Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut, USAi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Stafford | Town |
| Tolland County | County |
| Connecticut | State |
| USA | Country |
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Stafford is a town in Tolland County settled by European immigrants in 1719. The community consists of the downtown area of Stafford Springs and the more rural villages of Crystal Lake, Ellithorpe, Hydeville, Orcuttsville, Staffordville, Stafford Hollow, Village Hill, and West Stafford.
Geologically, the western half of town is underlain mostly by the Glastonbury and Monson orthogneisses of the Bronson Hill island arc Terrane, with the metavolcanics and metasediments of the Great Hill syncline in the middle of it; the eastern half is underlain mostly by metasedimentary Brimfield Schist and Mount Pisgah member of the Littleton Formation - part of the Central Maine oceanic Terrane. Metamorphism, deformation and thrust faulting were caused by the Acadian and Alleghenian Orogenies. Brittle faulting happened during Fundian extension of the late Triassic/early Jurassic. This event opened spaces in the Clough Quartzite for the famous quartz crystals of West Stafford to form in.
Stafford was a major producer and smelter of bog iron ore. According to Harte (1944):
In 1779, the Phelps blast furnace at Stafford Hollow started operation, and it is said to have furnished cannon and cannon balls to the Colonial Army, besides camp kettles and pots. Twenty years later, in nearby Hydeville, the Lafayette furnace was blown in; it was said to have been the first Connecticut furnace to cast stoves...Phelps and Lafayette exhausted the local ore they were using, and closed in 1840.
Another historically important resource in town was spring water - particularly for spa use as reported by Shepard (1837):
The most important springs in the State are those of Stafford. Ample accommodations here exist for invalids, and during the warm season they are a favorite resort. No perceptible escape of gas from the water was observed. The sides of the reservoir were lined with a thick flocculent precipitate of the oxide of iron...
Both the bog ore and the iron oxy-hydroxides precipitating in the spas result from oxidation of the abundant iron sulfides in the extensive Brimfield Schist. Groundwater in this formation carries much ferrous iron (Fe2+) weathered out of the sulfides, which is soluble in the low-oxygen subsurface environment. Once exposed to the oxygen-rich atmosphere, it converts to extremely insoluble ferric iron (Fe3+) and precipitates out as goethite.
Stone quarrying occurred mostly in the 19th century for building and paving stones, mostly in the Clough Quartzite, Middletown Formation and Glastonbury Gneiss, all in western Stafford. The Skyline Quarry is an active stone quarry near West Stafford working the Clough Quartzite and Middletown Formation.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.Mineral List
Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities21 valid minerals.
* - Minerals that have never been found, but their existence is inferred in some way (e.g. from pseudomorphs)
Detailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Actinolite Formula: ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 References: |
| ⓘ Albite Formula: Na(AlSi3O8) References: |
| ⓘ Almandine Formula: Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 References: |
| ⓘ 'Amphibole Supergroup' Formula: AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 References: |
| ⓘ Anhydrite Formula: CaSO4 Habit: tabular Description: Tabular crystals to 3 cm that were epimorphed or encrusted by drusy quartz before later naturally dissolving away leaving voids. References: |
| ⓘ Arsenopyrite Formula: FeAsS References: |
| ⓘ Calcite Formula: CaCO3 Colour: White Description: Occurring as a compacted vein up to 5 cm References: |
| ⓘ 'Chabazite' References: |
| ⓘ Chalcocite Formula: Cu2S Habit: massive Colour: black with slight bluish iridescence Description: mm-scale grains and irregular masses with sphalerite in albite/quartz/muscovite host. The sulfide grains are embedded in the silicates suggesting the former are primary. References: |
| ⓘ 'Chlorite Group' References: |
| ⓘ Epidote Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) References: |
| ⓘ Fluorapatite Formula: Ca5(PO4)3F Habit: elongated prismatic Colour: white to pale green Fluorescence: yellow under short wave UV Description: Small crystals in gneiss. References: |
| ⓘ Goethite Formula: Fe3+O(OH) Habit: encrustations Colour: dark brown Description: Dark brown encrusting layer typically covering the quartz when found, usually cleaned off. References: |
| ⓘ Ilmenite Formula: Fe2+TiO3 References: |
| ⓘ 'K Feldspar' References: |
| ⓘ 'K Feldspar var. Adularia' Formula: KAlSi3O8 References: |
| ⓘ Kyanite Formula: Al2(SiO4)O References: |
| ⓘ Laumontite Formula: CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| ⓘ Magnetite Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4 References: |
| ⓘ Muscovite Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 References: |
| ⓘ Prehnite Formula: Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 References: |
| ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 |
| ✪ Quartz Formula: SiO2 Habit: stubby prismatic, complex parallel-growth, corn cob Colour: colorless to milky (typically in an outer zone) Description: large complex crystals to 10 cm or more, smaller crystals radially encrusted acicular laumontite creating coarse columns of crystals |
| ⓘ Quartz var. Amethyst Formula: SiO2 References: |
| ✪ Quartz var. Milky Quartz Formula: SiO2 Habit: stubby prismatic, complex parallel-growth, corn cob Colour: colorless to milky Description: large complex crystals to 10 cm or more, smaller crystals radially encrusted acicular laumontite creating coarse columns of crystals |
| ⓘ Quartz var. Smoky Quartz Formula: SiO2 References: |
| ⓘ 'Scapolite' Habit: elongated prismatic to massive Colour: white, pale pink to peach Description: Crude crystals and masses in calc-silicate assemblages in the metamorphic rocks. References: Harold Moritz CollectionIdentified by Harold Moritz: Visual Identification |
| ⓘ Schorl Formula: NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) References: |
| ⓘ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS Habit: rounded grains Colour: yellow Description: mm-scale rounded, clear grains with chalcocite in albite/quartz/muscovite. Sulfide grains are embedded in the silicates suggesting the former are primary. References: |
| ⓘ Staurolite Formula: Fe2+2Al9Si4O23(OH) References: |
| ⓘ 'Stilbite Subgroup' Formula: M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O References: |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Chalcocite | 2.BA.05 | Cu2S |
| ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| ⓘ | Arsenopyrite | 2.EB.20 | FeAsS |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Goethite | 4.00. | Fe3+O(OH) |
