Are there any anomalies on the 1000-Day maps? Specifically, are there any on maps to be used for the 2002 1000-Day? If there are any anomalies, are they mapped? Can we be sure that if we are running on the map and pass by an anomaly it will be mapped? What should one do to report unmapped anomalies if one encounters said phenomenon? What are the long-term prospects for exploiting any anomalies found in the LaRamie Range, on USFS land or elsewhere? What exactly is an anomaly (in the geological or mineralogical sense) anyway?

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), September 24, 2001

Answers

There are no anomalies on any existing 1000 Day maps. The Laramie Range is host to many identified kimberlite pipes, some of which are diamond bearing or are potentially diamond bearing. It is near certain that there are more, and possibly many more, kimberlite pipes waiting to be discovered. In this case, anomalies refer to unusual topographic features and/or vegetational variances which may hint at the presence of an kimberlite pipe. They have no bearing on orienteering and are mainly of interest to geologists.

In the area where our maps are located, the anomalies cited are typically shallow depressions which are usually filled with water for part or all of the year. These sorts of depressions shouldn't be ordinarily be found in granite bedrock, hence they are deemed anomalous.

If an orienteer should stumble across an undiscovered anomaly during a 1000 day race, he should take off his O' pants, and tie off the legs at the cuffs. Then using his compass, the orienteer should excavate as much soil and gravel out of the anomaly as will fit into the O' pants for post-race sieve analysis. Any diamonds displaced during the excavating must be turned in at once at he Finish, otherwise the racer will be disqualified for that day.

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), September 24, 2001.

You can see some anomalies on this map clip:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=41.633769933261334&lon=- 105.33697861688469&s=25&size=l&symshow=n

Look for the half dozen or so closely grouped depressions and ponds.

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), September 25, 2001.

Those water filled features are indeed anomalies. It's interesting that the geologists have focused their attention on the comparatively minor depression near Eagle Rock rather than some of these other much more pronounced odditites.

-- Swampfox (wmikell@earthlink.net), September 25, 2001.

I have to admit to some ignorance -- I have no idea what an anomaly is. So, I'm especially interested in an answer to Mook's last question.

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), September 24, 2001.

This is interesting. It raises the question in some peoples' minds as to whether features like the Pelican Pool and the various water-filled low features north and northwest of there (all of the way towards Russell) are also anomalies or whether they are better explained by the wallowing of cattle over many generations.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), September 25, 2001.