In this video Shadow and I travel to Modena Canyon in Southern Utah to Rockhound for Obsidian and Botryoidal Chalcedony. We found both as well as some Jasper and Chert (we think). This area had extensive volcanic activity providing lots of opportunity for Silica to work its way into porous volcanic rock to form chalcedony and it's derivates: Agates, Jaspers, Botryoidal Chalcedony, etc. Some Silica formed quart crystals in veins of Chert. We welcome you to offer your suggestions in helping us identify these rocks. I am an amateur rockhound. I took one geology class in college and loved it. I've studied up much on my own since then. But you may have corrections or hints to offer. Please do not hesitate to comment. Consider this a video for beginner rockhounds.
We tested some of the rocks we found with hydrochloric acid to determine if they were calcite based or silica based. Hydrochloric acid will effervesce if the rock is calcite based. We also used a Mohs Hardness testing kit. Chalcedony, Agates, and Jaspers test around a 7.5. Obsidian tests around a 5.5. This helped us rule out what I thought was obsidian and later concluded it was Chert (I think).
We read and studied up on Obsidian and learned it is a form of volcanic glass. It is formed when high silica content lava cools rapidly, to rapidly to form crystals. Thus it is literally a glass.
Modena Canyon, Utah is also a beautiful place. However, it is remote and outside cell range. There are also Mountain Lions, Coyotes, and possibly Bears. Please be prepared. We saw the paw prints from Mountain Lions close to where we parked.
If you have read this far, thank you for watching this video and we hope you join us on future Adventures of Shadow.