| ⓘ | Magnetite | 4.BB.05 | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
| ⓘ | Ilmenite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2+TiO3 |
| ⓘ | Quartz var. Amethyst | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| ⓘ | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 | |
| ⓘ | var. Smoky Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| ⓘ | var. Milky Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| ⓘ | Calcite | 5.AB.05 | CaCO3 |
| Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
| ⓘ | Anhydrite ? | 7.AD.30 | CaSO4 |
| Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
| ⓘ | Fluorapatite | 8.BN.05 | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| Group 9 - Silicates | |||
| ⓘ | Almandine | 9.AD.25 | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| ⓘ | Kyanite | 9.AF.15 | Al2(SiO4)O |
| ⓘ | Staurolite | 9.AF.30 | Fe2+2Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| ⓘ | Epidote | 9.BG.05a | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| ⓘ | Schorl | 9.CK.05 | NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| ⓘ | Actinolite | 9.DE.10 | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Prehnite | 9.DP.20 | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Muscovite | 9.EC.15 | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | Albite | 9.FA.35 | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| ⓘ | Laumontite | 9.GB.10 | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| Unclassified | |||
| ⓘ | 'K Feldspar var. Adularia' | - | KAlSi3O8 |
| ⓘ | 'Amphibole Supergroup' | - | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| ⓘ | 'Chabazite' | - | |
| ⓘ | 'Chlorite Group' | - | |
| ⓘ | 'Stilbite Subgroup' | - | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
| ⓘ | 'Scapolite' | - | |
| ⓘ | 'K Feldspar' | - | |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| H | ⓘ Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| H | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| H | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Staurolite | Fe22+Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| H | ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
| B | Boron | |
| B | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| C | Carbon | |
| C | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
| O | ⓘ Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| O | ⓘ Quartz var. Amethyst | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| O | ⓘ Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| O | ⓘ Almandine | Fe32+Al2(SiO4)3 |
| O | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| O | ⓘ Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| O | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| O | ⓘ Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| O | ⓘ Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| O | ⓘ Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
| O | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Quartz var. Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Staurolite | Fe22+Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| O | ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
| O | ⓘ Quartz var. Milky Quartz | SiO2 |
| F | Fluorine | |
| F | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| F | ⓘ Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| Na | Sodium | |
| Na | ⓘ Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| Na | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | ⓘ Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
| Al | ⓘ Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| Al | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| Al | ⓘ Almandine | Fe32+Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Al | ⓘ Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Al | ⓘ Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| Al | ⓘ Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| Al | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Al | ⓘ Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| Al | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| Al | ⓘ Staurolite | Fe22+Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| Al | ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
| Si | ⓘ Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz var. Amethyst | SiO2 |
| Si | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Almandine | Fe32+Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Si | ⓘ Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Si | ⓘ Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| Si | ⓘ Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| Si | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz var. Smoky Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | ⓘ Staurolite | Fe22+Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| Si | ⓘ Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz var. Milky Quartz | SiO2 |
| P | Phosphorus | |
| P | ⓘ Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| S | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| S | ⓘ Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| Cl | Chlorine | |
| Cl | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| K | Potassium | |
| K | ⓘ K Feldspar var. Adularia | KAlSi3O8 |
| K | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Ca | ⓘ Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| Ca | ⓘ Anhydrite | CaSO4 |
| Ca | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| Ca | ⓘ Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Ca | ⓘ Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| Ca | ⓘ Laumontite | CaAl2Si4O12 · 4H2O |
| Ca | ⓘ Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| Ti | Titanium | |
| Ti | ⓘ Amphibole Supergroup | AB2C5((Si,Al,Ti)8O22)(OH,F,Cl,O)2 |
| Ti | ⓘ Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| Fe | ⓘ Almandine | Fe32+Al2(SiO4)3 |
| Fe | ⓘ Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| Fe | ⓘ Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| Fe | ⓘ Ilmenite | Fe2+TiO3 |
| Fe | ⓘ Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Schorl | NaFe32+Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| Fe | ⓘ Staurolite | Fe22+Al9Si4O23(OH) |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | ⓘ Chalcocite | Cu2S |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Zn | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| As | Arsenic | |
| As | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
Fossils
This region is too big or complex to display the fossil list, try looking at smaller subregions.Other Databases
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford,_Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Wikidata ID: | Q2305713 |
| GeoNames ID: | 4843553 |
Localities in this Region
- Connecticut
- Tolland County
Other Regions, Features and Areas that Intersect
North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Ganderia DomainDomain
- GranderiaPassive Margin
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Diamond Ledge, Stafford, Tolland County, Connecticut, USA