Green Rocks

[artology]

One of our neighbors was telling us about a certain kind of greenish rock found only in the area. We've seen greenish rocks, but not sure if we're looking at the right thing. I recall seeing something on the forum about them.

[Mountain_Witch]

I think I mentioned them in the Hobby And Craft area on the forum, under Rock Hounding

The green rocks are Actinolite I believe. I have noticed different stages of it from hard deep greens to very good emerald green crystalized stuff. They really seem to grow in this area really good.

[Wrightwood]

It is a rock called Actinolite. Here's a local page with more information.


http://www.highdesertinsider.com/html/actinolw.htm

[naturalist]

We have two kinds of green rocks, green schist, which has chlorite (a greenish mica-type mineral) in it and Actinolite, which has long crystals like blades of grass.  It is too soft to be valuable for a gem mineral, but it is very interesting to geologists as it is found on tectonic plate margins, where the heat and pressure of the plate motion is enough to metamorphose the minerals.  I have read that the equivalent heat and pressure for actinolite would be to put your hand on a stove burner on high and park 500 cars on top of it!  (Don't try this at home!)  We are on the margin of the North American Plate (Table Mountain and the rest of the continent) and the Pacific Plate (Wright Mountain and on out across the Pacific Ocean), and the place where they move past each other is the San Andreas Fault, which formed the Swarthout Valley that Wrightwood is in.  I have a natural history article about this for the webmaster, and it's almost finished!  Watch for "Slickensiding Away"!

[Chesslike]

Near the top of the Acorn Trail there is a large field of green rocks. Does anyone know if this green schist or Actinolite? Are there pictures anywhere to tell the difference?

[RobertW]

[Chesslike]

Thanks for the info RobertW, I'm going to have to inspect those rocks a little more closely the next time I'm up there.

[naturalist]

Near the top of the Acorn Trail there is a large field of green rocks. Does anyone know if this green schist or Actinolite? Are there pictures anywhere to tell the difference?

The light green rocks that are so striking right near the top of the Acorn trail, on the last switchback or two before hitting the PCT, are, I think, mostly Chlorite, so green schist.  They are really pretty!  The actinolite is very dark green with crystals, as has been said, and is up there, too.  But I think I know which rocks you're talking about since they really stand out.

[Matt]

Does anybody have any pics?

[LasPulgas]

Used to be able to find plenty of them right there in the wash on the way out to Lone Pine.... You know, where the flood water washes through and the concrete goes over the channel.  The dark green crystallized rocks described used to be all over in there.... big and small rocks.  Go take a look.  You can't miss them, they are that striking to see.

[RobertW]

Does anybody have any pics?

Here are a couple of pictures of Actinolite Crystals:

[lagomorphmom]

As a parting gift after a lovely stay, a friend gave me a rock that is only known to occur in his area of Morgan Hill, CA. To return the gesture I am sending his way a nice little piece of Actinolite. Since this is the season of giving and at the risk of denuding the mountain, I thought I'd share it's  "crystal properties" so that you all can appreciate even more as I now do!  [wink, wink]
[P.S. I think I will bring a nice chunk to put on my desk between myself and the coworker that drives me crazy  (See italics)]

Actinolite "Crystal Properties":

Actinolite brings your body's functions into harmony and balance. It can affect the color vibration of other stones and enhances their overall effectiveness. It stabilizes the physical crystallization process (a process that anchors either a positive or a negative 'now' consciousness) and can restructure your cells into a positive crystallization. Actinolite helps strengthen the processes of your physical body, and allows it to accept what has taken place. It encourages your spirit to explore new directions, and gives awareness if you have strayed from your original goals. It promotes a feeling of self-worth and strength and encourages inner balance and patience. It helps instigate the balancing process of emotional and physical acceptance, and produces the openness and the well-being that allows you to be available and receptive to Divine energies. It is a protective shield, which repels your own negative thoughts - this is particularly true of black Actinolite - and assists your body in adjusting to changes or traumas. Actinolite is an excellent stone for psychic shielding, as it expands your aura and crystalizes its edges, connecting you to higher awareness while bringing body, mind, psyche and spirit into balance. An effective aid to visualization and imagery.

Chakras: Heart, Solar Plexus, Third Eye

Astrological sign: Scorpio