Magnet Cove igneous complex

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The Magnet Cove igneous complex is a small alkalic ring complex lying to the west of the town of Magnet Cove in Hot Spring County, Arkansas.[1] It and the adjacent town are so named due to the existence of magnetite and the terrain being a cove, a basin-shaped valley.[2]

The complex is of Mesozoic age, intruded into Paleozoic sediments.[1] A classic study and mapping was conducted by the geologists Erickson and Blade in 1963. Units within the complex include carbonatite, nepheline syenite, phonolite, and ijolite.

In addition to the magnetite which forms both massive lodestone and crystals, the complex is strewn with odd and rare minerals, and has produced five type localities. Over 100 different minerals have been identified from the area. There are many titanium minerals such as rutile, anatase, brookite, and perovskite, as well as some vanadium mineralization. Some rare-earth-bearing minerals have also been identified.

Many companies have mined the area over the last century, including the Diamond Jo Quarry.

Arkansas State Route 51 runs generally east-west through the cove.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Geology of Titanium-Mineral Deposits, Eric R. Force, Geological Society of America, 1991, ISBN 0813722594 Google Books
  2. ^ Excursion through the slave states, George William Featherstonhaugh, Harper, Texas, 1844Google Books


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