Sun, Moon and Glass

[MonikaC]

Last post before I go off the grid for a while.

Most of you will recognize the Temples of the Sun & Moon in Lower Cathedral Valley. In the foreground is Glass Mountain, which is kind of a misnomer due to it's height (or lack of). It's a very interesting formation. From the park brochure:
Glass Mountain is a large, exposed mound of selenite crystals. Selenite is a variety of gypsum (CaSO4•2H2O) in the form of glassy crystals. Gypsum is a common mineral found in the sedimentary rocks of this area. The crystals of glass mountain are somewhat unusual in size and in the massiveness of the deposit. Glass Mountain formed as a result of groundwater flowing through the Entrada Sandstone. This water carried dissolved gypsum, which started to crystallize, forming what has been called a "gypsum plug." This plug is now being exposed as the soft Entrada Sandstone erodes away.

This was an afternoon shot (about 2pm). I spent the night so I could gee there at sunrise, but there were heavy clouds on the eastern horizon, so I never got the nice orange glow.

 

[AlanLichty]

I have seen pieces of those crystals all around the Temples area too - really soft stuff. I like the overcast sky for lighting in the first image.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Last post before I go off the grid for a while.

Most of you will recognize the Temples of the Sun & Moon in Lower Cathedral Valley. In the foreground is Glass Mountain, which is kind of a misnomer due to it's height (or lack of). It's a very interesting formation. From the park brochure:
Glass Mountain is a large, exposed mound of selenite crystals. Selenite is a variety of gypsum (CaSO4•2H2O) in the form of glassy crystals. Gypsum is a common mineral found in the sedimentary rocks of this area. The crystals of glass mountain are somewhat unusual in size and in the massiveness of the deposit. Glass Mountain formed as a result of groundwater flowing through the Entrada Sandstone. This water carried dissolved gypsum, which started to crystallize, forming what has been called a "gypsum plug." This plug is now being exposed as the soft Entrada Sandstone erodes away.

This was an afternoon shot (about 2pm). I spent the night so I could gee there at sunrise, but there were heavy clouds on the eastern horizon, so I never got the nice orange glow.

View attachment 26408 View attachment 26409

Oops!! I read your posts from the top down so my question for you in the first post is answered here. This is such an interesting area geologically. Nice job.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool Monika! Glass Mountain isn't even a hill!

Nicely done with this. I like the details in the clouds. It's just enough to add interest.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Know this spot well, I spent a night or two there and it can get pretty cold this time of year. Nice tak on the Temples, the light while not producing a glow still adds good relief for the temple.