New Publication: Geologic Road Guide to Highway 10

 

The Geologic Road Guide to Arkansas State Highway 10, a Geotour of the Southern Arkoma Basin Fold Belt and Related Ouachita Mountain Tectonic Zones by Drs. Richard Cohoon (Emeritus), Jason Patton (Associate), and Victor Vere (Emeritus), Professors of Geology at Arkansas Tech University, is now available for download on the Arkansas Geological Survey’s website.  Here’s the link:

http://www.geology.ar.gov/roadside_geology_series/rgs02.htm

The route begins at Petit Roche Plaza in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock. “Petit Roche” was the name given to the first rock outcrop early explorers encountered on their way up the Arkansas River.  It is near this outcrop that the eastern end of Arkansas State Highway 10 (AR-10) is now located.  From here, you will tour the 139-mile length of AR-10 to its western terminus at the Oklahoma state line, just past Hackett.  This route traverses a beautiful and geologically diverse cross section through the mountains of western Arkansas.  The stretch from Ola to Hackett is designated as an Arkansas Scenic Byway.

An overview of the physiography of Arkansas, the concept of geologic time, and the rock formations and structural regions encountered along AR-10 introduce the reader to the detailed Road Guides that follow.  The Road Guides describe the rock outcrops and geologic features along particular sections of the route.  They contain many wonderful color photographs and color-coded geologic maps to help travelers understand the landscape passing outside their windows.  Travelers are encouraged to get out of their vehicle at several places to have a look at the rocks, perhaps gaining a new appreciation of their significance.  An illustrated glossary defines words and concepts that may be unfamiliar to those without an earth science background.  Appendices direct the traveler to several interesting side trips just off the main route and detail the characteristics of the gas and coal resources in the Arkoma Basin.

This Geotour is written to be of interest to the general public, to students of geology, and to professional geologists who want to gain a more in-depth understanding of this beautiful and geologically complex region.  So the next time you’re thinking of taking a scenic drive through the mountains of western Arkansas, consider traveling AR-10.  And don’t forget to take along the Geologic Road Guide to make your drive more enjoyable and informative.

Richard Hutto

Geo-pic of the week: “The Great Little Rock Silver Rush”

 

In September of 1982, this 800 lb. boulder was excavated by a backhoe operator during construction of the La Quinta Inn on Fairpark Boulevard (currently Day’s Inn), Little Rock, AR. Another worker on site recognized it as galena (ore of lead) and, wanting to score some quick cash, the finder began contacting local geologists, hoping to sell. Eventually, then State Geologist, Bill Williams, heard about it and sent another geologist from the Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS), Ben Clardy, to investigate. Clardy bought the boulder for $100 and the backhoe operator loaded it onto Clardy’s truck for transport back to the AGS office.

At the office, an engine lift was rented to remove it. The agency’s chemist, Gaston Bell, assayed a piece for silver, determining it contained 1 – 2 %, making it high-grade silver ore. Feeling he had cheated the seller, Clardy contacted him with the results but the seller was happy with the $100 deal. The State Geologist reimbursed Clardy and placed the specimen on display in the lobby of the AGS office.

News of the find spread quickly, as the story was picked up by local newspapers. Someone claiming to be the hotel property owner announced that the backhoe operator had stolen the rock and came to the AGS office demanding it back. It was now property of the state, but Bill Williams told him he could have it, as long as he could bring some large guys to carry it off; he didn’t want heavy equipment in the office lobby. The man left and never raised his claim to the rock again. A couple days later another piece was found on the property in the same mineralized pocket which was at the intersection of two quartz veins. The property owner took possession of that piece and sent it to Colorado where it was smelted and produced a substantial silver bar.

Around the same time, as the public became aware of the find, some midnight rock poachers began sneaking onto the property, after hours. Small chunks of galena appeared around town for sale, being marketed as “Little Rock Silver Ore”.

At least one silver company took an interest in the find, conducting a series of soil tests over several blocks surrounding the La Quinta property. They soon abandoned the effort due to the difficulty of mining in such an urbanized area. Results of their tests were never disclosed. Eventually, construction of La Quinta was completed, the lot was paved over, and thus ended the “Little Rock Silver Rush”.

The original 800 – pound chunk is still on display in the lobby of the AGS office in Little Rock. Part of the other piece, which was not melted down, was displayed in the lobby of the La Quinta Inn on Fairpark Boulevard before the property changed hands.

Based on written correspondence with Michael J. Howard