Rocks and Minerals of Joshua Tree National Park

Learn the geologic story of tectonic plates, magma, and time that formed the building blocks of Joshua Tree National Park.  Pellenbarg will explain the critical principles that shaped the rocks and minerals of this area into the blonde granite and pre-Cambrian gneiss that are iconic of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. During this combined three-day lecture and field class, participants will focus on identification of minerals and the three basic rock types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary, by reviewing physical properties such as transparency, luster, hardness, cleavage, fracture, specific gravity, and crystal form that define the rocks and minerals within these groups in the classroom. The class will then apply their knowledge in the field by exploring numerous examples of the iconic rock types, contact zones, and unique geologic formations like polka dot granite and pink feldspar megacrysts.

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