Maine Geology - Mineral Collecting Hundreds of people explore the state each year in search of crystals, Many examples of Maine minerals are on exhibit at the Maine Geological Survey and http://www.state.me.us/doc/nrimc/pubedinf/factsht/economic/mincolec.htm
Extractions: Maine Geological Survey Maine has an excellent reputation among "rockhounds" for the variety and quality of mineral specimens found within its borders. Hundreds of people explore the state each year in search of crystals, semiprecious gems, gold, and other minerals. The novice is practically assured of finding something of interest at Maine's collecting sites, while a large assortment of rare minerals await the advanced collector. Mineral collecting is an inexpensive hobby that can be enjoyed by all age groups, and offers the fringe benefits of outdoor recreation and the opportunity to learn about earth science. Many of the best minerals in Maine are found in an igneous rock called "pegmatite", which is a very coarse-grained granite. Some pegmatites are enriched in uncommon minerals such as beryl, topaz, and colored tourmaline; they may also contain very rare species or large crystals of various minerals. Pegmatite veins are abundant in parts of Oxford, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc Counties. Most of them were commercially worked for mica or feldspar, creating piles of waste rock ("dumps") where collectors search for specimens. Road cuts and natural outcrops of other rock types occasionally provide good mineral specimens. This is particularly true of coarse-grained metamorphic rocks produced by the deep burial and recrystallization of ancient marine sediments. Examples of metamorphic mineral occurrences include the kyanite and staurolite crystals in mica schist at Windham, garnet crystals in schist and calcium-rich rocks at numerous places, and vesuvianite crystals in Sanford.
Extractions: ugs utah geology / marysvale minerals by Stanley C. Hatfield Geologic information: The Marysvale area is dominated by Tertiary igneous rocks ranging from intermediate to silicic compositions with both volcanic and plutonic representatives. The especially thick volcanic section is thought to be the result of a large stratovolcano complex and associated calderas that existed during mid-Tertiary time. One of the common units found near Marysvale is a white to dark gray rhyolite with extremely well-developed flow banding. The crystals, which are found in cavities in the rhyolite, formed in gas pockets that were trapped in the lava flow as it cooled. Bixbyite, a rare iron-manganese oxide, occurs as black, metallic, euhedral crystals up to 3/8 of an inch across. The crystals are generally complex combinations of various isometric forms including cubes, octahedrons, and dodecahedrons. Rutile is less common and appears as needle-like or bladed crystals up to 1/4 inch long.
Smokey Quartz & Feldspar Crystals - Utah Geological Survey ugs / utah geology / rocks minerals / smokey quartz feldspar. Smokey Quartz and Feldspar crystals at Rock Corral Canyon in the Mineral Mountains, http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/quartz.htm
Extractions: ugs utah geology by Dustin L. Rooks Smoky quartz and microcline crystals from the Rock Corral area collected by the author in November of 1996. Quarter in foreground for scale. Geologic information: The Mineral Mountains, located in Beaver County, make up the largest exposed plutonic body in Utah. Rock compositions range from quartz monzonite in the northern half of the pluton to granite around Rock Corral Canyon in the south. Excellent crystals of smoky quartz and feldspar are found in vugs or cavities in the granite. They formed when cooling fractures in the granite were filled by late-stage pegmatites consisting of quartz, microcline, and plagioclase. Quartz occurs as clear to smoky, euhedral crystals up to three inches long while microcline is commonly found as euhedral, equidimensional crystals averaging approximately 0.75 inches in width. Occasionally, large pseudomorphs of limonite after pyrite can be found in these areas as well. How to get there: Travel 0.7 miles south of the railroad tracks on State Route 21 from Milford where a Corral Recreation Area sign will instruct you to turn left (east) from the highway. This road is paved for a short distance but then turns to sand. Continue from the turn-off 5.4 miles to an intersection. Take the left fork and continue for 1.2 miles to another intersection. Keep right at this intersection for 2.7 miles to the first outcrop or inselberg on the left. You can park here or continue to the picnic area in Rock Corral Canyon.
