Michigan's Billion-Year-Old Glowing Rocks | "Yooper" Stones

The rocky beaches around Lake Superior are famous for their glowing Yooper stones (or emberlite, glowdalite, or Yooperlite® when they're sold by a specific business). But where did they come from, and what makes them glow? I met up with an expert to learn more.
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If you're interested in buying one of John's flashlights, I think they're great. He sells them to the folks in this Facebook community: groups/23535...
🎉 The thank-you section:
Many special thanks to John Dean for taking me sodalite hunting in the Keweenaw Peninsula, and for sharing all of his stories! Additional thanks to Dr. Laurel Woodruff, who reviewed the section on the Coldwell Complex for accuracy. And of course, my deepest gratitude to Sam and Chris for making this video possible.
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[@AlexisDahl]

If you're interested in going out and looking for sodalite: Before you go, please be sure to check local restrictions around where you can take rocks home and how many rocks you can remove from a given location. Ultimately, stay thoughtful and stay safe!

[@dagordon1]

25 lbs per year is what we heard

[@mikekline261]

I believe your fans would tolerate either more or longer ads for you to make a little change for all your hard work...thank you for your entertaining vid

[@denisehaley9271]

​@@dagordon1it depends. Check the area you're picking. Some places you can't remove ANY specific stones at all. The lakeshore erosion act is a blanket law, leaving it up to any given jurisdiction to enforce their local restrictions

[@jberg8159]

I’m wanted in a few states for exceeding the rock limit.

[@simonmultiverse6349]

Take nothing but photographs; leave nothing but footprints.

[@garyallen2296]

I absolutely love that you are like a kid in a candy store when it comes to science. Please keep it up! I hope you inspire dozens of young people to follow and fall in love with science.

[@Deury._mota02]

Yes

[@user-hm6bn6kw6k]

I'm sure she will!

[@WonkaDaDonka]

For those of you who want to find these rocks, you will want to get yourself a 365nm wavelength UV light. When you use 380+ the Yooperlites will appear pinkish and not orange.

[@bradley3549]

SHHHHHHHHH. Gotta keep that to yourself.

[@michaelmcclelland7075]

That’s a good tip. I heard. Good thing I’m from Michigan.

[@chadsimmons6347]

If you guys in Michigan can find a few cool rocks, then this Missouri Man will find more in my great state,,,wanna-bet?

[@WonkaDaDonka]

@@chadsimmons6347 You planning on finding sodalite-rich syenite? Feel free to make a video bud lol

[@poindextertunes]

@@chadsimmons6347ah yes, the fierce competition of rock finding 🤣

[@Oddzilla51]

Our first trip to the UP with our kids, we didn't know much abut it and bought the regular UV flashlights. It helped a little but it wasn't a successful rock hunt. The year after, I did get a legit UV light and wow, what a huge difference! We found a bunch from Munising all the way to the Porcupine Mountains! And as was said in the video, we went out one night so my wife could take Milky Way pictures on a beach near the entrance to the Porkies and a couple of young guys from college on a camping trip came out looking for the rocks. They only had the cheap UV light and were getting frustrated, so I did what any enthusiast should do... I got to them before they left, showed them the rocks under the right light, explained it all to them and gave them a few of the rocks we found. It was so much fun watching these 20-something young guys get all giddy over some glowing rocks. That's what makes it worth it. As a dad who still loves to try to get my kids experiencing new things, I find it equally as rewarding helping other "kids" find out something new and fun!

[@netsplit64]

One of the things I miss from Michigan is the rocks. I grew up finding all kinds of rocks. Volcanic, metamorphic. The glaciers brought all sorts of gifts. Now that I live in the ozarks with my wife and her family I miss Michigan a lot

[@davidhomer78]

Even so the Ozarks do have some rocks. I lived in South Texas for 30 years with nothing but clay and sand. Now I'm in Oklahoma with sand and sandstone. I'm from Indiana and my wife is from Michigan. I love these videos about pieces of Michigan. Alexis's presentation is the best.

[@kuurakuutamo]

The Upper Peninsula is not Michigan. The Keweenaw belongs to the Ojibwe.

[@ITubetc]

@@kuurakuutamo the whole country belongs to the aborigine tribes if what to get down to it. But, It still is Michigan.

[@michaelmcclelland7075]

This is how I prefer my Michigan history. With a smile and a neat fun approach. Thanks!

[@TheOneAndOnlyroAE]

Thank you Alexis for posting this! As a member of the fluorescent mineral community i am excited you showed how cool this phenomenon is!

