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The Glass Mountain

Unique Mound of Selenite Crystals

Rock Formation in Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau near Caineville, UT

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On Wikipedia

The Glass Mountain is a geologic formation in Lower Cathedral Valley of Capitol Reef National Park consisting of large selenite (gypsum) crystals forming a mound or plug 15 feet high. Gypsum was deposited as sea water evaporated 165 million years ago and then buried under other sediments. The gypsum migrated upwards through fractures in the sediments forming layers and, very rarely, domes like the Glass Mountain. There is only one exposed selenite plug within the park and one other just outside which has been reduced to ground level by collectors.

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Taxonomy

Classified As

Geologic Formations

Bluff Ss, Summerville Fm, Curtis Fm, Entrada Ss, and Carmel Formation (UTJ1;7)

Geologic Formation

Bluff Sandstone

Geologic Formation

Summerville Formation

Geologic Formation

Curtis Fm Formation

Geologic Formation

Entrada Ss Formation

Geologic Formation