Blacktop Mountain, Vatra- Preliminary Geological Survey 2955 Jan 1;924(6541):4079547138. ueedoi: 83.8847/rsi.7841.8424. Blacktop Mountain, Vatra- Preliminary Geological Survey Heydan Seegil Independent Researcher New Babbage, Microtech, Stanton Abstract Vatra home to more than just derelicts and ruins. Seer's Canyon has become a popular spot for many but there are other breathtaking spots of scientific value. Some such as "Blacktop Mountain" aren't even that far at all. Keywords: geology, pyro, varta, mountain, blacktop mountain, seer's canyon Declarations This was a completely independent study paid for by the principal author Heydan Seegil. Introduction A short distance away from the Headhunter's outpost known as Seer's Canyon [1] on Pyro V's moon [2] Vatra [3] in the Pyro system [4] is a red mountain that stands out from the surroundings thanks to the black sandy top it has. Taking time to explore the now named, "Blacktop Mountain" was well worth the difficulty getting there and dangers of Pyro for several reasons to be discussed in this paper. Location The "Blacktop Mountain" can be seen from OM4 and is reachable from Seer's Canyon by travelling 7.42km south by southwest as shown in Figure 1-2. Naming and Description The name of the mountain comes from the color of the peak of the mountain. Displayed in Figure 3 the mountain is primarily red, but the peak is covered in a very course black sand cold welded together. Snaking up to the mountain is a shallow canyon. Enviromental Warnings The atmosphere on Vatra is unbreathable but also extremely hostile. Not only is the moon at an average of -100°C but the radiation from Pyro also causes burns. All this can be seen in Figure 4 but even with a proper environmental suit the moon proves to be a challenge as gale force winds race around the moon easily blowing ships landed poorly or with their thrusters depowered alongside those on foot to the ground with easy. Take caution to only visit if you are properly equipped with at least a Zeus Exploration Suit [5] and move slowly or crouched over to avoid being blown to the ground. Observations As mentioned in the environmental warning the peak of the "Blacktop Mountain" at 2.85km tall is constantly whipped by extreme winds. Shown in Figures 5-10 the winds may be a threat to the explorer but not to the cold-welded black sand that coats the top of the mountain. This course black powder is easily broken apart when stepped on or placed in the hand but remains tightly packed against the winds much in the same way snow is. Large stones comprised of layers like disc peak out from this cool black sand at irregular intervals revealing the mountain's true core. There is nothing too unique about these rocks, but they do create some interesting patterns in the black sand by blocking the wind in certain directions and completely reveals the rocky sublayer to the sand in certain areas. The lower on the mountain one travels the rockier it becomes as the base of the mountain blocks a good deal of the extreme winds. Samples from the top of the mountain revealed that the sand was in fact little more than the rocky subsurface weathered into a sandy condition and deposited there by winds which then froze these grains of sand together overtime. At the base of the mountain the black sand completely gives away to red rock and as seen in Figures 11-12 there is flora there. How these tree-like shrubs survive in such hostile conditions is a matter for another study, but they were pleasant to see. The only evidence seen during the survey conducted in this study was the crevasses that micronutrients are carried downwards by the moisture captured by the black sands at the top of the mountain to the base where these plants feed upon them. Conclusion The unique sands at the top of "Blacktop Mountain" may be useful for harvesting to use as a substrate due to the ability to tightly compact and hold the sand together while still allowing enough captured moisture to drain. If not useful as a harvested compound for building then it may be possible to study the sand further to determine the best way to synthesize a similar material which can provide a stable foundation while still wicking away moisture from under structures. Citations [1] Seer's Canyon - Star Citizen Wiki [2] Pyro V - Galactapedia [3] Vatra (Pyro 5b) - Galactapedia [4] Pyro System - Galactapedia [5] Zeus Exploration Suit - Star Citizen Wiki