Moorpark College Geology Dept. Field trip to This page contains approximately 2.5 megabytes of data - Scroll down for all the pictures

Here we see the pipe crew approaching the blowhole. As the crowd watches, sludge shoots out the pipe. With buckets ready, the crowd anticipates the rare treasures from below. We collect a handfull of HANKSITE crystals - KNa22(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl Sodium Potassium Sulfate Carbonate Chloride A nice specimen. No trip to Trona would be complete without a visit to the Pinnacles. These calcium carbonate spires create an otherworldly landscape. An October rainshower in the desert landscape of the Searles Lake Basin

Next day we look for HALITE in the brine pools. Leaving no stone unturned in search of an awesome specimen. Our catch for the day; several very nice specimens of Halite. Most of the Halite is colorless and transparent. Some are pink due to the halophilic bacteria present. Some samples have a bit of both.