going to the site and admiring the beauty of the range, your requirements are:
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What is the material that makes up the erosive buildup at the base of the cliff walls? This can be determined without leaving the trail system.
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Examine the natural ground around you at the coordinates. What is the source of the material?
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The remains of the resurgence dome in front of you is made up of what material? Again, do not leave the trail system to determine this.
Answers to these questions should be emailed to me. Logs with answers in them will be deleted. Finds posted with answers sent within 24 hours will be deleted. If you’re on a trip and can’t send the answers in that time, wait till you get back to post; just make sure you post for the day you were there.
Enjoy the many trails in the area and bring plenty of water and sun protection. It’s a beautiful place.