Mesa State Geology Courses Introduction to minerals, rocks, geologic time scale and basic geologic terms, Laboratory identification of minerals and crystals by spectroscope, http://www.mesastate.edu/snsm/geology/academics/degindx/course.htm
Extractions: Course Descriptions GEOL 100 Survey of Earth Science (3) Physical makeup of the earth, its history, and geology. One field trip is required. Intended for students with majors other than one of the sciences. (Fall/Spring) GEOL 103 Weather and Climate (3) Non-mathematical introduction to elements of local and global weather: the atmosphere, cloud formation, precipitation, seasons, optical phenomena and violent storms. Students practice making 24-hour weather forecasts. (Fall/Spring) GEOL 104 Oceanography (3) Non-mathematical introduction to the scientific study of the ocean. While the course focuses on the hydrosphere subsystem of the Earth System, the atmosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere interrelationship with hydrosphere are also examined. (Spring) GEOL 105 Geology of Colorado (3) Introduction to minerals, rocks, geologic time scale and basic geologic terms, followed by geology of Colorado taught with the aid of slides and overheads. A one-day field trip is required. (Fall/Spring) GEOL 107 Natural Hazards and Environmental Geology (3) Introduction to geologic aspects of our environment. Includes studies of natural hazards, global climate change, geologic resources and emphasizes human interactions with the environment. (Spring)
IC Minerals, The Mineral Collectors Place IC minerals is devoted to the sale of fine minerals and crystals for those interested For mineral collecting, mineralogy, geology or the earth sciences http://www.icminerals.com/
Extractions: e mail: icminerals@earthlink.net IC Minerals is devoted to the sale of fine minerals and crystals for those interested in mineral collecting, mineralogy, crystallography, rockhounding, rocks, geology or the earth sciences. I carry an array of minerals from classic and contemporary mining localities, stocking a wide selection of minerals from Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America. The philosophy is simple, to offer fine minerals to the collector, in all price ranges for all budgets, from Thumbnail to Museum size, from the more common species to rarities, and from reference to Museum display quality specimens. In other words, I am sure that I can accommodate most hobbyists, from the systematic collector to the pursuer of aesthetic excellence, as well as those collectors who specialize in localities, certain species, crystal habits, chemical classes, twinning or pseudomorphs. No matter what your taste or what you collect, there's a good chance IC Minerals will have it. In my 15th year in business, I offer quality, stand by my specimens and have many satisfied repeat customers.
Awesome Library - Science Earth Science and geology Lessons Grade 11 (British Columbia Ministry of Education minerals, crystals, and Gems (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/Science/Earth_Sciences/Earth_Sciences.ht
Extractions: Earth Science and Geology Lessons - Grade 12 (British Columbia Ministry of Education) Provides lessons on Earth Materials (Introduction to Geology), (Minerals), (Igneous Rocks and Processes), (Sedimentary Rocks and Processes), (Metamorphic Rocks and Processes), (Mineral, Rock, and Energy Resources), Time and the Fossil Record (Relative Dating), (Absolute Dating), (Geologic Time Scale), (The Fossil Record), Internal Processes and Structures (Plate Tectonics), (Seismology), (Isostasy), (Earth's Interior), and (Structural Geology), Surficial Processes (Weathering and Erosion), (Running Water), (Glaciers), and (Ground Water). For the 12th grade level. The materials are called an Integrated Resource Package. 2-01
Rocks And Minerals - MMSD Electronic Library minerals, crystals, and Gems SteppingStones to Inquiry This web site for minerals (from UW Madison geology Museum) This site features pictures and http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/elib/elib.cgi?cat=156;o=alpha
Geology Of The McLaughlin Deposit The variety of minerals found at the McLaughlin mine is well known and extensive. The crystals in this pocket were exceptionally coarse. http://nrs.ucdavis.edu/mclaughlin/naturalhis/region/region4.htm
Extractions: Minerals of McLaughlin The variety of minerals found at the McLaughlin mine is well known and extensive. A small sampling is presented below. Lemon Opal A form of common opal (no fire), this opal was found at the surface in only one spot in the McLaughlin deposit. The deep yellow pigment was due to hydrocarbon impurities (probably curtisite), which also made the lemon opal fluoresce under UV light. D. Enderlin photo. Precious Opal In spite of the abundance of opal throughout the McLaughlin deposit, only one small pocket of precious opal was ever found. The samples at right display green and orange fire. N. Lehrman photo. Mercury and Cinnabar Cinnabar is the red sulfide of mercury. The image at left shows the liquid metal (mercury or quicksilver) with a piece of cinnabar from the old Gail Pit. Cinnabar was widespread in the shallow portions of the deposit, but was rarely seen as the pit was deepened. D. Enderlin photo.
