Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Magma

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 1, 2019

1. Magma Marker

Inscription.
(side one)
Almost 1.2 billion years ago molten rock called magma from deep in the Earth flowed up between two adjoining tectonic plates them located under present day eastern Minnesota. Through a process called rifting some magma flowed underground into Minnehaha County where it intruded into fractures in the overlying quartzite. While still below the surface of the earth it slowly cooled and hardened to form a dark-colored, coarse-grained rock.

Subsequent uplift of the Earth's crust and erosion

(side two)

combined to expose, and erode away most of the large body of solidified magma. Only scattered remnants remain today.

Geologists named the hardened magma "Corson Diabase" because outcrops of the rock were first found north of Corson, S. Dak., along Split Rock Creek.

In the early 1900s a quarry was opened in Lien park to obtain Corson Diabase. Some was used to build the black facade on the north side of the original Washington High School. Diabase similar to that found at this site has also been found in other county locations.

Erected 2004 by Minnehaha County Historical Society and the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

City of Sioux Falls.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources.

Location. 43° 34.131′ N, 96° 42.647′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It is at the intersection of Cliff Ave and E Chambers on Cliff Ave. Located at Lien Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2000 N Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls SD 57104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Albert M. Mansor (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Amidon Affair (approx. 0.4 miles away); Memorial to the Pioneers of Minnehaha County (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Dakota War of 1862 (approx.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 1, 2019

2. Magma Marker

0.4 miles away); Amidon Graves Mystery (approx. half a mile away); First Concrete State Highway (approx. 0.7 miles away); Frederick Manfred’s “Siouxland” (approx. 0.9 miles away); Artisans at the Falls (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, May 1, 2019

3. Magma Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 813 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.