The Gemstone of the History of Minnesota - Research Paper Example

? The Gemstone of Minnesota’s History Hans Bruers Introduction to Geology Lake Superior Agates Almost 1 billion years ago, North America saw a massive rupture giving birth to a gigantic valley ranging from Eastern side of Lake Superior to Kansas. The rupture wasn’t a calm one; in fact, the event saw a striking eruption of lava as a result of the break out of volcanoes from the floor (Wolter 1986). The lava, in turn, resulted in massive deposits with an immense thickness of about 26,000 feet. The temperature of the lava was so intense that it took almost 20 million years for the heat to cool down, as a result of which, sediments were formed in the area. After studying and conducting various researches for the matter, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports the process by which the sediments were formed. For years, this erupted area sweltered in immense heat and volcanoes, after which Minnesota was covered with huge ebbs of sea water giving a cooling down affect. The ice-age period contributed towards the formation of sediments as the earth was covered with large pieces of ice throughout the period, as a result of which masterpieces like Lake Superior Agate were founded. Lake Superior located at the North of Duluth conceived the most historic and remarkable agate of Minnesota, the “Lake Superior Agate”. Lake Superior agate is Minnesota’s state gemstone, colored by the state’s biggest industrial mineral - iron, formed around a billion years ago from lava eruptions and distributed across the state by glaciers during the ice ages. Lake Superior Agate was a notable discovery as every geologist was interested in studying the causes behind the production of these sediments. After much research, a framework was developed to study the formation process. About a billion years ago, a catastrophic event hit the earth tearing apart North America and splitting it into two separate pieces. These events caused the rocks to hit deep beneath the earth which further caused the eruption of volcanic activities. The lava flowing out from the valley was, thus, exposed to the Northern and Southern areas of the earth. The tectonic force which was strong enough to break two continents apart also caused the trough of the earth to emerge which then became the basin of the Lake Superior1. The Lava eruptions, however, became the basis of the formation of the Agates. According to the geologists, the lava flows contained huge quantities of water vapors along with the carbon dioxide producing air bubbles within the deposits. Later, when there were ebbs of sea passing through the deposits, these bubbles dissolved ferric and quarts, along with other materials within the deposits which formed the basis of the colored areas within the agate. These sediments now became harder and, thus, started flowing free within the Lava flow. After about 20 million years, ice-age hit the earth, further triggering events resulting in the production of the Agates (Lynch and Lynch 2011). Not longer than 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, a Superior Glacier hit Minnesota carrying the sediments along and took them along towards South. Some of the agates were also crushed beneath the surface of the glacier and, thus, these were also transported south. The refined and polished agates were formed as a result of the activities of the huge glacier over the sediments (Wolter 1986). Whenever one observes the rock, the beautiful red color amazes a layman as a human mind is confused about how this color became incarnated within. However, the scientists have confirmed that the Ferric/Iron which is now vastly found in the mineral area of Minnesota has caused the pigmentation of the Agate after various chemical processes undergone by the events mentioned above. Thus, to understand the process which went into the production of the rock, studying the geography of the area also becomes important. Since the sediments had travelled through a distance, ending up in the shores of Lake Duluth, it is interesting to note the location and presence of the Agates around the area. The Lake Superior Agates were formed in the rifts which were produced over the surface of the earth as a result of the eruptions. Even now, some of the rifts can be found over the surface around the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. The Rifts area now constitutes Northeastern Kansas and the Western end area of the Superior Lake. Though the name suggests that these are found just around the Lake Superior, however, these are found across Minnesota at various places in abundance. The geologists and the tourists look for these agates around the river banks, or the rift pits, or other places ideal for collecting rocks and pebbles. The Agates are primarily found all around the 2700km territory constituting the shore of the Superior Lake, thus, the name Lake Superior Agates. Moreover, these can also be found around the Western Wisconsin, Eastern Minnesota and the Northern Iowa wherever rocks can be found, as this was the route for the glacier which carried the sediments along, mainly responsible for the distribution of the rock around the area. Thus, these are the ideal places for the researchers, as well as the tourists, to collect the masterpieces, as indicated by research. However, sometimes novice researchers or tourists confuse these rocks, being the official states rocks, for others, thus, it is also important to shed light on the patterns and designs of these rocks which is important for identification. Lake Superior Agates have been regarded as the oldest ones in history and, thus, in 1969, the Minnesota legislature passed a legislation declaring the Lake Superior Agates as the official Rock of the