NLoct2014

THE COCHISE COUNTY ROCK

Monthly Newsletter of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club

https://sites.google.com/site/cochisecountyrock/

http://picasaweb.google.com/cochisecountyrock/

“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County, Arizona since 1965”

October 2014

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The next GENERAL MEETING of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club is on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014 at the Sunsites Community Center. This meeting has been designated as “WELCOME BACK MEMBERS AND GUEST NIGHT.” Note: To Previous Members - You are more than welcome to attend! We miss you!

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PROGRAM:

Dr. Michael Conway, Arizona Geological Survey, will present “Origin and Distribution of Earth Fissures of Cochise County.”

This will be an overview of the origin and distribution of earth fissures in Cochise County; the role of groundwater harvesting in subsidence and their formation and mitigation strategies to minimize property damage.

Cochise County has two different types of major ground cracks that cause problems for land owners. Those caused by groundwater pumping and subsequent ground subsidence are called earth fissures. Fissures are generally linear or arc-shaped and extend from the surface to the top of the groundwater table. Extensive pumping of groundwater reduces the total volume of groundwater, which can result in basin subsidence, which can in turn lead to earth fissure formation. Fissures frequently occur in basin sediments near bedrock highs or mountain range fronts.

Large ground cracks that form as clay rich soil and underlying sediments dry out and shrink are called giant desiccation cracks (GDC). GDCs mimic more common mud cracks in forming intersecting arcs that form polygons. In Cochise County, they commonly occur in the fine sediments comprising the Willcox Playa. Desiccation cracks are generally shallow surface phenomena, with a predilection to form during periods of drought.

Dr. Conway joined AZGS in April 2007 as their Science Outreach Officer and Section Chief of the Arizona Extension Service. From 1997 to 2007, he was a professor of geosciences at Arizona Western College, Yuma, Arizona; from 2002 to 2006 he was Director of the Honors Program. Prior to that he was a research scientist at the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses in San Antonio, Texas.

His training is in physical volcanology with especial emphasis on small-volume basaltic volcanism

(re: cinder cones). In pursuit of basaltic lavas he has traveled to the Kamchatka Peninsula (Tolbachik system); San Francisco & Mormon Mountain volcanic fields of northern Arizona; the Big Pine volcanic field of Owens Valley, California; the Michoacán volcanic field of Mexico; the Volcanic Highlands of Guatemala; as well as Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Colombia.

Currently, Dr. Conway’s interests include Earth science outreach education and, oddly enough, GPS mapping and GIS analyses of Native American rock-art of southern Arizona.

DR. CONWAY'S PRESENTATION WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 7PM, followed by a short break with the General Business Meeting following.

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ELECTIONS 2014

New officers will be elected at the November meeting. The By-laws state that the nominating committee must be named by Oct. 15. The committee will come up with a list of names to be presented at Novembers meeting and will appear in Novembers newsletter.

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OFFICERS 2014

President: Jack Light 520-824-4774

Vice President: Elliott Hendricks 520-471-8820

Secretary: Nadine Wirshing 520-507-3865

Treasurer: Walter Sigel 520-826-1009

Del. At Large: Carl Schnabel 520-826-0100

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Hospitality Coordinator:

Cheryl McLaughlin 520-507-1750

Financial Advisor:

Cheryl McLaughlin: 520-507-1750

Speaker Coordinator:

Don Hammer 520-384-3105

Field Trip Coordinator:

Carl Schnabel: 520-826-0100

Newsletter:

Zoe Schnabel 520-826-0100

CLUB CALENDAR

Oct. 2 Board Meeting

Oct. 13 General Meeting

Oct. 30 Board Meeting

Nov. 10 General Meeting

Nov. 20 Board Meeting

Dec. 8 Christmas Dinner (tentative)

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REVISED Minutes from May 12 General Meeting to be approved at the September meeting. As a quorum was not met at the Sept. meeting to approve the May Minutes, they have been carried over for approval at the Oct. meeting.

President Jack Light called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.

Treasurers Report: Walter Sigel reported that we have $3,376.14 in our Treasury.

