Arizona Rock Products Association (ARPA) recently had the opportunity to work with Arizona Senator John Nelson (D-12) on a two part rock specimen display at the Arizona State Capitol. The initial part of the exhibit is on display near the entrance to Senate gallery inside the Arizona State Senate building. This display includes oceanic specimens provided by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography. Members of the ARPA working in conjunction with the Arizona Geological Survey were able to identify the specimens and install them into the display.
In addition to the oceanic specimens, the exhibit also includes a photograph of the ship and the deep water submersible, Alvin, that descended to a depth of over three miles to recover the rocks used in the display. This extreme environment make the oceanic samples as rare as moon rocks. I found it interesting that the oceanic samples are very similar to specimens that can be found here in Arizona.
The second exhibit consists of a large oceanic sample that sits atop a pedestal in the central courtyard of the Capitol Complex. This unique specimen also has mineral characteristics that are common in samples recovered from areas of the Arizona desert, demonstrating that at some point in our distant past oceanfront property in Arizona may have been a reality!
This sounds awesome! I might go try to check out the gallery if I can. I have never heard about Alvin before. It would be interesting to learn more about that.
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