Chrysotile

specimen number:
2262172

location:
Gila Co., Arizona, USA

description:
Veins of fibrous chrysotile throughout matrix. Classic locality for this material.

Gila County, Arizona, is home to the most significant deposits of high-grade chrysotile asbestos in the United States, primarily located within the Salt River Canyon and Cherry Creek districts. Geologically, these deposits formed through the hydrothermal alteration of Mesoproterozoic Mescal Limestone, where diabase sills intruded the sedimentary layers and triggered the growth of cross-cutting fibrous veins. This specific environment produced exceptionally long, silky, and iron-free fibers that are world-renowned for their tensile strength and purity. Historically, mining and quarrying in Gila County began in the early 1910s, with production peaking during World War I and again in the 1940s and 1950s to meet industrial and military demand for fireproofing and insulation materials. The district featured numerous operations, such as the Chrysotile, Regal, and Arizona Asbestos Association mines, which remained active in various capacities until the early 1980s when health concerns and environmental regulations led to a total cessation of domestic asbestos mining.

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