Old Business:

Jack Light told us that the cabinets from the old lab were taken out by the fire department and left in front of the old lab. He asked for volunteers to help him bring them to our new shed. Walter and Spike volunteered to help him. They would meet at 9am at the old lab.

New Business:

Jack will talk to David Makarewicz about the supplies needed for the electrical installation.

Don mentioned that Lora C.,a geologist for the Commonwealth mine, might possibly be willing to teach the lab. Presently she is not a member. Don has seen her lapidary work and has stated that it's quite acceptable.

Field Trip Report:

Carl Schnabel said that our trip to Cortland was fun, although the wind was extremely strong. Everyone found some chrysocolla and some were lucky enough to find some turquoise.

Carl agreed to replace Henri as our field trip coordinator. The field trip for May will be to Hevetia in the National Forest in Green Valley. We would need a high clearance vehicle with 4 wheel drive. It will be held on May 17. We will meet at the Rte 83 turnoff from Rte 10. Meet at 8:30 a.m.

June Picnic:

Cheryl passed around a food sign up sheet for the picnic which will be held in the old town of Fairbanks onJune 7th.

Program:

Unable to get the CD to work, we continued on to a break.

Refreshments were provided by Cheryl, Bette and Zoe.

The Meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm

Respectfully submitted by Bette Greene, acting secretary for Nadine Wirshing

FOR MEMBERSHIP APPROVAL

In the summer issue of the Cochise County Rock, an article was written concerning the $7000.00 which had been bequeathed to the club by Larry Strout. The funds were temporarily placed in an interest bearing account (CD) for a period of 3 months, which was done at the discretion of the Board of Directors. We now have to decide how to invest the funds as the CD matures on October 23rd . Cheryl McLaughlin, financial advisor at Edward Jones, and fellow club member, will answer any questions that the membership body might have as to further invest the money. YOUR APPROVAL is strongly suggested by the Board.

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

>>>>> Oct. 11-12 40th annual Huachuca Gem & Mineral Show - Cochise College, Colombo Ave. Sierra Vista. The show will feature a flourescent display, geode sales/cutting, mineral specimens, jewelry & lapidary supplies. See: Huachucamineralandgemclub.info OR call: 520-249-1541 for further info.

>>>>> 61st annual Gem and Mineral show by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society is proudly presenting “Minerals of Western Europe” at the Tucson Convention Center. Feb. 12-15, 2015. For more info visit www.tgms.org

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STEINS MT. TRIP on Sept. 13 was enjoyed by all that attended and lots of dendrites were found. The day started off with a strong overcast sky and winds but by 10:30 the sun came out and the winds subsided making it a most pleasant day for rock hunting & the gorgeous views over the valley.

FIELD TRIP: SUNDAY OCTOBER 19 th

The Monsoon season was quite generous at the Teran Wash, just outside of Benson. Lots of new jasper has been exposed – yellows, reds, orange, etc. This is the perfect time to collect some new specimens. Many of our newer members have not been there and are sure to enjoy the “pickens.”

We will meet at Ed Fenn's Benson Feed on 4th St (Rte 10 by-pass). Exit Rte 10 at MM 306 (Pomerene Rd) and drive S. to 4th St. Make a right turn and go towards town. Make a right turn at marker 306 by the utility pole onto the gravel and go left to Ed's Feed Store. We'll meet at 8:30 & will depart at 8:45. Teran Wash is mainly surface collecting. Weather permitting and how dry the base is, we may be able to park within the wash. Bring gloves, small trowel, bucket or bag, along with chair, water and lunch.

If the wash base is hard we will drive to the “dino tracks.” Note: This trip is on a Sunday!

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PRESIDENTS REPORT

NO REPORT THIS MONTH

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MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014

NOT SUBMITTED

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SEE YOU AT THE MEETING, come early to get a good seat. This meeting has been made public by newspapers & posters throughout the area.

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If you have a question or comment about the Cochise Rock, please feel free to contact the editor@ssgmeditor@gmail.com

NOTE: This newsletter is being sent early as this tired old editor needs to have some R & R and is not taking any work along.