| Learn More About Oregon's Geology |
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Gems and Minerals in Oregon
Thundereggs
The thunderegg is Oregon’s state rock.
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The thunderegg is a structure created in welded tuff or perlitic rocks. |
Oregon’s state rock can be collected at fee and free sites in central and southeastern Oregon. Unimpressive on the outside, these spherical rocks contain colorful silicic material and, when sliced and polished, make beautiful collector’s items.
CENTRAL OREGON
For information on places to collect, contact:
- Madras Chamber of Commerce, 197 SE 5th St., Madras OR 97741, phone 541-475-2350;
- Prineville Chamber of Commerce, 390 North Fairview, Prineville, OR 97754, phone 541-447-6304,
- Richardson’s Recreational Ranch, Gateway Route, Box 440, Madras, OR 97741, phone 541-475-2680 or 541-475-2839. This is a commercial site.
- Lucky Strike Mine, PO Box 128, Mitchell, OR 97750 Phone: 541-462-3073, Email info@luckystrikemine.com website:http://www.luckystrikemine.com/ This is a commercial site.
SOUTHEASTERN OREGON
Contact the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 100 Oregon Street, Vale OR 97918, phone (541) 473-3144.
NYSSA THUNDEREGG DAYS
To find out more about Thunderegg Days (held for five days around the first of June), in Nyssa, contact the Nyssa Chamber of Commerce.
WHITE FIR SPRINGS
Thundereggs from this spot contain both Agate and Jasper filled cores. The cores also have the shape of a diamond (biconic). Head east from Prineville on US 26 to MP 41. Turn left on 3350 and head up the road for about 5 1/2 miles... don´t turn on any of the spur roads. Once you reach a sign saying Chamber of Commerce Claim you are at the jasper core locality. For agate-filled thundereggs, turn right on the road just before you reach the jasper deposit.
Maps and publications about Oregon’s Geology and its geologic treasures are available from the Nature of the Northwest Information Center, a partnership of the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and the USDA Forest Service. Nature of the Northwest is open 9-5, Monday through Friday at:
800 NE Oregon Street #28, Suite 965
Portland Oregon 97232
phone 971-673-1555, fax 971-673-1562
Web address: http://www.naturenw.org.
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