Despite having a fair idea of the general area, it wasn't until I was showing a colleague how to combine all the visual clues into a specific area that I accidentally stumbled across it, right where I had explained that it might very well be!
And now for something completely different:
WoGE #395 has a lot of geology in it, both tectonics, sedimentology, fluvial deposits, and - something else.
For any new players to Where on (Google) Earth, simply post a comment with latitude and longitude and write something about the (geologic/geographic/hydrographic) feature in the picture. If you win, you get to host the next one. Previous WoGEs are collected by Felix on his blog and a KML file.
Because this WoGE ought to be rather easy, I invoke Schott's Rule: former winners have to wait with posting for 1 hour for each WoGE they got right. I will post some hints if there is no answer after some time.
Four days and no solution?
SvarSlettI thought there were more than enough clues here, especially as it is quite a large area.
Oh well, it's been weekend. And north is NOT straight up. ;)
Ole, we are on vacation!
SvarSlettFelix, I hope you aren't in THIS place. :D
SvarSlett29.251835° 61.629568°
SvarSlettThis is near Amalaf, in the far corner of Pakistan, near the borders with Afghanistan and Iran.
It is the location of the Saindak complex. The "something else" that can be seen in the picture is the copper mine. Also gold and silver are found here. A smelter and powerplant are available.
China will invest substantial money in the complex.
You got it. :)
SvarSlettThe Saindak Complex is a part of the Chagai Raskoh Magmatic Arc. Through Paleocene to Oligocene this was a back-arc sedimentary basin, which was then uplifted and (gently) folded. Calc-akaline intrusives around 19-20 My were the source of the porphyry-type metal ores. Due to low humidity in the area there is no or little secondary zone, which is not too good for the economy of mining.
The extremely good exposure of the geology was described thus (Vredenburg 1901): "The whole region is occupied by low undulating ranges absolutely destitute of any covering of soil or sand, or alluvium or boulders, or of any vegetation whatsoever. It is impossible to describe the dreary desolation of such a scene".
Vredenburg, E. W., 1901, A geological sketch of the Baluchistan desert and part of eastern Persia: India Geol. Survey Mem., v. 31, pt. 2, p. 177-302.
Thanks Ole,
SvarSlettIndeed it was not too hard to find. However, one does need time to do some searching. My initial thoughts were on Iran. But your final hint convinced me that the area might be dangerous to travel to. So my search went to Afghanistan. And since the location is so close to the Afghan border, I was able to find it.
You had already commented on most of the geology, so I concentrated on the "something else" as you had indicated it.
I must say that I hadn't expect to win this one because of lack of time to search. But it is like Felix wrote: it is vacation, and everything seems to be slow.
I will post a new WoGE shortly.
Rob
WoGE 396 has been posted on my blog. A well known area, but maybe not so known by the satellite view..
SvarSletthttp://wxwolff.blogspot.nl/2013/08/woge396.html
Find the location and described the geological aspects.
Good luck with the search,
Rob