Worrell’s Mine

Enjoy a triple header: UTEP’s Seismic Lab, Worrell’s Mine and the Bhutanese art center, Lhakhang. The Mine and the Center are related based on the history of the UTEP campus. Seismography and the study of earthquakes is a key ingredient at any “college of mines” or schools of geology.

Meet by the Centennial Plaza in front of the Geological Sciences Building. (UTEP MAP) Listen to an overview of UTEP campus history including how the mine played a role in the selection of the site of the campus. Alberto Lopez will explain why UTEP relocated to the Paso del Norte in 1917 from the Lanoria Mesa, where the first campus was located. The answer includes real estate speculation, mining school pedagogy, and a bit of intrigue provided by Pancho Villa.

Then visit the Lhakhang, a Bhutanese ceremonial buidling where Bhutanese art is displayed from floor to ceiling.

Next take a tour of the UTEP Kidd Seismic Observatory with Dr. Aaron Velasco and Solymar Ayala Cortez and learn more about earthquake detection and the history of earthquakes along the Rio Grande River Rift. (If you missed this tour in June, you will want to take this opportunity to visit the lab.

Finally, take a short hike (but steep) up a hill to Worrell’s Mine. You will be able to go inside the mine. Hardhats will be provided. Geology graduate student, Eddie Zuniga, will discuss the geology of the UTEP campus and campus andesite.

Lhakhang Ceremonial Building

For further study:

PJ Vierra, “Rebuilding the School of Mines: Worrell’s Mountain”, Passport, Vol. 61, No. 1, Spring 2017, pp. 15 -26. El Paso Historical Society.