GEOL 101 - #34 - Ellensburg Blue Agates

[@wiregold8930]

I cannot put a dollar value on this class. It is a learning community and I need that. It has filled gaps in my knowledge I knew existed but also shone a light on gaps I didn't know existed. I look forward to 351 and have the A-Z Exotic Terrane series to view again meanwhile.

[@sidbemus4625]

Agreed.

[@Sköldpadda-77]

It has been an absolute joy to sit in on this class. It has helped keep my mind busy and distracted from the dark clouds of depression since I discovered it around lecture 6 or 7. It’s given me something to look forward to when there’s been very little else that has been able to kindle the spark of excitement and curiosity.

[@bagoquarks]

*101 STUDENTS,* be aware that we, the online townies, envy you and your future. Just to hear you, off camera, has been a joy. Thank you, \\//_

[@sidbemus4625]

Yes, could not agree more....

[@mhansl]

Nick, you’ve been the most generous.

[@leggiemeggie5837]

Thank you so much Nick for opening these lectures to us townies!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 they truly have been such a joy and I look forward to any opportunities to soak up your lectures in the future. I just want you to know how much we appreciate you and your hard work!!! ♥️💙♥️💙 See you all in 351 😁👍

[@lorrainewaters6189]

I had a beautiful moment yesterday. When I was finishing up with my questions for my Tectonics teacher two days ago by facetime, when we were saying our goodbyes', I just happened to say "I love you",just because I've heard NIck say that on many occasions....and the miracle was that before I new it, my geology teacher said back to me, "i love you." After I hung up on the phone and realized what just had transpired, I am simply amazed at what had just happened... An exchange of "I love you.-s" over the subject of geology. Rocks Rock, baby. God bless the rocks.

[@sheilatruax6172]

Can't wait for 351!! I am so glad Professor Zentner started up for us last St. Patrick's. They've given me food to get through this pandemic!!

[@DeebeeNonya]

Words cannot express my gratitude for your willingly sharing your knowledge and passion with all who want to learn! Thank you and I can hardly wait for Geo 351. Enjoy your time off and give Bijou and Liz our love and a hug! :-)

[@rickschlosser6793]

Nick, I know I’m late to the party but… I want to thank you for leaving these livestreams up. I have just finished this series. It is wonderful that you share the knowledge. So, humbly, thank you for all you do.

[@pay1441]

Words need to be invented to express how thankful I am for what you do. This last episode was very festive and energetic. Looking forward for the next series. You've really helped me get through this whole COVID thing over the last year by giving me something to look forward to. I know, nice things...nice things. Don't forget to clip or bite off the end cap before you light up. Cheers! Randy/Randolph

[@deepquake9]

Thank you it’s been really special attending geology 101 with CWU and the townies.

[@janehallstrom7628]

Here's to you Nick! Such a great class. Looking forward to 351!

[@dougbernick2129]

Thanks Nick for a great class.

[@bobhenry]

Thank you Nick. Your livestreams of the last year have not only entertained me, but inspired me to study the local geology in my area of Rochester, NY. Eroded Appalachian mountain deposits are not nearly as interesting as exotic terranes and volcanoes! Although we do have some interesting, much more recently deposited glacial moraines and drumlins.

[@bagoquarks]

Thanks to Nick I've been looking at YT posts and USGS formation maps for my surroundings here in SE Pennsylvania. A lot of it is terranes accreted before there was a Pangea. Therefore, the only thing new is the geology I did not know.

[@oliviarafferty]

So glad I discovered your class, Nick. I'm a songwriter from Scotland who got curious about geology as part of a project I'm starting work on, and was a complete rookie when I stumbled across these 101 lectures, so it was perfect! You are one of those teachers who could turn anyone on to your subject, just through your sheer enthusiasm. This year I hope to work with the Scottish Geology Trust to create some songs around the events & stories from Skye and the North West Highlands, blending them with human experiences of slow-moving time, like lockdown for example. These lectures have given me a real grasp on basic concepts and also a real hunger to visit the PNW and take a trip around Washington to see the Cascades... and perhaps a hunger for Vinman's baked goods as well! All the best and hope to join for 351.

[@bonblue4993]

Thanks so much, Nick, for what you do. As you know, there are lots of people who are watching your class and who are becoming educated about the beautiful earth that we live on. That seems to me to be a pretty darn good thing. Whatever can be done to make people more respectful of our earth is the best thing ever. Many Blessings!

