WorldWide Drilling Resource

Alaska Miners Association Phone: 907-563-9229 Fax: 907-563-9225 ama@alaskaminers.org www.alaskaminers.org American Exploration and Mining Assn. Phone: 509-624-1158 Fax: 509-623-1241 info@miningamerica.org www.miningamerica.org WorldWide Drilling Resource ® is proud to be a member of these mining associations. Women in Mining 866-537-9694 wim@womeninmining.org www.womeninmining.org 45 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JULY 2015 California’s Spectacular Pinnacles by Harry W. Short Engineering Geologist It was nearly 100ºF (38ºC) the day our geology club visited California’s world-famous Pinnacles, but a major supply of water was on hand to keep up hydration. A couple of cool “suds” before the evening dinner was a very helpful beat-the-heat therapy. One of California’s many geological wonders is located 80 miles southeast of San José. It was covered with lava flows over 20 million years ago. As early as the 18th century, its jagged topogra- phy was recognized as a popular attrac- tion. In 1794, explorer George Vancouver made a one-day mule trip from his project on the California Coast to the Pinnacles. In 1908, at the urging of Stanford University’s Naturalist David Jordan, President Theodore Roosevelt pro- claimed the area a national monument. Pinnacles, California’s newest national park, was authorized by Congress in 2012, signed into law by President Obama on January 10, 2013, and is managed by the National Park Service. The national park is divided by the rock formations into east and west divi- sions, connected by foot trails; there is no through road connecting the east and west entrances. The east side has shade and water, and the west side has high walls. The rock formations are weathered into spectacular pinnacles which attract rock climbers. Unusual talus caves house at least 13 species of bats. Park lands are also prime habitat for prairie falcons, and are a release site for California condors hatched in captivity. Geologic formations in the park gen- erated by the ancient volcanoes have moved 150 miles during faulting along the San Andreas Fault. The earth’s crust is divided into immense plates which fit together like the pieces of a giant jig- saw puzzle. The Pinnacles moved from their original location through plate tec- tonics. The rocks were later torn apart by horizontal movement along the San Andreas Fault. The best time to visit Pinnacles is in spring or fall because of the intense heat during the summer months. This is not a region to visit alone or get off the main trails. Bring a good supply of drinking water. The Park Rangers were very social, provided a generous amount of the park’s history, and encouraged everyone to enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the beau- tiful Pinnacles. Harry michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com “CondorCam” photo courtesy of the National Park Service. 1 &+ )$!& 2 / 2 0 ) ,$! )!- ,($ / %, (,%( 1 !+* !& + ($ ' '%%'& 2 / 2 ,($ / 1 . ! * $ * $ ** 1 (,%(* +.! + ) + $'.1 + '- ) +.! + ) + () **,) 1 1 &+ )$!& %, (,%(* ) ++!& + "' '& )'% & +' ,*+) $! !& +' ), 1 &+ )$!& &, +,)!& !* ()', +' 0',) '%($ + *+' #!& *',) ') % )! & &, +,)!& %, (,%( ( )+* &+ )$!& &, +,)!& ' 1 ... &+ )$!& % &, +,)!& '% 1 , (,%(* ') + *+ &+,)0 1 + & '+ )* ( & !& "0",-" - 0 &' '" &) (*-. -&2"- )! )/( ", *# ' !"- "1 -"! &.- *'" +")",- , $ &.- &)$- ((",- ((", &.- &0",.",- " .&++&)$ . &'&2",- ' 1 &.- &+" &+"- *'. *) "".% / - * &'" &. *&) ,*! %*.( &' *( 111 &. *&) /-