Coaldale Crater Gemstones, Meteorite Impact Produces Rare Specimens Options

[ASTROBLEME]

Members and Guests of Colorado Prospector,

Many years ago I discovered a highly eroded, geologically complex and very ancient impact crater centered 3 ¼ miles northwest of Coaldale, Colorado (USA). I am announcing this discovery as a long-time contributor to this forum in an effort to assure that the public has access to this information. Dan (the owner and operator of Colorado Prospector) is preparing some of my "Coaldale Crater" specimens for jewelry settings. He has graciously agreed to document his work progress so that others can gain a better understanding of the effort it takes to transform these raw materials into valuable gemstones. Please take time to follow this project along the way. I hope you find the subject interesting.

I'll be sharing the science behind this amazing discovery as our work progresses. This research builds upon my work at Gunnison Crater, Westcliffe Crater, Silver Cliff Crater and Hillside Crater that proved an extension to the 38th Parallel Crater Chain dating to the Late Devonian Period. Although the Coaldale Crater is also along the 38th Parallel, it is not part of the well documented crater chain system. My efforts in the Coaldale Colorado region included collecting field survey data, acquiring and analyzing numerous geologic specimens followed by an extensive review of the relevant scientific literature. The results support an impact event that occurred during the Oligocene Epoch.

For now, I'm providing the attached map depicting the present peak ring exposure. It is fascinating that this impact crater has survived the deep erosion and strong fault deformation that Mother Nature has provided continually over the past 27+ million years.

Sincerely,

ASTROBLEME

[Woody]

Interesting indeed,

I pass by there frequently and never thought a thing about impact craters. I'll be there today working about 5 miles off the HWY. Certainly going to give it a second look this time. Thanks, Woody.

[ASTROBLEME]

Hello Woody,

As you pass the area on Highway 50, take notice of the conspicuous hill near the Kerr Gulch Road. If you pull off the highway into that wide area depicted by the red arrow in the Google Street View below, you'll see a large boulder. This rock is an ignimbrite named Fish Canyon Tuff that eroded from the hillside. Before it came to the present day resting place alongside the highway, it was erupted from the La Garita Caldera in the San Juan volcanic field about 27.83 million years ago. This ash flow rock (along with numerous other rocks within that peak ring exposure) shows slickensides with strike-slip striae... strong evidence of impact induced shock. Photos of the rock and slickensides are also attached.

ASTROBLEME

Interesting indeed,

I pass by there frequently and never thought a thing about impact craters. I'll be there today working about 5 miles off the HWY. Certainly going to give it a second look this time. Thanks, Woody.