17 replies to this topic

[Bosque Bill]

Thanks, Longhorn, glad you like it.

 

Smoke, I hope you do get to visit these places some day.

 

Foy, "laccoliths", thanks, I'll try to remember the scientific term. "The word laccolith derived in 1875—1880, from Greek, lákko(s), meaning pond, plus -lith, meaning stone." - wikipedia. So, lake stone, now with a mnemonic I'll have a better chance of remembering. ;-) 

[Batman]

Wow! What a great trip report and photos. So much useful information I can put to good use within a few hours of home.

[Foy]

 

 

Foy, "laccoliths", thanks, I'll try to remember the scientific term. "The word laccolith derived in 1875—1880, from Greek, lákko(s), meaning pond, plus -lith, meaning stone." - wikipedia. So, lake stone, now with a mnemonic I'll have a better chance of remembering. ;-) 

And thanks to you, Bill, for translating the Greek, which I'd never done (aside from the understanding that -lith means stone or rock).  I think "pond stone" is apropos given what the outcrop pattern of a breached (eroded) laccolith looks like from above (plan view).  As the sign board showed, the classic laccolith has intruded flat- or nearly flat lying sedimentary rocks and did so in a fashion of the intrusion forcing its way between the beds of sedimentary rock.  In general terms, the areal extent of the intrusion is not extensive relative to the widespread area of the country rock, and in all cases the intrusion bulges upward rather than the magma remaining in a more widespread sheet with little or no bulge upward, in which case the intrusion would be called a sill.  When the overlying rocks erode to expose the intrusive rock at the surface, looking at it in plan view the intrusion will be an irregularly-shaped oval/oblong body much like a pond looks like from above.  So, pond stone it is.

 

Foy

[Bosque Bill]

When the overlying rocks erode to expose the intrusive rock at the surface, looking at it in plan view the intrusion will be an irregularly-shaped oval/oblong body much like a pond looks like from above.  So, pond stone it is.

 

There are many examples of these "ponds" along Gooseberry Road - it's really quite striking. Although again I failed my readers by not taking a photo of even one. Well... next time :-)

[Bosque Bill]

Wow! What a great trip report and photos. So much useful information I can put to good use within a few hours of home.

 

Thanks. Yes, those of us in the SW are lucky to have such wonders nearby.

[outdoornate65]

Great TR and blog. I like the "wandering" format.  So much to see in that area.....it's overwhelming.

 

Thanks, 

 

Nate 

[Bosque Bill]

Great TR and blog. I like the "wandering" format.  So much to see in that area.....it's overwhelming.

 

Thanks, Nate. Yes, there seems to always be more places to explore - isn't that great?!

[ski3pin]

It is always so much fun to take time and enjoy your excellent posts. Thanks Bosque Bill!