Rock identification ?

[WhiskyBottle]

Is this a suitable place to get rocks identified?
Over many years I have brought rocks home from various locations around the UK and it would be nice to name them.

This is an example of the sort of thing I'm thinking of, though I know this is Serpentine from The Lizard, Cornwall

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

Is this a suitable place to get rocks identified?
Over many years I have brought rocks home from various locations around the UK and it would be nice to name them.

This is an example of the sort of thing I'm thinking of, though I know this is Serpentine from The Lizard, Cornwall

Seems a good idea, if we have any experts!
It has been suggested before that we need a section for geology/palaeontology/mineralogy &c but nothing has come of it ... why don't you put up a few queries and see what happens!

[Dorts]

Hi Martin. Geology is the one area of our landscape that I wish I knew more.
In limited areas I'm fine, such as the Weald and Downland areas of Southen England for example, but the further I am from there, the less sure I become.

As a young lad living in London, I would spend much of my time in those great museums we have. The most appealing to me was the Geological Museum in South Kensington, by the Nat. Hist. Museum. It was always virtually empty, and in those days you had free access to the thousands of specimens in the multitude of specimen drawers beneath the display cabinets. Yes, you could actully just pick them up and examine them! I have been hooked ever since, and in my botanical pursuits have been gratefull that I took such an interest in those early years. But how I wish I'd learned more. I cannot go anywhere without looking closely at rocks and their formations. Geology to me really is the most fascinating of all the earth sciences. And I would love to see more in that area on this particular Forum.
Dorts.

[Brocakat]

Libraries - particularly those libraries related to Agricultural/Horticultural Colleges - should contain TWO sets of their County maps showing
(a) The standard /class of Soil &
(b) Geology.

[ChrisJB]

I'd be happy to have a look at any of your rock pics Whisky. My first degree is in Geology, though it is 16 years since I graduated and alas I did not make it my career (just getting my excuses in in case of any incorrect identifications ). However, on my walks and things, I still take an interest and like to get my eye in.
I do have to confess though, that I did not recognise your above photo as serpentine (even though I have a couple of lumps from The Lizard myself)!
There is another regular poster on here who has a geological background too, but I can't remember who.

Chris

[WhiskyBottle]

Hmm! Seems I may have stired some interest here. I'll post some more pics when I get a chance and see what comes of it.

You would think photographing a rock would be easy! I took several pics of that serpentine, the only difference was the position of the flash. But the pics where not recognisable as the same rock. Slighty differant angle picks up different crystals and all the shapes and colours change

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

You would think photographing a rock would be easy! I took several pics of that serpentine, the only difference was the position of the flash. But the pics where not recognisable as the same rock. Slighty differant angle picks up different crystals and all the shapes and colours change

Absolutely. I tried photographing a beautiful outcrop of Lewisian Gneiss on Iona a couple of years back. The results were very disappointing.

Chris

[Tringa]

Good idea.

Perhaps we can get some photos of rock types.

Here is one - Breccia




Dave

[bryony]

Originally Posted by Tringa

Here is one - Breccia




Dave

That's interesting .. if I'd seen that type of rock while I was out and about I would've just thought 'slate'.

I find geology and rocks quite fascinating (and as you can probably tell I'm a total numpty atm!) so would be interested to read more about it on here, see people's pix and ID's of them.

[Dorts]

I frequently visit Black Rock Sands near Morfa Bychan on the Llŷn Peninsula. At the Western end of this fine beach is an out-crop of Cambrian rock which forms cliffs to 80ft, (25m) or so, in which are some fascinating 'sea-caves'.
There is a 'fault' on one part of these cliffs which are of great curiosity to me, trying to imagine the forces that formed it.



It appears that geologist's are not entirely certain how such formations among these Cambrian rocks are caused:-
"The often intensive metamorphism which these originally volcanic and sedimentary rocks have been subjected to and their generally faulted relationship to neighbouring rocks has meant that geologists’ understanding of them has been limited."

We can only guess!
Dorts.