ANALYSIS OF THE POROSITY AND FLOW BANDING IN TOPAZ RHYOLITES FROM TWO SEPARATE LOCALITIES IN JUAB COUNTY, UTAH

Our research will portray any contrast in flow banding and the porosity of two separate locations in the Thomas Range, Utah. Topaz rhyolites in the Thomas Range are around 6 to 7 million years old and are silica- rich volcanic rocks. The topaz crystals are created from a high temperature vapor phase and will crystalize when fluorine- rich fluid is released from the lava coming out of the surface.

The two separate locations we will be studying are approximately 78 miles apart from each other. Both areas are located in Juab County, Utah. The first location is in Topaz Mountain on the eastern side of Juab county (GPS coordinates: N 39°49.880’ W 113°03.349’). Our second location is a reclaimed topaz mine located on the western side of Juab County (GPS coordinates N 39°46.438 W 113°05.350’).

The Wasatch fault zone separates both locations. While both locations are on opposite sides of the fault zone, the topaz rhyolites, while still producing the same minerals, may have produced the topaz through different processes. While focusing on the porosity and flow banding of each of the locations, we will determine which location has more favorable conditions for the growth of topaz crystals. We will also be able to recognize which location allows for more impurities to form in the crystal.

Our samples collected from both locations will allow us to analyze the topaz rhyolites under thin sections to accurately measure the size of the cavities and the flow banding from each location. We will also do a geochemical analysis to see if the fluorine saturation from the separate locations correlates with the porosity relating to the pocket materials. We should also be able to analyze the rate of cooling in each sample from the size of the cavities and the flow banding. Our hand samples will give us a slight look into the history of the topaz rhyolites. A more detailed analysis of the two samples should provide a more precise outlook to the different processes that occurred millions of years ago. Even though the locations are geographically close, they have undergone separate geological processes to form the topaz crystals.