Color:  Cat Head chert ranges from a pale yellowish gray to a slightly mottled yellowish gray.

Texture:  Fine grain

Luster: Waxy

Silica Fabrics / Fossils:

Patina:

Heat Treatment:  Heat treatment turns the color to a glossy jet black color.

Knapping:  Cat Head can be difficult to flake.  Heat treatment increases the flaking quality.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Comments:

Cat Head Chert is associated with the Cat Head Member of the Red River Formation.  Primary outcroppings are found along the west side of Lake Winnipeg near the town of Grand Rapids.  It is commonly found in glacial drift and also found in cobble form along the beach of Lake Agassiz in Manitoba's Swan Valley.