Big Sandy Valley Field Trip
Mohave County, Arizona
Basin Evolution, Deformation, and Mineralization in the Big Sandy Valley, Northwestern Arizona
Arizona Geological Society members are invited to join the field trip as we visit Big Sandy Valley in Mohave County, Arizona.
.jpg "AZGS geologist Brad Johnson inspecting an outcrop of mudstones and sandstones of the Late Miocene - Pliocene Big Sandy Formation. Photo by Lisa Thompson")
AZGS Geologist Brad Johnson inspecting an outcrop of mudstones and sandstones of the Late Miocene - Pliocene Big Sandy Formation.
Photo by Lisa Thompson
Description - This field trip, encompassing basin deposits, river integration, structural geology/tectonics, economic geology, and regional geology, will examine two generations of well-exposed basin deposits and associated faults and deformation in Big Sandy Valley, northwestern Arizona. Big Sandy Valley is situated along the margin between the Basin and Range Province and Transition Zone in Arizona within a ~90 km gap along the northwestern segment of the Laramide arc where no porphyry copper deposits have yet been defined. Two sedimentary lithium deposits were discovered in 2019 and continue to be advanced, while two subsurface porphyry copper prospects are being explored by junior mining companies. By examining the spatial distribution and geometric configuration of Big Sandy basin deposits, trip participants will evaluate and make connections between basin structural evolution, depositional systems and basin sedimentation, and modern resource exploration, highlighting the role geologic mapping plays in the intersection of science, policy, and land use. Field trip stops examine four aspects of basin evolution and mineral resources: 1) evaluate the character, form, and depositional environments of two generations of basin deposits (the Miocene Tule Wash beds and late Miocene-early Pliocene Big Sandy Formation) through type exposures; 2) examine the character, provenance, and depositional mechanisms of spectacular rock-avalanche breccia deposits in the Tule Wash beds; 3) evaluate the structural setting of basin deposits, cross-cutting relationships between faults and folds, and implications for the style and timing of deformation; and 4) summarize regional geology and implications for porphyry copper and sedimentary lithium mineralization.
Field Trip Leaders: Brian F. Gootee, Lisa A. Thompson, Bradford J. Johnson, and Carson A. Richardson (Arizona Geological Survey, University of Arizona)
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Acknowledgements - The Arizona Geological Society Executive Committee thanks the Arizona Geological Survey for organizing the field trip to the Big Sandy Valley.
When/Where - Saturday, April 27, 2024 to Sunday, April 28, 2024
We recommend arriving the afternoon/evening of Friday, April 26, 2024 and either camp in Big Sandy Valley or find accommodations in Kingman.
Kingman, Arizona is about 30 miles NNW of the Big Sandy Valley field trip area on I-40 and is the nearest town with motels (11 motels from ~$50 to $120 per night), restaurants and stores. Wikieup is about 15 miles south of the field area. It has several restaurants, but no motels.
On the morning of April 27, between 8-8:30 AM (MST), we’ll meet near along US-93 north of Wikieup. (We’ll notify participants of where to meet after registration)
Group size - Limit - 25 participants - We anticipate that this trip will be highly popular, so in fairness to all we’ll use a lottery system to select participating members. Of the 25 spots, we are reserving five spots for AGS student members.
For those interested in attending, please enroll at your earliest convenience at https://www.arizonageologicalsoc.org/. Each enrollee will be assigned a number. Once registration is closed on April 2, 2024, we’ll draw names and immediately inform registrants of their status. No payment is due until you have been notified of your status.
Registration Deadline for this event is 6 PM on April 2, 2024.
We will establish a wait list in the event of cancellations.
Field Trip Costs - $25 for two lunches on April 27 and 28. Cost of field trip guide is $20 for a total of $45. This fee will not be collected until after the lottery.
Gear - Dress appropriately for daytime temperatures 75-90 degrees F. Boots or hiking shoes are required. AGS will supply some water, but please bring some with you.
Transportation - You are responsible for your own transportation. To facilitate carpooling for Tucson and Phoenix area folks, AGS will communicate the list of attendees before the trip. High-clearance vehicles are required in the field, such as Cherokee or F-150 4x4’s.
Meals - A selection of sandwiches, cookies, fruit, bottled water and sodas will be provided for lunches on Saturday and Sunday.
Liability Wavier - A Liability Wavier Form for all field trip participants can be downloaded at:
Link -https://arizonageologicalsoc.org/resources/Documents/Field%20Trips/FieldTripReleaseForm%20-3-22-2022.pdf
To expedite registration, participants are encouraged to bring a signed copy of this form with them on the morning of the field trip. Additional copies will be available at the check-in for those who forget.
