Geo 730: August 19, Day 596: Pyrite Patch

I *think* this is the same patch of pyrite as seen in yesterday's photo, but from more of a head-on perspective. The rock here is tough, and highly silicified. For the most part I tend to pull out "the heavy artillery," that is, a sledge hammer, for this stop (in the top right, a four pound hand sledge). It's definitely a spot for eye protection, and even with that, flying splinters can draw blood. But kids loved it; it was obvious they were willing to risk an owie and a Band-Aid for a piece of pyrite. Again, if you look carefully at the full-size image, you can spot flecks of the sulfide throughout the rock, and along the upper left quadrant of the lens cap, there is some color that I'm suspicious is slightly weathered chalcopyrite.

Photo unaltered. August 5, 2012. FlashEarth Location.