[@HeatherSmith-c2q]

Thanks so much for posting this class. I've really enjoyed it! I'm a Ph.D. student in biomedical science, and I listen to your videos while I collect data for my dissertation in comparative neuroanatomy.

[@buzzyhardwood2949]

A thousand thanks to you Nick for making this class available to us. I last had intro to geology in 1974 when plate tectonics theory was in its infancy. You put so much information together for us it is astounding how the Earth’s pieces fit in an understandable manner. Best wishes from Big Sky. Country.

[@TCR-o6f]

I really enjoyed this series even more on my second time viewing the series. Thank you.

[@damonbanks259]

Thank you, Nick, for providing the organization I needed in my knowledge of geology! It sets the stage for further betterment and enjoyment! 😎 Your delivery and presentation is absolutely priceless. I wish a lot of presenters could learn from you. 😊

[@101rotarypower]

Thank you for taking the time to focus the samples! Loved this series and finally got to watch the closing episode, cant wait until the 30th to start back up! Remember this is a new medium, you can experiment and try new things and then try something else, I really think this is a road map for future generations to teach and learn. Thank You Nick!

[@malcolmcog]

I'm so sad ! The best lectures have finished ! Thank you Nick, I wnat to say that every day is a school day ! Even though I graduated in Earth Sciences a long time ago, as one of my lecturers always told me, 'everything you know is wrong' and you will learn every day that science is always evolving, and Nick proves that !

[@kwgm8578]

Hi Nick. I've learned much and received immense enjoyment from your 101 class this term. Thank you for sharing this with us "townies". Enjoy your spring break.

[@rongaul8169]

What a way to end a series. Worse than a cliff hanger TV show...”to be continued.” (Love it.) You teaching a live class is as intense as your on-line lectures. You really do love your work. 👍🏼

[@kathleensayce6035]

My 101 class in the mid 70s was never this much fun! Great job, Prof. Nick.

[@jasonlawler9674]

Thank you Nick. Been following since Ted introduced us. Looking foward to 351

[@ianlejeune6012]

{Melbourne, 12th March] Thanks for your energy and excitement dealing with complicated questions, knowing that only application and imagination will move you forward till the next set of unknowns spurs you on again. I'm supremely grateful to you for the opportunity to follow you as you pick up the breadcrumbs of information and help us to understand. For 351, 8:00am start [Eastern Australian Summer Time] will mean I'll be able to tune in live, as I have done before - hurrah. Perhaps a quiet front porch, a good red and a cigar tonight?

[@brucehearn2621]

I echo the thanks of others in these comments. I retired a few years ago and have been using youtube to fill some time. One day, The Tubes offered up one of your townie lectures, I believe on Ranier and its lahars. I took some college-level geology in the late-Seventies and was interested in your content. After watching much of your recent content, I decided to see what else you offered and found your various lecture series and thought it a good idea to watch the 101 classes as a refresher before tackling your more advanced lectures. You style is enjoyable and has encouraged me to continue working my way through your older content. Exotics A to Z is an eye-opener. I am now sad that I live on the geologically-boring Third Coast. Cheers!

[@vinmansbakery]

Thank you very much for doing the class online, Nick. Really enjoyed it!

[@davied5496]

Nick thank you so very much for your sharing and really have enjoyed your classes. I live in Houston and my son lives in Vancouver Washington and got me interested in all of the geology of Washington. I found your series on KZbin and really have enjoyed looking forward to the class starting at the end of the month.

[@sheetmetalhead]

Nick from first “2 minute Geology “ I watched, I knew that you are a one in a million! I have learned so much, and feel fortunate to have been a part of all of your live streams.

[@MrFmiller]

I’m delighted. I made it all the way through. I won’t get credit for it but what I did get was far more meaningful. I learned a lot from you. My sons are excited too. We’ve been rock hounding the North Cascades, particularly north of Ellensburg to Wenatchee for decades. I’m eager to put my newfound knowledge to good use. Thank you Nick for the opportunity. I might have been able to pick up a book or two, and watched a few miscellaneous geology videos but I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have in following your many videos, lectures, and now an actual geology 101 course. Again, thanks. I look forward to anything you offer in the future. Until then I get to review videos so I might pick up details I missed or remember things I might have forgotten.

