---
title: A Video Guide to the Silver Valley
---

Geologist and host of the Rock Record Jess Scanlan shares her ultimate weekend itinerary for geo-tourism in one of the largest silver-producing districts in the world! ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

| View in browser Thursday, 14 May, 2026 / Edition 110 The Silver Valley in Idaho is one of my absolute favorite places to visit. It’s close to my home, and it’s rich in amazing history (and cool rocks)! I used to drive past it every two weeks when I was living in Seattle and working in Montana, but it wasn’t until 2019 during my famous “Mining Roadtrip” that I decided to stop and take a look around. I’ve been hooked ever since!     Jessica Scanlan   Geologist and Host, The Rock Record Follow her on YouTube and Instagram @minelifemediallc   Area Geology The mine in Burke, Idaho/ Courtesy of Jessica Scanlan The heart of the Silver Valley (aka the Coeur d’Alene Mining District) is Wallace, Idaho, located along I-90 a little less than one hour east of Coeur d’Alene. The city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it sits on top of more than 1 billion ounces of silver. It’s one of the largest silver-producing districts in the world!   Mines in this region have also produced significant amounts of gold, lead, zinc, and copper since the area’s first claims were made in 1884.   So what makes this one of the richest districts in the world for these critical minerals? The rocks beneath our feet!   Area geology: About 1.5 billion years ago, this region was part of a large basin where layers of mud, silt, and sand accumulated over time. Those sediments eventually became the “Belt Supergroup:” a large, thick package of strata that now stretches across parts of Idaho, Montana, and Canada. Those rocks were later folded, faulted, fractured, and weakly metamorphosed—fractures and faults are excellent pathways for mineral-rich fluids!  In the Coeur d’Alene Mining District, hot, salty fluids moved through cracks in those ancient Belt rocks and deposited veins rich in silver, lead, and zinc. Geologists are still working through the details of how and when these ore-forming fluids moved through the district.  A recent study led by Washington State University suggests that when those ancient waters evaporated, they left behind a liquid called a residual bittern brine.  As the area underwent metamorphism, that salt became locked into the mineral scapolite, while other denser brines sank deeper into the crust.  These hot and salty fluids were really good at dissolving and transporting metals, so when they later moved upward through cracks and faults, they deposited those metals in veins that became today's ore deposits! Future impact: Some historic mines are working toward restarting operations with improved technologies and more thoughtful resource recovery, while tourism and mining continue to exist side by side here! Sponsored Pockets Full of Rocks? We’ve Got the Swag to Match!   Designs for those who know a GOOD ROCK when they see one. Shop graphic tees, hoodies, kids' gear, hats, magnets, and more. Fresh designs are added monthly at GeoSwag.shop SHOP NOW The Perfect Geo-Tourism Weekend in Wallace YouTube/The Rock Record Here’s a look at my recommendations for a weekend in Wallace. Watch my video above for a full virtual tour!   Once you've scoped out all the geology-related, must-see spots, make a stop at these locales. They can provide a great break for the non-geos in your travel group! The Oasis Bordello Museum Outdoor opportunities (hiking, biking, and skiing, oh my!) Dante’s Peak memorabilia spotting (Stop in to the 1313 Club for Dante’s Peak Poutine!) Take photos at the Center of the Universe Learn about the Last Stoplight on I-90 Grab a beer at Wallace Brewing Company Sponsored Advancing Earth Science Together at GeoConvention 2026, Calgary   Join us for three days of innovation, collaboration, and technical insight highlighting subsurface imaging, CCUS, critical minerals, geothermal, and emerging geoscience technologies. REGISTER NOW Want to help AAPG grow? Consider supporting AAPG's free resources, like this one, by donating today. AAPG thanks our advertisers for their support. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Advertise with us.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now.   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from AAPG. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   AAPG  1444 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119, USA (918) 584-2555 \| 1 (800) 364-2274 (US and Canada) www.aapg.org   |
| --- |