Editing Comstock Lode (section)

==Geology==
Volcanic vents to the east covered the area during the [[Tertiary]], and a [[fault (geology)|fault fissure]] opened the east slope of the [[Virginia Range]].  The east slope of the range forms the [[Fault_(geology)#Hanging_wall_and_footwall|footwall]] of the Lode, and is composed of [[diorite]], while the hanging wall is composed of [[andesite]], which the miners called "porphyry".  The fault fissures filled these fissures<!--how did the fissures fill the fissures?--> with "mineral-bearing quartz".{{citation needed|date = August 2019}}

The miners stated "porphyry makes ore".  The ore bodies were thinly scattered through the wide Lode "like plums in a charity pudding", and nearly all of them were found in the wide upper section and along or near the east wall.  Although the miners extended their work in all directions, only "sixteen large and rich ore bodies" were found, most less than {{convert|600|ft}} in depth.<ref name=Smith/>{{rp|71–79}}

===Bonanzas===
Six major bonanzas marked the first five years of the Comstock Lode. The Ophir bonanza was prosperous until 1864, producing 70,000 tons. Though rich, and having a length of {{convert|500|ft}} at the surface, the ore body wedged out{{discuss}} at a depth of {{convert|500|ft}}. The Gould & Curry bonanza included {{convert|500|ft}} of the El Dorado [[outcrop]], but dipped southward into the Savage at {{convert|500|ft}}; the ore gave out by 1866. The Savage bonanza included this ore body and a second bonanza, an ore body shared with Hale & Norcross to the south, at the 600 foot level; this ore body was played out by 1869. The Chollar-Potosi bonanza was consolidated in 1865. The 1875 Combination Shaft was a joint effort by Chollar-Potosi and Hale & Norcross.{{citation needed|date = August 2019}}

The Original Gold Hill bonanza consisted of the Old Red Ledge, {{convert|1000|ft}} long, {{convert|500|ft}} wide, and {{convert|500|ft}} deep.  The associated Gold Hill mines were merged into the Consolidated Imperial by 1876. The Yellow Jacket shared the Gold Hill bonanza on its north, and shared a second bonanza with Crown Point and Kentucky to the south, discovered in 1864.<ref name=Smith/>{{rp|80–98}}

The Crown Point-Belcher bonanza was discovered in 1870. The ore body extended from the 900 to the 1,500-foot level (275 to 460 m), having a length of {{convert|775|ft}} and a width of {{convert|120|ft}}. The ore, the precious metal value of which was 54 percent from gold and 46 percent from silver, lasted only four years.<ref name=Smith/>{{rp|137–138}}

The Consolidated Virginia bonanza was discovered at the 1,200-foot (365-m) level in March 1873. The ore body was {{convert|900|ft}} long and {{convert|200|ft}} wide, but terminated at the 1650-foot (650-m) level.<ref name=Smith/>{{rp|151–157,165–168}}