Looking northeast from near Apache Junction, you can see
Four Peaks in the background, as well as more of the
Mazatzal Mountains. In the foreground are colorful
formations of pyroclastic ash and debris, deposited by
cataclysmic explosions of massive volcanic
several miles to the southeast, during the
period. Remnants of the calderas themselves are now masked
by the similar rock formations of the famous
Superstition Mountains.
Four Peaks (elevation 7657 feet; 2334 meters) can
be seen from many places in Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale.
The peaks are made of
, resting upon Precambrian
, and are the source of Four Peaks
Amethyst, a vivid purple, natural precious stone. The
mine is located between the right two (highest) peaks of the
mountain.
Arizona's Four Peaks is geology upside down.
And you can even wear a piece of it!
You can also
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about all kinds of rocks.
There are 2 views in this sequence (so far) -- this is
scene #1.
You can read the tale of how Four Peaks
formed in my GeoStory™ (PDF version) called "Pendants Big and Small". There are more
GeoStories available, too.
Above is a nice example of Four Peaks
, cut into a trillion shaped gemstone. This gem is
one of GemLand's specialties! See our
Gemology section for more information, and how to
purchase.