Moqui Marble Iron Oxide Concretion
by Gregory Scott
Title
Moqui Marble Iron Oxide Concretion
Artist
Gregory Scott
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Moqui Marbles are round precipitated iron oxide that forms where iron-rich water leeches out of redrock sandstone. They are the spherical stones in the photo, and many of their fragments are in the photo, also. They are quite strong and hard, and often hollow, as you can tell from a fragmemt in the lower left. They're also often polished on the outside, as you can see from the two behind the beetle, and above it. Moqui means "spirit of the dead" in the Hopi language, and the term "Moqui Marble" might possibly be disrespectful, but I'm not sure. I will ask when I get a chance, or if you know, you can email me. However, I use the term because it seems to be the common designation for this mineral deposit. Most are about 1/2 inch in diameter, with some as large as 2 inches in diameter.
These mineral deposits are similar to the ones called "blueberries", found on mars, which may indicate organic life may have been there at some time, because hydrocarbons are thought to play a role in their precipitation.
I found these in quantityn ext to a dirt road on the west rim of the Escalante River, in a very small dry wash.
Uploaded
July 17th, 2013
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