[@shermanreimer8043]

From Winnipeg Manitoba. Love your classes. Stumbled upon. You're a great educator!

[@mikeweeks4669]

Great the 351 start time aligns with my lunchtime. Have been watching in repeat. Looking forward to seeing this through to the end of semester.

[@TimInSeattle]

Thank you Nick.

[@fredmunson8603]

LOVED THIS COURSE. LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT MY WASHINGTON STATE AND WHERE I LIVE IN WENTCHEE.

[@wildwolfwind6557]

The twist at the end was exactly what I was thinking. Awesome. The clockwise rotation helps explain why it looks like Yellowstone's path came down from central Oregon and then turned northeast- but instead it seems as if curved northward (clockwise rotation) on the west side and strike-slip motions. The Okanogan area having such smaller sections is very interesting. I figure it's because the Rocky Mountains and Cascades are so close together. Okanogan means 'the meeting place' in Native Syilx (Salish). Like it's the curve in the river where deposits build up - in a way., but with bigger pieces.

[@ericojonx]

Just downloaded PDF for 'Orphan Tsunami of 1700': Just watched part 1 talk with Brian Atwater. Your website is a goldmine. Unable to watch "geol 101" vids live, schedule conflict: Now in process of watching #22. ["OLD" Townie (73)] Eric (Los Angeles). Thank you so much for what you provide to the public.

[@glenwarrengeology]

There is never ever ever enough Geology.

[@bagoquarks]

Yet geology is relentless.

[@beed56]

Thanks for another great series, and letting us peek in on the class!

[@wilsonjw42]

I do believe that Silent Jack made it through the entire class without asking a question. Perseverance!

[@jackmessinger9312]

Perseverance and a whole lot of stubbornness

[@dennydargan8731]

When I was a kid the coin purses were made of cloth or leather with a little metal frame around the opening and a small x type latch

[@KSparks80]

Years ago I'd found one like Nicks, and thought it'd be a great place to keep the big needles used in a manual leather stitcher all together. When the bleeding stopped, I'd found the "squeeze to open" function to be a deal breaker. Yours would have worked much better!

[@kwgm8578]

These rubber things were big in the early to mid 1960s. All the kids in school had them. It was a thing to take a Flair pen (also new then), draw two eyes on one side, and make them talk like Senor Wenslass.

[@purplegoathead]

Thank you Phil in Washington DC

[@tedharrison4109]

It was awesome to hear the entire series. But really excellent as to explaining where and how gold and agates formed and how to find them. I will take this information with me if I visit another area that might have similar geology. Thank you.

[@mikekirk1513]

Hey Nick, thank you for putting the entire Geology 101 class on KZbin for anyone to check out. I'm going to be there for the next course, Tuesday March 30th.

[@lindakilmer2548]

To the students that didn’t mind the “townies”. I sure hope that your academic career brings you a career that makes you feel like you never work a day! Good luck!

[@jameshughes8745]

Thanks for sharing this course with us.

[@SimonWelander]

It's probably too late for Nick to see this comment as it's late after the final 101 but I just want to say THANKS NICK from me too. I've been watching them live for half the term once I found them - plus all the other livestreams/lectures. You're a great teacher! I'd love to know how the class got on with their finals and if any of them are fired up enough to move forward with Geology. I've also learnt so much about your area by checking out other resources and flying about on GMaps and in various choppers on YT so I'd love to come and see it one day. Thanks again.

[@fredmunson8952]

Thank you Nick so much. I will never look at rock formations in the same way as I had in the passed.

[@alockwoo85]

I'm almost too embarrassed to admit this, but it took me until TODAY to understand the coin purse visual and why these faults are oriented that way. I love re-watching Nick's videos while taking and drawing my notes--they're so full of little details that I don't always catch the first time around. :) Too bad there's no good way of illustrating a coin purse's functionality without it looking like a biology/human anatomy diagram lol

[@nwgambler6405]

"It's like a health class"...🤣🤣🤣

[@tgordon4881]

What a wonderful lecture!

[@robleedom838]

Thanks Nick! What a wonderful conclusion.... for now. From myself and Andrea (You Rock!). See you for the next class. - virtual townies Rob And Andrea

[@gringottfenn316]

I'm looking forward to the next class!!

[@thomaslvickywettengel3041]

Nick Rocks- Thank you!