Geology 221a - Mineralogy Schedule Of Topics - Fall 2000 Th 07 in the context of geology, chemical classification of minerals, Tu 12 Sept, Crystallography constancy of interfacial angles, minerals are crystals http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Geology/Min_jb/Schedule00.html
Extractions: Geology 221a - Mineralogy Schedule of Topics - Fall 2000 Th 07 Sept Introduction: course organization, mineralogy in the context of geology, chemical classification of minerals, physical properties of minerals. Tu 12 Sept Crystallography: constancy of interfacial angles, minerals are crystals constructed from patterns, coordinate systems for minerals: lattices, unit cells, directional indices, Miller indices. Th 14 Sept Crystallography: symmetry operations, symmetry elements (rotation, reflection, and their combinations), crystal systems, crystal classes, Neumann's principle. Tu 19 Sept Optical mineralogy: electromagnetic waves, refractive index, Snell's Law, critical angle. Th 21 Sept Optical mineralogy: measurement of refractive indices, Becke lines, oblique illumination, dispersion. Adirondack Field Trip 22-24 September Tu 26 Sept Optical mineralogy: polarization of light, double refraction, ordinary and extraordinary rays, wave normals, ray paths, vibration directions, Snell's Law revisited. Th 28 Sept Optical mineralogy: Birefringence, addition and subtraction of interference colors, conoscopic observation of uniaxial crystals, isogyres, isochromes, optic sign.
Remote Sensing Tutorial Page 2-1a The Six Fundamental Concepts about the Earth s geology lightcolored and large feldspar and quartz (minerals) crystals, and Basalt - extrude as lavas on http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect2/Sect2_1a.html
Extractions: GEOLOGY - THE SCIENCE OF THE SOLID EARTH AND ITS INTERNAL PROCESSES, INFLUENCED ALSO BY THE ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS/RIVERS, AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - COMES FROM THE GREEK WORDS GEOS (EARTH) AND LOGOS (STUDY). PLANETOLOGY INVOLVES ON-SITE AND SENSOR INVESTIGATIONS OF THE OTHER SOLAR (AND NOW EXTRASOLAR) PLANETARY BODIES, USING MAINLY COMPARISONS TO TERRESTRIAL GEOLOGICAL FEATURES AND PROCESSES AND APPLYING METHODS OF ANALYSIS PROVEN EFFECTIVE FOR EARTH STUDIES. The Six Fundamental Concepts about the Earth's Geology 1. The Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago, along with the other solar planets and the Sun itself. The planets built up by accretion of rocky and gaseous debris (asteroidal, planetesimal [meteoritic] materials and comets) through collision of orbiting bodies. Aided by gravitational attraction, early on the assembling Earth underwent partial to complete melting, separation of different materials into an inner and outer core (iron-nickel), and extensive interior mantle, (iron/magnesium/calcium-rich silicates), and a thin crust (enriched in silica, sodium/potassium/aluminum), all (except the outer core) solidifying by cooling over the first few hundred million years; escaping gases produced an atmosphere (H, CO , N, CH ) were held above the solid Earth by gravity owing to its large mass; in time (about 4 billion years ago), the Earth's exterior cooled sufficiently to allow vast volumes of water vapor to condense, forming in lower areas great concentrations of water collection into oceanic basins.
Extractions: ASA News ASEE Prism Academe African American Review ... View all titles in this topic Hot New Articles by Topic Automotive Sports Top Articles Ever by Topic Automotive Sports Smithsonian's Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals, The Mineralogical Record May/Jun 2000 by White, John S Save a personal copy of this article and quickly find it again with Furl.net. It's free! Save it. This quite new mineral and gem gallery (opened September 1997) merits many compliments. Before proceeding with those, however, an admission is in order, in the interests of full disclosure. The reader must be told that I have long been associated with the Smithsonian and was, in fact, curator-in-charge of its mineral and gem collections when I retired in 1991. All I can say against the possible charge of bias is that I have done my best to produce a review that is fair and balanced. In fact, it is not based solely upon my own reactions. I have purposely invited comments from numerous friends who have also critically assessed this gallery; most, but not all, of them are involved with minerals either professionally or as collectors. With the exception of a relatively minor number of specific criticisms, the overall reaction has been enthusiastically positive.
