Geology Project 004 - Pumpkin Spring - Grand Canyon
“Pumpkin Spring” is a natural hot spring at Colorado River Mile 212.9. Hot, mineral-rich, aquifer water flows through the underlying rock structure and then surfaces at the mound. The result is a pool with orange travertine rock resembling a pumpkin. Of the 12 types of classified springs found in the world, 10 are found in the Grand Canyon. Pumpkin Spring is identified as a “carbonate mound-form of spring”. Aquifer water emerges from a mineralized mound, frequently at a magmatic or fault system. The travertine forms by degassing of ground water with elevated carbon dioxide concentration. Calcite precipitates as finely laminated flowstone. The surrounding rock structure has been identified as “Tapeats Sandstone”.
Generically, Travertine is a dense, banded sedimentary rock (limestone) composed of calcium carbonate, CaCO3. It is formed in cold or temperate surface or ground waters by rapid chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate (Calcite or Aragonite) from supersaturated solutions.
Geology Project 004 - Pumpkin Spring - Grand Canyon
“Pumpkin Spring” is a natural hot spring at Colorado River Mile 212.9. Hot, mineral-rich, aquifer water flows through the underlying rock structure and then surfaces at the mound. The result is a pool with orange travertine rock resembling a pumpkin. Of the 12 types of classified springs found in the world, 10 are found in the Grand Canyon. Pumpkin Spring is identified as a “carbonate mound-form of spring”. Aquifer water emerges from a mineralized mound, frequently at a magmatic or fault system. The travertine forms by degassing of ground water with elevated carbon dioxide concentration. Calcite precipitates as finely laminated flowstone. The surrounding rock structure has been identified as “Tapeats Sandstone”.
Generically, Travertine is a dense, banded sedimentary rock (limestone) composed of calcium carbonate, CaCO3. It is formed in cold or temperate surface or ground waters by rapid chemical precipitation of calcium carbonate (Calcite or Aragonite) from supersaturated solutions.