Mountain Pass California
Mountain Pass, California is a small community in San Bernardino, California, on I-15 in the southeast part of the state. It is located about 15 miles from the Nevada state line and has an elevation of 4,730 feet. It is at the highest point on busy I-15 between Nevada and California. This community only has 30 people.
The most significant part of Mountain Pass and the reason it exists is the Mountain Pass Mine. This is an open-pit mine where companies dig for rare-earth elements.
The Mojave Desert
Mountain Pass, California, is located in the Mojave Desert, so you might think there are endless expanses of arid landscape. However, Mountain Pass is nearly a mile high, so it receives more rain than the desert valleys below. The temperatures are also somewhat cooler. Because of the higher elevation and milder climate, Joshua trees, Yuccas, and Creosote bushes thrive in this area.
Relief From the Mojave Heat
Summers can be quite mild for this community located in the desert. Daytime temperatures in the summer hit the low 90s and the evenings get into the 60s.
Winter is quite cool, with Mountain Pass highs in the 50s and nights going below freezing. The landscape can even get a bit of snow occasionally. The Mountain Pass region gets about 10 inches of snow annually.
Rare Earth Elements And The Mountain Pass Mine
This part of California is rich in many rare earth elements. These minerals are not minerals we generally learn about in high school chemistry or earth science classes. One of them is Bastnaesite. This fluorocarbonate mineral is a large source of many rare earth elements. The Basnaesite mined in the Mountain Pass area is a critical source of neodymium and cerium.
Cerium is important for glass polishing and catalytic converters, and neodymium is vital for making magnets in wind turbines and electric motors. The area is also known for large amounts of monazite. This substance contains many light earth elements that are needed to refine crude oil and make electronics.
I-15 Corridor And Truck Accidents
Mountain Pass is known mostly for its mining and the natural beauty of the landscapes. However, I-15 is nearby so truck traffic is routine. Trucks also come and go from the Mountain Pass Mine. All of this truck activity means that truck crashes in the community are far too common.
If you get in a commercial truck crash, you could get stunned, injured, and experience tremendous pain. After all, tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and most passenger vehicles only weigh around 4,000 pounds.
The passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the force so you could suffer broken bones, head trauma, burns, cuts, and internal injuries. If this happens to you, make sure you speak to a truck accident attorney in Santa Barbara immediately. A truck accident attorney in Santa Barbara may be able to help you receive compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.