In this episode, I talk about mineral color and streak as ways to identify minerals in your collection. The big take away from this, is that color alone is not a good way to ID minerals, and that using
Mineral Color and Streak
Mineral Hardness
In this episode, I talk about mineral hardness and how you can use common materials around your home to create your own mineral hardness kit. I explain how the Mohs Scale of Hardness works and how you use it
Why geology?… and how I got into geology
In this episode, I talk about how I became interested in geology and about the four reasons I think geology is important. These are: Understanding the past will help us understand what is happening now and into the future. Soil
Mineral Identification – a guide.
When you just start off exploring the wonders of minerals, working out mineral identification can seem a daunting task. It becomes a skill that you build over time – and mostly from experience of seeing lots and lots of minerals,
Gifts for Geologists & Rockhounds
So you need to buy a for the geologist in your life? Are you struggling to find something that will be ideal for their impeccable taste in all things Earth-related? I know how hard it can be to find that
So you want to run a field trip? 20 tips and tricks!
So you want to run a field trip? I have been leading field trips for over 30 years, and have had to deal with many situations that have required me to learn new ways of making sure people are comfortable
Iceland 2019 Photos
Just some of the photos from our 2019 Iceland trips. Come join us in Iceland 2022 More details here.
Climate change and understanding science
I have spent a lot of time measuring the weathering rates of marble gravestones. During my studies, I have discovered a trend that says that the rate changes over time. But that is not what this is about. It is
Why I don’t start Earth science by teaching rock and mineral identification
Many educators who are not Earth science trained, and many who are, flounder when trying to work out the best way to introduce the subject to their students. The first thing they do is reach for the textbooks in the
Discover Iceland – Fire and Ice on a Mid-Ocean Ridge 2021
Discover Iceland – Fire and Ice on a Mid-Ocean Ridge 10 – 16 July 2021 TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT – Join our email list for more information. This 7-day (6 night) field trip to Iceland highlights the amazing geology of this Mid-Ocean Ridge