[@marknorthrup7646]

Smart as a whip, cute as a button. an intriguing voice and a questioning mind.. what more could a man ask for? You are a delight! Your husband is blessed and I wish you both the best of life!

[@KeenRetroGames]

It looks like the source of these is Neys provincial park in Ontario, an extinct volcano that’s split open. If you haven’t been there it’s an amazing place!

[@502bbb]

Still watching from the South Pole, here till November - your videos really make me miss the UP!! I'll be up there snowmobiling in Dec and Jan.

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, man, amazing!! Thanks for saying hi! I hope your time down there is enjoyable!

[@greenthumb8266]

I hope you made it back, not much snow though, sadly.

[@paulhsv1121]

I grew up in MI but now live on the Gulf Coast. I miss the beauty of the North. I learned about "Yooper" rocks a year ago and my wife and I rented a cabin on Lake Superior. We had a lot of fun looking for the rocks and found quite a few. There's so much to see in the UP. One of the coolest things we saw was Kitch-iti-Tipi State Park which is Michigan's largest natural spring. Crystal clear water over 40 feet deep with huge trout. Of course there's the Picture Rocks and Tahquamenon Falls as well. Beautiful country!!

[@jasonasselin]

Great video and love seeing John on video too! He sells and builds the best lights I've ever owned.

[@AlexisDahl]

How fun! I'll admit I don't have much to compare them to, but I've also really enjoyed using John's lights.

[@AlexisDahl]

John mainly sells them to folks in a sodalite Facebook group. There's a link in the description!

[@basedretard844]

Do a story on the train autists of Escanaba

[@jasonasselin]

@@AlexisDahl Funny part is I've been watching your videos awhile now, never knew you were friends with him. He's a good friend. I'm glad you did this video as you did, with the TM and all. I experienced that wrath personally.

[@Zhenn9413]

I don’t skip the ads so Alexis gets paid and will keep making us this content!

[@AlexisDahl]

That's so kind and thoughtful of you. Thank you for thinking about that.

[@robertflowers6621]

Thanks for another great UP video and for interviewing John. Through my brother, I met and went sodalight hunting with John a couple years ago at West Side County Park near Fennville and have since bought from him three of his flashlights & a 3-light clamp for them. Would love to see you team up with John on future videos. If anything shines more brightly than some nice Lake Superior sodalite rocks, it has to be you/your personality on all your videos Alexis. Keep up the great work!

[@robertcolpitts4534]

What a fun video! The size of the crystals depends a lot on the composition of the magma (liquid rock while still in the ground), cooling rates (yes, it varies), pressure and temperature in the magma chamber. Different minerals are stable a different pressures and temperatures, so as the temperature slowly decreases, some minerals will crystallize first followed by others. The crystallization process follows a very definite path. So, by studying the textures and mineralogy, geologists can tell a great deal about how the magma was emplaced and where it came from. As a geologist, I recommend you contact a Geology professor at Northern Michigan University or Michigan Tech who specializes in Igneous Petrology. He can set you on the right path and recommend some basic pocket books that explain how these rocks formed! Keep up the good work!

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks so much for sharing this! This is great info.

[@robertcolpitts4534]

@@AlexisDahl - You are most welcome! Happy to offer guidance or suggestions on geology topics. You're doing great! Keep up the good work!

[@ml8067]

There are 10 million people in Michigan. How do you not at least have 1 million subscribers? Love the channel!

[@mikenuyen4441]

Lower peninsula residents call Upper Peninsula residents "Yoopers." Upper Peninsula residents call Lower Peninsula residents "Trolls" because we live below the bridge. Mackinaw Bridge.

[@andreacope7534]

Had a TexASSen try to tell me it was pronounced "Yow-per." This Yooper set her straight pretty fast and I topped it off by telling her about the Trolls and that I consider anyone that lives below the bridge to be a Troll not just the L.P. residents.

[@Designarchi1]

You are very good at these videos. Very entertaining. You have a bright future

[@Engineer1980]

Great to Alexis again and her endless enthusiasm! Cool rocks.

[@dagordon1]

Alexis, you rock! Thank you covering fluorescent sodalite, it is so fun to search around Lake Superior after the sun has completely set, especially if the water is clear and relatively flat. An interesting explanation about where those come from, and glad you found John Dean for a neat perspective. There’s a fun story about how our son reached underwater to get a glowing “blue” “stone”🤭😂

[@dagordon1]

Also, nice wink of the A.E.Seaman Mineral Museum’s fluorescent display

[@dougmiller7944]

Thanks for the lesson You always make it feel like we're on an adventure with You with all your enthusiasm. I found out about these about a year ago and once I got ahold of a good uv light I found my first one, almost tennis ball size in 5 mins. in the water by Whitefish point and didn't hesitate getting my boots drenched to get it. Found many more since. Thanks for your informative lessons, I always look forward to seeing You vids.👏🏻

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you so much, Doug! (Also, congrats on the fun find!)

