Dripping Spring Quartzite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dripping Spring QuartziteStratigraphic range: Mesoproterozoic, ~1,400 Ma (1.4 Ba) |
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Site of Sierra Ancha Cliff Dwellings in cliffs of purplish Dripping Spring Quartzite
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| Type | Geological formation |
| Underlies | Mescal Limestone |
| Overlies | Pioneer Shale |
| Thickness | 620 feet (189 m) max |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | quartzite |
| Location | |
| Region | 1. Sierra Ancha range and locally. 2. central and southeast Arizona, below central Mogollon Rim region, and south, and southeastwards, in broken faulted mountains, or mountain flanks. |
| Extent | central Arizona transition zone-(Sierra Ancha range, Globe, Arizona region, and south to Catalina Mountains, northeast regions |
The Dripping Spring Quartzite is a very strong, purplish rock layer found in central and southeast Arizona, USA. It formed about 1.4 billion years ago during the Mesoproterozoic Eon. This rock is known for forming tall cliffs.
It is part of a larger group of rock layers called the Apache Group. These layers were once soft sediments, like sand and mud. Over millions of years, heat and pressure turned them into hard rock. The Apache Group is similar in age to some of the oldest rocks found in the Grand Canyon, which are part of the Grand Canyon Supergroup.
Where to Find It
You can find the Apache Group, including the Dripping Spring Quartzite, in the Sierra Ancha mountain range. This range is separated from nearby mountains by large cracks in the Earth's crust called faults.
The Apache Group also stretches east of the Sierra Ancha. You can see it near Globe and in the Dripping Spring Mountains.
What is the Apache Group?
The Apache Group is a series of rock layers. Geologists study these layers to understand Earth's history. Here are the main rock units in the Apache Group, listed from the youngest (top) to the oldest (bottom):
- D- Troy Quartzite: This is the youngest layer.
- C- Mescal Limestone: Found below the Troy Quartzite.
- B- Dripping Spring Quartzite: This is our main topic!
- Barnes Conglomerate: This is a special layer found at the very bottom of the Dripping Spring Quartzite, especially near Globe, Arizona.
- A- Pioneer Shale: This is the oldest layer in the Apache Group.
- Scanlon Conglomerate: This layer is found at the very bottom of the Pioneer Shale.
