Sedimentary Rocks
Look for shale and limestone along the Flint River. According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, there are large contents of shale, limestone and sandstone along the river. This is because Alabama was once covered by an ancient ocean, prehistoric swamps and wetlands.
Over time as the globe changed, layers settled upon layers, causing the pressure on the bottom layers to increase and forming the sedimentary rocks. Over the billions of years that followed, the erosion along the river exposed these bed-stone rocks.
Igneous
Part of the Alabama upland has parts of the Flint River flowing through. During the Pre-Cambrian and Devonian periods, two rock tongues were on a collision course that resulted in the huge pressures and heat that produced igneous rocks. Along the upland Piedmont of Alabama, look for zinc, mica, talc and trace amounts of gold.
The Alabama state gemstone can be found along the Flint River. Look for star blue quartz rocks that are the Alabama state gemstone.
Quartz
Whether it's in the Georgia part of the river (the predominate section) or in the small Alabama section, you can find loads of different types of quartz and other crystals in the Flint River. Garnets, beryl, tourmaline and smoky quartz have been found along the shore, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama. There have been recorded instances of kaolin findings as well.
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