[@sheilafranklin186]

First off .. love your new haircut! Thank you for another really cool, interesting and informative video, Alexis. You make learning about our awesome state so much fun.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Sheila! I really appreciate all of that.

[@softshock89]

Duluth Minnesota here. I absolutely love your videos. I’m excited to find some sodalite here on the North Shore!

[@VishnuAi]

Wow this is awesome

[@jeffsiegwart]

You sparkle! I love that. The information is well organized and complete.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Jeff! I spend a lot of time thinking about organization and clarity, so I'm happy to hear that.

[@brianhapeman9262]

That looks like fun!

[@djquinn11]

As a Michigan native and amateur rock hound I lived this video. Love the geology and physics.

[@Ironsja11]

Great job Alexis, I love your videos and always look forward to seeing a new one!

[@SylviaRustyFae]

I may be the only one who thinks this, but John Dean looks a ton like an older version of Adam Savage; and the funniest bit to me is that i cud totes see him becomin a shiny rock collector later in his life xD Also, i love his outfit choice for this vid too, overalls are just the exact vibe of clothes i wud expect a rock collector to wear xD

[@00leaveralone]

Thank you for Michigan stories that are always well done and I learn every time.

[@dillon8212]

Yes!! Was hoping you'd cover this!

[@rksnj6797]

Very cool! I never knew about these rocks! Thanks for teaching me about something new!

[@dianespears6057]

Always enjoy your videos and all the information you share. Thank you.

[@randygyulay5114]

Another great Yooper story. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinforth7618]

Excellent, thanks Alexis. My neighbor has showed me his similar rocks, so it was nice to learn more about them.

[@timdyersr4372]

Sooo cool. Definitely something I'm gonna try. Thank you for the info.

[@bryonmacpherson1470]

Thanks Alexis for taking us along on an exploration of Yooper stones!

[@benjaminscribner7737]

Another fantastic video, you are a joy to watch. Your enthusiasm for whatever you're talking about is infectious, and even though I don't live in Michigan, I enjoy learning about your state.

[@johngroothuis2469]

Thank you for making this video, You are the best at explaining a topic.

[@weathertrainsrandomniss1083]

Great video! I have pick up rocks my entire life. Sodalite has peaked my interest. I bought some gear and check our farm rock piles. The glacier was not kind enough to drop any off down here. Keep up the great work! Cheers from the 920 of Wisconsin.

[@rossrossier935]

Neat stuff Alexis, thanx!

[@patrickparker1403]

Great show ❤

[@chicken_milk]

We personally know John and have multiple of his lights. We go hunting with him a couple times a summer. I’m glad this video features him and not the OTHER guy😂😂

[@firechicken455adventures]

I love these stones. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnjunge6989]

So good to see a new video. Am a geology buff and these rocks are cool. Great stuff!!

[@dawnhughes9942]

I appreciate your content. Living and exploring in the Keweenaw has been amazing!

[@kingsgaurd]

I loved the Yooper explanation!

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. Fascinating!

[@neolexington]

Can't wait to be back in the Keweenaw next month rock hunting! Thanks for the video!

[@johnhughes905]

Ha! Your wallpaper and couch in the video room match your personality. Thanks for the enthusiastically presented information on your videos

[@winterburden]

Thank you, that's so cool!

[@kenmrock9334]

Another good episode.

[@livewire4495]

Alexis that was a Refreshing change for YOU-TUBE. Very Well Done and informative. Thoroughly enjoyed your Presentation. 😎

[@thomasbrewer4564]

Welcome back, Your show has been missed by me. Great information as I didn't know anything about these glowing rocks. I remember seeing in various side shows and museums rocks that glowed but most of them here in New Mexico were more from radioactivity. Still needed a black light shined on them though. Thanks again Alexis.

[@eddiechase9691]

Another awesome video, thank you! I grew up in the LP, have spent a ton of time in the UP, and now I'm on the east coast. Every one of your videos brings me back home again.

[@eddiechase9691]

Just to take it a step further...I spent a couple summers at WMU working as a TA for a 2 week-long geology field course, and I had a NASTY deja vu moment when you were interviewing the geologist on the rocks at Presque Isle in another video. 25 years ago I stood in that EXACT spot listening to a grizzled old geologist talk about the EXACT same thing. It was really surreal! I love what you do.

