Oregon’s Foundation: Rocks and Minerals

Minerals – the chemical building blocks of rocks – are important to Oregonians not only for their commercial and household uses, but also because of their beauty and spiritual significance. The rocks they comprise are both the natural and constructed foundation of Oregon’s 150 years of statehood.

In Window 9, you can learn about Oregon’s own gold rush in the 1850s and 1860s and how Oregon’s mined minerals supported the World War II effort. Gold is no longer mined in Oregon, but the state produces an immense amount of aggregate and other geologic materials for use in everything from road construction to kitty litter. You can also be introduced to Oregon’s official state rock, the Thunderegg, and official state gem, the Sunstone.

Digging Deeper: For more information, visit these websites:

Oregon’s Official State Rock (Thunderegg) and gem (Sunstone)

http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/learnmore/gems.HTM

http://www.naturenw.org/rock-sunstone.htm

http://www.naturenw.org/rock-thundereggs.htm

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gemstones/sp14-95/chalcedony.html

Rockhounding in Oregon

http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/learnmore/rockhoundResources.htm

Oregon Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Program:

http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/mlr/mlrhome.htm

Aggregate Mining in Oregon (Oregon Institute for Natural Resources)

http://inr.oregonstate.edu/reports_index.html#aggregate

Digging Deeper: For more information, give this sample of books a read:

Geology of Oregon, 5th Edition by Elizabeth L. Orr and William N. Orr (2000, Kendall/Hunt

[http://www.kendallhunt.com/]) Professors at the University of Oregon, the Orr’s have been writing about Oregon’s geology for decades.

In Search of Ancient Oregon by Ellen Morris Bishop (2003, Timber Press

[http://www.timberpress.com/]) Take a photographic journey through time and see Oregon’s ancient places.