Investigation of Unusual Mineral Occurrences in Southern Ohio and Their Possible Relation to the Mineralization of Serpent Mound
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Date
2003-12
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
This project focuses on a mine prospect site I recently located in Ross County, Ohio,
dating back to the 1930's, which is an area of unusual and heretofore undocumented
mineralization. Limestone concretions and samples of crystalline quartz and pyrite occur in
sizes and quantities which are quite uncommon in the state of Ohio.
The goals of the project were, through field observation and laboratory analysis, to
identify the nature and extent of mineralization in the study area, find its relation to other
mineral localities in south-central Ohio, and determine what role unrecognized faults and/or
hydrothermal activity in the area have played in the genesis of the unusual mineralization.
The area lies along the unconformable contact between upper Silurian and middle
Devonian bedrock, and also includes ground and end moraines from both the Wisconsinan
and Illinoian glaciations. Sulfide mineralization in the middle Devonian Ohio Shale occurs as
nodules of pyrite and marcasite, with trace barite, up to ten centimeters in diameter embedded
in black shale. This unit has also yielded crystalline quartz lining contorted cavities in large
limestone concretions up to one meter across. Traces of barite, marcasite, pyrite, galena, and
glacial gold have been found in stream sediments throughout the area.
Aerial photographs, verified in the field, show a lineation extending northward
through the study area in Ross County, which may be related to radiating faults from the
Serpent Mound Disturbance in Adams County, 30km to the south.
Description
Keywords
Serpent Mound, Adams County, Ohio, Ross County, Ohio, mineralization