[@KSparks80]

Thanks for the Geo 101 series, Nick. It was great, as usual! And appreciated. And I think you probably had more like several hundred "nodding approvals" of the Vinman's blueberry muffins. They looked extremely "snarfable"! Take care.

[@DG_253]

Thanks for doing this Nick. Had been such a treat to have this. Looking forward to your next class this spring.

[@eidrith493]

351 lectures start 8 am Australian Eastern Standard time.

[@richardbatistelli7280]

I will be there

[@ianlejeune6012]

Me too [Melbourne]. Thanks.

[@lizj5740]

Me too [Drouin]. I couldn't make many of the live Geology 101 classes because...5 a.m.

[@johnnash5118]

Perhaps because the blue agate-rhyolite field is East of the High Cascade centerline, it may be a ghost shield volcanic field much like Oregon’s Newberry Volcano/Caldera located @25 miles East of the Cascade crest. The last data that I read is that Newberry has a Cascade plumbing system.

[@danesmith7158]

Please can you help me with finding the area your talking about that is an easement? haven’t been able to find it even after the lady from tomahawk ranch explained it to me. I’m a local to Cle Elum and have been hunting blues for the past 4 years, it’s an addiction now and I’m hooked so any help is much appreciated. Also thank you for the knowledge you have spread through the blue community we love the videos can’t wait to keep learning more! If it’s possible to get in contact please let me know, thank you for your time sir.

[@dennydargan8731]

Yo Doc. Thanx so much for all the wonderfull lectures. I never knew I liked geology. Go figure.

[@SandCrabNews]

Caldera? OK, we know that the Earth's crust has rotated over a hot spot ending with the recently formed Yellowstone Caldera. You are on something new to me. But it appears maybe the hot spot had not yet fully reached temperature or surface proximity enough to form a caldera at surface near NW of Nampa, ID; or geologic activities have since covered it's tracks.? Nick you are a blessing to geology. You have such love for this and are a pleasure to watch. So, many other videos this Boomer could watch, but 90 minutes of geology grabs my attention. I recommend your students visit the San Andreas Fault area. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (down) morphed rocks, Cajon Pass on I-15, Wrightwood, CA (hike the trails and see bent trees caused by land tilt), Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park near Aqua Dulce, CA, (movie sets) and Grapevine on I-5 to Santa Clarita, CA.

[@mkseifert]

Nick, love you’re programming!

[@nicholasmcmillan7536]

This is great I'm with the Spokane Rock Roller club and I love learning. Hoping to learn how to identify blue Ellensburgs.

[@Paleoman]

The native Americans used agate as a raw material in addition to chert, obsidian, petrified wood and others to make arrowheads. Many of the Columbia river "gem points" are made from agate.

[@mikekirk1513]

I've been a 5 decade plus smoker ( cigarettes) but I've never understood the attraction of cigars. I'm out of the loop. My dad smoked them occasionally, but he was more of a pipe smoker. Thanks for the lecture Nick.

[@p4p3rm4t3]

Thanks Nick! Awesome class!

[@P3RV-3]

thank you nick!

[@kathleenfloyd591]

Hey Nick, hve you considered doing a series on the U K, it would be brilliant for us Brits who now know more about the geology of the north west usa than is decent!😀

[@lindakilmer2548]

I have definitely NOT had enough! I’ll be joining the 351 live stream!

[@roddixon368]

Still learning and reinforcing my knowledge with 101. Look forward to catching you on 30th. Maybe live, but I don't know how I will go with 4am local time.

[@hkdheraldkingdecals8420]

I would like the directions to the alluvial plane public land site.

[@maytagmark2171]

Nothing better at a successful end then a good cigar.

[@lesleybakes4837]

Fuston and Wu (2020) hypothesise that 60 MA three tectonic plates were subducted underneath the western US seaboard. Could the subduction of these plates and associated melting of continental rocks be responsible for the bimodal Volcanism that you are talking about.Obviously the rhyolite solidified and underwent deformation these veins were then filled with hydrothermal fluids that underwent thermodynamic changes causing alteration and leaching of surrounding rocks, incorporating different elements into the fluids so that when these fluids were eventually deposited they caused the colour changes

[@BustaBreaks777]

Cobalt rich ash fell upon existing rock, rain water and snow melt caused mineral to seep from the ash into the rock after the fact. Ash was a separate event. The cobalt absorbed in quartz and calcite in the pockets under ground. It explains why there is more than one host rock. Formed before the ancient river. River came later. Sporadic because in certain locations the original ash stayed in place while the rest was displaced by erosion. I have a mine in Oregon called Calapooia blue and ranges from green to blue to dark purple. These blue's are found all around Cascades. Mt. Mazama has been named, but I think it is more complicated than that.