[@janellapalm1687]

Another fantastic video!! Nice haircut btw!!!

[@anthonyvonreich]

Very interesting and those rocks are very pretty!

[@Grumpyoldman037]

I really found this video maximum interesting! One of these days I have to come up and visit you folks.

[@davidrussell8795]

I love your wild flower wallpaper!

[@cgoodson2010]

So glad I found your videos! I'm visiting the UP and getting some lake rocks!!

[@bramcoteelectrical1088]

😮very interesting thankyou for making these u tubes. The geek in me loves learning 😊

[@darrellsheffield8283]

Love, love this video. We so enjoy Lake Superior's rocky shores. This is on our bucket list now, can't wait to get back to the U.P. but it's a long way from Georgia! Thank you for the video!

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, boy, that is quite the trip! I'm glad you've been able to visit!

[@AutumnReeves887]

i collected some of these on one of my trips to lake superior. yooperlites are probably one of my favorite rocks.

[@joesmith1574]

I got to get up there and get some of these rocks! Very interesting video, lots of information, as all your videos are.

[@lorastarwalt8543]

Just found your videos and love them! We travel to the UP every year!

[@TheWabbit]

You have a great teaching while learning ability. Ive been up to Superior a few times though I never went yooperlight hunting. We would wade into Superior as a way to start our summer vacation.....and to be thankful it wasn't winter!

[@booiedeus8539]

Awesome video 👍👍👍

[@STEV3.147]

I’m in Petoskey, been harvesting soda light stones every opportunity. Thanks for the amazing job of selling our amazing state to the rest of the world. Peace Sister.

[@downtownbrown50]

How about Petoskey stones? Do you have some, and are they only found near Petoskey?

[@STEV3.147]

@@downtownbrown50 Actually, you can find Petoskey stones everywhere in my area Shoreline farmer fields. I’m always giving them away to guests and visitors. You can pretty much find them anywhere in Michigan, but the further you get away from the Petoskey area they become a little more scarce.

[@timothyhart6354]

Sure the host is awesome sauce, but just as great is how humbling the channel is... I've seen a thing or two, but nothing better than learning something new

[@andreacope7534]

Love your channel. The U.P. is where my heart is.

[@walksexplorationsnewzealan6144]

Awesome stuff, and great video as usual.😊 Might just go looking for some of those rocks with my niece, who is heavy into rocks, when I am back in Michigan in September.😎👍

[@Rabblewitz]

Thanks for the video. In addition to the interesting info, they always make me very nostalgic for the Keweenaw and the Copper Country. So many fond memories from the small number years I lived there, attending MTU. Gotta get back up there again sometime ... I think it's been 35 years now, since I was last there. Back in the day, we did a bit of searching for agates on various beaches ... especially those a bit west of the Keweenaw, but I was unaware of this stone.

[@DRIFTMOTIVE]

love yooperlites have yet to go and find any. great vid

[@kennypool]

WOW, very nice job.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@bobthiele7737]

Thanks for another cool video. I learn something new every time. Next time I'm in the UP I'll have to spend a night looking for rocks.

[@jpblack7988]

I was at Agate Beach in late July, we got there right after a storm and had great luck finding a few nice peices and a fair bit of pebble sized ones.

[@wilbard6708]

Just a week after our Keewenaw trip, we did go Yooper Light hunting with some success. Cold, wind and a bored grandchild cut the hunt short, But now I have names for the different types of rocks we have found. Kept my eye out for you while we were there, but didn't spot you maybe next time. Great video thanks for another interesting few minutes, keep it UP. I'll visit 41 North to support you and them.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Wil! I'm glad you had some success on your hunt, too. 🙂

[@redraiderrider3289]

Why are all you people stealing nature??? Leave it where it is!!!! Stop being greedy!!

[@YesInMyBackyard]

I love your illistrations.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you! I still have a lot to learn, but this note is super encouraging. 🙂

[@fennynough6962]

Ha, Soda Pepper Lite: sounds like a cool new drink 🍻

[@C.Schmidt]

Oh boy! The patterns are so cool! I wonder what mysteries they hold, secrets they could unlock. Also! The animations are getting so good!

[@AlexisDahl]

Ahh, thank you!! I give all credit on the animations for this one to the "trim paths" and "zigzag" tools for helping me make moving wiggly lines, ha ha.

