Deep-sea rock display at Arizona Capitol

The latest addition to the mall in front of the Arizona Territorial Capitol is a large block of hypabyssal basalt from the Pacific, that was donated to State Senator John Nelson, along with a suite of other exotic rocks dredged up by the Deep Sea Drilling Program. Sen. Nelson was intrigued about the origin of the rocks and how they related to rocks in Arizona.

He consulted with the Arizona Rock Products Association and with us at AZGS. We identified the rocks and pointed out where similar types occur around the state. The senator thought these associations offer a new perspective on the geologic history of Arizona that will be of interest especially to the many school children who visit the State Capitol.

ARPA generously donated the pedestal shown at right, along with a display case now on the 3rd floor of the Senate offices, which showcases the other ocean specimens, along with brief notes that AZGS assisted with, comparing them to Arizona rocks.

And where to find hypabyssal basalts in Arizona? Look in the Jerome region.