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Oregon Sunstone Rockhounding Area

Rockhounding Spot in Great Basin near Plush, OR

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Sunstones are feldspar crystals that formed in lava. Thirteen to fourteen million years ago, a volcano in Steens Mountain erupted, pouring out massive amounts of lava. The lava flow was subsequently covered by a vast lake and remained underwater for thousands of years. As the lake gradually dried up, the exposure to weather caused the lava to decompose and reveal loose sunstones.

Read More on Official Website

Taxonomy

Classified As

Rockhounding Spot

Ecology

Snake-Columbia Shrub Steppe

Northern Basin and Range

High Lava Plains