A Scorpion found in an unidentified mine in Southern Arizona has turned into copper over time. Or was the process quicker? Let’s find out.

A scorpion turned into copper. Image credit: Bill Yedowitz

This incredible copper scorpion was on display at the 2019 Tucson Gem And Mineral Show and a photo was published on the AZ MMNRE Museum Twitter page.

But how can a scorpion turn into copper?

According to Tulane University, the phenomenon is known as encrustation pseudomorphism and happens as follows: “…a thin crust of a new mineral forms on the surface of a preexisting mineral, then the preexisting mineral is removed, leaving the crust behind, we say that pseudomorphism has resulted from encrustation. In this case the thin crust of the new mineral will have casts of the form of the original mineral.”

So how did it happen in the case of this scorpion?

According to @BenMS on Twitter, it was most likely a very, very slow process. The unfortunate scorpion most likely became trapped in the rock and, with time, was subjected to fluids rich in copper which deposited the metal as they evaporated, a process akin to how petrified wood is created.

But there’s another explanation that has to do with primitive and inadequate copper smelting techniques.

It is possible that during the smelting process, liquid copper leaked and flowed through the rocks to where the scorpion was trapped.

Regardless of the explanation, the copper scorpion is truly remarkable!

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