[@eidrith493]

The grad student from New Zealand who was doing work on the Ellensburg Blues several years ago was finding that the blue was not due to mineral contamination (like the Texan blues) but some type of structural cause. Any further research on that?

[@SCW1060]

Nick, my take on the different lavas in the Cascades is from the amount of silica in the crust where the magma intrudes through. I don't know if I'm right or not but it sounds good lol

[@charlesstreet5030]

I'm watching this in replay. At the end showing the samples, some look like the Ocean Picture Stone. Dan Hurd Prospecting in BC, on KZbin, does videos about that.

[@SandCrabNews]

Is there a chemical or molecule causing the blue? Cobalt? Copper would cause green.

[@tammywarnaca]

Washington, Puyallup

[@complimentary_voucher]

We love you too.

[@ethelmarshall1466]

Professor Nick. Have question.. about the formations of agates.. is this the same way blue turqouise stones are made ? Mostly found in south west. In lots of native americans jewelry..

[@brandonjohnston7746]

So the rhyolitic agate almost reminds me of pieces of ocean picture stone, what are your thoughts? Anybody? Beuller?? Lol 2 years later I've come back to this upload, thanks nick your the best

[@2whostruckjohn]

Could we be getting all the weird variety of lavas due to Washington overrunning a spreading ridge (the ridge that drove the Orcas plate north?) at the time that Siletzia accreted? Maybe it created all kinds of weird lavas after Siletzia accretion, but before the Farallon Plate had gotten far enough under North America to start the Cascade story? In that case the heat source for the odd lavas gets blocked off by the diving Farallon Plate once the Cascadia subduction is fully established. I really wish we had better resolution of what the plates looked like under the Pacific Northwest 40 to 50 million years ago. I hope the people studying the slabs in the mantle can get us that picture in the next 20 years.

[@melodyscamman244]

Thank you...

[@johnberggren3325]

NICK. Re: cascades. First two sessions on wrangellia and s********(sp) how they formed where etc. How the attached to where I live( salem Oregon).

[@cutiepups8082]

We are heading over for the blueberry 🫐 muffins ! Where’s the location ?

[@SCW1060]

Nick, wouldn't the north-south folding be possible because of the clockwise rotation?

[@micheledodge8063]

When did the clockwise rotation begin? Was it in action 49Ma?

[@SCW1060]

Yes it was. I saw a animation this morning and it was going on as early as 50 ma

[@PeterShipley1]

THANK YOU !!!

[@dennydargan8731]

A corelary. Horses that eat alfalfa develop rocks in their gi tracts. They are formed from excessive amounts of minerals and other components of the alfalfa. Horses don't need or use this material and do not readily eliminate it so it gathers in their stomaches and solidifies into white rocks, much like quartz. Minerals trapped in a enclosed spot and making rocks. Hmmm. My vet has one five inches across.

[@Paleoman]

From Silica in the alfalfa and other feed. Analyze one and you will find that it is mostly SiO2.

[@poetmaggie1]

I would love to have the box.

[@mrfranksan]

I picked the wrong day to not audit.

[@sidbemus4625]

101 CLASS WINTER 2021.......GOOD LUCK ON YOUR FINAL EXAM TODAY.

[@johnberggren3325]

CASCADES; session. One or two with daniel on native American oral history related to volcanic activity

[@bazpearce9993]

Give that man a cigar.

[@marktroiani5401]

Please talk about Mars.

[@DrewskisBrews]

Good luck to all the exam-takers!

[@dpcnreactions7062]

yummmmmmmmmmy

[@wpg56]

Hello Nick,, I love your gel.101 class, Dan Hurd is a u tuber that has a mine clam of the tape of rock you showed in this vid. He calls it BC Ocean Picture Stone, (canada). It may be a good for you to look at his channel. I'm diplex sorry for my selling. scott

[@MichaelHoward-kw9cc]

Thank you 😂

[@BarbaraJustme]

5x5 FORT RANSOM, NNORTH DAKOTA