Minnesota State. This legislation owes much to the beauty and the remarkable patterns of the rock which adds value to the tourism industry of Minnesota. These rocks are generally found in red or orange color with varying shades, as the color is determined by the concentration of quartz and iron in a particular rock. These stones are found in varying sizes from the size of the pea to as huge as about the size of 20 pounds. Most of the agates formed as a result of the glacier activity were very small, however, a few turned out to be larger in size (Marshall 2006). The gemstone is also found in many different patterns, being the sole identity of the rock. The most common kind of pattern in this regard is the fortification agate which most of the tourists are very fond of. The pattern is found in the form of a band, and each band when observed carefully is connected to the wall, thus, the name “fortification agate” being borrowed from here2. Similarly, the fortification agate is found in many varying sub patterns, for instance the one kind of the agate is found in parallel and straight ones resulting from the straight arrangement of the quarts deposits. The rarest pattern found amongst these agates is the round one, where the deposits seem more like dots over the stone which are very appealing to the eyes. However, some of the agates have seen a smooth journey where they have probably spent a very long time struggling back and forth across the beech, thus the structure is smooth and is rather confused with other kinds of rocks. The “all timers” are also rare ones, and are very small about the size of the pea and are in perfect shape and color. Despite the description of the rocks, some of the researchers still find it difficult to identify the rocks. Thus, some of the identification patterns have been drawn by experts. Firstly, some of the band patterns seem broken on the surface appearing like a peeled structure. Secondly, the iron oxide stains can clearly be identified sometimes on the rock which is a confirmation idea for the collectors. Similarly, quartz has the property to give an optical fineness feature to the rocks which is even more apparent in a sunny day, thus, being another identification feature of the rock (Vanasse 1990). Also, if a surface is broken, chances are high that the rock also has some glossy or waxy deposit over it, thus, the collector must right away assume that this one is a Superior Lake Agate. Sometimes, there are deposits found on the texture of the surface rock as a result of the deposition of the quartz which often forms projections over the exterior of the rock. Thus, these projections also form the basis of the recognition of the rock as the Lake Superior Agate. Thus, conclusively Lake Superior Agates is the official states Gemstone of Minnesota which was produced as a result of the volcanic eruptions when North American Continent was split apart, however, the sediments took the shape and color of Agate after the ice age hit the area and the ice glacier carried the sediments along towards South. The iron and quartz deposited inside the air bubbles owes much to the color of the stone. The massive treatment of the rocks firstly by the volcanic flow, then by the ebb of the sea and lastly by the ice glaciers caused the production of the beautiful patterns and remarkable shape structures now called as the Lake Superior Glaciers (Vanasse 1990). The gemstones are now found all along the area where the glacier took its journey; thus, the rocks are found all around Minnesota, Wisconsin, however, they are most extensively found around the 2700km shore, thus, the name, Lake Superior Agates (Pillsburg, Lydecker, Lusk and Patrick 1927). These are found in various colors depending on the ratio of the quantity of quartz and iron. Also, the shapes and sizes vary, along with the variation in the patterns causing diversity and adding value to the stone. Since the stone is believed to be one of the oldest ones present on earth, this has proved to be of great value to Minnesota as it has now become the legacy of the area. Tourists, geologists and other scientists and researchers often visit the shores of Minnesota in the search of these beautiful gemstones. This particular stone was selected as the official stone of Minnesota in 1969 because it represents various aspects of Minnesotan legacy and values. Firstly, the rock holds importance for being symbolic for various changes the earth saw billions of years ago, thus, the rock envisions not just Minnesotan history but also the history of the mother Earth. Secondly, the colors of the rocks add beauty and splendor to the shores and other exquisite areas of Minnesota. Thus, the Lake Superior Agates holds dire symbolic importance in the context of Minnesota, also holds immense significance for geologists and tourists. References "Burning: Minnesota's Volcanic History - MN Geology." Burning: Minnesota's Volcanic History - MN Geology. Web. 30 May 2012. . "Lake Superior Agate." - Digging into MN Minerals: Minnesota DNR. Web. 30 May 2012. . Lynch, D. R. & Lynch, B. (2011). Agates of Lake Superior: Stunning varieties and how they are formed. Cambridge, MN: Adventure Publications. Marshall, J. D. (2006). The "other" Lake Superior agates. Beaverton, Or: Llao Rock Publications. Pillsbury, G. B., Lydecker, G. J., Lusk, J. L. & Patrick, M. M. (1927). West end of Lake Superior: From Little Girl Point, Mich. to Beaver Bay, Minn. including the Apostle Islands. Detroit, Mich: On sale at U.S. Lake Survey Office. Vanasse, T. C. (1900). A study of Lake Superior agate: Interpretation of structural forms and mode of origin by superficial examination. Lansing, Mich: Michigan State Library. Wolter, S. F. (1986). The Lake Superior agate. Minneapolis, Minn: Lake Superior Agate, Inc. Read More