BH250-242b

BH250-242b

Marble

The marble from Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley comes from a classic carbonate sequence exposed along the western part of the valley, composed mainly of Paleozoic limestone and dolostone deposited in shallow marine environments along the passive margin of western North America. In Mosaic Canyon, much of this marble is derived from units such as the Noonday Dolomite and overlying limestones, later metamorphosed under low- to moderate-grade conditions to produce a recrystallized, interlocking calcite texture. The rock commonly preserves subtle banding, stylolites, and pressure-solution features, and locally records minor deformation. The canyon’s distinctive smooth, polished, and fluted walls are the result of sediment-laden flash floods that have sculpted the marble surfaces. Overall, the marble records a history of marine deposition, metamorphism, and tectonic exhumation, followed by ongoing surface erosion (Mike Smith, Class of 1999, personal communication).

Death Valley, California, USA
Mosaic Canyon California
GPS coordinates: 36°34'7.45"N, 117° 8'28.24"W

Bereket Haileab

From the rock collection of Bereket Haileab. Sample 242b. Housed at Carleton College in Minnesota.

Thin section and hand sample