Geonote6_1 Describes how crystals, semiprecious stones, and precious metals form in nature, geology importance, erosion, mining, and the uses of minerals, metals, http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/proj_earth/Geonotes6asof03262001/Geonote6_1.h
Crystals, Minerals, Fossils, Meteorites, Rocks Hundreds of crystals, minerals, fossils from around the world, Hard to find books on the geologic, minerological, and metaphysical aspects of stones. http://www.bestcrystals.com/
Nearctica - Geology - Minerals And Gems - Crystallography Return to geology. Main Page Introduction to Crystallography and Mineral Crystal Systems. Mike Howard and Darcy Howard. A tremendous resource on the web http://www.nearctica.com/geology/mineral/crystal.htm
Extractions: Minerals and Gems - Crystallography Special Segments Butterflies of North America Conifers of North America Eastern Birds List of N.A. Insects Home Eastern Wildflowers General Topics Natural History Ecology Family Environment Evolution Home Education Home Conservation Geophysics Paleontology Commercial Organizations Return to Geology Main Page Photo courtesy of John Betts Fine Minerals Books About Rocks and Minerals Crystallography is a very difficult science and most of what you will find on the web is very technical and of very little relevance to mineralogy. The study of crystal shape, form, and physics is relevant to materials science and molecular biology as well as the study of rocks and minerals. You need a special talent for three dimensional representations to do well in the subject. Introduction to Crystallography and Mineral Crystal Systems . Mike Howard and Darcy Howard. A tremendous resource on the web. This online publication is an extensive and very well illustrated introduction to crystallography. It examines the basic principles of symmetry, and goes through the various systems of crystals with all of their forms and variations. Highly recommended. Crystallography 101 . Bernhard Rupp. This site in an online, interactive introduction to the science of crystallography and is very technical. Most mineralogists will find it little applicable to their needs even though it is a great site.
Mineral Identification Exercise A Virtual Tour of the Gems, minerals and geology Display. Interactive Learn about crystal structures by viewing an interactive movie. halite picture http://geology.csupomona.edu/alert/mineral/minerals.htm
GLY 220 Physical Geology Notes GLY 220 Physical geology, Paul Howell, University of Kentucky. Physical Properties of minerals Crystal form - geometry of freely-grown mineral. http://www.uky.edu/AS/Geology/howell/220/notes03-minerals-spring2005.html
Growing Crystals GROWING crystals. Matthew A. Beebe Department of geology This is probably a good point to display mineral crystals, if they are available, http://www.beloit.edu/~SEPM/Rocks_and_minerals/growing_crystals.html
Extractions: Minerals are crystalline. Crystalline structures are characterized by an ordered internal arrangement of atoms or molecules. The external shape of a mineral may or may not reflect this ordered structure. If a mineral is in the form of a crystal its external form reflects its internal structure. Quartz is commonly found as crystals and as fractured pieces that do not have a crystal form. It is not necessary for students to understand the concept of what atoms and molecules are, but they should understand the concept of ordered structure. An analogy of stacking blocks (or some other object) in a regular pattern is useful to explain ordered structure. Rocks are composed of mineral grains. Some sedimentary rocks contain, or are composed completely of, minerals that crystallize from concentrated seawater. These include rock gypsum and rock salt (halite). Igneous rocks are those that solidify from molten material. Grain (crystal) size in igneous rocks is controlled by rate of cooling. If a magma (molten material) cools slowly crystals will grow to a visible size resulting in the coarse-grained texture characteristic of such rocks as granite. If a magma cools quickly (at or near the surface of the earth) crystals will be quite small, resulting in the fine-grained texture of rocks such as basalt.
Mama's Minerals' Geology & Earth Science Ring Passes checker test Crystal World fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites Site gives an extensive list of books about geology, Rocks, minerals, http://d.webring.com/go?ring=geoesring&id=13&next
Introduction To Minerals Two minerals with the same chemical composition, but a different crystal structure. Examples? Return to Outline Return to Physical geology GSAMS page http://www.gpc.edu/~pgore/geology/geo101/mineral.htm
