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The Rockland Gazette
Greetings and Welcome to our new members! January 2008
What's Rockin' this Month:
When Rocks Fold
January's Birthstone
Ask-a-Geologist Questions
This Month's Featured Mineral:
 
FLUORITE
 
 Fluorite Octahedrons
 

Fluorite is a unique mineral that can be found in more colors than any other mineral.  It is the example mineral with a hardness of 4 on the Mohs hardness scale.  Fluorite has a white streak and a glassy luster.  It is often formed in hydrothermal (hot water) veins within other rocks.  Fluorite is often found with other minerals such as galena, calcite, quartz, sphalerite and borite.  Crystals of fluorite can form in cube (squares) or octahedron (diamond) shapes.  Fluorite is made of calcium fluoride and is used in the production of enamels, hydrofluoric acid, cooking utensils, telescopes and camera lenses.
 

 
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Fluorite Trivia:

ó      Fluorite crystals often grow together which is called twinning.

 

ó      Fluorite crystals will fluoresce under ultraviolet light.

 

ó      Jewelers sometimes facet fluorite crystals and use them as imitation diamond.

 

ó      In addition to forming cubes and octahedrons, fluorite can occur in bands. 

 

ó      One of the most famous forms of banded fluorite is called Blue John and found in Derbyshire, United Kingdom.
 Greetings!
Welcome to The Rockland Gazette!  Each month we provide you with feautures about rocks and minerals and geology fun.  We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter!
Sincerely,
Signature - Tracy Barnhart
Tracy Barnhart, PG, Owner
How Rocks Fold and Move

Although the land you stand on seems like it is firmly in place, it is actually moving.  The Earth's crust is divided up into pieces that are called "plates."  These plates are slowly moving around the Earth.  While they are moving they sometimes bump into one another which causes the rocks on the plates to fold and push their way into mountains.

 

Folded Rock Layers on BeachThis photo shows the results of rocks being folded.  You can see how the rocks were originally deposited and formed in flat layers.  When the plates collided, the rock layers were pushed together into a fold.  When the rocks are folded into a "U" form it is called a syncline, and when the rocks are folded into a "∩" form it is called an anticline.

 

Kids, try this at home:  Use modeling clay or Play-doh in different colors to make "layers" of rock.  Using your hands, push the ends of the rock together and see how the layers fold and change from the pressure.
January Birthstone - Garnet
Crystals and gemstones have been associated with months of the year for almost 2,000 years.  Today, we call them birthstones.  January's birthstone is Garnet.  Garnets are often found in metamorphic rocks such as schist.  Garnets are actually a family of minerals which are all similar.  Garnet - January Birthstone
 

There are actually six types of garnets:

 

ó      almandine (red to violet red color)

ó      spessartite (yellowish orange to reddish brown color)

ó      pyrope (dark red color)

ó      grossular (green yellow, reddish orange color)

ó      andradite (colorless, yellow, green, or brown to black color)

ó      uvarovite (brilliant green color)

       

The garnets which are often used as gemstones are typically a dark red color; however, the brilliant green of uvarovite is rare and very prized.

 

January's Featured Ask-a-Geologist Questions
Question Mark - Ask-a-Geologist

Q:  After four years of college how can you become a geologist?

A:  You can get your degree in Geology in four years from many Colleges and Universities. You can be hired with the title of Geologist with this degree. Most states also offer the ability to get Professional Geologist license. Each state is different but generally you have to work for a several years and take a test to earn the professional license.

 

Q:  What test do geologists use to tell hardness?

A:  Check out this article on our Dig into Science pages on a minerals hardness.
 Mohs Hardness Scale article

 

Q:  What is one thing you can do to figure out what kind of rock you have?

A:  The type of rock is based on the minerals present and the method used to form the rock. If you are trying to identify a rock sample, looking for the various minerals and comparing them to a known sample or picture can be helpful.

 

Q:  When you find rocks, what type of notes should you take about them?

A:  I like to write down anything you can see - color, texture, possible mineral content, size of minerals, and location of rock. I even like to draw a picture of it and possibly a drawing of how it was oriented when you found it. All of this can be great information to remember when you get home.

 

Q:  What sort of things do you have to do when you're a geologist and is it fun?

A:  The types of activities you do as a geologist vary depending on your field of work. Some geologists work for oil companies and they find oil and gas reserved underground and others work for environmental firms who cleanup spills that occur.  Geologists can also be employed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, state regulatory agencies, the United States Geological Survey and Universities.  Geology can be very fun if you find the job that fits the types of activities that you like to do.  Geologists can work outside or in an office, they can manage other people or even run the business.  Anything can be fun it you do what you love!

 

Check out More Ask-a-Geologist Questions Here!