A mineral is defined as being naturally occurring, inorganic, and solid, with definite chemical composition and ordered internal structure. The geology of the Grand Canyon is
such that there are a limited number of minerals present. We’ve listed a few of
the most common Grand Canyon minerals in the following slides.
Quartz is the most abundant mineral and the chief constituent of most
sandstones. It is also the most plentiful mineral in the earth's crust. Quartz comes in a multitude of varieties, and some semi-precious stones are used for making jewelry.
Calcium Carbonate is the second most abundant mineral in the Canyon and is composed of carbon, oxygen, and calcium. If not in a crystalline form, it forms limestones. It is an extremely common mineral found in rocks and is a primary component of certain types of shells.
Kaolinite is a clay mineral and the third major sedimentary mineral that forms the shale and mud formations of the Grand Canyon. It is a soft, earthy, white colored mineral. It can also be colored orange or red from iron oxides.
Iron oxides are
composed of iron and oxygen. They are widely used as inexpensive and durable pigments. The wide ribbons of red that adorn the Canyon walls are due to iron oxides that stain the gray or bluish toned limestones. Generally,
the colors possible are yellow, red, orange, brown, or black.
Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide and the most important ore of lead. It has been used for thousands of years because of its relatively low melting point. Galena is also a source of silver as some deposits contain up to 2% of silver.
Hematite is mined as a major ore of iron. It is much harder than pure iron, but
more brittle. It can be black, steel gray, red, or brown.
Limonite is an iron ore that has been mined for the production of iron for thousands of years. It can vary in color from a bright yellow to grayish brown. This
mineral is recognized as a mixture of hydrated iron oxides, rather than being considered as a single mineral.
Papillon is the world’s oldest and largest sightseeing company with over 600,000 passengers enjoying tours of the Grand Canyon annually. There are over forty excursions available including destinations like the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, and Page/Lake Powell. Excursions extend beyond flight and include horseback, hiking, river rafting, and more. Visit our website or call to book a tour.
Website: http://www.papillon.com/ Phone: 1-888-635-7272