[@Chris-ut6eq]

If someone wants to know more about the physics of Yooperlite :-p look at the wiki for "stokes shift". Getting a yellow/red/orange color is cool! Also if you shine UV at soda water, you get a nice blue fluorescence. Its the quinine that glows . Also this can be fun experiment for kids by using Turmeric from your spice rack and using oil or alcohol to extract a green/yellow fluorescent compound. I always used a cooking oil so everything is non-toxic and fun to play with. The compound will light up under UV for a few hours before fading. The magic of science is fun! Some creatures will also glow under UV but not sure any are native to Michigan.

[@AlexisDahl]

So cool! Thanks for sharing this. I didn't manage to get any footage, but if I remember right, we did see some fluorescing pill bugs (or something that looked similar).

[@Grumpyoldman037]

Thank you for this most interesting info.

[@lanereese9303]

Try putting that light on a scorpion they will glow in the dark. Here in Arizona pest control, companies use them at night to hunt them around the exterior of houses. Check it out on KZbin

[@deafman4090]

@@AlexisDahl Almost all of the blue specs you see fluorescing on rocks is from organic matter decomposing, just like on a CSI TV episode. Take your UV flashlight to the your bathroom at night sometime to discover how well (or poorly) that toilet gets cleaned. Yikes!

[@killercurio]

i have a bunch of yooper stones and a few soadalite love finding new stones on our shores.

[@jamesmcalister8187]

Thanks for doing these videos on KZbin ! Going to Mackinac Island in a few months 😎

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks for enjoying them! Also, have such a good time on the island!

[@gregwarner3753]

Another reason to go back to the UP and the Keweenaw. First I have to visit Newfoundland Canada this Fall.

[@frankgailey164]

You rock as a rock hound. Love love love you. You know for a Michigan girl.

[@brianwestveer9532]

Very interesting

[@EdofAllTrades]

I wish you lived closer to me so I could learn this much about western NY. Love your videos. Thanks for your hard work ❤

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank YOU! I really appreciate that. (Also, you might enjoy videos by Geo Beck! I'm not sure exactly where she's based, but she does NY-centric geology videos! www.youtube.com/@Geobeck/)

[@chrislewis6178]

Thanks for this cool video! It's perfect timing. We're going to be spending a week in Munising pretty soon, so maybe we'll have to go wander a shoreline. 😄

[@dnah2k]

It’s amazing that I never knew these existed growing up there… hey what about doing a show on agates!?

[@AlexisDahl]

You are in luck! I have one from last summer called The Agate Mystery. 🙂

[@dnah2k]

Excellent thanks! I need to be a better fan…

[@AlexisDahl]

Nah! I never expect people to keep up with my back-catalogue. I'm glad you're here!

[@dlyrag755]

What a great posting. Perfect way to get kids interested in geology don't you think.

[@alboyer6]

I was just up there a couple of weeks ago for the first time. The Keweenaw is amazing! I did do a little rock hunting!

[@curtisblake261]

I'm surprised I never heard the word Yooper since I grew up in Michigan and my ancestors were from the UP. Maybe we said it and it just wasn't written. Fun stuff.

[@nancykurtz7333]

Yes I have hunted the elusive yooperlites successfully on multiple occasions 😊

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Yooperlites are beautiful! I found several after being shown where to look by my buddy in Eagle Harbor. I think I'm due for another trip.

[@LadyYoop]

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME~ You done good. You rock! :D PS...your hair is adorable.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you! On all counts!

[@bobbutson]

this is prime science outreach content

[@jeremymock6697]

Thanks for the great video, Alexis! Not to burst anyone's bubble, but these were found as early as 2005 in Keweenaw County long before the "fad" started. They have been found in every U.P county along Lake Superior for almost 20 years now. Hundreds of them would be found on any given night, and the boring ones would get thrown back onto the beach. The proclaimed "founder" of this hobby was a little late to the game. The heyday of this hobby is long gone now that there are so many people trying to find them.

[@kelleylaughlin392]

You can actually find these in 19 states that have been reported to me so far. I wrote the article published in Mineral News back in2018 that identified the minerals in them. They are are actually very wide spread and common in glacial gravel through out the north midwest and east.

[@barbarabrown7974]

When I was a kid, we went to a sodalite quarry in Canada near the Bancroft area. Don't know if it was florescent or not. It's a beautiful shade of blue and used in jewelry or carvings.

[@mksemposki]

Loved this! Any chance you can do a video on the dark sky park? 😊

[@AlexisDahl]

Possibly! What should I know? 🙂 Lots of space objects are tricky to capture without specialized equipment, but I'm open to considering a dark sky park video!